Federal, Kelantan gov'ts agree on approach to resolve Orang Asli land disputes

The federal government and the Kelantan state government have agreed upon a solution to the Gua Musang Orang Asli community’s land claims based on previous court decisions, said Deputy Rural Development Minister R Sivarasa.

“In essence, both parties have agreed on an approach based on principles established by the court.

“In the two recent cases involving Pos Belatim and Pos Balar, both parties have entered an agreement. We will use the cases as a guide to help us resolve the issue,” he said yesterday.

According to Sivarasa, the Orang Asli community will use the principles in the cases to propose the area that requires protection.

“The Orang Asli Development Department (Jakoa) and our ministry will present it to the state government and we will refer to it,” he said.

He said this after making a courtesy call to Kelantan Deputy Menteri Besar Mohd Amar Nik Abdullah at the latter’s office in Kota Bharu yesterday.

The Orang Asli in Gua Musang have been in a protracted dispute with state authorities over land issues, particularly Temiar communities opposing logging activities on their land.

Among the most vocal are activists in Jaringan Kampung Orang Asli Kelantan who have set up roadblocks on logging roads near their villages.

The federal government has previously pledged to find a solution to the dispute.

Meanwhile, Mohd Amar said 1,500 hectares of land involving seven villages in Gua Musang​ ​​​​​​have been gazetted as Orang Asli reserve land.

He said that Jakoa is handling the process and has been asked to make more frequent and comprehensive field trips and hold meetings with the Orang Asli to explain the state government’s efforts and prevent misunderstanding.

“I wish to reiterate that Kelantan will not recognise customary land because customary land only exists in Sabah and Sarawak.

“However, we do recognise Orang Asli settlements and agricultural land. We will not disturb that area.

“Previously, the Orang Asli has accused Jakoa of not consulting them first before identifying land to be gazetted,” he said. - Mkini