GEORGE TOWN: The state government has no objection to renewing the leasehold land status of residential owners, including the 465 households in Bukit Gelugor.
Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng (pic) said houseowners only need to pay the difference in terms of premiums to extend the lease.
“There is no problem for houseowners who wish to extend their lease for another 99 years.
“They can just submit their application to the land office. For the record, we have actually renewed some of the leases,” he said.
Lim, however, said the conversion of leasehold to freehold status was a different story.
“Under the National Land Code and the Federal Constitution, we have to get permission from the National Land Council before we can award freehold status to leasehold land owners.
“The National Land Council, however, did not agree to the state government’s application to give freehold status to owners of residential properties.
“Nevertheless, we are still trying. The problem is that the National Land Council meets only once a year.
“We will still try our luck during the meeting to be held either this month or the beginning of next month,” he told a press conference at his office in Komtar yesterday.
Lim was responding to the 465 households in Bukit Gelugor who wanted the state government to help them renew their leasehold land status which will expire in 2052.
Penang Bukit Gelugor Residents Association vice-president M. Ganesh had said they were uncertain about the state policy on the matter. - The Star
Lim said they had explained the situation to the Bukit Gelugor houseowners many times, including once before the last general election.
He also said the state government adopted a people-centric policy, under which houseowners with expired leasehold land status in new villages, traditional villages and estates get to enjoy 90% discount in premiums for their lease renewal.
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