THE Orang Asli in Kuala Langat, Selangor, are up in arms over the Selangor government’s plans to degazette 930ha of land for mixed-development projects in the Kuala Langat North Forest Reserve, saying they have documented proof that they own part of it.
Headman or tok batin of Kg Pulau Kempas, Kg Bukit Cheeding and Kg Bukit Kechil Rahman Pahat Rahman Pahat said the Temuan tribe has documents proving that the land is theirs.
This, however, has been brushed off by the local district office, which told them simply that the land overlaps with state-owned land.
On February 5, the Selangor Forestry Department had placed a notice in the media inviting stakeholders in the Kuala Langat district to voice their objections to the proposal within 30 days.
The forest reserve in question borders the Elite Highway and Cyberjaya.
But for the Orang Asli community here, losing the land will be nothing short of losing not just their way of life, but their identity as Orang Asli, for themselves and for generations to come. – February 20, 2020.
The Temuan Orang Asli lead by the Rahman Pahat (centre) protesting a Selangor government a proposal to degazette some 97% of the Kuala Langat North Forest Reserve, which they say mean a total destruction of the forest and its biodiversity. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Nazir Sufari, February 20, 2020.The Temuan people say the state's proposal will adversely impact some 2,000 indigenous people who rely on the forest for their livelihood. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Nazir Sufari, February 20, 2020.An Orang Asli tribesman showing how a blowpipe, or sumpit, is used in the Kuala Langat North Forest Reserve. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Nazir Sufari, February 20, 2020.The Orang Asli source for materials in the forest, such as rattan, fruits and small animal, for their livelihood. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Nazir Sufari, February 20, 2020.A Temuan tribesman resting after a day out in the forest for materials. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Nazir Sufari, February 20, 2020.Fish, like limbat, sepat and telampit, caught by the Orang Asli Temuan tribe in the forest reserve. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Nazir Sufari, February 20, 2020.A Temuan Orang Asli fishing at Kg Orang Asli Bukit Cheeding in Banting, Selangor, near Kuala Langat North Forest Reserve. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Nazir Sufari, February 20, 2020.A signboard showing the site of Kg Orang Asli Pulau Moyang in the forest reserve. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Nazir Sufari, February 20, 2020.A map showing part of the forest reserve, including parcels that the Orang Asli says belongs to them. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Nazir Sufari, February 20, 2020.A tribesman showing some of the plants that can be used as a medicine that they source from the forest reserve. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Nazir Sufari, February 20, 2020.Members of the People's Volunteers Corps (Rela) scanning the Kuala Langat North Forest Reserve, which borders the Elite Highway and Cyberjaya. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Nazir Sufari, February 20, 2020.Development not far from the Kuala Langat North Forest Reserve. Should the government go ahead with its degazetting plans, the Orang Asli say their way of life will be destroyed entirely. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Nazir Sufari, February 20, 2020.An Orang Asli Temuan tribesman walking past signboards at the Kuala Langat North Forest Reserve. The Selangor government wants to degazette parts of the forest reserve for mixed-development projects. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Nazir Sufari, February 20, 2020.Orang Asli showing how they prepare a trap to catch small animal at Kg Orang Asli Pulau Kempas in Bukit Cheeding near the forest reserve in Selangor. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Nazir Sufari, February 20, 2020.A seed from the forest reserve. The Orang Asli in Kuala Langat say they fear that future generations of Orang Asli will not know the forest and their way of life if the land is developed. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Nazir Sufari, February 20, 2020.
Comments