The Centre for Orang Asli Concerns was presented with the United Nations (UN) Organisation of the Year Award 2011 today.

Resident coordinator of the UN in Malaysia Kamal Malhotra said the Search Committee had made the decision as it was impressed with the quiet yet determined and sensitive manner in which the centre had worked with unwavering integrity and independence in a critical area of the country's development.

malaysia law conference indigenous people 311007 colin nicholas "The centre's contribution has been distinctive and unique in the Malaysian context at the national and international level, and has positive impact on the Orang Asli community with regard to land rights issues.

"They have published internationally and are often quoted as the definitive source on Orang Asli issues," he said in his speech, announcing the award at the 66th Anniversary of the UN in Kuala Lumpur.

The award was presented together with Deputy Foreign Minister Richard Riot to three representatives of the centre, Jenita Engi, Tam Kar Lye and Keiisha Anne Pillai.

Also present was the coordinator of the centre, Colin Nicholas.

Kamal said the committee also felt that a focus on the indigenous people was timely and a good message for the UN in Malaysia this year.

"Not only are the Orang Asli now the most marginalised and vulnerable community in the country but the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) Land Rights Public Hearings and forthcoming report, and the government and UN should serve to bring more attention and appropriate resolution for them," he said.

orang asli rights On steps taken to deal with global challenges, Kamal said a centre, namely the UN Development Programme's (UNDP) Global Shared Services Centre on International Public Accounting Standards (IPSAS) would open in Cyberjaya next month.

"The centre with 30 highly-skilled Malaysian and international staff will  specialise in IPSAS transactions that are complex and require expert skills," he said.

On the Internal Security Act (ISA) 1960, Restricted Residence Act 1933 and Banishment Act 1959 as announced by Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak recently, Kamal said the decision was consistent both with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and recommendation from the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention.

"We believe that the remaining preventive detention laws should also be repealed and the new laws to replace the ISA, if promulgated, should not have provisions for arbitrary detention," he said.

Kamal said UN was prepared to share its experience and expertise to support the government in electoral reforms and institutional building.

"The UN has long established a reputation for being globally the most experienced, neutral and credible on electoral reform issues in order to build capacities and strengthen or revise laws, systems and processes," he added.

- Bernama