The Penang Malay Association (Pemenang) has proposed that the state government create a special reserve land for Malays in the state.
    
Its president Mohd Yussof Latiff said it was time for the Penang government to allocate some land to recognise the settlement of the Malay community who had been in the state even before British colonialisation.
    
"It's time we question why Penang has no reserve land like other states with sultans, whereas it had been part of Kedah (state)," he told reporters after chairing a Pemenang meeting in George Town last night.
    
Mohd Yussof ( left ) said Penang only have Federal Reserve Land, which is land that can be used by certain departments under the federal government for public purposes.
    
According to Mohd Yussof, the suggestion was rational as there were at least 25 Malay villages in Jelutong, Tanjung Tokong, Batu Uban and Balik Pulau which were threatened by development.
    
"Pemenang does not want these traditional villages to only be left with their name, and we also suggest that a special fund be set up to protect the continuity of the land and ensure it empowers the economy of the Malays," he said.
    
He added that he also hoped for cooperation from the federal and state governments to form an integrated mechanism to create and protect Malay reserve land. 
 
- Bernama