The Sun
FOLLOWING a series of allegations lodged against the Orang Asli Affairs Department (JHEOA), its director-general, Datuk Sani Mistam, says that the uproar over orang asli rights is a "seasonal issue" that arises from time to time.
"Soon it will pass and maybe other agencies will feel the heat," Sani said in an interview with theSun. Also present was his deputy, Nisra Nisran Asra Ramlan, who is an orang asli.
The department’s main objective is to improve the orang asli’s socio-economic status and competency, increase national involvement for economy, social and political development while preserving the identity and values of the aboriginals.
Land and health-care for orang asli are two areas which have been the subject of recent media attention. This was in line with the protest and memorandum submission by over 2,000 orang asli in Putrajaya with regards to a proposed amendment to Act 134 on distribution of land and to demand for a say in electing a senator to represent the community.
"The policy was approved during the National Land Council meeting last year, and we are fine-tuning the implementation aspect before tabling it in Parliament," he said.
Sani said that it had taken the department eight years to draft the new land distribution policy that involves over 50,000ha which has been gazetted and approved for gazette under Act 134.
"From 2002 to 2009, we have had at least five major meetings that involved various parties including representatives from the orang asli community.
"Their opinions were sought through the indigenous Community Development National Advisory Council under the Rural and Regional Development Ministry, headed by its minister Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal.
"We have also conducted road shows to orang asli villages to get the grassroots opinion on the policy," he said, adding that based on response from the community, they did not disagree but were merely "not ready".
"There is no element of force involved. Once the policy is put in place, there is no time limit to it. Once they are ready, they can approach us and we will come and measure their land."
"During our roadshows, the feedback we received included to increase the amount of land accorded to each head of household (2-6 acres). The policy also states that land will only be awarded to one household head per house – which means if there are a few generations under one roof – only the oldest man will be granted land.
On concerns raised by the orang asli that they will lose their tanah adat territory, Sani said: "Our focus is only on the 50,000ha because we have no authority over other areas or land occupied by orang asli; it is out of our jurisdiction.
"It is up to the state government whether to allow them to stay on the land."
On the appointment of agencies to develop the agricultural land: "The appointed bodies have expertise to develop the land and ensure that it yields returns for the orang asli, so they can afford to pay instalments owed to the developer.
"Cash crops planted include rubber and palm trees, but we also provide orang asli with plants like banana and tapioca."
On allegations of mismanagement and sub-standard health-care services lodged against the JHEOA hospital in Gombak, Sani maintained his previously reported statements that it has "no basis and done with intentions to discredit JHEOA and the hospital management".
"I don’t understand the motive of some people who are intent on digging up old issues," he said, referring to a report by Dr
Selvaa Vathany Pillai, former medical-officer at the hospital who brought up the matter at a press conference last month.
Selvaa in her report to the prime minister and relevant ministries and agencies had among other things alleged mismanagement of the hospital, mistreatment of patients by staff and misuse of funds meant for aid distribution – all of which resulted in poor health-care services for the community, and specifically a high malnutrition, morbidity, and mortality among orang asli children.
Malnutrition is at the root of health problems affecting orang asli children and Selvaa quoted Ipoh Hospital head & consultant paediatrician (community) Dr Amar Singh who in 2008 in his study had set the community’s childhood malnutrition rates at between 30% and 60%, and its infant mortality rate at 15 times higher compared to non-orang asli children in Malaysia.
Sani, however, disputed the statistics quoted by Selvaa, stating she is not allowed as a government servant to issue any statement or reveal any documents.
He said that JHEOA had in 2008 introduced a "Food Basket" programme with an allocation of RM13.4 million a year. Each basket is worth RM200 and contains essential food stuff such as rice and cooking oil.
"The baskets are distributed to orang asli families with total income of less than RM420 a month (miskin tegar).
"For orang asli living deep in the interior, aid is sent by helicopters and we try to do it once a month. However, due to circumstances and constraints, there are times when distribution is not regular but we always double or triple it to make up for lost time," Sani said.
On allegations that items meant for distribution were short-changed, Nisra said: "Those were not part of the Food Basket programme, but ‘candy’ brought by flying doctors to entice orang asli to come for treatment."
Among items in question include tinned Milo and biscuits which Selvaa in her report claimed had been opened and redistributed in smaller packs.
Sani said that aid is also channelled through the Gombak hospital "transit post", where orang asli who are undergoing treatment can bring along their family to stay at the post for free.
He attributed the transfer of then hospital director Dr Saaiah Abdullah and the appointment of Dr Akmal Dahaman to a "mere coincidence".
Asked to comment on the apparent disconnection between orang asli leaders and grassroots, Nisra said: "Orang asli who have become successful must go back to the villages and return to the grassroots. When I go back, I also get many positive feedback from them. You can’t satisfy everybody."
