MALAYSIANS can rent or lease idle land owned by the Federal Government for temporary use such as to grow crops, says Energy and Natural Resources Minister Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan.

       He said allowing people to use idle land for economic purposes was among the measures implemented by the government to help them due to the economic hardship caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

       Takiyuddin said some land owned by the government had been left idle and undeveloped due to factors such as funding and revoked projects.

       “Land owned by the Federal Government in principle has a specific purpose planned for each of it.

       “As such, the ministry had proposed that idle government land be rented or leased to government agencies, private agencies or individuals to be used for temporary purposes,” he said in winding up the debate on the motion of thanks on the Royal Address involving his ministry.

       The minister added that 61 lots of federal land had been leased to individuals and companies for various purposes, such as to grow crops.

       He cited the example of a tenant in Pekan Pulai in Baling, who rented a lot to grow Napier grass to produce livestock feed and a tenant in Pendang who started a plant nursery on his lot.

       On idle land owned by state governments, he said individuals could apply for a Temporary Occupation Licence from the Land Office to carry out any temporary or short-term activities.

       “All approvals are subject to the respective state authorities,” Takiyuddin said.