Crime & Courts

Seven nabbed over illegal land ownership transfers were from Klang Land Office

SHAH ALAM: The seven civil servants recently detained to assist in an investigation into illegal land ownership transfers are from the Klang District Land Office.

Selangor Land and Mines Department director Datuk Dr Yusri Zakariah today confirmed those who had been detained have since been reassigned to other departments.

"They have been placed in departments unrelated to land matters while awaiting the completion of a full investigation by the police," he said.

Yusri was speaking to reporters after launching the Low Loader Vehicle and monthly parade for the Selangor State Land Authority's enforcement and administration division at Dataran SUK.

He said the department was also conducting an internal investigation into the alleged incident, which is believed to have occurred during the transition from the department's old system to the new e-Tanah system.

Yusri said Selangor Land and Mines Department and Klang Land office staff have been cooperating with the police investigation by providing their statements, evidence, and other necessary documents to facilitate the ongoing investigation.

Asked what measures the department has taken to prevent such incidents in the future, Yusri stressed that the misconduct resulted from individuals taking advantage of the system change to illegally transfer land ownership.

He also advised landowners to regularly verify the ownership and land tax records to ensure their names are correctly listed on the title deeds.

"Perform an annual private search to ensure that your name is on the title deed," he said.

Previously it was reported that a police report filed by an assistant district officer in early November led police to a syndicate involved in illegal land transfers.

Investigations revealed that these illegal transfers were made with the help of 'insiders' from the land office in Selangor.

Acting on preliminary findings, 17 people, including seven Land office staff were detained for their alleged involvement in land transactions covering 9.4ha, worth RM7.1 million.

In a statement, Federal police Commercial Crime Investigation Department director Datuk Seri Ramli Mohamed Yoosuf said those arrested included 10 men and seven women, aged between 26 and 59 years.

Most Popular
Related Article
Says Stories