Kelantan 'open' to discussing Orang Asli land issues with Putrajaya

Deputy Menteri Besar Mohd Amar Nik Abdullah says Putrajaya cannot interfere with Kelantan's land issues, such as in the case of the Gua Musang Orang Asli demands, as it is a state prerogative.

However, the state government is open to discussions.

“Land issues are under the state government's powers, and the federal government cannot interfere.

“We are open to discuss the matter, there is no problem for them to come and meet us,” he told the media in Kota Bharu today.

He was asked about prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad wanting to settle the Orang Asli land woes in Gua Musang.

Mahathir lasts Friday told a Gua Musang Orang Asli group Putrajaya did not have the authority over land matters in the state, especially when it concerns states like Kelantan, which is not governed by Pakatan Harapan.

The group had approached the prime minister after failing to get a positive outcome on their land issues from the Kelantan government, for example on illegal logging of their native lands.

Meanwhile, Mohd Amar said his people were in constant discussion with agencies such as Department of Orang Asli Development (Jakoa) and the Land and Mines Office over the issue.

“In a previous meeting with NGO Jaringan (Kampung Orang Asli Kelantan), they had handed us 10 demands and wanted us to give in to their demands. Their demands were not justified.

“Among the demands was to gazette all forests as kawasan rayau (customary land). If we do that, the state government would not be able to settle its debts, as part of the forest is needed for revenue and development,” said the Panchor assemblyperson.

When asked about native customary rights land, Mohd Amar said that only applies to Sabah and Sarawak.

He said the state government already has its own policies to recognise Orang Asli rights and has gazetted areas for them, citing a recent court ruling.

“The court ruled for the state to provide them with dwelling and kawasan rayau, that is actually our policy.

“Our policy for Orang Asli settlements exist, we also do not disturb their agricultural land, it is only a problem of having delayed the gazetting, because of technical issues,” he said. - Mkini