Defend Malay rights through action, not slogans, says Anwar

JOHOR BAHRU: Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has criticised political parties that frequently champion Malay supremacy, while at the same time, allow Malay reserve land to fall into the hands of others.

He expressed disappointment that the issue was often used as political capital to garner support and votes during elections, adding that defence of Malay interests should be demonstrated through transparent actions and policies.

“Do not merely shout about Bumiputera or Malay rights, or long live the Malays, when elections are near, only to seize Malay contracts, Malay projects and Malay assets after gaining power,” he said at a youth gathering in Tampoi.

“I want to ask the parties that frequently speak about Malay supremacy, when was the last time you created Malay reserve land? What I know is that a great deal of Malay reserve land has been lost to others,” said Anwar.

Anwar, who is also finance minister, said the government had, for the first time since independence, gazetted 20.23 hectares of strategic land in Bandar Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, as Malay reserve land.

He said the Bandar Malaysia project, located at the former Sungai Besi air base, was expected to have a gross development value of RM140 billion.

Anwar said the move demonstrated the government’s commitment to safeguarding the interests of Malays and Bumiputeras without denying the rights of other communities to also benefit from national development.

The prime minister said the empowerment of Bumiputera entrepreneurs remains a priority through various concrete initiatives, including the launch of Perbadanan Usahawan Nasional Bhd’s (PUNB) business transformation programme today.

Through the programme, PUNB hopes to provide loans amounting to RM2.25 billion from 2026 to 2030 to strengthen Bumiputera entrepreneurship development.