FOLLOWING a series of allegations lodged against the Orang Asli Affairs Department (JHEOA), its director-general, Datuk Sani Mistam, says that the uproar over orang asli rights is a "seasonal issue" that arises from time to time.
"Soon it will pass and maybe other agencies will feel the heat," Sani said in an interview with theSun. Also present was his deputy, Nisra Nisran Asra Ramlan, who is an orang asli.
The department’s main objective is to improve the orang asli’s socio-economic status and competency, increase national involvement for economy, social and political development while preserving the identity and values of the aboriginals.
Land and health-care for orang asli are two areas which have been the subject of recent media attention. This was in line with the protest and memorandum submission by over 2,000 orang asli in Putrajaya with regards to a proposed amendment to Act 134 on distribution of land and to demand for a say in electing a senator to represent the community.
"The policy was approved during the National Land Council meeting last year, and we are fine-tuning the implementation aspect before tabling it in Parliament," he said.
Sani said that it had taken the department eight years to draft the new land distribution policy that involves over 50,000ha which has been gazetted and approved for gazette under Act 134.
"From 2002 to 2009, we have had at least five major meetings that involved various parties including representatives from the orang asli community.
"Their opinions were sought through the indigenous Community Development National Advisory Council under the Rural and Regional Development Ministry, headed by its minister Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal.
"We have also conducted road shows to orang asli villages to get the grassroots opinion on the policy," he said, adding that based on response from the community, they did not disagree but were merely "not ready".
"There is no element of force involved. Once the policy is put in place, there is no time limit to it. Once they are ready, they can approach us and we will come and measure their land."
"During our roadshows, the feedback we received included to increase the amount of land accorded to each head of household (2-6 acres). The policy also states that land will only be awarded to one household head per house – which means if there are a few generations under one roof – only the oldest man will be granted land.
On concerns raised by the orang asli that they will lose their tanah adat territory, Sani said: "Our focus is only on the 50,000ha because we have no authority over other areas or land occupied by orang asli; it is out of our jurisdiction.
"It is up to the state government whether to allow them to stay on the land."
On the appointment of agencies to develop the agricultural land: "The appointed bodies have expertise to develop the land and ensure that it yields returns for the orang asli, so they can afford to pay instalments owed to the developer.
"Cash crops planted include rubber and palm trees, but we also provide orang asli with plants like banana and tapioca."
On allegations of mismanagement and sub-standard health-care services lodged against the JHEOA hospital in Gombak, Sani maintained his previously reported statements that it has "no basis and done with intentions to discredit JHEOA and the hospital management".
"I don’t understand the motive of some people who are intent on digging up old issues," he said, referring to a report by Dr
Selvaa Vathany Pillai, former medical-officer at the hospital who brought up the matter at a press conference last month.
Selvaa in her report to the prime minister and relevant ministries and agencies had among other things alleged mismanagement of the hospital, mistreatment of patients by staff and misuse of funds meant for aid distribution – all of which resulted in poor health-care services for the community, and specifically a high malnutrition, morbidity, and mortality among orang asli children.
Malnutrition is at the root of health problems affecting orang asli children and Selvaa quoted Ipoh Hospital head & consultant paediatrician (community) Dr Amar Singh who in 2008 in his study had set the community’s childhood malnutrition rates at between 30% and 60%, and its infant mortality rate at 15 times higher compared to non-orang asli children in Malaysia.
Sani, however, disputed the statistics quoted by Selvaa, stating she is not allowed as a government servant to issue any statement or reveal any documents.
He said that JHEOA had in 2008 introduced a "Food Basket" programme with an allocation of RM13.4 million a year. Each basket is worth RM200 and contains essential food stuff such as rice and cooking oil.
"The baskets are distributed to orang asli families with total income of less than RM420 a month (miskin tegar).
"For orang asli living deep in the interior, aid is sent by helicopters and we try to do it once a month. However, due to circumstances and constraints, there are times when distribution is not regular but we always double or triple it to make up for lost time," Sani said.
On allegations that items meant for distribution were short-changed, Nisra said: "Those were not part of the Food Basket programme, but ‘candy’ brought by flying doctors to entice orang asli to come for treatment."
Among items in question include tinned Milo and biscuits which Selvaa in her report claimed had been opened and redistributed in smaller packs.
Sani said that aid is also channelled through the Gombak hospital "transit post", where orang asli who are undergoing treatment can bring along their family to stay at the post for free.
He attributed the transfer of then hospital director Dr Saaiah Abdullah and the appointment of Dr Akmal Dahaman to a "mere coincidence".
Asked to comment on the apparent disconnection between orang asli leaders and grassroots, Nisra said: "Orang asli who have become successful must go back to the villages and return to the grassroots. When I go back, I also get many positive feedback from them. You can’t satisfy everybody."
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