Elect tok batins, says Bersih after senator’s ‘threat’ in Camerons

A group of Orang Asli in Alor Gajah, Melaka. Bersih 2.0 says the community stands to gain if their leaders are elected. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: Electoral reforms group Bersih 2.0 has called for elections to choose tok batins, following a threat made by a PKR senator against Orang Asli village chiefs who do not support the government.

It said the leadership of village committees nationwide should also be democratically elected instead of through political appointments by the federal and state governments.

This comes after Bob Manolan, a PKR senator representing the Orang Asli community, reportedly said that tok batins in Cameron Highlands who do not support the government in the upcoming by-election there could be sacked.

“If the allowance of RM900-RM1200 — according to Senator Bob Manolan — can be used to force tok batins to support the government parties, how can the Orang Asli count on their leaders to defend their interests?” asked Bersih.

Bersih also urged the authorities to investigate Manolan for violating election laws.

Manolan has denied making the statement, saying he had only asked village headmen to put aside political differences and work together with the federal government.

Meanwhile, Bersih urged Pakatan Harapan candidate, M Manogaran to show his support for choosing tok batins through elections.

It said this was because Manogaran, as the candidate representing the government, would stand to gain from Manolan’s speech.

Manogaran is facing Barisan Nasional’s Ramli Mohd Nor from the Orang Asli community, as well as independent candidates Salehuddin Ab Talib and Wong Seng Yee.

The by-election on Jan 26 is being held following the election court’s decision to nullify the victory of BN’s C. Sivarraajh from MIC in the general election last year.

Sivarraajh won the seat with 10,307 votes, beating his closest rival Manogaran who got 9,710 votes. -FMT