SHAH ALAM, 14 Jan: The Selangor government has successfully legalised 50 percent of illegal factories in the state since Pakatan Rakyat (PR) took over the administration in 2008.

The Exco for Local Government, Legalising Illegal Factories and New Village Development, Ean Yong Hian Wah, said that the effort was implemented by the state government through several policies and cooperation from the local authorities and the District and Land Office.

He said that as of now, 3,040 lots of factory land without permission have been identified in all districts in Selangor with the number of applications for land conversion at 1,197.

“The state government intends to help factories legalise their factories with the implementation of several policies such as discounts on the premium by 50 percent and providing flexibility on development plans.

“If we find that there are still factories operating illegally, then action will be taken by the district office against the offence of using land, and for local authorities on the offence of not having development plans under the Local Planning Act,” he told Selangor Kini.

Elaborating, Ean said that they have not set any targets in relation to legalising illegal factories for the year 2015, but stressed that they will they to solve related problems.

“It is difficult to set a target because each factory has its own issues. So, we will solve it one by one, as many as possible, because that is the best way,” said the Seri Kembangan Assemblyman.

Based on records issued by the Land and District Offices across the state, as of December 2014, 1000 applications for conversion of factory requirements have been approved and the Petaling district recorded the highest number with 686 factories.

The Klang district received 55 approvals for the application to change requirements, Hulu Langat (158), Kuala Langat (71), Gombak (19), Kuala Selangor (5), Hulu Selangor (5), Sepang (1), while there were no applications from Sabak Bernam.

NS