Loggers return to disputed zones, says Orang Asli watchdog

The Centre for Orang Asli Concerns (COAC) has highlighted that the recovery movement control order (MCO) which took effect on June 10, has led to the commencement of logging activities in at least two areas populated by the Orang Asli.

"In Kampung Sungai Papan, Gerik-Perak loggers have started working their bulldozers to prepare the logging road to their concession area several kilometres in the interior.

"This was the same site where the Temiars set up a blockade a year ago, which caused several of them to be arrested, and led to the Perak menteri besar (Ahmad Faizal Azumu) eventually calling for a halt in August 2019," said COAC in a statement recently.

"Clearly, as far as the MB was concerned, this was meant to be only a temporary reprieve for the Orang Asli," it said. 

On Aug 1, 2019, Faizal, who was then MB under a Pakatan Harapan government, agreed to temporarily halt logging activities in the area after resisting criticism on the matter.

"The menteri besar has with immediate effect ordered a temporary halt to all logging activities within the land in question pending discussions between the state and the Orang Asli community," Faizal and then minister in the Prime Minister's Department P Waythamoorthy had said in a joint statement.

This had followed a meeting between Waythamoorthy, Faizal and then attorney-general Tommy Thomas after the menteri besar had come under criticism over his refusal to recognise Orang Asli customary land and defended logging activities in their area, which had been permitted by his state government.

Faizal (below) is still occupying the same position but is now helming a Perikatan Nasional administration.

COAC said that this was not the only resumption of logging activities that commenced after the relaxing of recovery MCO restrictions.

"On the Lojing-Gua Musang road in Kelantan, the Temiars in Kampung Kelaik, Pos Brooke are also confronting bulldozers.

"They are coming in to log and eventually plant musang king durians. Looks like it is back to the old normal for the Orang Asli," said COAC.

Malaysiakini is attempting to contact the Orang Asli Affairs Department (Jakoa) on the matter. - Mkini