Orang Asli land rights ignored despite government change?

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Orang Asli Land Rights Remain Unaddressed Following Government Transition

An Orang Asli activist has stated that the rights of the Orang Asli community continue to be overlooked, even after a change in government. Tijah Yok Chopil, chairman of Jaringan Kampung Orang Asli Semenanjug Malaysia, expressed significant disappointment regarding the slow pace of policy reforms pertinent to the Orang Asli, noting that the community felt taken aback by remarks from Pakatan Harapan leaders. This sentiment was particularly highlighted by statements from Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu concerning a dispute over 12,456 hectares of customary land.
Persistent Disregard for Orang Asli Concerns

Tijah Yok Chopil articulated that despite the new administration, the progress in addressing Orang Asli issues has been minimal. She observed that the slow advancements within the first 100 days, or even 10 months, of the Pakatan Harapan government indicated a lack of substantial change for the community. This situation, she noted, felt similar to, or even worse than, the period under the previous Barisan Nasional government, where Orang Asli voices were often misrepresented and their lands utilized for development projects under the guise of national benefit.
Disputed Customary Land Claims and Official Remarks

The ongoing dispute over 12,456 hectares of customary land in Perak served as a focal point for Tijah's concerns. Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu's comments on the matter, suggesting that appropriate action must be taken against individuals encroaching on government land without authorisation, were perceived as "rude" by the Orang Asli community. This response, in the context of a land rights dispute, underscored the perceived insensitivity to the community's long-standing grievances and their fight for recognition of their ancestral lands.
Upholding Election Promises and Civil Society Vigilance

The Orang Asli community had actively supported the Pakatan Harapan coalition in the 2018 general election, anticipating significant positive changes. The current status quo has left many feeling disillusioned, especially as they witness a perceived lack of political will to enact meaningful reforms. This aligns with broader observations from Suaram director Kua Kia Soong, who noted limited progress in human rights reforms and suggested that civil societies must remain vigilant in pushing for promised changes, especially concerning institutionalised racism and discriminatory practices.

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Orang Asli land rights ignored despite government change?

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