Kuala Lumpur: The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability will investigate allegations by a family who claimed they suffered RM500,000 in losses after unknown parties sold their inherited land, said Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad. Nik Nazmi stated that the ministry views the matter seriously and emphasized that those found guilty will face legal action.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the minister highlighted the ongoing nature of such issues, which involve land offices at the state and district levels. “We at the federal level take this matter seriously and will ensure that action is taken to maintain the integrity of the country’s land system,” he told reporters after attending the Green Academy Conference with Human Resources Minister Steven Sim Chee Keong.

It was reported that the heir to a piece of land in Sungai Merab, Dengkil, Selangor, claimed that unknown parties sold the over one-acre property after changing the land title. In response to such incidents, Nik Nazmi mentioned the government’s proactive measure to minimize fraudulent activities involving land ownership by developing the e-Tanah system, which facilitates various land administration processes online.

“Previously, land matters were handled (manually) using files, making it possible to forge signatures. But now with the (e-Tanah) system in place, it is much harder for fraudulent elements to exist,” he said. He added that Land and Mineral offices in several states are using the e-Tanah systems and that the system will be expanded across the Peninsula.

Nik Nazmi also noted that the e-Tanah system had already been implemented in Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya, Labuan, Perak, and Selangor as of July 31 last year. “This system can reduce human intervention and the risk of (document) forgery but it is still in transition process,” he added.