THE demands from the Temiar Orang Asli in Hulu Perak to remove “Islam” from their identity cards will be forwarded to the attorney-general, said director-general of the Orang Asli Development Department (Jakoa) Juli Edo.

Juli said the matter has been handed over to the Prime Minister’s Department for the ministry to handle amicably.

“Usually when it comes to documentation matters, Jakoa and the National Registration Department will work hand in hand.

“We have asked the minister in charge to discuss with Attorney-General Tommy Thomas because the mistake was not caused by the Orang Asli.

“Therefore, I will leave this matter for the ministry to comment,” he told The Malaysian Insight.

He, however, said the process to change the status of religion will take some time.

The Orang Asli can also lodge a complaint with Jakoa so that the department can probe into the matter, he said.

“Investigation can be done if there is a report. Therefore, they must come to us.”

Last Monday, The Malaysian Insight reported that more than 80 Orang Asli from the Temiar tribe demanded the removal of “Islam” from their MyKad.

They denied ever converting to Islam nor reciting the Syahadah to express their conversion.

Last Saturday, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department P. Waytha Moorthy said his agency will work with the government to acknowledge the religion of the indigenous community. – August 2, 2019.