Small estates are the property and all rights left by the deceased that belong to him during life and will belong to the heirs after his death. Every year, the issue of these idle small estate assets has been reported to be on the rise, which is now a challenge to resolve. Therefore, the main objective of this study is to examine the challenges that led to the issue of idle small estates as well as the potential that can be highlighted in helping to develop and at the same time resolve the issue of these idle small estates. The research methodology is qualitative by using content analysis on previous studies through reference to journals, articles, books, papers, and other relevant written materials to describe the issues, challenges, and potential to resolve the issue of idle small estates in Malaysia. The issues, challenges, and potential solutions of this idle small estate are analyses descriptively and thematically to discuss the results of the study more systematically. The results show that there are four aspects of the challenge that have been identified as drivers of the issue of idle small estates in Malaysia. Aspects of the challenge refer to legal, administrative, social, and economic issues. Findings on the potential to resolve this issue refer to the strengthening of the implementation of policies and legislation; the strengthening of the system of governance; the strengthening and increased involvement of the community; and the increased availability of needs in rural areas. This study can be beneficial for all levels of society, especially Muslims, as well as the parties responsible for these small estates to be more effective in overcoming and at the same time resolving the issue of idle small estates in Malaysia.

The terms ‘planning permission’ and ‘land use’ are of no anomalous amongst policy makers in the field of land administration and town planning. However, due to different policy jurisdictions, contradicting land uses are bound to arise and may affect land revenue. For the purpose of preliminary study, two surveys were conducted targeting two groups, 500 respondents amongst the public and 468 amongst policy makers in Selangor. Two different set of questionnaires in the form of Google Form were distributed within the course of two months via e-mail and ‘Whatsapp’ mobile application. The study is to test the level of awareness amongst the general public, and to test the level of awareness and readiness of policy makers as executors. It is later found that an average of 65% of all respondents are unaware of the policies in relations to land use. Alas, it is recommended that an in-depth study to be conducted to increase public awareness on top of equipping policy makers with sufficient knowledge in maximizing the use of Temporary Planning Permission in matters of land administration and town planning, thus improving land revenue collections.

The terms ‘planning permission’ and ‘land use’ are of no anomalous amongst policy makers in the field of land administration and town planning. However, due to different policy jurisdictions, contradicting land uses are bound to arise and may affect land revenue. For the purpose of preliminary study, two surveys were conducted targeting two groups: 500 respondents amongst the public and 468 amongst policy makers in Selangor. Two different set of questionnaires in the form of Google form were distributed within the course of two months via e-mail and ‘WhatsApp’ mobile application. The study is to test the level of awareness amongst the public, and to test the level of readiness of policy makers as executors. It is later found that an average of 65% of all respondents namely policy makers and the public are unaware of the policies in relations to land use. Alas, it is recommended that an in-depth study to be conducted to increase public awareness on top of equipping policy makers with sufficient knowledge in maximizing the use of Temporary Planning Permission in matters of land administration and town planning, thus improving land revenue collections.

Land use planning is part and parcel of both land development and town planning. In Malaysia, these two areas are steered independently, the former by a state or district’s land office and the latter by the state’s local authority. This study looks at the aspects of land development where land use conversion plays a crucial part, where it brings significance to land revenue. As the leading district in Malaysia, the district of Petaling is undeniably the busiest land office in the nation, working hand-in-hand with three city councils. Land premium that is imposed on approved applications for land use conversion has been one of the main contributors to the district and state’s revenue as a whole. Given the hefty charges that have been imposed by the consultants for land use conversions, it is found that the application charges that are imposed by the land office are minimal. An assessment study on land conversion has been conducted and the result shows that the local community assessment score on familiarity, collectively stands at only 40%. It is recommended that an awareness on land use as basic knowledge should be given priority as it may contribute to more efficient land development and town planning, as a whole.

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