BATEQ TRIBE IRKED BY RED ZONE RULE
Community yearns to roam the jungle freely again, fish and hunt for food without restrictions
MEMBERS of the Bateq Orang Asli tribe want to roam the jungle freely, instead of having their movements restricted within the village’s “red zone”.
Village head Mohamad Pokok,
40, said most of his tribesmen felt stressed as they were unable to hunt for animals and gather forest resources.
He said the tribe was used to their nomadic lifestyle, but this was stopped after the measles outbreak.
He questioned the need for villagers to be prevented from moving about freely as it is now free of measles.
“All the villagers, ranging from children to adults, have received medical treatment.
“They are prepared to receive vaccinations to prevent them from contracting contagious diseases, such as measles,” said Mohamad here on Thursday.
On June 12, police declared Kampung Kuala Koh a “red zone”, following the recent deaths of several Bateq tribesmen.
This effectively serves as a ban on entry into the village for all except those who have permission to do so.
The measles outbreak in Kampung Kuala Koh, since early May, has resulted in the deaths of 15 Bateq tribesmen.
Another 112 people were receiving treatment at Gua Musang Hospital, Kuala Krai Hospital, Chiku Health Clinic 3 and Aring 1 Health Clinic.
Meanwhile, Bateq resident Lan Hamdan, 23, questioned the authorities’ purpose in imposing a restriction on his tribe’s movements.
Lan said he and his friends were used to entering the jungle to catch freshwater fish and hunt for animals.
“Unfortunately, after the measles outbreak, we were prohibited from going any where as we were told to remain within the village,” Lan said.