More than nine-tenths of Kelantan land remains Malay reserve, top in peninsula, says MB

KOTA BHARU, Aug 12 — Kelantan boasts the largest Malay reserve land area in Peninsular Malaysia, comprising more than nine-tenths of the state's land. As of June 2026, the Malay reserve land totaled 526,083 hectares, or 91.5%, with 816,020 individual ownerships. Non-Malay reserve land accounted for the remaining 48,344 hectares, or 8.4%, involving 43,255 titles.

The Kelantan Menteri Besar, Datuk Mohd Nassuruddin Daud, highlighted these figures during a State Legislative Assembly session in Kota Darulnaim Complex. With the total land area of Kelantan sitting at 574,427 hectares and 859,275 titles, Mohd Nassuruddin emphasized that over 90% of the state's land is under Malay reserve classification.

Gua Musang leads in Malay reserve land with 122,735 hectares, followed by Pasir Mas (56,656 ha), Tanah Merah (56,246 ha), and Kuala Krai (53,473 ha). Tanah Merah also leads in percentage, with 99.9% of its land classified as Malay reserve, followed by Tumpat, Pasir Puteh, Bachok, Pasir Mas, Kota Bharu, and Jeli. The Malay reserve land in Kelantan has not diminished, despite Section 13A of the Kelantan Malay Reservations Enactment permitting non-Malays to own land within Malay reserves.

The state government maintains the authority to regulate transactions within these areas, enabling prohibition if it endangers Malay reserve interests.