LAND DEVELOPMENT PROCESS IN MALAYSIA

LAND DEVELOPMENT PROCESS IN MALAYSIA

Looking from the Malaysian land administrative perspective, land development in

Malaysia simply means the change of original use of any alienated land that effects its

restriction in interest, express conditions and category of land use as opposed to what has

been earlier approved by the State Authority upon alienation (Abd Kadir Al-Haj, 1995).

Interestingly, land development is no where mentioned under the National Land Code

(NLC) which is the governing code for land administration in Malaysia. Under the Code,

land development however takes place in one or more of the following forms:-

            (a) Variation of conditions, restrictions and categories (Section 124)

            (b) Sub-division (Sections 135 – 139)

            (c) Partition (Sections 140 – 145)

            (d) Amalgamation (Sections 146 - 150)

(e) Simultaneous applications for sub-division and variation of conditions, restrictions and

categories (Section 124A), and

(f) Surrender and re-alienation - special provisions (Sections 204A – 204H)

            Thus, in cases where the land chosen or acquired for the purpose of development

is still in its agriculture status, the application for the conversion (to building or industrial

status), sub-division, partition or amalgamation of land, wherever applicable, must be

obtained first before any actual development can take place. 

            In Malaysia, there have been regular occurrences in the past whereby decision for

land development was initiated by the government especially if it is recognized that

development of certain land not necessarily idle or under-developed, is essential in

fulfilling certain urban planning policies of the government. Two good examples are the

acquisition of urban land for the light rail transit project and the acquisition of mainly

estate land for the Putrajaya development. In some cases however, even though the

government initiates the development plan which may involve acquisition of private-

owned land, the implementation of the actual development is still usually offered to

private developers. 

The stages involved in land development for this instance whereby the state government

played the role as the initiator and the role of the developer was taken by a private entity.

Property Development and the Need For Re-development

Closely related to the term “Land Development” is the term “Property

Development”. There are various definitions by scholars on the term ‘Property

Development’. The one that best encapsulates its meaning and processes involved is

given as follows:

Property development is a process that involves changing or intensifying the use of land

to produce buildings for occupation. Property development is an exciting, at times

frustrating, complex activity involving the use of scarce resources. It is a high risk

activity which often involves large sums of money tied up in the production process,

providing a product which is relatively indivisible. The performances of the economy, at

both national and local levels, directly influence the process.

                                                                Cadman and Topping (1:1995)

Development comprises the following aspects:

(i)         Perception and estimation on demand for various categories of new building

(ii)        Identifying and ensuring safety of site before building is built on it to meet the demand

(iii)       Designing accommodation to meet the demand for the identified site

(iv)       Long term or short term financing to fund the acquisition of and construction on the site

(v)        Design management and construction, and

(vi)       Leasing out and management of completed building.”

On the other hand, the Town and Country Planning Act 1976 (Act 172) of

Malaysia defines property development as the carrying out of any building, engineering,

mining, industrial or other similar operations in on, over or under land, or the making of

any material change in the use of any buildings or other land, or the subdivision or

amalgamation of lands. Thus, in broad terms, development can be divided into two

categories, one being the carrying out of physical operations such as building or

engineering works, and the second the making of a material change of use (Cadman et

al., 1994)

Property development can be divided into three prominent stages, namely:

1)         Pre-development stage comprising sub-stages of idea initiation (decision to develop), site

selection, feasibility, financing and planning consents

2)         Development stage comprising sub-stages of tendering, construction, project

management, leasing, financing and sale (disposal)

3)         Post-development stage comprising sub-stages of maintenance, management, leasing,

financing and sale (disposal)

            On the other hand, there is also new school of thoughts (Tan, 1998) that contend

that property development contains only two prominent stages; pre-development stage

which combines all the sub-stages in the old school of thoughts’ pre-development and

development stages; and        post-development stage comprising the same sub-stages

identified by the old school of thoughts.

