KLANG: Only 43% of the 1,329 unlicensed factories here have applied to change their land status and register with Klang Municipal Council (MPK).
In disclosing this, Selangor state executive councillor for local government and tourism and new village development Datuk Ng Suee Lim said efforts to assist these factories in becoming legally recognised started in 2006.
He was speaking at a recent town hall session attended by approximately 300 owners and operators of unlicensed factories in Klang.
Much of the discussion at the town hall meeting centred on addressing the issue of unlicensed factories occupying agricultural plots in the district.
It was also attended by MPK president Datin Paduka Noraini Roslan.
The main objective of the town hall session was to serve as a crucial platform for social networking, knowledge sharing, and dissemination of information regarding the Unauthorised Factory Legalisation Programme (KTK) here.
“In Port Klang, Klang, Kapar and Meru, there are still over 750 illegal factories. The legalising process has been aided by several incentives, including those given by MPK and the Klang District Land Office, nevertheless challenges persist,” Ng said.
He pointed out that some industrial owners have refused to give up part of their land for road or drainage improvements, while others have difficulties due to multiple ownership of agricultural land, and some of them have died.
“The Selangor state government initiated these efforts to legalise these operations in July 2006 with the intention of facilitating goods exports and guaranteeing the state implements laws that are conducive to business,” he said.
“Our goal in legalising the factories is to eventually allow the companies to export their goods while guaranteeing that the state maintains laws that are favourable to business.”
Noraini said MPK aims to whitewash all land plots and factories, gaining approval to control any form of pollution, and creating a clean environment for residents, aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 9, 11, 12, and 17 (of the council).
“As part of the KTK programme, MPK is actively formulating solutions to legalise unauthorised factories, offering incentives such as exemptions for developments built before the year 2000 and new incentives, including the submission of ‘as-built’ plans.
“MPK expressed hopes that the revitalisation of industrial development under the KTK programme would position Klang as a competitive city in terms of economic growth, infrastructure, and urban sustainability,” she added.
