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©New Straits Times (Used by permission)
by Jaspal Singh

BIDOR: The odds were stacked against them. But the Orang Asli of Kampung Chang Sungai Gepai remained optimistic in their fight to keep their ancestral land. And in the end, their struggle was successful.

In a simple ceremony yesterday, state executive councillor for the environment A. Sivanesan handed back their land.

Early last year, the land was alienated for a RM50 million national arboretum to be set up by the Federal Government. To be built on a 196-ha site, it was to be modelled after the Botanical Park in Vancouver, Canada.

With the help of the Bar Council and Orang Asli activist groups, the 1,000-strong community of Kampung Chang began to agitate for the relocation of the project because it had been approved without consulting them.

The ceremony was attended by representatives from 20 Orang Asli communities from Perak and other states, and Bar Council president Datuk S. Ambiga.

Sivanesan later said the decision to hand back the land was made three weeks ago because the Federal Government had decided not to proceed with the project due to "financial constraints".

"There were other parties who were interested to acquire and operate on the forest parcel, but the state government decided that such an option would not be entertained."

He said the previous state government's decision to alienate part of the Bukit Tapah forest brought hardship to the community, which depended on forest produce such as petai and durian for their livelihood.

He also gave his assurance that in the future, the state government would consult with the Orang Asli before deciding to alienate land or forest they inhabit.

Network of Orang Asli Villages of Perak secretary Tijah Yok Chopil said the Orang Asli welcomed the state government's decision to hand back the forest to the community instead of giving it to outsiders.

"Much of our ancestral land in the state has been taken away... in the name of development. No one cares to consult us before doing so. I hope the state government's decision to give back our land in Kampung Chang will be emulated by other states," said Tijah.

Ambiga said the government must look into the interests of the minorities because Malaysia had adopted the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

"Is it that difficult to engage the Orang Asli in dialogues or discussions? The government must appreciate the ways of the Orang Asli, especially the association of their beliefs, culture and livelihood with the land."

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