11 Orang Asli from Pos Piah near Gerik, Perak have been arrested for obstructing public officers.

An inspector from the Gerik district police headquarters confirmed the arrests and said that the eleven were being investigated under Section 186 of the Penal Code for obstructing public servants from carrying out their duties.

It is not clear what exactly transpired, but according to Sungai Siput MP Dr Michael Jeyakumar Devaraj, a group of officers from the police and Forestry Department, as well as loggers, came to Pos Piah today to carry out the arrests.

Jeyakumar in a statement tonight said the Orang Asli had wanted information from the Forestry Department regarding a planned development near their settlement which could have an impact on their sole source of water and fish...