Orang Asli land rights: Ramli moots constitutional amendments

 

PARLIAMENT | Dewan Rakyat Deputy Speaker Ramli Mohd Nor said today that there are "legal vacuums" under the Aboriginal Peoples Act 1954 which should be addressed through a constitutional amendment.

Specifically, the matter relates to provisions under Schedule 9 of the Federal Constitution, said Ramli, the first Orang Asli to be elected MP and appointed deputy speaker.

"Even though the federal government gazetted land for the Orang Asli in cooperation with the state government, at any time the state government can take back the land," he said while presiding over Rural and Regional Development Deputy Minister Rubiah Wang's response to debates on the Suhakam annual report 2020.

"What I would like to suggest, with the current political stability that we have, is for the (rural and regional development) minister and the law minister to discuss amending the Federal Constitution.

"This is to bring the responsibility to take care of the Orang Asli's welfare to a concurrent list (under the federal constitution) that is the duty of both the state and federal government," said Ramli (above).

Solution to issues

At present, Ramli said Schedule Nine of the Federal Constitution listed the welfare of the Orang Asli as part of federal matters, while the land is under the jurisdiction of the state.

As such, he said amending the Constitution to include the welfare of Orang Asli into the concurrent list with shared federal-state powers would be a solution to their issues.

"As an MP who sits as the deputy speaker, I have no opportunity to speak there (from the floor) so now I request for consideration of the matter," added the Cameron Highlands MP.

Ramli also requested permission to see the final draft Bill for proposed amendments to the Aboriginal Peoples Act.

"I and my people thank you," he added.

In response, Rubiah said she noted Ramli's request and also existing constraints under the Federal Constitution. - Mkini