Kuala lumpur: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced that the decision to gazette 50 acres (20.23 hectares) of land in Bandar Malaysia as Malay Reserve Land is a crucial measure to protect Bumiputera interests, necessitating both political bravery and a careful process of consensus-building.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the 480-acre Bandar Malaysia site was reclaimed by the government after the project previously failed amid allegations of misuse by the former administration. Currently, the site is managed by Khazanah Nasional Bhd and Petroliam Nasional Bhd. Anwar highlighted that the value of the 50 acres is equivalent to 5,000 acres in Kedah, emphasizing its significance and potential for controversy if not managed properly. He asserted that this decision aims to uphold Bumiputera interests, which he considers vital, requiring political courage and wisdom during discussions with various sectors.

The Prime Minister clarified that the decision does not involve taking land from any community, as the site is already under government ownership. Anwar mentioned that the government has briefed leaders from different communities to prevent misunderstandings and facilitate smooth execution of the plan.

On June 27 of the previous year, the Finance Ministry had indicated that further studies were being conducted on the development strategy for the 50-acre Malay reserve land within Bandar Malaysia. The objective is to ensure that the development aligns with the government's vision of transforming the area into an international business hub. Key principles under consideration include the establishment of clustered settlement areas near essential facilities such as mosques, integrated development that aligns with inclusivity under Malaysia MADANI, and the potential for cultural tourism attractions that highlight Malay heritage.

The Bandar Malaysia project, situated at the former Kuala Lumpur Air Base in Sungai Besi, is projected to have a gross development value of RM140 billion.