While 26 Orang Asli families in Dengkil are awaiting payment of RM6.5 million compensation to be divided among themselves today, a Shah Alam High Court judge monitoring the situation expressed concern over how they will spend their money.

Justice Nurchaya Arshad ordered the allocation of RM543,400 to the village head for customary works, with the balance of RM5.95 million deposited in the 26 families' Amanah Saham Nasional accounts.

Of the amount, part of it will be spent for the construction of its Balai Adat, a portion allocated for the  Customary Orang Asli Children’s Trust Fund, housing compensation and also for the Bukit Tampoi Villagers Security and Welfare Committee. 

However, in the presence of about 40 of them, the judge expressed concern over how the money would be spent.

Some of the families met said they wanted to keep only between RM1,000 to RM2,000 in their Amanah Saham Nasional accounts and spend the rest.

The 26 families are scheduled to get between RM40,000 and RM500,000 each either by tomorrow or next week.

NONE The recipients were the victors of the 15-year legal tussle of Sagong Tasi (left) vs the Selangor government, Malaysian Highway Authority (MHA) and contractor United Engineers Malaysia Bhd (UEM).

This followed the landmark settlement made by the Federal Court on May 26, this year, which had the effect of recognising the native customary rights of these Orang Asli to the 38-acre site of their former settlement in Bukit Tampoi, Dengkil, acquired by the government.

Justice Nurchaya Arshad's concern was also shared by coordinator of the Center for Orang Asli Concerns, Colin Nicholas.

The balance of between RM40,000 to RM500,000, will be divided among the 26 families.

Nurchaya: Buy land not cars

The lawyer for the Orang Asli community, Gerald Gomez, said they had discussed the matter with the community's tribal council to resolve the distribution of the fund based on the land acquired for the construction of the highway.

Justice Nurchaya's advice was: "Do not spend it on buying cars or motorcycles. Use it to buy land or keep some aside for your old age and children.

"Do not come back and blame the government when the money finishes. I can only advise all of you but if you are adamant to spend it, I cannot do anything."

Sagong, who was also present, agreed and was also concerned over how his community will spend the fund.

"I would also advise them to be careful on how they spend the money," he said.

Another Orang Asli recipient by the name of Loboy, who will be receiving RM40,000, said she will be spending all the money.

suaram pc on penan sexial abuse case 101208 colin nicholas Some of them when met said they have to spend the money on their children and friends at their request.

Colin ( right ), who agreed with the judge's view, said he was also worried about how the community will manage the fund.

“It is in their culture to entertain those in need of help, and I only hope they will not be duped,” he said.

Colin said Loboy wanted to spend RM40,000 to build a house, which the judge approved.

Some of them have prepared legal documents with their kin with pledges to set aside a portion of it in family trusts.

The compensation was made possible after the Selangor Pakatan government withdrew its appeal last year, paving the way for the historic settlement.

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