Cops detain 12 Orang Asli villagers over land dispute

• UPDATED 9.33PM | Added comments from Rompin district police chief Sharif Shai Sharif Mondoi.

Twelve Orang Asli residents in Kampung Tanam, Pahang, were detained by police earlier today after allegedly obstructing a private company's entrance into their village.

According to Pahang Jakun Tribal Association deputy chairperson Jaidi Musa, the villagers had attempted to prevent a backhoe, believed to belong to the company, from clearing land to make way for a new road.

Jaidi told Malaysiakini that the villagers were also trying to halt “outsiders” from infringing on a community garden, as they were concerned that produce there would be taken by foreign parties.

He asserted that today’s incident is the second altercation between residents and the company, which he claimed had filed a police report against the villagers.

The disputed land, he added, is part of an ongoing court case expected to be mentioned next month.

“Despite how the land is already part of a court case, outsiders are still trying to encroach on the villagers’ (areas), which has left many of them feeling dissatisfied,” said Jaidi, who is also the treasurer for Jaringan Kampung Orang Asli Pahang.

Based on visuals shared with Malaysiakini of the incident today, a group of Orang Asli men were hauled into a police lorry under the watchful eye of several uniformed officers.

In a statement, Rompin district police chief Sharif Shai Sharif Mondoi said the Orang Asli men were arrested after a 44-year-old man, representing the company, lodged a police report alleging its land was encroached.

He also said the Orang Asli men, aged between 20 and 44, are being investigated under Section 447 of the Penal Code for alleged trespassing, adding the provision allows a jail time up to six months or a fine not more than RM3,000, or both.

“According to the Kuantan High Court order dated Oct 15, 2025, the Orang Asli community of Kampung Tanam had been instructed to vacate the land as it belongs to the private company.

“The Rompin district police headquarters will not compromise on trespassing.

“Those who wish to work on the land must possess legitimate documents for it,” he stressed.

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