Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) and seven NGOs have called for the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) to act as an intermediary to resolve the standoff between the Kelantan state authority and the Orang Asli of Gua Musang.

"We would like to have Suhakam chair the dialogue between both parties so a resolution can be achieved," the group said in a joint memorandum to the Kelantan government.

The seven NGOs are Angkatan Belia Islam Malaysia (Abim), Hindraf Peoples’ Movement, Pertubuhan Ikram Malaysia, Ummah Sejahtera Malaysia (PasMa), Mama Bersih Ipoh and pro-democracy NGO Kuasa.

An intermediary is needed as the Orang Asli community may not trust the state government to act fairly, PSM central committee member Dr Michael Jeyakumar (photo) said when contacted.

"The state government (allegedly) covered up, by saying a third party had instigated (the local community to set up an anti-logging blockade in the interiors of Gua Musang).

"They have got a group of Orang Asli from outside claiming they are okay and happy with the development, but they are Orang Asli from outside the areas involved," the Sungai Siput MP said.

"Since they haven't showed any professionalism in dealing with the matter, how can anyone trust them to be fair?" he asked.

Jeyakumar said the Bar Council could also play the role as a mediator, as it would act independently.

Besides seeking a resolution, the group also wants Suhakam to investigate if a third party, as claimed by the state government, existed.

'Stop the crackdown'

The MP, together with 11 activists from the NGOs, sent the memorandum to Perak PAS at its headquarters in Ipoh this morning.

They urged the state PAS leader to pass the memorandum to the Kelantan government.

The group also demanded that the state government stop arresting Orang Asli activsts and stop destroying the bamboo shelters built at the blockade sites.

They said the Kelantan Forestry Department is under the state's purview, but Menteri Besar Ahmad Yakob said the state has left all decisions on the matter to the department and police.

PAS and the NGOs also want the logging moratorium issued by the state government to be extended.

Two blockades were set up in September to stop logging at the Balah forest reserve.

However, not all in the Gua Musang Orang Asli community are said to support the blockade.

Some have said that while they oppose environmental destruction, they believe the confrontational method of protest is not the Orang Asli way.

A total of 47 Orang Asli activists were on Nov 29 remanded for two and three days for investigations into their anti-logging blockades in the interiors of Gua Musang.

Meanwhile, PKR vice-president Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin also called for an amicable solution by the Kelantan government.

"We urge the Kelantan government to find a consensus solution to ensure the Orang Asli in Gua Musang will not be neglected and live in hardship," he said.

Shamsul said the Orang Asli community's rights over land and natural resources should be respected.

He said this was practised by the PKR-led Selangor government in its programmes and policies as well as the setting up of a Selangor Orang Asli land task force.

He also urged Gua Musang MP Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah to take a proactive role in the matter.

Tengku Razaleigh, when asked about the incident today, said the Orang Asli should not take the law into their own hands.