DEVELOPING SPECIAL ECONOMIC ZONES (SEZs) IN MALAYSIA: A LAND USE PLANNING LEGAL PERSPECTIVE

Authors

  • Muhammad Fadhlullah Najimudin Faculty of Built Environment & Surveying, UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MALAYSIA
  • Nuarrual Hilal Md Dahlan School of Law, UNIVERSITI UTARA MALAYSIA
  • Mohd Zakhiri Md. Nor School of Law, UNIVERSITI UTARA MALAYSIA

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21837/pm.v21i25.1244

Keywords:

Special Economic Zones, Land Use Planning, Development Control, Legal Aspect

Abstract

Special Economic Zones (SEZs) is a known mechanism that policymakers commonly use to attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). However, there is a global mixed reaction towards its successful implementation with a few operational failures, especially from the legal framework perspective. Therefore, this paper aims to explore the land use planning legal issues encountered by the development of the Special Economic Zones in Malaysia. Two significant legal issues and problems focusing on the cases related to land use planning and land matters have been identified using qualitative textual analysis. Findings show that there are loopholes and weaknesses in the statutory plan and local authorities exercising their power on land use planning management related matters. Thus, understanding the legal cases from these two issues is essential in formulating the next course of action on how the legal and regulatory framework should be embodied and embedded in the land use planning practice and policy in the SEZs' development.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Ahmad, F., Mohd, I., Maidin, S. L., Zainol, R., Norzailawati & & Noor, M. (2013). Malaysian Development Plan System: Issues And Problems. Malaysian Institute of Planner, XI, 1–20. DOI: https://doi.org/10.21837/pm.v11i3.105

Awang Ismail & Ors v. Kerajaan Negeri Kedah & Ors [2010] 3 CLJ 991.

Chan, E. H. W., & Yung, E. H. K. (2004). Is the development control legal framework conducive to a sustainable dense urban development in Hong Kong? Habitat International, 28(3), 409–426. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0197-3975(03)00040-7 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0197-3975(03)00040-7

Chong Co Sdn Bhd v Majlis Perbandaran Pulau Pinang, [2000] 5 MLJ 130.

Deng, Y., Fu, B., & Sun, C. (2018). Effects of urban planning in guiding urban growth: Evidence from Shenzhen, China. Cities, 83(December 2017), 118–128. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cities.2018.06.014 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cities.2018.06.014

Doody v Secretary of State for the Home Department; and other appeals [1994] 1 AC 531. (n.d.).

Dorozyński, T., Świerkocki, J., & Urbaniak, W. (2016). The FDI inflow to special economic zones in Poland. Contemporary Studies in Economic and Financial Analysis, 98, 135–159. https://doi.org/10.1108/S1569-375920160000098009 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/S1569-375920160000098009

Farole, T., & Akinci, G. (2011). Special Economic Zones. In Special Economic Zones. https://doi.org/10.1596/978-0-8213-8763-4 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1596/978-0-8213-8763-4

Farole, T., & Moberg, L. (2017). Special Economic Zones in Africa: Comparing Performance and Learning from Global Experience. In The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development / The World Bank. The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development / The World Bank.

Fenwick, A. (1984). Evaluating China's Special Economic Zones. Berkeley Journal of International Law, 2(2). https://doi.org/10.15779/Z38S64W

García-Ayllón, S. (2015). La Manga case study : Consequences from short-term urban planning in a tourism mass destiny of the Spanish Mediterranean coast. 43, 141–151. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cities.2014.12.001 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cities.2014.12.001

Town and Country Planning Act 1976 (Act 172).

Gunung Lang Development Sdn. Bhd . v Pengarah Perancang Bandaraya (2017) MLJU 685.

Harun, N., & Jalil, R. (2012). The Morphological History of the Malaysian Urban Form. International Economics Development and Research, 111–116. https://doi.org/10.7763/IPEDR. DOI: https://doi.org/10.7763/ipedr

Johnson, A. (2006). The Effects of FDI Inflows on Host Country Economic Growth. Centre of Excellence for Science and Innovation Studies, 58, 1–57.

Lebbey Sdn Bhd v Chong Wooi Leong & Anor And Other Applications [1998] 5 MLJ 368.

Local Government Department. (2020). List of Local Authority. https://jkt.kpkt.gov.my/en/SoalanLazim/Umum-JKT%26PBT

Lord, M., & Tangtrongita, P. (2014). Special Border Economic Zone (SBEZ) in the Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle ( IMT-GT ). May.

Low Moh Sun v. Majlis Perbandaran Pulau Pinang LR/PP/15/92 [1992].pp 6053 -6054

Maidin, A. J. (2005). Challenges in implementing and enforcing environmental protection measures in Malaysia. Malaysian Bar. https://www.malaysianbar.org.my/article/news/legal-and-general-news/legal-news/challenges-in-implementing-and-enforcing-environmental-protection-measures-in-malaysia-by-ainul-jaria-bt-maidin

Maidin, A. J., Begum, B., Ali, M., & Ibrahim, A. (2009). Powers of The Local Authority In Regulating Land Planning And Development Control : Whither Control. Planning Malaysia, 7, 133–147. DOI: https://doi.org/10.21837/pm.v7i1.75

Majlis Perbandaran Pulau Pinang v Syarikat Bekerjasama-Sama Serbaguna Sungai Gelugor Dengan Tanggungan [1999] 3 MLJ 1.

