KUALA LUMPUR, March 29 — Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad said there is no need for the government to table a White Paper on Malay reserve land.
He said Malay reserve land in the country is not shrinking and had even seen an increase of 0.63 per cent last year compared to 2021.
“Currently, the gazetted area of the Malay reserve land until December 31, 2022, is 4,996,406.42 hectares. It shows an increase of 0.67 per cent compared to 4,963,190.80 hectares in 2021.
“The ministry recorded this area data based on data collection from state authorities in peninsular Malaysia. Overall, all states recorded an increase in Malay reserve land,” he said during the Minister’s Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat.
Nik Nazmi was responding to Perikatan Nasional's Datuk Seri Ismail Abd Muttalib's question he raised concerning the Malay reserve land and the government's effort to protect it.
Nik Nazmi said that the government has two approaches to overcome the issue of preserving the Malay reserve land.
"So that's why for me there is no loss from that point of view and the approach taken at the state level has two approaches. Whether it is a straight replacement or a replacement that is sometimes seen in terms of strategic value.
"Because the area may be different but the value is the same, it has taken into account in the Malay reserve land replacement angle," he added.
He also said that any cancellation or replacement of Malay reserve land falls under state authority's purview and will only be discussed in the National Land Council meeting that will be chaired by the prime minister and joined by all menteri besar and chief ministers.
"This is in line with the provision of Article 89 of the Federal Constitution which protects the Malay reserve land which will not decrease in the area upon cancellation, the state authority shall replace the area of the canceled area with other lands of the same type and area as the Malay reserve land," he said.
