32,000ha of Orang Asli land gazetted, says Ismail Sabri

SERDANG: A total of 32,779ha out of 134,440ha of Orang Asli reserve land has been gazetted.

From this figure, 1,809ha had been granted individual titles, said Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

He said Orang Asli land waiting to be gazetted stood at 74,838ha, while 5,142ha of land was inhabited by Orang Asli without recognition from state authorities.

Ismail said only three states — Perak, Pahang and Johor — had shown a commitment to gazetting Orang Asli reserve land to tackle encroachment.

“I hope the (other) state governments will expedite the approval process and land gazetting as the survey process has been completed by the Orang Asli Development Department (Jakoa) last year,” he said.

Ismail said this after addressing tok batin (village chiefs) and Orang Asli Village Development and Security Committee (JKKKOA) meeting, which was attended by 604 tok batin and 268 JKKKOAs here.

He said the government had not abandoned the Orang Asli, unlike the opposition.

“The Orang Asli are now on par with other races in the country in all aspects.

“Eighty-four per cent of Orang Asli villages have state roads; 80 per cent electricity supply; 79 per cent clean water supply and 82 per cent of Housing Project for the Hardcore Poor (PPRT) have been completed.

“We believe that by 2023, all basic facilities in 853 Orang Asli villages will be completed.”

Ismail presented identification cards to 604 tok batin and 268 JKKKOA members, which would allow them to get discounts from shops and agencies affiliated with the ministry and Majlis Amanah Rakyat.