Exco advises Orang Asli not to give up land ownership as state steps up gazettement

By Dewi Abdul Rahman

SEPANG, July 1 — The Selangor government is working to comprehensively solve land gazettement issues for Orang Asli, with cooperation from various agencies.

State executive councillor for Orang Asli and minority affairs V. Papparaidu said several cases had been resolved, but there were overlapping issues involving agencies such as the Forestry Department, Land and Mines Office, and District Office.

“The gazettement involves various departments, and there are plots of land with certain ownership statuses. The process must be meticulous and requires complete documentation.

“The state government is collecting documents and suggestions from related parties to complete the process by law,” he said when met during an event here yesterday.

Papparaidu also guaranteed that the gazettement will be expedited once all documents are collected and there are no obstructions from the related departments.

“I’m sure Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari will scrutinise this issue. If all requirements are fulfilled, the process will surely go smoothly,” he said.

Papparaidu advised the Orang Asli community not to sell or mortgage their land as their plots are important assets.

“Land is heritage. If it is sold or auctioned off, we lose ownership. Protect these assets for future generations,” he said.

Papparaidu added that the state government plans to hand over some land to the Orang Asli community for rubber planting with the Rubber Industry Smallholders Development Authority.

“The initiative could generate fixed income for Orang Asli families through agricultural produce,” he said.

Papparaidu, who also holds the poverty eradication portfolio, emphasised that education is important in efforts to raise Orang Asli’s living standards.