Jaringan Kampung Orang Asli Pahang (Jkoap) has hailed Pahang Sultan Ahmad Shah's call for the state government to preserve the environment and expedite the gazetting of reserve land for the orang asli community as well as improving their economic situation.

Jkoap coordinator Shafie Dris (photo above) said the sultan emphasised this when officiating at the Pahang state legislative assembly on Monday, but noted Pahang Menteri Besar Adnan Yaakob was adamant against recognising native customary land when debating the monarch's speech.

"Jkoap strongly agrees with the sultan that the state government should expedite the process of gazetting orang asli reserve land before executing the communal grant according to the communal plan prepared or agreed upon by the local orang asli.

"However, Jkoap is disappointed at the Pahang menteri besar's argument that the state government does not recognise customary land.

"Jkoap views the menteri besar's argument seriously as it will have adverse impact on the orang asli community.

"The government can arbitrarily approve (orang asli customary land) to their parties on grounds that it does not recognise customary land or that it is not gazetted," he said.

He cited as examples the cases of Kampung Orang Asli Paya Pelong and Paya Rekoh in 1987, Kampung Orang Asli Sebayan in 2004 and Kampung Orang Asli Lubuk Perah in 2014 where their claimed customary land was given by the state government to third parties.

Customary land is where the orang asli roam for food such as fruits and hunting.

"The orang asli way of life, culture and belief are inseparable from the land, jungle and nature," said Shafie.

He urged the state government to return the lands it took and to gazette the remaining customary land claimed by the orang asli community.

Shafie noted that in an audience with the Pahang sultan with representatives of the orang asli community, the ruler had said he, too, would be angry if his customary land was taken away from him.

He added that the Pahang sultan had also told the representatives to see him again if their plight was not resolved.

Shafie said their latest message will be conveyed to the Pahang sultan.