NGO calls for Orang Asli Ministry to be established

KUALA LUMPUR: NGOs are happy with the forming of a special task force looking into the plight of indigenous people, but they further call for the creation of a new Orang Asli Ministry.

Indigenous Peoples Network of Malaysia (JOAS) deputy president Zurdi Baharu said it should be headed by a qualified orang asli.

“We want the Government to consider putting in an orang asli minister as well as increase the number of senators looking into the affairs,” he said, adding that there were many capable orang asli who fit the bill.

Zurdi was referring to Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s announcement on Thursday on the setting up of a special task force to safeguard the interests of the Indian community, women, youth and orang asli.

Zurdi also said that the special task force should be chaired by someone well-versed with the indigenous issues such as Kapayan assemblyman Jannie Lasimbang.

“We hope the new Cabinet will hold a meeting with the orang asli NGOs, the Bar Council’s Committee on Orang Asli Rights, Centre for Orang Asli Concerns coordinator Dr Colin Nicholas and academicians Dr Ramy Bulan and Juli Edo to discuss the issues,” he said.

Zurdi said the Government should halt all development that affect indigenous peoples’ land.

“They should also relook the laws that went against orang asli rights such as the Forestry Act 1984 and Wildlife Conservation Act 2010.

“We also want the policy on Orang Asli Land Ownership and Development to be abolished as it has caused a lot of problems to the orang asli,” he said.

He said the Government should also promote fair socio-economic and balanced development suited to the orang asli, as well as address their health, infrastructure and education needs.

The Orang Asli Development Department should be revamped to include 80% of orang asli staff members, he said.

Dr Colin said the orang asli had been calling for an Orang Asli Ministry to be set up since the 1990s.

“It should be headed by an orang asli, someone who appreciates and understands their needs and must be rightly motivated to advance the cause and needs of the orang asli.

“Sabah has just created one and it is time the Federal Government has one,” he said.

On Thursday, the Sabah state government created three new ministries, one of which is Law and Native Affairs led by Warisan’s Pantai Manis assemblyman Datuk Aidi Mokhtar, a former Syariah court judge.