KULIM: Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor has asked the National Security Council (MKN) to expedite the relocation of the Bukit Malut settlements in Langkawi.
He said the state government had agreed to acquire alternative land for the purpose.
"MKN is handling the matter. We have agreed with MKN to proceed with the land acquisition, but the new houses must be purchased by residents.
"This process will naturally take time for the acquisition and construction, but we want MKN to act faster. Discussions have taken place and we hope this can be sped up," he told reporters after launching the Kulim Smart Pay initiative here today.
Commenting further, Sanusi expressed hope that the relocation efforts would put an end to any lingering polemic.
He also stressed that illegal construction of houses in the area, which had spread into the sea, must no longer be allowed.
In June 2019, it was reported that the Federal Government had planned to move the settlements to a location with better housing. (https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2019/06/500116/government-relocate-bu...)
In February 2023, Sanusi reportedly said former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad would be cooperating with the Kedah government to resolve the illegal settlement issue involving locals in the area. (https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2023/02/881442/mb-dr-m-work-kedah-gov...)
It is understood that the illegal houses in Bukit Malut first sprang up in the early 1980s, built by migrants along the coastline.
It eventually expanded into the hills nearby as more people, locals and foreigners, began moving into the area and building their own homes.