The multiple ownership status of the Malay Reservation Land (MRL) has existed since its
establishment by the British colonialist through the Malay Reserves Enactment 1913. The main factor
of the multiple ownership status was due to the continuous process of land inheritance from generation
to next. This situation has given negative implications in the development of the land. This article
discusses the issue of developing the multiple ownership of Malay Reserve Land. Data collection is
conducted by semi-structured interview to the Perak Tengah District Officer and a number of
landowners involved in MRL’s multiple ownership. The qualitative data analysis shows that the
multiple ownership of the MRL can trigger social relationship problems among land co-owners and
subsequently create problems to develop them. It is proposed that co-owners be more tolerant and
willing to develop their land in joint venture scheme or develop individually through the process of
land partition. In order to resolve the difficulty of obtaining financing, landowners must ensure that the
development project is competitive and implemented within the local development zone.