#3 The Strategic Pivot: Renting for Revival and Navigating Family Consensus
After extensive deliberation on the 9 Acre Revival Project, the initial idea of purchasing Grandmother’s land presented a significant dilemma. While the allure of full ownership was strong, the risks associated with the land’s current unmanaged state – particularly the unknown costs and profitability – weighed heavily. How could I commit to buying something that might become a liability, especially from abroad? This pivotal question led me to a new strategy: renting the 7-acre palm oil land for three years with a lumpsum payment of RM 20,000.
This upfront payment represents a substantial commitment, significantly more favorable than the current sporadic payments the existing caretaker, Tok Borhan, provides (approximately RM 500 every 3 to 4 months, totaling RM 2,000 per year or RM 6,000 over three years). Beyond the immediate financial benefit to Grandmother, this arrangement provides me with the crucial opportunity to mitigate the risks of abandonment, to establish proper management, and to truly understand the land’s dynamics before any long-term commitment.
For the 2.35-acre fruit orchard, a different approach was needed. Since commercial viability from its fruits wasn’t guaranteed, my rental commitment here would be to cover all maintenance costs, including clearing weeds and grass for the next three years. This decision was largely inspired by my aunt, Mak Su Ummi’s concern; as the appointed heir to the orchard by Grandmother’s wish, she had been shouldering all maintenance burdens without seeing commercial returns. My investment here would directly alleviate her load, effectively serving as the rent.
In return for this investment, the harvest of the palm oil for the next three years would be mine. Beyond the tangible yield, my gains are profound: the immense satisfaction of spearheading the revival of the orchard farm, and most importantly, the joy of seeing Grandmother happy that her lands are finally being managed well. This project transcends mere financials; it’s about reclaiming a legacy.
A crucial piece of this puzzle fell into place when my father, Jamal, agreed to be the Local Manager for the next three years while I remain abroad. A retired police officer, this is a new venture for him, but his unwavering support gave me the courage to act. My first move was to contact my knowledge-holder uncle, Pak Ngah Ghazali, to propose this rental deal. His extensive knowledge of the land, more so than any other family member, made him the ideal initial point of contact. Approaching others first, I knew, would likely lead to unproductive discussions. Pak Ngah Ghazali, understanding the broader family benefit, agreed to the offer, even if it meant Grandmother wouldn’t be able to sell the land for another three years. The immense pros for her were clear: the lands would finally be actively managed, boundaries marked, and necessary papers obtained from the land office – all critical steps for a potential future sale. Furthermore, she would immediately gain a portion of the cash she wished for. This truly felt like a win-win solution for everybody.
I learned from Pak Ngah Ghazali that there was already an unspoken understanding that Grandmother’s lands would eventually be divided among her children: the palm oil land to three children, and the orchard farm specifically to my aunt, Mak Su Ummi. Therefore, gaining the Grandmother’s agreement alone wouldn’t suffice; consensus from all her children was essential. The next critical step was to secure the agreement of the eldest, most respected uncle, Pak Long Latif, whose approval was paramount for the entire plan to proceed. Pak Ngah Ghazali agreed to convince him, and we scheduled a follow-up in a week. The strategy was to gain unanimous family buy-in before presenting the finalized plan to Grandmother, who would most likely agree if all her children were on board.
A week later, while I was still abroad, we agreed with Pak Ngah Ghazali to have a video call to finalize the agreement. My knowledge-holder uncle thoughtfully included the eldest uncle, Pak Long Latif, in the conversation, and after securing his consensus, we brought in the two sisters: my mother and my aunt, Mak Su Ummi. It was a remarkably pleasant conversation, and I felt a clear understanding and agreement from all stakeholders regarding the proposed arrangement. My father, Jamal, participated in the video call not as my parent, but professionally, as the dedicated Local Manager. After many years of the lands being informally managed by Tok Borhan, we were finally reclaiming control and gaining a deep understanding of the land’s dynamics. This moment brought immense satisfaction to me, and I believe, to everyone involved.
We agreed that I would draft the formal agreement, present it to one of my uncles or aunts as a family council representative for their signature, and then, finally, present it to Grandmother for her ultimate approval. I am hopeful she will be happy with this carefully crafted arrangement.
The next steps involve drafting the formal agreement and getting final family approval. Want to follow every step of this unique land revival project, learn about sustainable palm oil, or even discover how to manage complex family assets from afar? Join our journey! Sign up for exclusive updates and insights here: