Many farm lands in Malaysia are tilled by generational farmers. Their ancestors have been growing crops on the same pieces of land since before Malaysia achieved its independence in 1957.

As these lands were under the ownership of the government, farmers receive a TOL (Temporary Occupation License) lasting at most a year, which will expire by 31st December and can be renewed repeatedly. 

However, repeated renewal of TOL does not guarantee ownership of the lands, and state governments have sole discretion to negotiate and approve land deals following the National Land Code since it was first enacted in 1965.

The rapid industrialization of Malaysia has led to the rise of new industries. As more lands are being developed to accommodate the needs of these ventures, the expansion of industrial lands have come at the cost of food producing lands at times.    

The limitations of TOL means food producing lands can be sold by state governments to developers at the end of any occupancy. Farmers and fishers, even with the ability to purchase these lands, can be denied from receiving a new TOL, and thus evicted from the lands they have been working on for generations. 

The growing number of land eviction cases involving farmers and fishers continue to rise despite the country currently facing an unprecedented food security crisis. Soaring food prices affect every Malaysian, especially the vulnerables.

Lawan Lapar, a campaign born out of collaboration between The Fourth, UNDI 18, and Yayasan Chow Kit, believes that every Malaysian has the right to have secure access to fresh, affordable, and healthy food. However, Malaysia faces challenges in providing nutritious food to all its citizens. 

The campaign set out to bring improvement upon farmers rights and in turn tackling the food security crisis facing Malaysia. 

To this end, Lawan Lapar has set forward three aims: allow affected farmers to continue farming, reforming Malaysia’s land laws, and promoting organic urban and small-scale farming.