KUALA LUMPUR: The Gombak District and Land Office has identified at least 70 more squatters in the area.
“We are issuing eviction notice in stages to these squatters who are mainly business operators,” said Gombak district officer Datuk Nor Hisham Ahmad Dahlan, adding that the squatters will be given 28 days to vacate the land.
The squatters who are occupying land underneath Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) high tension cables include a fish farm, fishing pond operator, car workshop, used car dealer, food stalls, restaurant and hardware shop.
The land office will take legal action against the squatters for encroaching on state land.
“Under Section 425 of the National Land Code 1965, those who are found to be unlawfully occupying state land, reserved land or mining land may face a maximum fine of RM10,000 and a one-year imprisonment.”
He said the Land and District Office has given the business operators ample time to either vacate the land or request for a temporary occupational licence (TOL).
“They can come to the District and Land Office and apply for a TOL by paying a fee depending on the type of business they are running on state land.”
He said two weeks ago, 15 officers from six agencies, including district and land officers led by him, carried out an operation against business operators who are illegally occupying state land.
“During the operation on Aug 13, we issued notices to the operators to vacate the land within a month,” said Nor Hisham.
He said if the business operators fail to do so, the authorities will tear down and confiscate the property.
“During the operations, we also went to six places around Gombak,” said Nor Hisham.
The other officers involved in the operation were from the Selayang Municipal Council, police, Public Works Department, Drainage and Irrigation Department and TNB.