Masum, A., Nafees, S. M., Md. Nor, M. Z., & Ahmed, K. H. W. @ M. H. (2017). The Right to Development Versus Environmental Protection With Special Reverence to Federal Constitution. Advanced Science Letters, 23(9), 9072–9075. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1166/asl.2017.10025

Md Dahlan, N. H. (2012). Legal Issues in The Alienation of Lands for Housing Development Projects in Malaysia. Malayan Law Journal, 6, 41–63. DOI: https://doi.org/10.32890/9789675311765

Md Dahlan, N. H., Mohamed Nafees, S. M., & Ahmad, M. H. (2019). A Planning Law Perspective On Abandoned Housing Projects In Malaysia. In Selected Legal Issues in Indonesia and Malaysia. UNISSULA PRESS, Universitas Islam Sultan Agung, Semarang, Indonesia.

Md Dahlan, N. H., Nafees, S. M., Masum, A., & Win, K. H. (2015). Abandoned Housing Projects in Malaysia: A Planning Law Perspective. AGBA’s 12th Annual World Congress, 16-19 November 2015, 239–247.

Ministry of Housing and Local Government Malaysia. (2010). National Physical Plan-2.

Najimudin, M. F., Md Dahlan, N. H., & Md. Nor, M. Z. (2020). Establishment of Bukit Kayu Hitam as a Special Border Economic Zone (SBEZ): Global lessons. AMEABRA International Virtual Conference on Environment-Behaviour Studies. DOI: https://doi.org/10.21834/ebpj.v5i14.2270

North East Plantations Sdn Bhd v Pentadbir Tanah Daerah Dungun & Anor [2011] 2 CLJ 392.

Pembinaan Batu Jaya Sdn Bhd v Pengarah Tanah dan Galian, Selangor & Anor, [2016] 2 MLJ 495.

Perbadanan Pengurusan Trellises & Ors v. Datuk Bandar Kuala Lumpur & Ors [2021] 2 CLJ 808.

Piagamas Maju Sdn Bhd lwn Pengarah Tanah dan Galian Negeri Selangor dan satu lagi dan permohonan yang lain, [2013] 2 MLJ 97.

PLANMalaysia. (2020). History of Establishment. http://www.planmalaysia.gov.my/index.php/en/about-us/plan-malaysia/sejarah-penubuhan

Sharif Karimi, M., & Zulkornain, Y. (2009). M PRA Munich Personal RePEc Archive FDI and Economic Growth in Malaysia FDI and Economic Growth in Malaysia. 14999.

Shukri, S. M., Wahab, M. H., Amat, R. C., Taib, I., & Ismail, S. (2018). The Morphology of Early Towns in Malay Peninsula The Morphology of Early Towns in Malay Peninsula. July, 3–7. https://doi.org/10.14419/ijet.v7i3.9.15281 DOI: https://doi.org/10.14419/ijet.v7i3.9.15281

Sunway City (Penang) Sdn Bhd v Lembaga Rayuan Negeri Pulau Pinang & Ors and other appeals [2017] MLJU 755.

The Ordinary Co Sdn Bhd v Lembaga Rayuan Negeri Selangor & Anor [2014] 7 MLJ 705.

The Star Online. (2010). MPSJ 'no' to reclassify use of Subang Ria Park. The Star Online. https://www.thestar.com.my/news/community/2010/06/04/mpsj-no-to-reclassify-use-of-subang-ria-park

United Nations. (2019). World Investment Report 2019 (United Nations Conference on Trade and Development) (Issue June 2019).

Wahyuni, S., Astuti, E. S., & Utari, K. M. (2013). Critical Outlook At Special Economic Zone in Asia: a Comparison Between Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and China. Journal of Indonesian Economy and Business, 28(3), 336–346. https://doi.org/10.22146/jieb.6218

Ying, L. C. (2011). Subang Ria Park stays. The Star Online. https://www.thestar.com.my/news/community/2011/06/08/subang-ria-park-stays/

Zhihua Zeng, D. (2019). Special Economic Zones: Lessons from the Global Experience. In PEDL Synthesis Paper Series 1: Vol. volume 9 (No. 1; 1, Issue 3).

Downloads

Published

2023-04-27

How to Cite

Najimudin, M. F., Md Dahlan, N. H., & Md. Nor, M. Z. (2023). DEVELOPING SPECIAL ECONOMIC ZONES (SEZs) IN MALAYSIA: A LAND USE PLANNING LEGAL PERSPECTIVE. PLANNING MALAYSIA, 21(25). https://doi.org/10.21837/pm.v21i25.1244