By Yasmin Ramlan
SHAH ALAM, Nov 14 — The Selangor government is aiming to bring at least 80 per cent of the 6,690 illegal factories operating in the state into compliance with legal regulations within the next three years.
At present, only 30 per cent of these factories have been properly registered.
State executive councillor for local government Dato’ Ng Suee Lim said if the need comes to it, the state will adopt a carrot-and-stick approach to enforce compliance.
He added that these illegal factories operate on 5,352 plots of land across Selangor, both private and government-owned.
“Does that mean the government is weak in its enforcement? We are not weak. We take a balanced approach, considering the needs of all parties to ensure the industry and economy run smoothly.
“We don’t want to make hasty decisions, but this approach may have been misunderstood by some business owners as the government not following through on its words,” he said during a town hall session with factory operators as part of the Unauthorised Factory Legalisation Programme at the Shah Alam City Council Convention Centre here today.
[caption id="attachment_379722" align="aligncenter" width="1200"]
Attendees seen during the Unauthorised Factory Legalisation Programme at the Shah Alam City Council Convention Centre on November 14, 2024. — Picture by FIKRI YUSOF/MEDIA SELANGOR[/caption]
Later in a press conference, Ng said Klang and Petaling have the highest number of illegal factories.
Earlier, he announced a special incentive for illegal factory operators to encourage them to register their premises, including up to a 30 per cent discount on premium payments for land-use conversions at the land and district office.
Additionally, a 30 per cent reduction will be applied to Improvement Service Fund contributions, development charges, and social infrastructure contributions required by the local authorities.
“Other incentives include nominal land premium payments, special land permits, temporary business licences, and compliance with minimal technical requirements for applications to local authorities,” he said.
Ng also warned that stricter enforcement actions will be taken against factories built on government land beginning January 1, 2025, through district land offices.
These include the issuance of Notice 7A under Section 128 of the National Land Code for breach of condition by the proprietor.
“If no positive steps are taken to restore the land by December 31, 2025, further enforcement measures will follow, including the issuance of Notice 7B under Section 129 and subsequently Notice 8A under Section 130, starting January 1, 2026,” he said.
Notice 7B pertains to forfeiture enforcement action for breach of condition. Once a notification under Notice 8A is gazetted, forfeiture will take effect.
On December 15, Ng issued a warning to illegal factory operators in the state to undergo a regularisation process or face potential land seizure.
Ng had said that despite efforts to encourage these illegal operators to comply with the local councils’ laws, they had been futile, with many still choosing to ignore directives.
