JB’s Kampung Melayu Majidee fights redevelopment with cafes

Special Economic and Financial Zones

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Mr Azhar said residents do not want the land to be turned into condominiums, shopping malls, or hotels, noting how “there is plenty of that in JB.”

“Instead, we’d like this place to support our local community, either as a place to do business or provide affordable homes for young families starting out,” he said, welcoming cafe owners who are revitalising the area.

Responding to these fears, Johor Menteri Besar Onn Hafiz Ghazi told the state assembly in May that his administration will not be “unjust” to the residents.

He assured residents that any modern redevelopment will preserve the village’s heritage. So far, seven applications for lease extensions have been approved by his government.

ST’s checks of the Johor Bahru Special Area Plan 2030 showed that this redevelopment includes road widening, commuter-friendly facilities, a central garden with cycling lanes, and a mixed sports-retail hub.

The village will also have

and an Electric Train Service station nearby.

Mr Aziff Azuddin, research director at Malaysian think-tank Iman Research, explained that urban Malay villages in the country were formed when rural communities migrated to cities in the past, creating cultural enclaves rich in identity and history.

“So the pushback is understandable from a community that feels like rapid urban development will come at the cost of wiping out the entire history and heritage of a community,” he said.

Lawyer Alias Rasman, who is Perkam’s legal advisor, said that there are two different issues at play: the first involves the status of Malay Reserve Land under the Federal Constitution and Johor Malay Reservation Enactment 1936, and the second the National Land Code which regulates land titles including freehold and leasehold ownership.

Article 89 of the Federal Constitution states that Malay Reserve Land status requires strict dual approval from both state and federal levels before it can be changed, and if any such land is removed, an equivalent replacement must immediately be declared.

Under the Johor Malay Reservation Enactment, only the state Land Office can amend the boundaries of a Malay Reserve Land, with the approval of the Sultan.

Meanwhile, under the National Land Code, residents must apply with the Land Office to either convert their leasehold land to freehold, or to request for an extension on the lease.

In August, Perkam said it may consider legal action to force the conversion of the land leases to freehold.

“The residents, as legitimate holders of the land, are entitled to apply lawfully for security of tenure and long-term ownership rights,” said Mr Alias.

Some residents ST spoke to hope to keep their land indefinitely. However, others were open to redevelopment if they are fairly compensated.

Despite this, many younger residents have moved away, making upkeep of properties in the village difficult. Grassroots leader Mohd Ali Mohd Salleh said financing homes also poses a challenge.

“Banks are unlikely to grant loans for property with such short lease periods,” said Mr Ali, who also chairs a welfare group in the village.

Lease renewal documents seen by ST showed that it costs about RM52,000 (S$16,000) to extend a 13,000 sq ft lease by 99 years. A similar 6,600 sq ft lot was recently renewed for nearly RM17,000.

As a result, many of the houses in the village remain dilapidated, despite the revival by the new backyard cafes.

Former resident Ishak Jailan, who has run his cafe Smokey Kuew Teow at his late mother’s home since 2017, said he is proud to see youths turning old homes into business spots.

“If land is left vacant, it’s left to rot. Having newcomers do business gives it purpose and offers income to the landowners too,” the 65-year-old said.

Meanwhile, Mr Azhar Md Aris, 39, who grew up poor in illegal squatters’ settlements in the village, hopes rising business activity will help preserve Kampung Melayu Majidee.

He now runs his late father’s business Md Aris Yong Tahu, selling yong tau foo with his mother and two sisters from a landed house bought in 2014, complete with a dining hall and car park for patrons.

Newcomer Mohd Nurazri Aminudin, 34, from Kota Tinggi, said he is moved by the residents’ fight for their lands. He runs Kalcer Hub, a cafe and event space popular with millennials and Gen Z patrons. Around 30 per cent of its customers are from Singapore.

He recalled a neighbour who, inspired by Kalcer Hub, also upgraded his run-down restaurant.

“I met the owner – an otai – while he was painting his shop,” he said, using Malay slang for an “old timer”. Mr Nurazri said his neighbour had thanked him for restoring life to the place, pushing him to also do the same.

“I’m not from here, I don’t share the same sentiments as the locals. But I feel like I’m contributing something more to Kampung Melayu.”