Perak MB slammed for implying that Orang Asli are 'encroachers'
An activist has slammed Perak Menteri Besar Ahmad Faizal Azumu for describing Orang Asli as "encroachers," pointing out that the present situation of the community is worse than under the BN administration.
Jaringan Kampung Orang Asli Semenanjung Malaysia (JKOASM) president Tijah Yok Chapil said today the indigenous community is disappointed that their rights are now being overlooked despite helping bring Pakatan Harapan to power...
An activist has slammed Perak Menteri Besar Ahmad Faizal Azumu for describing Orang Asli as "encroachers," pointing out that the present situation of the community is worse than under the BN administration.
Jaringan Kampung Orang Asli Semenanjung Malaysia (JKOASM) president Tijah Yok Chapil said today the indigenous community is disappointed that their rights are now being overlooked despite helping bring Pakatan Harapan to power.
"Harapan has become the government but it's the same, even worse," she said during the unveiling of Suaram's 2018 Malaysia Human Rights Report.
"The leaders of Harapan, for example, the Perak menteri besar, said something very disrespectful.
"They claim they want to be a better government than BN but what did they say? They called us encroachers. They said we are encroaching on government land."
Tijah pointed out that in the 14th general election, the Orang Asli shifted their support to Harapan, including to Faizal, the Chenderiang assemblyperson.
Faizal won the seat by a razor-thin majority of 39 votes in GE14. Almost a quarter of the electorate are categorised as other races, which includes the Orang Asli.
Recently, Faizal defended the action of enforcement personnel in removing a blockade set up by the Orang Asli community in Kampung Tasik Cunex in Gerik, and described logging activities there as “lawful”.
The menteri besar also claimed that the Perak government had not designated the site as native customary land.
A signboard was erected at the site declaring it "government land," and that "encroachers" would be prosecuted.
“This is not a cowboy country, we have laws. So if there are people freely encroaching on government land without regard to lawful provisions, we need to take appropriate action," the menteri besar was reported to have said.
Tijah, a Semai, pointed out that Orang Asli had settled in Kuala Lumpur area long before the British colonial era, but chose to concede the area to avoid any confrontation.
"So please don't disturb our way of life now. We have nothing else to concede.
"It is like we are the end of the mountain now, we can't concede any more," she said, tearing up.
Tijah also urged the Harapan government to recognise Orang Asli rights and not be hypocritical.
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