PNSB ready to consider giving Orang Asli more time before eviction

 

Permodalan Negeri Selangor Bhd (PNSB) says it is open to discussing a request by Mah Meri Orang Asli for more time before they are evicted from the Selangor government-linked company’s land.

This comes after backlash over its move to request that the villagers clear out from Kampung Orang Asli Bagan Lalang in Sepang so it can develop the area into a holiday destination.

Orang Asli activist Shahar “Shaq” Koyok and popular singer-songwriter Yuna were among the many critical voices on social media. An online petition defending the Orang Asli has garnered more than 10,000 signatures.

In a statement today, PNSB stressed that all its eviction efforts have been lawful.

“PNSB followed set procedures and administrative protocol by preparing an eviction notice that was handed to the relevant parties.

“The submission (of the notice) was done without any objections on April 20, 2021 and had involved the Sepang Municipal Council, police and PNSB,” it said.

The firm also underscored that the land in question was not the indigenous tribe’s original settlement.

“It should be understood that the area is not the original settlement for the Mah Meri tribe and all decisions will be taken following procedure and the law.

“All future agreements and solutions will be based on transparency, integrity and humanitarian grounds,” it said.

PNSB again confirmed receipt of the village tok batin Taha Akhir’s plea for more time before the eviction.

This time, it said it was willing to discuss and consider it.

“PNSB is open for the discussion process to proceed, and is ready to consider their plea for the villagers to be given more time after taking into account current factors,” it said.

The Malaysian Insight previously reported that 20 Mah Meri families comprising 36 people in total had until May 20 to leave their homes.

They have lived there for the past 20 years.

PNSB reportedly owns 68.7 ha of land in the area while the Sepang local council owns one ha.

The firm wants to develop the land as an extension of the existing Avani Sepang GoldCoast luxury resort.

Dubbed “D’Festival”, the second phase of the project is supposed to be a mixed development for “resort living”, business and entertainment.

The third phase is called “Laguna Villa” and is supposed to be another resort built using sustainable technology. - Mkini