The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) commenced a four-day National Inquiry into the customary land rights of the Orang Asli and indigenous people of Sabah and Sarawak, covering Selangor, Malacca and Negri Sembilan today.     

NONE Suhakam chairperson Hasmy Agam ( right ) said that the inquiry was being held in response to various complaints on alleged violations on the customary land rights received during the past few years.   

“The complaints pertain to trespass, administration, city development projects, farming schemes, forest reserve, relocation and compensation, among others,” he elaborated in a speech before chairing the inquiry in Kuala Lumpur today.   

Present as panellists at today’s session were Suhakam commissioner Dr Kaw Lake Tee, vice-chairperson Jennie La Simbang and Dr Collin Nicholas and Denison Jayasooria, two other independent consultants appointed by the human rights body.     

NONE Hasmy informed that this was the first inquiry for peninsular Malaysia and it would be held in stages to cover Johor, Perak, Kelantan, Pahang and Sabah.   

He added that the inquiry had been completed in Sarawak last month.

“We hope to gather all information by July and present the report to the government for action on the issue,” said Hasmy.  

He said Section 14 of the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia Act 1999 governed the powers to hold the inquiry and allowed for both written and verbal evidence to be obtained.  

- Bernama