By Sheeda Fathil
SHAH ALAM, July 29 — Local authorities in Selangor are not authorised to take further action on illegal encroachers once the case is brought to court.
Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari said they only have the right to issue compounds and investigate whether restoration works on encroached lands have been implemented.
“When compounds are issued to illegal encroachers, paid for and land restoration works implemented, then the case is completed on the local authority level.
“However if the illegal encroachers remain recalcitrant, then the local authority has the right to take them to court. Once that happens, they no longer have the right to set any sentences,” he said at the Selangor State Legislative Assembly here today.
Amirudin was responding to a query from Dusun Tua state assemblyman Edry Faizal Eddy Yusof, on whether the state government will ensure local authorities expedite the process of taking illegal encroachers to court.
The Menteri Besar added that local authorities issue compounds to give an opportunity to the illegal encroachers to carry out remedial works.
“We offer them compounds so they would implement the land restoration works, and if they refuse then we take them to court,” he said.
