Kota Kinabalu: The Sabah Lands and Surveys Department (JTU) processed 17,367 subsidiary (strata) titles from 2021 until October this year.
Its Director Datuk Sr Bernard Liew Chau Min said it reflects the department’s increased capacity to accelerate the issuance of subsidiary titles through digitalisation and improvements to its internal processes.
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He said apart from issuing subsidiary titles, JTU also plays a critical role in leasehold management through processes involving lease extensions and restoration of original lease terms.
“Within the same period, JTU managed to process 1,758 lease extension titles, while 1,940 titles had their original 999-year lease terms restored. These achievements demonstrate the department’s commitment to ensuring that land ownership records remain well-organised, up to date and fully aligned with State land regulations,” he said at the handover of 1,974 subsidiary titles for the 1Borneo Development to United Sabah Islamic Association (Usia) at Menara Kinabalu, Thursday.
It was witnessed by caretaker Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.
Liew said the achievements highlight JTU’s role as the backbone of Sabah’s land governance, particularly in facilitating land transactions, improving registration efficiency and supporting orderly and well-planned property development across the State.
On the 1Borneo project, he said JTU, together with the Local Government and Housing Ministry (KKTP), City Hall (DBKK), Usia and the liquidators, underwent a complex process in preparing the 1,974 subsidiary titles.
It involved detailed technical verification and legal compliance, including boundary checks, building plan matching, preparation of floor and level plans, and validation of common property.
Major challenges in preparing the subsidiary titles for 1Borneo stemmed from the original developer having gone bankrupt, resulting in the delay of many technical and administrative processes.
“KKTP’s intervention was crucial in ensuring coordinated efforts among all parties, restoring confidence among owners and ensuring that building maintenance could continue without disruption.”
The State Government is finalising amendments to the Land (Subsidiary Title) Enactment 1972, which is expected to be tabled in the Assembly next year.
The amendments will introduce two new enactments – the Land (Subsidiary Title) Enactment and the Building Management Enactment – establishing a more comprehensive and responsive legal framework for modern multi-storey developments.
“These are necessary to address issues such as delays in issuing subsidiary titles, challenges in phased developments, the formation of management corporations and improving the efficiency of building maintenance,” he said.
JTU would also introduce a new land title format featuring enhanced physical characteristics and security elements to modernise the land registration system.
Liew expressed his appreciation to the Chief Minister, Usia, the State Attorney-General’s Chambers, KKTP, DBKK and all parties involved in completing the preparation and handover of the subsidiary titles for the 1Borneo development.
