PKR: Orang asal income in RM500 to RM100 dive

Peninsular Malaysia Orang Asal have suffered an income nosedive since the implementation of Tanam Secara Komersial (commercial grown) scheme, claimed PKR at a convention on Felda Community and Orang Asal recently.

According to the party's Felda Community and Orang Asal Bureau deputy chief Bob Manolan Mohamad, the drop is close to 80 percent, as they only earn between RM100 and RM200 per household now in contrast to the RM500 previously.

He said the scheme, in force for at least 15 years, placed orang asal's lands under selected contractors such as Federal Land Consolidation and Rehabilitation Authority (Felcra) or Rubber Industry Smallholders Development Authority (Risda) upon consent for collective cultivation.

"After they join, the contractors will claim that their trees were too old and need replanting.

"When they do replanting, the orang asal will not be paid a single cent for five to six years, despite being promised one.

"They have to rely solely on collecting forest products to survive," said the orang asal from Bera, Pahang.

Harvesting own crops an offence

In his hour-long presentation themed "Economy Development from Orang Asal's Perspective", he also pointed out that 70.91 percent of their population still live below the poverty line.

He claimed their living standards have deteriorated under the TSK scheme as they were denied rights to their own lands.

He added that given the severe conditions, many of them were forced to quietly harvest trees and vegetables on their lands for sale.

"And this has led to them being arrested by the police, such as the cases in Raub, Pahang and Rompin, Negeri Sembilan," he said.

He added that the land leasing agreement was for 25 years and likely to be extended, pro-longing the orang asal suffering.

To resolve the problem, said Bob, the government must drop the inefficient TSK, replace it with a long-term comprehensive plan, recognise their land rights, and assist them by not only conducting workshops but also give them guidance on entrepreneurship.

"Without being economically independent, you can't expect them to make changes.

"They want to their children to attend schools, they want to get better housing, but have no money," he said.