The Pahang Orang Asli Network has urged Putrajaya to incorporate a module on their native land rights into any compulsory subjects currently taught in schools.

The group’s representative Shafie Dris said the module would be based on, among others, findings of a 2013 National Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) inquiry report into Orang Asli land rights.

“…(The course should also include) facts of (native land rights) cases won in court, the United Nations Declaration on Rights of Indigenous People, among others,” said Shafie.

In making the call, Shafie argued it was a necessary to do so to prevent allegations being made against the Orang Asli who spoke up on land issues, including the indigenous activists in the interiors of Gua Musang, Kelantan.

“…(we want) to avoid false and repeated allegations, which claimed that the ‘Orang Asli were instigated by outsiders’, by those with political interests or others, whenever we spoke up,” he said.

Previously, Kelantan deputy menteri besar Mohamad Amar Nik Abdullah had cautioned NGOs and political parties against allegedly “using” the Orang Asli to further their own agenda.

The Kelantan Forestry Department, backed by police, had on Nov 29 dismantled three blockades in Pos Pasik, Pos Petei and Pos Bihai and arrested 54 members of the Orang Asli community.

Since their release, the groups have vowed to erect more blockades, as well as having lodged a report with the Enforcement Agencies Integrity Commission over various allegations of abuse of power.