Villagers from an Orang Asli community in Perak - who are fearing eviction from their ancestral land - should rest assured that they will not be relegated to the sidelines in any project affecting them, said an official from a state government agency today

Furthermore, he added that the Orang Asli will determine the boundaries of their own ancestral lands and it is their input that will determine the location of the projected plantation if it materialises at all.

When contacted, Perak's State Agricultural Development Corporation (PSADC) General Manager Mohd Niza Mohd Ghazali said results of the delineation exercise by the residents of Kampung Chang Sungai Gepai will weigh considerably in the final decision.

According to him, developers did not know where exactly the 800 Orang Asli residents in the 350-acre land lived and which parts of the area they seek their sustenance and cash income from forest resources.

"The Orang Asli (settlement) are scattered. That's why we don't know where (exactly) their traditional lands are located."

"That's why we stopped the works and are waiting for them to determine their boundaries. Considering the recent objections made by the Orang Asli, we have stopped all operations," he added.

Three-week deadline

He said the villagers have been given three weeks, and not two as claimed by them, to work with the Department for Orang Asli Affairs (JHEOA) to determine the boundaries of the land which is said to have been occupied by several generations of the Semai community.

"The three weeks is for the Orang Asli, with the cooperation of JHEOA to determine the boundaries of their land, including what they call their ancestral land. We will not determine their boundaries."

Mohd Niza also clarified that fruit trees and not oil palms, as previously reported, would be planted in the area.

The Orang Asli villagers previously expressed fears that they were being marginalised in efforts currently undertaken by state and commercial agencies to transfer and develop their ancestral land.

At a meeting yesterday between representatives of the plantation company and the villagers, the manner in which the discussion was held as well as the terms offered by the company raised more questions than answers.

One of the fears raised by villager Rizuan Tempek concerned the effects that chemical fertilisers and herbicides used on the plantation would have on the villagers water supply.

In response, Mohd Niza said that if the projected plantation did take place, the use of chemical fertilisers and herbicides would not affect their water catchment, which is situated on higher ground.

"The water catchment area is on a hill that will not be touched by the fertilisers and herbicides used."

Even if the plantation were to affect the trees from which the Orang Asli derive their forest products, adequate financial compensation would be given to them, Niza said.

Jobs provided

The Orang Asli could also rest assured that they would not be sidelined from the development project, as the villagers will be asked to work on the plantation.

"We will provide work to the local people. They will be included in the project. That's what has been done in the past."

Furthermore, he added, it is the state's district land office that would ultimately decide if the 'adverse effects' from the plantation on the lives of the Orang Asli warranted a complete change of plans, including moving to another location.

"Whatever the case may be, after the studies have been made, it is up to the land office whether we can resume with the project. If they say we have to cancel the whole thing (so as not to disturb the Orang Asli) and move somewhere else, we will move somewhere else."