Kelantan PAS has questioned the need for the attorney-general to represent Orang Asli who are suing the state government over land rights.
PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan posed this at a press conference at the Parliament lobby after his question to Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Liew Vui Keong on the issue went unanswered during today's question and answer session in the Dewan Rakyat.
"In a recent case, a group of Orang Asli in Kelantan have sued the state government. Why is the attorney-general representing the plaintiffs in this case?
"The role of the attorney-general is to represent the government. By right, he cannot act for private citizens suing a state government," said Takiyuddin, who is also Kota Bharu MP.
The AG's move to partake in the case, is thus, improper, he said adding, "The AG is an institution. He cannot isolate himself."
On Jan 18 this year, Attorney-General Tommy Thomas revealed that Putrajaya was suing the Kelantan state government for violating the land rights of the Temiar Orang Asli community in Gua Musang.
"For the first time since Merdeka, the federal government is instituting legal proceedings on behalf of the Orang Asli in recognition of the federal government's constitutional and legal duty to protect and promote their wellbeing and advancement," Thomas has said in a statement.
According to him, the Kelantan state government and its agencies had granted logging rights in Gua Musang to private companies without consulting the Temiar community or offering them compensation. - Mkini
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