PETALING JAYA: The Tengku Ampuan of Pahang has invited the Orang Asli in Kampung Sungai Cot, Maran, who were displaced by an ongoing land dispute to live on her land in Kuala Wau.
Comptroller of the Pahang royal household Zahari Yahya said Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah was heartbroken and sympathised with the plight of the Orang Asli community there.
The former queen has been closely following developments as she always pays close attention to the welfare and future of the Orang Asli in Pahang, Zahari added.
He said the Tengku Ampuan believed that the Orang Asli, whom she described as “Orang Kita” (our people), had played a key role in Pahang’s development over the years.
“Her Royal Highness invites any family from the Orang Asli community in Kampung Sungai Cot who needs resettlement to move to and live on land owned by Her Royal Highness in Kuala Wau.
“Her Royal Highness also stresses that the Orang Asli community does not have to worry about their future. If the land that Her Royal Highness owns in Kuala Wau is developed, Her Royal Highness will ensure that the Orang Asli living there will continue to have a place to stay and will not be sidelined.
“They will continue to be defended and will be able to continue living in the area,” Zahari said in a statement.
He said the invitation also extended to any Orang Asli family in need of resettlement, not just the community in Kampung Sungai Cot, provided that they obtain consent from the sultan or Tengku Ampuan and follow the existing laws.
Zahari said Tunku Azizah hoped this would give those in need some relief while preserving their well-being.
“At the same time, Her Royal Highness calls on all parties involved to uphold the spirit of consensus, mutual respect and prudent consultation in seeking a fair resolution that safeguards the interests of all parties.
“Her Royal Highness also expresses hope that all efforts undertaken by the relevant parties will lead to the best possible solution for the well-being of the Orang Asli community and the harmony of the state of Pahang.”
Last week, an Orang Asli woman began a 200km protest walk from Maran to Putrajaya with her seven-year-old daughter to highlight concerns over the loss of customary Orang Asli land.
The woman, identified as Juliana, 34, claimed the disputed land included foraging areas relied upon by more than 1,000 Orang Asli residents for their livelihoods and cultural practices.
Juliana began the walk after claiming that three villagers, including her husband, had been detained at the Maran police headquarters over the land dispute.
On Friday, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said the trio had been released by the police. He also said he would raise the issue with the Pahang government since land affairs fall under the state government’s jurisdiction.
