By Jenita Engi
Special assistant to YB Elizabeth Wong and chief organiser of the dialogue
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www.coac.org.my/codenavia/portals/coacv2/code/main/main_art.php?parentID=0&artID=12367410689464
Orang Asli from all over Selangor gathered in Bukit Lanjan for the first-ever Dialogue with the Cheif Minister. Several state assemblymen from the ruling Peoples' Alliance government also came to hear what the Orang Asli had to say.
On Sunday, 1st March 2009, a dialogue between the Orang Asli and the Menteri Besar (Chief Minister) of Selangor was held at the community hall in Desa Temuan, Damansara Perdana (formerly Bukit Lanjan). About 500 Orang Asli from all the 7 districts in Selangor attended viz. Kuala Selangor, Hulu Langat, Kuala Langat, Petaling, Gombak, Klang, Sepang and Hulu Selangor. Several Pakatan Rakyat state assemblymen also attended.
This first-ever dialogue was initiated by the new Pakatan Rakyat state government in order for it to closely understand the problems faced by the Orang Asli and also to look for solutions to their problems.
The dialogue session began with a presentation by Dr. Colin Nicholas on the status of Orang Asli customary land in Selangor in the past and today. The 10-minute presentation showed how Orang Asli lands were recognized in history and acknowledged by the government and leaders in the past, why these lands were never considered sulatanate lands, and how Orang Asli customary title was removed in recent years in contradiction to several court judgments in the Orang asli's favour.
The issue of land was the focus of this dialogue, given that this issue has yet to be resolved amicably in the state. The main discussant, Amri Jamil, who is also the chair of POASM-Selangor, stressed how land was the life-blood of the Orang Asli and that this was so since early times.
The representative of the Perak Orang Asli, Tijah Yok Chopil, shared how under the opposition Pakatan Rakyat state government, the Perak Orang Asli Land Task Force was established with full Orang Asli membership and leadership.
Bob Manolan, the Orang Asli representative from Pahang, then shared about the case of an Orang Asli land grab in Bera which had occurred without the consent of the community. He also explained the actions taken by the community there.
In his speech, the Menteri Besar of Selangor, Tan Sri Dato' Khalid Ibrahim, said he was agreeable to establishing an Orang Asli Land Task Force in Selangor. He hoped that this task force would help resolve the Orang Asli land issue in the state and would work together with the already-established Selangor Land Task Force.
The Menteri Besar also said that the state government, under the new leadership, would assist in the welfare of the Orang Asli. It will see to it that Orang Asli born in the state would benefit from the Selangor Citizens Fund, get access to welfare programmes, enjoy free metered water, and such.
Temuans from Bukit lanjan and Bukit Tampoi expressing their community's grievances to the Menteri Besar.
The much-awaited question-and-answer session then followed, moderated by State assembyman Edward Lee. Orang Asli representatives from the various districts, including Batin Perat anak Dolah (Mah Meri) from Kuala Langat, Puan Elan from Bukit Lanjan (Temuan) and Yusop Alip from Bukit Bangkong (Temuan), put forward several questions to the Menteri Besar touching on land rights, access to development resources, as well as on educational support for Orang Asli children.
This dialogue session was organized by the Selangor State Government with the cooperation of POASM-Selangor and the Indigenous Peoples Network of Malaysia, JOAS.
The session ended with the presentation of a memorandum to the Menteri Besar by the family of Gadoh anak Bujang from Bukit Unggul (Temuan) as representatives of the Orang Asli of Selangor.
This first-ever dialogue was initiated by the new Pakatan Rakyat state government in order for it to closely understand the problems faced by the Orang Asli and also to look for solutions to their problems.
State Asemblyman Edward Lee, standing in for Bukit Lanjan Assemblyman Elizabeth Wong,
addressing the Orang Asli at the start of the Dialogue session.
addressing the Orang Asli at the start of the Dialogue session.
The dialogue session began with a presentation by Dr. Colin Nicholas on the status of Orang Asli customary land in Selangor in the past and today. The 10-minute presentation showed how Orang Asli lands were recognized in history and acknowledged by the government and leaders in the past, why these lands were never considered sulatanate lands, and how Orang Asli customary title was removed in recent years in contradiction to several court judgments in the Orang asli's favour.
Amri Jamil (top) giving a general situationer on the problems faced by the Orang Asli of Selangor while Tijah Yok Chopil relates her experience with the opposition-controlled Perak state government.
The issue of land was the focus of this dialogue, given that this issue has yet to be resolved amicably in the state. The main discussant, Amri Jamil, who is also the chair of POASM-Selangor, stressed how land was the life-blood of the Orang Asli and that this was so since early times.
The representative of the Perak Orang Asli, Tijah Yok Chopil, shared how under the opposition Pakatan Rakyat state government, the Perak Orang Asli Land Task Force was established with full Orang Asli membership and leadership.
Bob Manolan, the Orang Asli representative from Pahang, then shared about the case of an Orang Asli land grab in Bera which had occurred without the consent of the community. He also explained the actions taken by the community there.
In his speech, the Menteri Besar of Selangor, Tan Sri Dato' Khalid Ibrahim, said he was agreeable to establishing an Orang Asli Land Task Force in Selangor. He hoped that this task force would help resolve the Orang Asli land issue in the state and would work together with the already-established Selangor Land Task Force.
The Menteri Besar also said that the state government, under the new leadership, would assist in the welfare of the Orang Asli. It will see to it that Orang Asli born in the state would benefit from the Selangor Citizens Fund, get access to welfare programmes, enjoy free metered water, and such.
Temuans from Bukit lanjan and Bukit Tampoi expressing their community's grievances to the Menteri Besar.
The much-awaited question-and-answer session then followed, moderated by State assembyman Edward Lee. Orang Asli representatives from the various districts, including Batin Perat anak Dolah (Mah Meri) from Kuala Langat, Puan Elan from Bukit Lanjan (Temuan) and Yusop Alip from Bukit Bangkong (Temuan), put forward several questions to the Menteri Besar touching on land rights, access to development resources, as well as on educational support for Orang Asli children.
This dialogue session was organized by the Selangor State Government with the cooperation of POASM-Selangor and the Indigenous Peoples Network of Malaysia, JOAS.
The session ended with the presentation of a memorandum to the Menteri Besar by the family of Gadoh anak Bujang from Bukit Unggul (Temuan) as representatives of the Orang Asli of Selangor.
*more pics here.
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