Civil society groups urge govt to realise commitments to indigenous communities and safeguard cultural, environmental heritage of country
PETALING JAYA: Civil society organisations have expressed concern over delays in the implementation of government pledges to protect Orang Asli ancestral lands, adding that indigenous communities continue to face challenges related to eviction, environmental degradation and marginalisation.
In a joint statement issued by 24 groups, including RimbaWatch, the Centre for Orang Asli Concerns, Jaringan Orang Asal SeMalaysia and Greenpeace Malaysia, the coalition highlighted several incidents over the past month that underscore ongoing tensions around indigenous land rights.
“Authorities attempted to evict 14 families from the Bukit Bauk Forest Reserve in Terengganu to make way for a religious education institution, despite the area forming part of their traditional territory,” the groups said.
“At Pulau Carey, communities reported that the Westports expansion proceeded without their full, prior and informed consent, raising concerns over potential impacts on coastal areas and local livelihoods.
“In Kelantan, anti-logging blockades erected by the Pos Simpor Orang Asli were removed by uniformed personnel, with logging planned to continue in environmentally sensitive areas, including Gunung Chamah.
Community leaders expressed frustration over what they see as continuous encroachment and limited recognition of indigenous rights.
In Pahang, 21 Jakun villagers from Kampung Jemeri were detained following a dispute over an oil palm plantation on customary land they had developed over 13 years.
Kampung Jemeri headman Keria Peletak said the community’s actions were prompted not by provocation, but by encroachment on their land, perceived denial of their rights and erosion of their dignity.
Meanwhile, Maznah Unyan, leader of the Mah Meri women-led initiative Tompoq Topoh, cautioned that ongoing development could affect vital natural resources such as nipah leaves, which are central to the community’s crafts and cultural identity.
“These incidents are not isolated, but part of a broader pattern of challenges faced by indigenous communities, despite repeated legal and institutional recommendations to protect their land rights,” the statement said.
The groups encouraged the government, and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in his role as chair of the National Land Council, to consider measures that could strengthen protections for Orang Asli land rights.
“By acting on these issues, the government can help safeguard Malaysia’s cultural and environmental heritage, and ensure that commitments made to indigenous communities are realised,” they said.
The coalition also referenced the Malaysian Bar’s view that existing federal powers are sufficient to address Orang Asli land matters.
“(In addition to) years of advocacy, including the comprehensive National Inquiry on the Land Rights of Indigenous Peoples in 2013 and numerous landmark court decisions, substantive recommendations have repeatedly been presented to political leaders. Yet, we remain concerned that these calls risk being overlooked once again.”
The groups urged explicit legal recognition of Orang Asli customary land and territories, full respect for their right to self-determination, a halt to amendments to the Orang Asli Act 1954 until legally binding recognition is included, and full disclosure of draft Bills and consultant reports to Orang Asli communities.
They also called for the adoption and implementation of recommendations from the 2013 Human Rights Commission of Malaysia National Inquiry, and for meaningful, inclusive consultations with Orang Asli communities, supported by independent legal, anthropological and community experts.
In reaffirming their support for the ongoing struggle of the Orang Asli to defend their ancestral lands, the coalition stressed the importance of balancing development with the protection of indigenous rights, culture and environmental heritage.