By Sheeda Fathil
SHAH ALAM, May 23 — The number of illegal factories in Selangor has dropped significantly thanks to continuous enforcement and a legalisation drive, but remains high at 4,170, with strict action set to begin against dozens of these premises in July.
State executive councillor for tourism and local government Dato’ Ng Suee Lim said the figure marks a welcome improvement from the more than 6,000 unlicensed factories recorded previously.
“This figure reflects a positive development. We have issued 90 notices under Section 7A of the National Land Code for land misuse to the owners and operators of unlicensed factories,” he said during a press conference at the State Secretariat Building today.
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State executive councillor for tourism and local government Dato’ Ng Suee Lim speaks during a press conference at the State Secretariat Building in Shah Alam on May 23, 2025. — Picture by HAFIZ OTHMAN/MEDIA SELANGOR[/caption]
To encourage more operators to come forward, the state government has introduced several special incentives.
These include a 30 per cent discount on land conversion premiums, nominal land premium payments, special land permits, temporary licences, and flexibility in meeting minimum technical requirements.
“The state government takes this matter seriously. Our aim is to help these operators transition to legal status so their activities can proceed lawfully,” Ng said.
Selangor is targeting the issuance of 500 additional notices by July to encourage more operators to join the legalisation process with local councils.
On November 14 last year, the councillor announced the state’s goal to register 80 per cent of the 6,690 unlicensed factories operating across 5,352 land lots by 2028.
He said strict enforcement action will begin as early as July against 68 illegal factories found to have encroached on government-owned land, including road reserves, and built factories without any Temporary Occupation Licence (LPS).
Of these, 51 are located in Petaling, with the remainder in Klang.
“These operators have trespassed on government land…the state will not legitimise such land occupation, and it is now time for enforcement to ensure they vacate and the sites are rehabilitated,” Ng said.
The illegal factories in question include mirror manufacturers, furniture workshops, welding shops, mechanical garages, and heavy machinery storage sites.
He noted that the investigations have not found any factories involved in processing hazardous or electronic waste, and they have not been previously charged with environmental pollution.
“I want to remind all operators, do not encroach on state land arbitrarily. It is unfair to those who have complied with the rules,” Ng said.
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Royal Klang City Council personnel inspecting the site of a suspected illegal factory in Teluk Gong, Klang, on August 8, 2024. — Picture via FACEBOOK/MAJLIS BANDARAYA DIRAJA KLANG[/caption]
