An Orang Asli Development Department (Jakoa) signboard at a Malay village in Kuala Betis near Gua Musang sparked fears among Orang Asli residents of post-flood encroachment by local Malays.

 

The signboard says: Perkampungan Melayu Dusun Pinang (Dusun Pinang Malay Village)

 

Raising the alarm, advocacy group Jaringan Kampung Orang Asli Semenanung Malaysia (JKOASM) said the indigenous community is worried about what they believe are possibly new Malay villages being established in their area.

 

“I suspect that the village underwent Rancangan Penempatan Semula (RPS) or resettlement plan by Jakoa.

 

“This (area) is supposed to have been for the Orang Asli only ... the land it (village) was built on is an oil palm land belonging to the indigenous people,” JKOASM activist Shafie Dris ( left ) told Malaysiakini .

 

Shafie said volunteers assisting in post-flood efforts in the Temiar village in Gua Musang found the Jakoa signboard there in January.

 

He said he doesn't understand why Jakoa is involved in rebuilding a Malay settlement when the funds could have been used to rebuild Orang Asli villages.

 

Signboard erected four years ago

 

However, Jakoa director Hasnan Hassan told Malaysiakini that the signboard was put up to ensure clear demarcation of boundaries between the Malay village and Orang Asli villages nearby.

 

He said the signboard Shafie was referring to in the Temiar village is meant for the Dusun Pinang Malay village, which was built by an NGO.

 

“The signboard was actually erected in 2011 to show that the Malay village is in an Orang Asli settlement area.

 

“There are only two Malay villages out of the 23 Orang Asli villages there. They have been there since 1971 and they have never received any aid from Jakoa,” he said when contacted.

 

Hasnan said the Jakoa logo is for census purpose and to remind the Malay villagers to stay within their area and not encroach on the indigenous heritage lands.

 

“We are very much concerned about the welfare of the Orang Asli. It breaks our hearts that people accuse us of not taking care of the well-being of the Orang Asli,” he said.