Politicians identified as likely culprits in land scam

08/04/2008 The Star By Edward Rajendra

SHAH ALAM: Politicians with “sidekicks” in land offices are the likely culprits behind the numerous land scam cases in Selangor.

Local Government, Study and Research state chairman Ronnie Liu said initial fact-finding missions involving victims of such scams pointed to such practices.

“Most of the time, influential individuals would be involved with close connection of insiders in the District Land Office. Once the fact-finding mission on this issue leads to real investigations, it will rattle many parties including the District Land Office employees,” he said.

Ronnie said the state government was determined to resolve the land scams as people have lost their ownership to their land through fraud and high-handed tactics.

“Employees in the Land Office who have been sidelined due to this corrupt practice can come forward with information,” he said.

On April 3, The Star front-paged a story on the Selangor Government opening investigations into allegations of massive land-cheating cases said to run into hundred of millions of ringgit.

Ronnie added that the district officers are sifting through reams of documents to build up case files and among areas that are being looked into are Kapar and Pandamaran in Klang, Sungai Buloh, Ulu Yam and Kampung Gurney in Kuala Kubu Baru.

Yesterday, Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim told reporters that he would hold a press conference today at the State Secretariat Building to give an update on the land scam.