The Federal Government has asked all local authorities to come down hard on developers found to be clearing land without prior approval.

MPSJ president Datuk Abdul Hakim Borhan said based on the directive from the Federal Government, developers would now be required to conduct an environment impact assessment (EIA) for sites over 20ha instead of 50ha as before.

He said local authorities were also told to monitor closely clearing work involving areas between 40ha and 80ha to ensure that developers do not halt work after the land is cleared.

“If the land is left idle after being cleared, we (the councils) can ask that it be handed back to the government for use as recreational parks for the surrounding community,'' he said, adding that the government would compensate the developer for the cost of clearing the land.

MPSJ's actions against lorries carrying earth and sand that use residential roads have proven ineffective, as the operators are undeterred by the low fines.

Council president Datuk Abdul Hakim Borhan said the council was looking at ways to mete out heavier punishment to stop such acts.

Councillor Awtar Singh also urged the council to conduct checks on weekends and public holidays, saying the lorries took advantage of these days to use the roads since there was no enforcement.