Informasi Malay Reservations Enactment

Background to the Malay Reservation Enactment

The Malay Reservation Land Law (hereinafter referred to as the MRE) was introduced on 1 January 1914, when the Malay Reservation Enactment 1913 (MRE 1913) came into force in the states then known as the Federated Malay States (FMS), namely Perak, Selangor, Negeri Sembilan and Pahang. The MRE 1913 was repealed with effect from 15 December 1933 and replaced by the MRE 1933.

In 1935, the MRE 1933 was reviewed and republished as the Malay Reservation Enactment (FMS Chapter 142), and it remains in use today.

Other states subsequently enacted their own MREs:

  • Kelantan MRE 1930

  • Kedah MRE 1931

  • Perlis MRE 1935

  • Johor MRE 1936

  • Terengganu MRE 1941

The British did not enact an MRE for Penang, Singapore or Malacca.

Objective of Malay Reservations

There are two main objectives:

  • To prevent State land within a Malay Reservation from being disposed of, by any means, to non-Malays.

  • To prevent private dealings between Malays and non-Malays involving Malay Holdings or Malay Reservation Land.

Aim

These objectives are intended to ensure that Malay-owned land remains under Malay control in perpetuity.

DECLARATION

Power to Declare

In Perak, Selangor, Negeri Sembilan and Pahang, where FMS Chapter 142 applies, the power to make a declaration rests with the Menteri Besar, subject to approval by the Ruler in Council. In Johor, the power rests with the State Director of Lands and Mines, subject to approval by the Ruler in Council. In other states, the power rests with the Ruler in Council.

Purpose of Declaration

  • To establish a Malay Reservation area.

  • To revoke a Malay Reservation area.

  • To amend the limits or boundaries of any Malay Reservation.

Land that may be Declared a Malay Reservation

  • State land

  • Reserved forest land

  • Public reserve land

  • Alienated land

Conditions for Declaration

  • Only land that has not been developed or cultivated may be declared a Malay Reservation 

    [Article 89(2), Federal Constitution].

  • If 100 hectares of new land are declared, another undeveloped or uncultivated area of 100 hectares must also be made available for general alienation 

    [Article 89(2), Federal Constitution].

  • If a Malay Reservation area is revoked, wholly or partly, another area in the same State of similar character and equal area must immediately be declared as a replacement. Without such a replacement, the revocation is invalid 

    [Article 89(3), Federal Constitution].

  • Land owned or occupied by a non-Malay, or in which a non-Malay has any right or interest, cannot be declared a Malay Reservation 

    [Article 89(4), Federal Constitution].

  • For the purposes of the Kedah MRE, town land or land within a Sanitary Board area cannot be declared a Malay Reservation 

    [Section 3(1), Kedah MRE].

  • Under the Terengganu MRE, only town or village land may be declared a Malay Reservation 

    [see definition (d), “Malay Holding”].

A Malay Reservation Remains a Malay Reservation

Any area declared as a Malay Reservation must remain a Malay Reservation unless it is declared and gazetted as revoked by the relevant authority.

Source : INSTUN

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