A group of Orang Asli gathered at the Perak state assembly today to deliver a memorandum in protest of logging activities on their customary land in the state.
The memorandum was received by Menteri Besar Saarani Mohamad’s officers.
About 200 Orang Asli, including village heads (tok batin), travelled to the state assembly and reached the compound as early as 8.30am for the protest. Two buses were used to transport some of the villagers there while others used motorcycles and cars.
A tok batin from Ulu Perak, Abdul Rahman, expressed concern and sadness over the impact of logging in the state, which also involved Orang Asli villages.
He said the Orang Asli community was not only worried about the floods caused by deforestation but also the impact it would have on the animals that would eventually start entering their villages due to habitat loss.
"For the (Perak) government, it doesn't matter... they are sitting in their airconditioned office. Those facing it are us Orang Asli, who reside in the forest.
“So, I ask the government to find a suitable place for logging that will not affect the Orang Asli villages. I hope the government will listen to our grievances.
“Who else can we complain to about this? It is the government that is responsible for taking care of the state, so it is you we rely on,” he lamented in a video sent to Malaysiakini by one of the attendees.
“If there is a way we can meet God (then we would)... but there is no way. So we hope the government will hear our complaints,” he added.
The memorandum of protest, among others, claimed that consent had never been given for logging activities involving the Orang Asli's customary land before it was carried out, thus causing harm to the community.
“For example, as shown in the media, the lives of the Orang Asli communities of Kampung Sungai Papan and Kampung Cunex in Ulu Perak have been affected due to logging.
“At this time, the Orang Asli in Kampung Sungai Teras, Slim River are also suffering the same fate. The Orang Asli in Kampung Chang Sungai Gepai, Kampung Chang Baru and Kampung Senta in Bidor will face the same issue if the logging that has been approved in their customary land is carried out.
"Certainly, the Orang Asli in Perak will continue to face this issue, and their lives will continue to be harmed as logging is one of the main industries in the state," the memorandum said.
Change source of revenue
Pasir Pinji Assemblyperson Howard Lee, who was also present at the handing of the memorandum along with other supporters of the Orang Asli community, questioned why the state government insisted on continuing the logging activities despite the Orang Asli residents’ objections voiced during an engagement session.
“So, this is the way the state administration has collected revenue or wants to get revenue from natural resources that should and must change because the state's climate has changed.
“I express my gratitude (to the Orang Asli for speaking up) as this is one of the ways to avoid disaster from continuing to happen. Thank you to all the tok batin for daring to amplify the voice of the locals for the sake of the future and the people now.
"If these protests are not heard, we do not know what will happen in the future," said the DAP leader. - Mkini
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