Kelantan has no power to stop owners renting homes, land to foreigners

KOTA BARU: The Kelantan government cannot take action against individuals who rent out their homes or land to foreigners, as the properties belong to the owners.

State Local Government, Housing, Health and Environment Committee chairman Hilmi Abdullah said local authorities could only act if the community occupied government land, which would constitute trespassing.

"It is the same in the Klang Valley, where homes are rented out to foreigners. This is not an offence as the properties belong to the owners.

"Action can only be taken if the community trespasses on government land, operates businesses or works without permits.

He said curbing the issue required property owners to stop renting out their homes and land to the community.

However, Hilmi said some residents rented out their properties to them out of sympathy, while others were motivated by financial considerations.

"Monitoring this group falls under the Immigration Department's jurisdiction. As local authorities, we can only take action on matters covered by local government laws," he said.

Yesterday, media reports highlighted concerns among residents over a betel leaf plantation spanning more than two hectares in Kampung Padang Guchil, allegedly cultivated by foreigners for several years.

The plantation, with rows of wooden supports for the betel vines, was reportedly rented from a landowner living outside Kelantan at between RM600 and RM1,000 per hectare, with the produce subsequently sold to wholesalers.

The area, which was previously overgrown and resembled abandoned woodland, had been transformed into a betel leaf plantation after being rented out to the community several years ago.

Residents also claimed that the foreigner presence in the village had grown from about 15 people more than 10 years ago to nearly 100 now, raising further concerns.

On the local authority's seizure of the plantation, Hilmi said enforcement action was taken because the land use violated the conditions attached to the lot.

"The land is designated for rubber cultivation and orchard use, but betel leaf was planted instead. This is an offence, and no application was made for planning approval for the plantation.

"As for the residential building, it was sealed because no application had been submitted and the necessary permit had not been obtained," he said.