SHAH ALAM, Aug 3 — Selangor has demolished 72 illegal factories operating on government land so far this year as part of its continued enforcement against unauthorised developments, the State Legislative Assembly was told today.
State executive councillor for local government and tourism Dato' Ng Suee Lim said that, of the total, 53 structures were located in Shah Alam and 19 in Klang.
The demolitions were conducted through three enforcement operations after completing the necessary legal procedures, including the issuance of notices, verification of land status, and coordination among relevant agencies.
"The operations took into account public safety, the removal of assets, traffic management, and the disposal of demolition waste," he said in response to Bukit Gasing state assemblyman Rajiv Rishyakaran’s query on Selangor’s measures to address illegal factories and unplanned land development during the Assembly sitting today.
Ng added that since January this year, 11 Section 7B notices involving five land titles have also been issued by district land administrators to allow landowners and interested parties to explain why their land should not be forfeited before further action is taken.
"The state government, through district land offices and the local authorities, will continue checking land ownership status, compliance with land-use conditions, operating licences, and development approvals before taking legal action against offenders,” he said.
While acknowledging that the demolitions may temporarily affect business owners, small operators and workers, the councillor noted that enforcement is necessary to safeguard wider public interest.
"Illegal factories not only cause losses in state revenue through unpaid land premiums, taxes, and development-related charges, but also pose risks including fire hazards, environmental pollution, traffic congestion, disruption to residential areas, and unplanned land use.
"The state government adopts a 'carrot and stick' approach. Factories that qualify will be regularised through our legalisation programme, while those that cannot be legalised must relocate to approved industrial areas,” Ng said.
Responding to Kota Damansara state assemblyman Muhammad Izuan Ahmad Kasim’s query about concerns that the cleared lands could become illegal dumping grounds, he said he would instruct the relevant agencies to strengthen monitoring and consider installing barriers or fencing.
On the issue of illegal e-waste factories raised by Sijangkang state assemblyman Dato' Dr Ahmad Yunus Hairi, Ng said that these operators often set up in remote agricultural and village areas, where enforcement is more difficult.
Nonetheless, the state government will continue carrying out integrated enforcement operations, strengthen monitoring, and act on public complaints to curb illegal factories.
