REMEMBRANCE 33: PAK MAT

Ahmad Jussof who refused to bulge an inch

Abdul Razak Din who has vouched to defend his land at what ever cost

Today (27.07.2009) I went with Zam to the Kubang Pasu Land Office at Jitra to settle the land dispute on Lot 2763 and Lot 2762, Mukim Tunjang, District of Kubang Pasu. Lot 273 and 2762 originated from Lot 763 Mukim Grant 1962. When MADA was established in 1969, a portion of the land (0.1694 hectare) was acquired by the government for the purpose of building an irrigation canal.

As a result of this acquisition, the land was divided in two lots i.e. Lot 2762 and Lot 2763. and all the previous co proprietors were registered into the two land titles according to their previous share of ownership :

1. Abdul Razak bin Din - 5/112 share
2. Ahmad bin Jussof - 56/112 share.
3. Ahmad Hafidz bin Shafie – 7/112 share
4. Md. Bashir bin Shafie – 7/112 share
5. Syed Zain bin Syed Abdullah – 7/112 share
6. Megat Abd. Hamid bin Megat Husin – 30/112 share.

Ahmad bin Jussof has built a house on the lot 2763. Whereas Abdul Razak Din and Md. Bashir bin Shafie has built their houses on the same land according the size of their shares. My portion of the land which I am holding in trust for my sister, Norlia is still vacant.

Without informing other co-proprietors, Ahmad bin Jussof and Megat Abd. Hamid has crossed transfer their portions resulting in the new share of co-proprietorship:

LOT 2762:

Abdul Razak bin Din - 5/112 share
2. Ahmad bin Jussof - 26/112 share.
Ahmad Hafidz bin Shafie – 7/112 share
Md. Bashir bin Shafie – 7/112 share
Syed Zain bin Syed Abdullah – 7/112 share
Megat Abd. Hamid bin Megat Husin – 60/112 share.

LOT 2763:

1. Abdul Razak bin Din - 5/112 share
2. Ahmad bin Jussof - 86/112 share.
3. Ahmad Hafidz bin Shafie – 7/112 share
4. Md. Bashir bin Shafie – 7/112 share
5. Syed Zain bin Syed Abdullah – 7/112 share

Disputes emerged when Ahmad Jussof wanted back physically his share of the land from the plot of land owned by Abdul Razak bin Din and Md. Bashir bin Shafie. He wanted both of them to dismantle half of their houses and move the half portions to Lot 2762 which is across the canal. Ahmad bin Jussof refused to bulge from his demand although practically it was a very absurd demand which were impossible to materialize. When Ahmad Jussof brought in a land surveyor to measure physically on the ground, the situation was very tense and it almost erupted into a physical confrontation.

To solve this matter amicably we suggested that we all do a cross transfer that could return the status quo back to the original physical co proprietorship without anybody loosing even an inch of land. Although Ahmad Jussof is already nearing 80 years old, yet he is a very stubborn man who does not listen to any advice. He has a negative attitude of what he says, you must abide by it without considering the outcome.

After attending the negotiations thrice without any success, I think I have already reach the boiling point of no return. For me, it would be beneficial if Mohd. Bashir is willing to buy our portion of the land as it would increase Mohd. Bashir's share to 14/112 share on Lot 2763. As such, he does not need to dismantle his house as Pak Mat has demanded from him. On the other hand, my sisters do not agree to the idea because of their sentimental values to the land. As for me, I do not see a foreseeable solution to end the dispute as long as Ahmad Jusoff is still alive. Zam agreed with me that I should transfer the land to Norlia and let she handle the dispute by herself.

Legally Ahmad Jusof was right because all the dealings were witnessed by the Assistant Land Administrator whom without realizing it has created a dispute that could not be solved amicably except with physical confrontation on the ground.

Pak Ngah Hassan who happened to be at the Land Office took pity on me and Zam when witnessing the blows of words between Pak Mat and Razak at the Land Office.