Pahang Orang Asli lost houses on state land to oil palm project

 

About 20 Orang Asli from the Jakun sub-group lost their homes after a plantation company demolished six houses in Pekan, Pahang, on Monday.

According to the Pahang Orang Asli Villages Network (JKOAP), a group of people, accompanied by police, arrived at the small village called Kampung Sungai Baru and began tearing down the houses.

It was supposedly to enforce the company’s right to the land, which was leased from a state-owned corporation for 30 years for an oil palm plantation.

Orang Asli activist Jaidi Musa said the incident shocked the villagers as it was allegedly done without prior notice or consultation.

The JKOAP treasurer claimed the area was part of the Orang Asli customary land where the five families had lived for several generations.

“The issue here is why was the demolition carried out without any prior notice and discussion with the community?

“Any such action should not have been taken without meeting the villagers first.

“How could you simply tear down the community’s houses when they were not at home?” Jaidi told Malaysiakini.

Following the incident, two villagers lodged police reports to object to the demolition and complain about the losses suffered.

One of them, a 58-year-old villager, said he only learned his house was torn down upon returning to the village on Monday afternoon.

The victim said he was dissatisfied because many of his family’s belongings, including their kitchen stove, crockery, and school books, were damaged in the incident.

‘Orang Asli moved in during pandemic’

According to a video Jaidi shared with Malaysiakini, the group responsible for the demolition had gone to the village in several pick-up trucks. A Toyota Hilux emblazoned with the words “Polis Paloh Hinai” was also on scene.

When contacted, Pekan district police chief Zaidi Mat Zin said that police were there only to monitor the demolition.

He said the Pekan police headquarters was notified of the company’s plan and sent a team to ensure no untoward incidents between the parties.

Zaidi, however, denied the claim that the Orang Asli community had been staying on the land for a long time.

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“The land is owned by the Perbadanan Setiausaha Kerajaan Negeri Pahang (PSK), which leased it to (name of another company).

“The Orang Asli were just there recently. They took the opportunity during the (Covid-19 pandemic) movement control order to move there, as the company was not present then,” he said.

Malaysiakini is withholding the plantation company’s name pending its response. Various attempts have been made to reach the firm, including visiting its registered address, but to no avail.

‘Puzzled’ by company’s approach

Meanwhile, PSK chief executive officer Sharuddin Jali told Malaysiakini that they would summon the plantation company for an explanation.

Sharuddin said the land was leased to the company last year, and their demolition operation on Monday was carried out without PSK’s involvement.

“Usually, when PSK handles such a matter, we would engage (authorities) for unified enforcement. There are processes, including consulting with villagers first, not immediate enforcement.

“However, this time the company said they want to do it themselves. So, since they want to handle it, we did not get involved.

“I am also puzzled by their approach. So we will call them for an explanation,” Sharuddin said.

When asked if PSK would engage the affected Orang Asli community, he said they would decide after the discussion.

Malaysiakini has also contacted the Orang Asli Affairs Department for comments. - Mkini