Cops nab 2 Orang Asli in Kelantan for allegedly trespassing

Summary:

• Police arrest two Orang Asli from Pos Ber, Gua Musang for alleged trespassing on Koperasi Penghulu Negeri Kelantan’s land.

• This is over dispute after Orang Asli cultivated crops on the said land

• Orang Asli leader says the duo will be remanded for four days.

Police have arrested two Orang Asli individuals from Pos Ber, Gua Musang for allegedly trespassing into a land belonging to Koperasi Penghulu Negeri Kelantan.

Kelantan Orang Asli Villages Network (JKOAK) deputy chairperson Nasir Dollah said the duo, aged 60 and 58, were arrested at about 8.30pm yesterday.

He added that the duo’s families and friends had gone to the Gua Musang district police headquarters to find out more about the arrests.

“It seems both of them will be remanded for four days to facilitate the investigations,” Nasir told Malaysiakini today.

Crops cultivation

Elaborating on the matter, Nasir claimed that the company had applied for the land in Pos Ber since 2012 but had not conducted any cleaning-up work for that purpose.

He added that in 2014, the Temiar community had cultivated crops such as durian, rubber and others on the said land.

“This year, the company wanted to proceed with works on the land but found the land had been cultivated. Plus, the two individuals even planted new crops on the land.

“Upon negotiations, the community agreed to leave the place provided the company offered reasonable compensation.

“However, despite several negotiations, I guess the company got dissatisfied and prompted them to lodge a police report,” Nasir said.

Gua Musang district police chief Sik Choon Foo confirmed the arrests.

He also confirmed that Koperasi Penghulu Negeri Kelantan lodged the police report.

“The case is being investigated under Section 447 of the Penal Code,” Sik added.

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