Land, education focus of change to Orang Asli Act

The New Straits Times

KUALA TERENGGANU: The proposed amendment to the Orang Asli Act (Act 134) will focus on bringing them to the mainstream of society socially and economically through education and economic programmes.

Although land ownership is the central issue for Orang Asli communities, other aspects, such as education and diversification of economic activities, will also be given emphasis in ensuring they will not be left behind as the nation progresses.

Rural and Regional Development minister Datuk Seri Shafei Apdal said the amendment would help avoid land ownership tussles like the one over the Ladang Rakyat project in Kelantan.

"Judging by the mature rubber trees planted by Orang Asli on the disputed land, they must have been there for 30 to 40 years and yet, the issue of ownership was left unsettled.

"When the Kelantan state government awarded the land to a private company, the Orang Asli were displaced."

He said the government would help Orang Asli students to achieve education excellence.

"There are about 300 Orang Asli students in our universities and we will give them assistance if they want to do postgraduate courses."

Shafei said this after meeting the Terengganu state government regarding Orang Asli land issues at the Wisma Darul Iman here yesterday.

He lauded the state government for being one of the earliest states to gazette land for Orang Asli.

"Land rights are under the state governments and the ability to provide land for Orang Asli to live on will depend on each state," said Shafie.

Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Said said the Orang Asli in Sungai Pergam, Kemaman; Sungai Berua, Hulu Terengganu and Sungai Sayap, Besut were doing well in agricultural projects carried out on land provided by the state government.