Buying Property or Land in Langkawi, Kedah

Most of the Land in Langkawi is designated as "MALAY RESERVE". The Malay Reservations Enactments of the respective Malay States seek to ensure that certain land in the State is alienated only to Malays and that the land thus alienated or any interest in it will continue to remain in the hands of Malays.

Article 89 of the Malaysian Constitution deals with Malay reservations. Only a Malay may own land or posses an interest in a Malay Reservation area. But in the State of Kedah a Siamese agriculturist permanently resident in the State may also own land in Malay Reservation. A Malay Holding includes any registered interest of a Malay, a proprietor or co-proprietor in any alienated land included in Malay Reservation Area which has been duly declared and gazetted.

Once land is gazetted as a Malay Reservation, it can only be sold, leased or otherwise disposed to only Malay individuals or corporations or specified Siamese in the case of Kedah State.

However, possibilities of land for building your own house or villa or larger development plot can be safely and legally negotiated by way of rental. Taking the best advice, all legal documents will be drawn up, scrutinised and checked by independent lawyers in a way which you will be familiar.