NACC panel proposes measures to tackle encroachment on state land
Lack of clarity in the boundaries of public land, corruption, and negligence in keeping a close watch on land use have all contributed to deep-rooted malfeasance in the issuance of ownership documents that encroach on state land, including forests, Narong Rat-umarit, chairman of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC)’s sub-panel studying the issue, said Thursday.
The NACC is concerned about the problem, as it has caused a lot of damage to the country’s economy and natural resources, Narong said. Because of the high demand for public land, many plots located in areas with scenic beauty, such as islands, mountains, and forests are exploited and there is malfeasance in issuance of land documents with the connivance of corrupt officials.
The NACC is looking for better measures to alleviate the impacts of the problem, he added.
At the first public hearing yesterday, some recommendations were proposed, including intensifying probes into irregular land-deed issuance, intensifying charges against bribe-givers as well as corrupt officials, and re-management of the Sor Khor 1 document, which initially addresses initial rights over the land before being processed into land deeds.
