Deputy prime minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the proposal is being reviewed by the Bumiputera Economic Council in collaboration with state governments and the federal territories ministry.

Zahid, who is chairman of the council’s steering committee, said the proposal is part of the government’s effort to ensure that the returned land benefits the people.

“We are requesting that on the expiry of the lease, typically given for 99 years during the colonial era, 20% of the estate land is returned if the lease is to be renewed. This 20% will be returned to the state government, which can then develop it for the benefit of the people,” he told reporters here.

Zahid, who is MP for Bagan Datuk, was here for a groundbreaking ceremony for an RM88 million road project in Kampung Sungai Pergam. It involves upgrading a 4km-stretch and constructing a new 2.5km road connecting Kampung Sungai Pergam to federal road FT69. The project is expected to be completed by 2028.

Zahid, who is also rural and regional development minister, said this project will shorten the travel time from Kampung Sungai Pergam to Bagan Datuk.