The Perak Land and Mines Office (PTG) has tightened regulations on land ownership transfers in the state to combat illegal transfer cartels involving insider collusion.
Its director, Datuk Mohamad Fariz Mohamad Hanip, said that any land ownership transfers in the state could only be processed through the e-Tanah system with the submission of the original grant.
In addition, he said that all PTG staff involved in e-Tanah transactions had a digital identity (ID) to allow for the detection of any misuse of power.
"In other states, transfers can be processed without the original ownership grant, but not here.
"With these two security measures in place, we are confident they provide protection to landowners.
"So far, we have successfully prevented any form of misconduct or exploitation through electronic means," he said during the e-Tanah Day event officiated by the Perak Menteri Besar, Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad, at the Indera Mulia Stadium here yesterday (Jan 25).
Mohamad Fariz was commenting on PTG Perak's efforts to prevent the existence of illegal transfer cartels, as previously reported in Selangor.
He said the two measures were implemented after weaknesses were identified during the transition from the manual system to the Computerised Land Registration System (SPTB).
"We found opportunities existed for individuals to change ownership details.
"After learning from that, we negotiated with the e-Tanah vendor to ensure that illegal ownership transfers cannot occur so easily," he said.
Previously, the police uncovered illegal land transfer activities involving insiders at the Klang District and Land Office in Selangor, involving 9.4 hectares of land worth RM7.1 million.
Bukit Aman Commercial Crime Investigation Department director Datuk Seri Ramli Mohamed Yoosuf, said 17 individuals, including seven land office staff, were arrested since September last year for suspected involvement in the cartel.
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