Kuala lumpur: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has dismissed claims that his administration is neglecting the interests of the Bumiputera community, particularly the Malays, citing the creation of new Malay reserve land in Kuala Lumpur as proof of the government's commitment.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Anwar stated that after taking office in 2022, his administration moved to address the declining amount of Malay reserve land in the capital. He highlighted that since Independence in 1957, no new Malay reserve land had been created in Kuala Lumpur, with existing land being sold off. Anwar mentioned that in 2023, his government reclaimed the 480-acre Bandar Malaysia site from previous holders due to regulatory violations.

During the address at the Semarak Kenegaraan (Patriotism) programme at Syed Sirajuddin Camp, Anwar emphasized that the reclaimed land is now managed by Petronas and Khazanah Nasional, entities he described as Malay-controlled. He further allocated 50 acres as Malay reserve land, noting its value within Kuala Lumpur.

He also noted that when the proposal was presented to the Cabinet, there were no objections from the Democratic Action Party (DAP), with its secretary-general, Anthony Loke, only requesting an explanation, which Anwar provided by emphasizing the importance of maintaining Malay landholdings in the city.

The Prime Minister reiterated that the MADANI Government's move marks the first time since Independence that some of Kuala Lumpur's most valuable land has been designated as Malay reserve land.