Orang Asli outraged by BN banners

The leader of the Indigenous Village Network condemns the unauthorised use of her picture.

PETALING JAYA: An Orang Asli leader has expressed outrage over the use of her picture on Barisan Nasional banners, calling it “dirty politics”.

Tijah Chopil, who leads the Indigenous Village Network, told a press conference today that she did not support any side in the election and was upset that BN had used a photograph of her posing with members of her community without her knowledge.

She condemned the action as irresponsible and urged contending parties to give up “dirty politics”.

“I will be viewed by my people as campaigning for political parties when I do not support any particular political campaign,” she said.

“I urge Najib, the caretaker prime minister, to remove the banners displayed in the native settlements or I will remove them myself.

“If BN has done so much for natives, why do they resort to something such as this?”

Tijah acknowledged the right of political parties to display campaign banners and distribute associated materials, but said no one should be allowed the audacity of using another person’s picture without that person’s permission.

She said it troubled her that members of her community thought she was a BN supporter whereas she did not favour any side contesting in the May 5 general election.

The offending banner, which claims that the Senoi tribal community supports Najib Tun Razak, have been spotted in Kelantan, Pahang and Perak.

Tijah said her people were confused by it and many had asked her to clarify matters.

She lodged a police report on April 22.