Sabah Land Acquisition Ordinance (Sabah Cap. 69)

Sabah Land Acquisition Ordinance (Sabah Cap. 69)

All amendment up to June 1994
Published and printed in October 2025

The Sabah Land Acquisition Ordinance (Cap. 69) is the governing legislation for the compulsory acquisition of land in the state of Sabah, Malaysia. It empowers the State Government to acquire private land for public purposes or economic development, ensuring that landowners are accorded due process and fair compensation.

Key features of the Ordinance include:

• Procedures for the issuance of acquisition notices
  
• Powers of the Director of Lands and Surveys
  
• Rights of landowners to object to acquisition
  
• Valuation and assessment of compensation
  
• Appeals process and reference to the High Court
  
• Provisions for urgent acquisitions and temporary occupation of land

This Ordinance plays a vital role in balancing the needs of development with the protection of landowners' rights. It is distinct from the Land Acquisition Act 1960 applicable in Peninsular Malaysia, with specific provisions tailored to Sabah's land administration system.

Ideal for use by legal practitioners, landowners, developers, surveyors, and public officers, this publication offers a clear and accessible guide to the legal processes surrounding land acquisition in Sabah.