Kota Kinabalu: The Sabah Law Society (SLS) has welcomed the passing of the Land (Subsidiary Title) Enactment 2026 and the Building Management Enactment 2026 by the State Legislative Assembly, describing them as long-awaited reforms to Sabah’s property laws.
SLS president Datuk Nazim Maduarin (
pic) said the new enactments mark a significant step towards modernising the legal framework governing stratified developments, property ownership and building management in the State.
He said the previous Land (Subsidiary Title) Enactment 1972 had struggled to keep pace with modern development, with persistent issues such as delays in subsidiary titles, prolonged developer control, lack of transparency in maintenance funds and weak dispute resolution mechanisms affecting stakeholders.
Nazim noted that the new enactments reflect a structured effort by the State Government, in collaboration with the Sabah Attorney General’s Chambers, to address longstanding issues through a comprehensive and forward-looking legislative framework.
He said the separation of legal frameworks for ownership and management represents a deliberate policy shift aimed at closing structural gaps, while the Building Management Enactment 2026 introduces clearer regulatory oversight, defined timelines for management transfer, stronger financial accountability and a specialised tribunal for disputes.
He added that the Land (Subsidiary Title) Enactment 2026 strengthens subdivision and registration processes through expanded scope, earlier application timelines, improved documentation requirements and a transition towards digital administration systems.
Nazim said the Society acknowledges the contributions of all stakeholders in bringing the reforms to fruition but stressed that their success will depend on effective implementation, including the timely establishment of regulatory bodies, workable transitional arrangements and accessible dispute resolution mechanisms.
