We, the residents, homeowners, and stakeholders of Petaling Jaya, are urging the Selangor State Government to finally address the long-standing leasehold land title problems that have been left unresolved for more than 16 years.

1. Voter Dissatisfaction Is Growing

The recent Sabah state election showed a clear shift in voter sentiment, including a noticeable swing of Chinese voters away from DAP.

Urban communities like Petaling Jaya, which have supported PH for over a decade, are feeling increasingly taken for granted. Fear-driven political messaging can no longer substitute for genuine policy solutions.

2. Leasehold Issues Have Been Ignored Since 2008

Despite PH governing Selangor continuously since 2008, the leasehold-to-freehold question in PJ remains unsolved.

At the 6 September Lease Extension Session in Bukit Gasing, the idea of converting leasehold titles to freehold was dismissed without meaningful engagement.
The current renewal scheme — 99-year renewal, RM5,000 fees, and a 30% discount for first-time renewal — does not address the long-term insecurity faced by homeowners.

3. PJ’s Ageing Population Is Becoming Vulnerable

According to MBPJ, 12.6% of PJ’s residents are now above 65 years old. Under the current leasehold framework, many elderly homeowners face:

* Falling property values once lease tenure drops below 30 years
* Pressure to sell at heavily reduced prices
* Loss of the financial security they rely on during retirement

This is an unsustainable situation in a mature, established township like PJ.

4. Demographic and Market Trends Make This Urgent

Malaysia’s Total Fertility Rate (2024) continues to decline:
* Malays: 1.910
* Chinese: 0.893
* Indians: 1.111
* National Total: 1.554

All major communities are below replacement levels. At the same time, younger generations are choosing to put their money into stocks, crypto, and digital assets instead of property. This contributes to a growing property surplus, which further weakens the secondary market and affects leasehold owners most severely.

The longer we delay reform, the more damaging the consequences will be.

5. Freehold Conversion Is Feasible and Fair

Petaling Jaya is a fully developed, mature township with stable infrastructure. There is no practical reason to keep homeowners trapped in an outdated leasehold framework.

Freehold conversion would:
* Provide long-term security for families
* Protect elderly homeowners from distressed sales
* Stabilise PJ’s property market
* Restore confidence among urban voters
* Generate state revenue through reasonable levies

It is worth noting that if PH or DAP were ever to become the opposition in Selangor, they would likely campaign aggressively for freehold rights. This raises an important question: why not implement these reforms now, while they hold the mandate?

Our Key Demands

A transparent and workable pathway for leasehold-to-freehold conversion in PJ

Fair and reasonable levy rates

Priority protection for elderly homeowners with less than 30 years remaining

Proper town halls and structured consultations between the state, MBPJ, and residents

Conclusion
After 16 years of governance, it is time for Selangor to address the leasehold issue seriously. Residents of Petaling Jaya are asking for fairness, security, and responsible long-term policy reform — not temporary solutions or political narratives.

This is an appeal for real action, not more promises