            Perhaps the definition that is more relevant to be looked into in relation to the

subject matter of this study is the one given by Byrne and Cadman (1984) who have

divided the development process based on the perspective of uncertainty analysis

which relate to the aspect of viability of a development into three stages:

1.         Acquisition

            In this stage, development process involves land acquisition upon which the

development is to be carried out. There exists the element of uncertainty in this stage due

to physical features of the land, restriction in interest in the land ownership which may

benefit the land or otherwise and natural features and type of land use allowed or

approved by the local planning authority.

2.         Production

            This stage is when the construction of building takes place and the risk and

uncertainty that exists here is in the form of construction cost which constitutes the

second capital outlay. As such the provision for risk is included when deciding on the

building contract.

3.         Disposal

            This stage is when the completed building is owner-occupied, single or multi

occupied or disposed of as investment item. Risk and uncertainty exist in this stage when

disposal is by way of renting and selling whereby rental and return on investment and

purchase price contain risk element since the result of the development must be produced

first even though the developer cannot guarantee or know for sure that the stability of the

market at the beginning of the development is to last right till the disposal stage. 

This article written by :

Sr Puan Nik Nazariah bte Nik Jaafar

Associate Director of

NILAI HARTA CONSULTANT SDN BHD

Research Department of NHCSB

25 Feb 2009.

 STATE

GOVERNMENT 

Tender Committee  

Decision To

Privatise

Evaluation

Acquisition

-investigations

-proceedings

    Compensation

Tender   

Award 

Invitation To

Bid   

Development proposal

Financial proposal

Company profile

 DEVELOPER

                                   Fast Track: Award to handpicked developer                                    Long Track: Normal procedure                           

 Engage

Consultant

Figure 2.1: The land development process under privatization

ntroduction

125.

The development strategies for the next 20 years are focused on the vision for Kuala Lumpur to become a World-Class City. The strategies are also firmly grounded on the direction and accomplishments of the KLSP 1984 that set the framework for the structure and present growth patterns of Kuala Lumpur. The physical shape of Kuala Lumpur, the distribution of land uses, the new growth areas, infrastructure development especially roads and rail systems are all directly attributable to the policies and strategies set out in the KLSP 1984.

126.

The population base of Kuala Lumpur is set to increase from 1.4 million to 2.2 million over the next 20 years. Within the context of a city that is already well-developed new strategies that optimize limited land resources need to be devised. This Plan is part of the ongoing evolution of the City and the development strategies set out here form the basis for the planned spatial development of Kuala Lumpur as well as guiding the formation of sectoral policies up to the year 2020.

127.

The strategies are all encompassing and cover every aspect of the City fabric from spatial and infrastructural development to urban design and the less tangible qualities of the City experience that shape and mould people’s perception of the City and their place within it.

6.2 Existing situation and issue

 6.2.1

 Land use 1984 - 2000

128.

Table 6.1 indicates the existing land uses by sector while Table 6.2, Table 6.3 and Table 6.4 indicate the changes in land use between 1984 and 2000. The land use specialisation index in these tables indicates the relative importance of a particular land use in relation to the City as a whole for each of the planning units designated in the KLSP 1984 (refer Figure 6.1).

Table 6.1: Land Use by Category, 2000

 a)  Residential

 i.  Existing situation

129.

Residential land use increased from 3,822 hectares to 5,490 hectares between 1984 and 2000 and is the largest land use component in the City. The majority of increases in residential land use have been in the growth areas of Wangsa Maju and Bandar Tun Razak, whereas Bukit Jalil has yet to establish its residential base. Major established residential land use areas are in Damansara, Bukit Indah, Setapak and Sentul.

130.

However, residential land use in the City Centre has declined significantly between 1984 and 2000 and now accounts only for 26.4 percent of the total residential land use in 1984.

 ii.  Issue

  • Decline in residential land use in the City Centre; and• Slow growth of residential land use in Bukit Jalil.

