Orang Asli protest, claim ancestral lands and rights are being ignored

Members of the Orang Asli community gathered in Putrajaya for a peaceful protest, asserting that their rights as indigenous people are being increasingly sidelined by the government. The demonstration, held at the grounds of the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development, focused on the ongoing loss of their ancestral lands.

Nur Mohd Syafiq Dendi Abdullah, chairman of the Adat Land Action Committee for Pos Simpor in Gua Musang, Kelantan, stated that the Orang Asli are not only losing their ancestral lands but also their rivers and forests. He attributes these losses to encroachment and logging activities, which he claims are further marginalizing his community.

The protesters expressed deep concern over the continued seizure of their traditional territories by developers and government entities. They argue that these actions disregard their historical connection to the land and threaten their cultural survival. The demonstration aimed to draw attention to these pressing issues and demand government intervention to protect their rights and resources.