PETALING JAYA: The Orang Asli development department (Jakoa) has denied claims that land gazetted for the community had been “stolen”, dismissing such allegations as inaccurate.
Jakoa said no Orang Asli customary land had been stolen by any party, and the department remains committed to protecting the welfare and interests of the community, Utusan Malaysia reported.
Following the submission of a memorandum to the rural and regional development ministry by hundreds of Orang Asli protesters yesterday, the department said it appreciated the views and suggestions provided by the parties involved.
It said it will study the memorandum before taking further action.
The protesters, led by environmental groups Peka and Greenpeace, urged the government to recognise Orang Asli customary land rights.
They called for formal recognition of Orang Asli land as customary ancestral land under established common law principles, rather than relying solely on existing administrative gazettement.
A representative from Jaringan Kampung Orang Asli Semenanjung Malaysia, identified only as Ismail, said much of the community’s customary land has been allocated to companies approved by state governments, leaving communities increasingly vulnerable.
They added that a larger gathering would be organised should the government fail to follow through on its commitments.
