The presence of 125 newly-created residual land lots is complicating land acquisition for two major Kelantan highway projects, raising costs and delaying planning.
KUALA LUMPUR: The existence of 125 newly-created residual land lots is complicating the planning and land acquisition for two major expressway projects in Kelantan.
Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi said the lots were created due to discrepancies between the project’s survey plans and the land office’s title records.
This mismatch has increased the total land acquisitions required to 1,724 lots, up from an earlier estimate of 1,599.
“The increase in residual lots carries financial implications, as it raises the overall project cost,” Nanta said during his ministry’s budget winding-up speech in the Dewan Negara.
He said the extra costs stem from preparing new acquisition plans, re-gazettement processes, additional survey work and potential increases in land compensation.
The ministry has engaged with the Kelantan Land and Mines Office to present the issue and urged the state government to formulate a holistic solution.
Nanta also reported on the physical progress of the two projects as of October.
The 70.4-kilometre Kota Bharu-Kuala Krai Expressway has achieved 60.42% completion.
The 299.4-kilometre Lingkaran Tengah Utama Expressway has recorded approximately 75.96% completion.
In a separate winding-up speech, Deputy Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Dr Noraini Ahmad announced a new welfare system.
The Social Welfare Department is developing the Welfare Assistance Management System to strengthen aid coordination and delivery.
She said the integrated platform will consolidate data across agencies to prevent duplication and ensure transparent, accurate aid distribution.
There are currently 15 state and 105 district welfare offices serving as walk-in service centres for applications.
The ministry also conducts outreach programmes at community locations like mosques and halls to deliver services inclusively.
Cooperation is being strengthened with local community mobilisers to identify individuals or families who have not yet received assistance.