Figure 6.1: Land use, 2000

Table 6.2: Land Use Change in Residential, Commercial and Industrial, 1984 - 2000

Table 6.3: Land Use Change in Institutional, Open Space Recreational and Sports Facilities and Community Facilities, 1984 - 2000

Table 6.4: Land Use Change in Undeveloped Land, Squatters, Infrastructure and Utilities, 1984 - 2000

 b)  Commercial

 i.  Existing situation

Photo 6.1: ...residential land use in the City Centre has declinedsignificantly...

131.

Commercial land use growth has been significant, increasing by 116.5 percent from 504 hectares to 1,092 hectares between 1984 and 2000. Although there has been some dispersal of commercial land over Kuala Lumpur as a whole, the City Centre continues to be by far the most important commercial location in Kuala Lumpur accounting for 25.2 percent of the current total commercial land use.

132.

The growth areas of Wangsa Maju and Bandar Tun Razak have had respectable increase in commercial land use which is in accordance with the objectives of the KLSP 1984. However, Damansara has had moderate growth in commercial land use and Bukit Jalil has only developed marginally. It is significant that of the four growth areas, only Wangsa Maju has a specialisation index in respect of commercial land use greater than 1.0. There has however, been significant growth in commercial land use outside the designated growth areas, in particular in Sentul, Bukit Indah, Jinjang and Seputeh.

 ii.  Issue

  • Preponderance of commercial land use in the City Centre; and• Commercial growth outside the designated growth areas.

 c)  Industrial

 i.  Existing situation

133.

The industrial component of land use is relatively minor and has increased from 475 hectares in 1984 to 553 hectares in 2000. Most of the industrial land use is distributed in Jinjang, Sentul, Bukit Indah and Maluri, which all grew during the period. Industrial land use also grew in the new growth areas of

Wangsa Maju and Bandar Tun Razak and there has been a significant increase in Bukit Jalil because of the Malaysia Technology Park.

134.

Many of the older industrial areas are in a dilapidated state, for example, Chan Sow Lin and areas along Jalan Klang Lama.

 ii.  Issue

  • Dilapidated industrial areas.

 d)  Institutional

 i.  Existing situation

135.

Institutional land use which includes government land and military reserve land has decreased by 12.5 percent from 1,852 hectares in 1984 to 1,621 hectares in 2000 and currently accounts for 6.7 percent of the total land use. Most of this land is located in Sungai Besi Military Camp, Batu Cantonment, Sungai Besi Royal Malaysian Air Force Base, Ministry of Defence Complex (MINDEF) of Jalan Padang Tembak and the federal government complexes at Jalan Duta and Mahameru Highway.

 ii.  Issue

  • Future use of buildings and lands formerly occupied by federal government offices.

 e)  Open space, recreational and sports facilities

 i.  Existing situation

136.

Open space, recreational and sports facilities land use includes city park, district park, neighbourhood park, local park, local play area, sports complex, golf course, polo field and as well as forest reserves. Total open space, recreational and sport facilities land use has increased significantly by 169.6 percent from 586 hectares in 1984 to 1,580 hectares in 2000, although there has been a steady decline in public open space in the City Centre largely because of conversion to other uses.

137 Major open spaces in the City Centre comprise the public open spaces of

. Taman Tasik Perdana, Bukit Nanas and the Kuala Lumpur City Centre Park (KLCC) totalling 301 hectares. Penchala contains the largest amount of open space, recreational and sport facilities totalling 486 hectares comprising mainly the Bukit Kiara Botanical Garden, Bukit Kiara Equestrian Park, Kiara West Valley Park, Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club (KLGCC) and Malaysia Civil Service Golf Club. The development of the National Sports Complex, International Park, Botanical Park and Berjaya Golf Course at Bukit Jalil, together with the district park of Taman Tasik Permaisuri at Bandar Tun Razak have contributed to the significant increase in open space in these growth areas.

138.