MCA hails Negri’s move to axe TOL

SEREMBAN: The move to abolish the Temporary Occupation Licence (TOL) and introduce the “rent-lease” concept in the state has been lauded by MCA.

Its national Youth legal bureau head Ng Kian Nam said it would allow those occupying government land to utilise the plots more effectively.

Ng said the conditions under the TOL were rigid as the tenants were required to renew the licence annually and barred from building permanent structures.

“Under the rent-lease concept, they are allowed to occupy the land for years and need not worry about being evicted on short notice.

“This is a very good move and we hope other state governments will emulate Negri Sembilan,” he said, adding the move would boost the state’s economy.

Last week, Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said his administration would do away with the TOL due to rampant abuse of the permit.

He said from Jan 1 next year, the new concept would be introduced and current TOL holders would have to pay more if they had built permanent structures on the land.

Ng said the state MCA would set up a secretariat to help TOL holders to migrate to the new concept.

“We will also explain to them that the land belongs to the Government.

“Many holders are under the impression that holding a TOL meant that they would own the land,” he said.