GOMBAK: Orang Asli communities here are protesting against the construction of the East Coast Rail Link across their villages which they say will destroy the community’s heritage and long history in the area.
The villagers say that 18 Orang Asli clans currently live harmoniously after being brought there by the colonial authorities.
“We don’t want to move because our history and tradition revolves around this area. There is no other place like Gombak, where even Chinese and Indian people live among the Orang Asli,” said a spokesman for the villagers.
The villagers gathered for a discussion with Selangor state executive councillor Hee Loy Sian and representatives from Malaysia Rail Link Sdn Bhd at the Jabatan Kebajikan Orang Asli community hall here today.
The villagers described the planned ECRL alignment as being a dangerous one as the place was often flooded during the rainy season.
They noted that if there is no choice but to relocate, then they must receive a fair compensation, either in the form of a house or cash.
Hee told the villagers that they need to be brave and take a stand together if they do not want to be relocated.
He also said since this is a federal project, the villagers should air their grievances to the transport ministry.
“However, since there is only a caretaker federal government at the moment, prepare a memorandum and send it to the representatives contesting for the Gombak seat in the next general election,” he said.
He added that the Selangor government has yet to make a decision on the ECRL’s alignment in the state, and is waiting for ECRL to submit its findings at the Selangor economic action council meeting. - FMT
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.