Orang asli see red over tit-for-tat blockade
GUA MUSANG: The orang asli are crying foul against Musang King plantation workers for setting up a blockade near Pos Tohoi allegedly to curb their freedom of movement.
Orang asli Jimi Angah said it was the first time they came across “outsiders” blocking their access to the jungle.
“The workers have lined up lorries at the entrance of the road since Saturday to control our movement.
“We have also maintained our blockade near Pos Tohoi. But we could not leave the jungle because the workers have set up a counter-blockade near the access road.
“We have lodged a police report because we do not want any unwarranted confrontation.
“We hope the authorities will act fast, otherwise those living in Pos Tohoi cannot use the route to send children to school and to go out to town. The whole community is trapped inside now,” he said.
The orang asli in several settlements in Gua Musang initiated a blockade about six months ago to stop rampant logging and mining activities in the disputed native customary land.
“Our blockade is ongoing. But now the plantation workers have also set up a blockade,” he said.
Jaringan Kampung Orang Asli Kelantan chairman Mustafa Along said they held blockades to stop activities that posed irreversible damage to the ecosystem.