300 Aborigines stage PROTEST in front of SUK Negeri Sembilan

"We also regret the fact that the Menteri Besar Negeri Sembilan said that the indigenous people are squatters," said the spokesman Ezuli Langkap.

SEREMBAN: More than 300 indigenous peoples from all over Negeri Sembilan today voiced objections for three hours in front of the State Secretary (Secretary) building here on New Policy of Aboriginal land ownership.

Shortly after that, they submitted a memorandum to Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan to protest the state government's proposal to implement the new policy.

Spokesman ' NS Aborigines Village Department' (JKKOANS), Ezuli Langkap said he objected to the proposal outright, as reported Utusan Malaysia, 22 September last year.

"We also regret the fact that the Menteri Besar said that the indigenous people in are considered squatters.

"Every decision made without reference to and talk with us. He was not sensitive to our community.

Instead, he has ignored our society is first civilisation in Negeri Sembilan and Malaysia origin, "said Ezuli.

Land customs

According Ezuli, the implementation of the New Policy of Aboriginal Land Ownership will be a result they lose their hereditary right to their lands.

"All of our customary land will be taken over the government. Next the government will give two acres of land to be developed either by Felcra or Risda. "After that we do not have to do anything and a fee of RM1, 500.00 in the form of lots of shares will be given every month.

"We objected to this because we will lose the rights to the customs of our land we have acquired since the days of our fathers.

"In fact we are able to earn an income greater than that offered by the state government. For example, while there were many of us to tap rubber, sell petai and roots, "said Ezuli.

Ezuli urged the state government to cancel the land alienation policy proposed by the central government.

He urged that the whole territory of their customary lands recognized under Article 26 of the Laws of the United Nations Declaration of the United Nations (UNDRIP) in respect of the rights of indigenous peoples.