'When it rains, our water turns to tea' - Orang Asli's patience wears thin

The Orang Asli community near Bukit Galla in Nilai, Negeri Sembilan, are forced to do their cooking and washing with polluted water.

According to them, logging activities in the area have affected their water source and despite raising the issue with the relevant authorities, their plight has not been addressed.

If logging is not halted, a spokesperson from Kampung Orang Asli Sungai Mahang, Panjang Pandak, said there would be no alternative but to stage a protest.

“Whenever it rains, our water supply turns into the colour of tea. We drink, cook and shower in this polluted water,” he said.

Panjang Pandak, 63, told Malaysiakini that some 200 villagers have been dealing with this problem since Aug 17.

He said villagers in Kampung Orang Asli Belihoi, Mantin and Kampung Orang Asli Tekir faced the same predicament.

“Aside from these three affected villages, there are three other villages situated in the area. Our water supply comes from the water catchment from Bukit Galla,” he added.

Pandak claimed that the logging activities have also impacted their food sources and income.

“Not many of us work outside. We live in the forest and get our water, plants and herbs from the forest. We also hunt animals for food.

“If they continue to fall the trees, all of it will be gone. This is a small forest,” he lamented.

MB orders appropriate action

Panjang said he had written to numerous agencies including sending a letter to Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Aminuddin Harun as well as a memorandum to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

“I have also complained to the Orang Asli Development Department (Jakoa) at the district and state levels. I have filed a report with Nilai assemblyperson J Arul Kumar and the state forestry department.

J Arul Kumar

“We are not satisfied with their response... They keep saying the matter will be brought to the attention of those higher up,” he added.

According to a letter from the Negeri Sembilan forestry department sighted by Malaysiakini, the logging activities carried out in compartments 15 and 16 of the Galla Forest Reserve are legal.

Its deputy director of operations, Noradli @ Mohd Adli Parsada, said the compartments are approved areas for the quota of Yayasan Negeri Sembilan, which is owned by Mahir Sekata Sdn Bhd, effective from April 1, 2023 to March 31, 2024.

“In this matter, the office will continue to monitor the location to ensure that no illegal forest activities under the National Forestry Act 1984 are being carried out,” Noradli said.

Meanwhile, Aminuddin said the state forestry department has been asked to take appropriate action regarding the Orang Asli community's claims.

The menteri besar was quoted by Bernama as saying that the department was also instructed to continue monitoring the logging activities and take steps to minimise problems.

"The logging activity is legal; only selected trees, that is, only mature trees are felled. The logging area is also far from the populated area; there should be no issue,” he added. - Mkini