Thumbprint rule to curb fraud
in land deals
20/03/2007 NST
KUALA LUMPUR, TUES: Property owners will have to provide thumbprints, as
well as signatures, when applying for replacement title deeds at the Kuala
Lumpur Land and Mines Office.
The move is a new requirement in force this month, following concern over
fraudulent land transfers, said director Zainudin Tala.
The land office also now requires thumbprints for land transfer
applications, he said.
The requirement came into force this month.
"With thumbprints, we will be able to verify their identity and track down
forgers when discovered. There will be no room for escape."
A spate of fraudulent land transfers have emerged, with scores of property
owners discovering that forgers have obtained duplicate title deeds and
forged property transfers.
Many have been unable to recover their property, following a controversial
decision in 2001 which favours innocent buyers of such properties.
The Bar Council has warned landowners to keep a close watch on their
properties, in particular those with no restrictions such as caveats on the
titles.
Yesterday, Zainudin declined to say if any of these cases involved the Kuala
Lumpur Land Office.
For now, the land office is still using ink pads to take thumbprints.
Electronic readers have been ordered to access biometric information on the
MyKad, he said.
The land office staff have also been instructed to be more alert when
issuing duplicate title deeds.
Processing applications might also take longer, up to six months from three
months previously, so staff can verify identities. |