THE gazetted size of Malay reserve land across the peninsula has seen a slight increase despite three states showing a reduction in size, Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad said. 

He said it is unnecessary for the government to table a White Paper on the status of Malay reserve land in the peninsula.

“As of December 31, 2022, the gazetted area of the Malay reserve land was 4,996,406.42ha.

“This shows an increase of 0.67% compared with 4,963,190.80ha in 2021,” the Setiawangsa MP said during the Ministers’ Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat. 

He said the ministry obtained the data from state authorities in Peninsular Malaysia. 

Nik Nazmi was responding to a question from Ismail Abd Muttalib (Maran-PN), who asked about the original size of Malay reserve land in states in which the area is decreasing, as well as the government’s plan to overcome the problem. 

Nik Nazmi said only Kedah, Perak and Kuala Lumpur reported a decrease in Malay reserve land area.

“If we look at the details between 2021 and 2022, every state recorded an increase in Malay reserve land except Kedah, which decreased from 721,888.93ha to 716,537.28ha, Kuala Lumpur decreased from 1,003.56ha to 999.48ha, and Perak from 953,042.67ha to 953,040.87ha,” he said. 

Nik Nazmi told the Maran MP not to make assumptions. 

“The clear answer is no. The total area of Malay reserve land has not decreased. There is no loss from that point of view. 

“And the government has taken two approaches – to gazette replacement land of the same size or … strategic value, because the area may be different but the value might be the same,” he said.

Nik Nazmi said matters regarding Malay reserve land are under jurisdiction of state governments.

At the federal level, he said the matter will be discussed at the National Land Council Meeting involving Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and chief ministers. 

Responding to an additional question from Zahir Hassan (Wangsa Maju-PH) on whether the government plans to strengthen laws to protect Malay reserve land, especially in Kuala Lumpur, Nik Nazmi said the matter will be studied at the federal level. 

“The government will look at the best mechanism to ensure Malay reserve land in Kuala Lumpur can be protected,” he said. – March 29, 2023.