THE Ministry of Local Government and Public Works has imposed a 90-day moratorium on processing applications for land use and reservation changes, effective on May 2, 2025.
In a statement issued Friday, the Ministry said the moratorium immediately halts all related permit activities by local authorities.
Driven by concerns over disruptive developments in residential areas and numerous public complaints, the government aims to improve built environment management nationwide, aligning with the goal of an upper-middle-income economy by 2030.
The moratorium, under the Regional, Town and Country Planning Act, covers changes of use, special consent, regularisation, subdivisions, consolidations, and reservation changes.
Local authorities must use this period to strengthen development control units with staffing and resources, enhance public consultations, enforce by-laws promptly, monitor permit compliance, and plan the beautification of public spaces.
The Minister will lift the moratorium for compliant local authorities to submit detailed reports on these improvements, including staffing information for spatial planning and development control.
The ministry calls for public patience and expects full, unreserved compliance from all local authorities.