KUALA LUMPUR – Challenging a decision to acquire land compulsorily should not be viewed as an act of disloyalty to the country, but rather as an important part of upholding the rule of law, said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said.
She said compulsory land acquisition remained necessary to support Malaysia’s economic growth and development of modern infrastructure. However, its implementation must take into account public sensitivities, with transparency, fair procedures and appropriate compensation given due priority, Bernama reported.
“From a democratic perspective, challenging the exercise of power is not an act of disloyalty, but rather an essential part of upholding the rule of law,” she said at the launch of the book Challenging Land Acquisition in Malaysia here today.
Azalina said the pace of modern development should not come at the expense of governance standards and constitutional safeguards enshrined in the Federal Constitution.
She added that the success of major infrastructure projects, including railway lines, industrial hubs and highways, should not be judged solely by their completion.
Instead, the government must also ensure that institutions entrusted with carrying out such projects discharge their responsibilities properly and in accordance with the law.
“Physical progress alone does not reflect a country’s standing because while buildings can transform its landscape, the rule of law shapes its identity,” she said.
Azalina also commended legal practitioners for contributing to the publication of academic and practical works that enrich the country’s legal literature and serve as valuable references for future generations of practitioners. – November 11, 2026