Pahang govt offers help to Bera Orang Asli, silent on viral confrontation, 'incense pot' kicking

The Pahang government said it is prepared to assist Orang Asli communities around Tasek Bera but is waiting for residents to submit information about their households and cultivated land.

State Islamic Religious Affairs, Rural Development and Orang Asli Affairs Committee chairperson Syed Ibrahim Syed Ahmad (above) said that while more than seven villages were around the lake, only Kampung Lubuk Tiang had provided the requested details.

He also said the state government agreed to facilitate efforts to help residents continue earning a livelihood during his visit to several Orang Asli settlements on Aug 3.

“I asked those living and earning an income within the Tasek Bera Ramsar Forest Reserve to submit a list of residents, along with information about the farms or land they cultivate, so the government can negotiate on their behalf.

“So far, only the residents of Kampung Lubuk Tiang have submitted the information to the Orang Asli Development Department (Jakoa),” he told Malaysiakini yesterday.

Syed Ibrahim, however, did not address the recent confrontation between Orang Asli residents and enforcement officers at the Tasek Bera Conservation Forest Reserve or the arrest of five villagers during a Sept 15 operation.

READ MORE: Tasek Bera operation turns tense as five Orang Asli arrested, officer kicks incense pot

He also made no reference to a viral video showing an enforcement officer kicking aside a traditional incense-burning pot despite objections from residents.

The operation under the National Forestry Act 1984 involved the Pahang State Enforcement Unit, Forestry Department, Bera District and Land Office, General Operations Force, and Wildlife and National Parks Department.

Social media posts identified the confrontation site as the Orang Asli settlement of Kampung Pathir.

‘Spiritual, physical repercussions’

On social media, in addition to a video of the incident, a screenshot of the officer’s close-up was also widely shared, with speculation about alleged spiritual and physical repercussions from his action.

Malaysiakini understands that the authorities involved had provided an internal explanation to the state government, but “further clearance” was required before releasing an official statement.

Bera district police chief Zulkiflee Nazir on Wednesday said five Orang Asli - a man and four women aged between their 30s and 60s - were detained for allegedly obstructing and provoking enforcement officers during the Sept 15 operation.

They are being investigated under Section 186 of the Penal Code for allegedly obstructing a public servant in the discharge of their duties.

Separately, PSM yesterday called for the five villagers’ release, arguing that the community had occupied and depended on the land for generations.

The party accused government agencies of being slow to identify and gazette customary territories while readily deploying enforcement personnel against Orang Asli communities.

‘We want to help negotiate’

Meanwhile, Syed Ibrahim further said Jakoa had organised three visits to various Orang Asli villages to gather details that would help authorities determine the locations and sizes of residents’ homes and cultivated land.

“When I say that we want to help, it means we will negotiate on their behalf. We do not want to cause any problems or misunderstandings.

“We understand that the residents have long occupied land within the forest reserve and Ramsar site.

“However, they cannot claim ownership of the land merely because they have lived there for a long time,” he said.

He added that the information would help the authorities identify land that could be considered for gazettement.

Tasek Bera, Malaysia’s first Ramsar wetland, was designated a wetland of international importance in 1994 and is also gazetted as a permanent forest reserve.

The lake and surrounding forests are traditionally associated with the Semelai, who have lived in the Bera catchment for generations and depend on the area for farming, fishing and forest produce.

Last month, Pahang ruler Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah called for the surveying, demarcation and gazettement of Orang Asli areas to be expedited to protect the land allocated to the community and prevent overlapping or unrestricted claims.

Peka urges govt to explain delays in Orang Asli land gazettement

SNAPSHOT | Zaid urges Pahang ruler to set up Orang Asli commission; Syed Saddiq, Bella to marry on Oct 10

SNAPSHOT | Fahmi denies Harapan will redo seats if it wins; Suhakam urges Orang Asli land protection

Displaced Orang Asli: Kamil says PM powerless, tells Pahang govt not to dally on solution