Orang Asli activists: Order barring Gua Musang outsiders lifted

In a follow-up to the controversy over outsiders being barred from entering Gua Musang, Kelantan without prior approval, a letter has been issued confirming there is no limit to travel in the area.

In the letter sighted by Malaysiakini dated Nov 10, Department of Orang Asli Development (Jakoa) director general Sapiah Mohd Nor said there were no obstacles for anyone to enter the Gua Musang community.

“Jakoa has taken note of the request from the pro-tem committee of the Temiar Parents Association of Gua Musang to arrange a meeting and find a way to settle the issues raised by a note that was issued by the Gua Musang Jakoa Office.

“For your information, Jakoa has no objections to the Orang Asli people or other organisations and agencies entering Orang Asli villages in Gua Musang, to carry out their daily activities, settle urgent matters, or other issues.

“Due to that, the earlier notice does not apply to your group,” read the note which was made available to Malaysiakini by Orang Asli activists who went to the Jakoa headquarters in Kuala Lumpur today to deliver a memo on the issue (above).

Earlier order full of restrictions

Earlier, the contentious directive issued an order to all Orang Asli village heads in the district to bar outsiders from entering the area, including those from welfare non-governmental organisations.

They were to be barred as long as they did not have prior approval form Jakoa, the Forestry Department, as well as the Gua Musang District and Land Office.

The directive was met with strong opposition by Orang Asli activists who said they were mulling taking legal action against Jakoa.

Nasir Dollah, deputy chairperson of the Kelantan Orang Asli Villages Network (JKOAK) questioned if the order was politically motivated as it was issued near the 15th general election (GE15).

“If they haven’t realised, we are nearing the monsoon season and if this ban is enforced, then it would prevent NGOs from delivering assistance to the Orang Asli.

“And as we all know, the NGOs are usually the first to help our community whenever disasters such as floods happen,” he told Malaysiakini.

Jakoa, in its statement, also said damage to the roads in Gua Musang was due to the monsoon season, as well as caused by 4X4 extreme sports enthusiasts who entered the villages during the rainy season, to the detriment of residents.

“This entry control is until the road conditions are restored and not to affect the daily affairs of the Orang Asli community involving 3,000 residents, 40 villages, and six posts in the interiors of Gua Musang,” said Jakoa.

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