120 Perak families get land after 40-year wait

A decades-long land dispute affecting 120 families in Perak has been resolved after they were formally granted ownership of land around Sungkai and Kuala Bikam.

Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming said the families had lived with uncertainty over their settlements for more than 40 years before receiving the land grants.

Families receive long-awaited security

"The squatter problem that has dragged on for more than 40 years can finally be resolved. Tonight, 120 families are receiving land grants that symbolise a more secure future for them and future generations," Nga said in a statement.

The grants were presented during a dinner organised by the DAP Sungkai state constituency division, attended by more than 1,200 people from various communities.

Nga, who is also DAP national deputy chairman, said resolving the issue reflected the MADANI Government's policy of prioritising people's welfare regardless of race or social status.

He thanked Sungkai assemblyman and Perak Human Resources, Health, Indian Community Affairs and National Integration Committee chairman Datuk A. Sivanesan, along with civil servants involved in resolving the long-running matter.

Funding for Malaysia's Indian community

Nga also highlighted government funding aimed at the Indian community, including RM20 million for Indian settlements and RM50 million for Tamil vernacular schools, known as SJKTs.

Funding for the Malaysian Indian Transformation Unit, or MITRA, has also been increased to RM150 million.

The land grants provide the affected families with greater security after four decades of uncertainty over their settlements.

For foreign residents and property buyers in Malaysia, the case has little direct impact. It does, however, underline the importance of clearly established land ownership and legal title when dealing with Malaysian property, particularly where land has a complicated or long-standing occupation history.

9th August 2026