THE Orang Asli in Ulu Geruntum, Gopeng are once again seeing red after finding out that part of a land where they have been living on for more than 100 years could be taken away for development.
They are already in an ongoing court battle against a hydro project since 2012. It started with a series of 25 mini dams across the state that Barisan Nasional had approved, with another six given the nod in 2013. In all, the dams cost RM2.92 billion.
The Semai have accused the concessionaire, Perak Hydro, of destroying their ancestral graves and crops to build a road during construction and encroaching on their land.
Their current woes surfaced recently when they found out that 80.9ha of land where their settlement is located have been slated for an eco-tourism project, complete with a path for jungle-trekking.
Villagers from the Semai tribe are strongly rejecting any development that will take place in areas they had claimed are on their ancestral land.
Tok Batin T. Judu said they had found out about plans for the project late last month.
“We met with the developer at a meeting in April. They told us that they had paid the forestry department (Kinta and Manjung districts) to lease the land for 15 years for their project.
“We rejected the project as it would encroach on our ancestral land,” Judu told The Malaysian Insight, adding that he had lodged a police report.
“We checked the site and found that the project will encroach a Semai farming area. Our villagers are farming and living there.”
Judu said earlier this week they sent letters to the forestry department, Perak Orang Asli Affairs Department (Jakoa) and Teja rep Sandrea Ng on their protest against the development.
Villager Bah Kerper said the land where they have been living on for more than a century is their heritage.
“Our ancestral land here has a lot of history. Our ancestors are buried here and the jungle is the source of our livelihood.
“Any encroachment will destroy our fruit plantations and jeopardise our livelihood.”
He said they are relying on their durian, mangosteen, langsat, petai, sweet potatoes and other food produce to survive.
Kerper said if the forestry department wants to give out the land, they should at least consult with the Orang Asli.
“It is not like they (forestry department) don’t know we are living here. If the department wants to come in, then they must check with us first.
“They must come and discuss with us and not simply just approve any project. They are just doing as they please. It’s like we don’t exist here.”
Kerper said they will continue to preserve their land and will protest against any encroachment, adding that his family of six generations have been living at the settlement.
Logging dilemma
Meanwhile, further up the Semai settlement in another village at Kg Sat Baru, the Orang Asli there are afraid of logging activities that could jeopardise their livelihood.
Village chief Bah Tujen said they found out two months ago that logging activities are being carried out near their village.
Tugen said he found out about the land clearing from a signboard that stated that the forestry department was involved.
“So far, they have not encroached into our area. We are very afraid that if the loggers come into our area our livelihood will be affected.”
He said villagers are relying on Sg Sat for water near the logging site, which flows into Gerentum river.
“This is our only source for fishing and water during the dry season. If logging activities encroach into our area then our rivers will be affected.
“Yearly we experience water shortage during the dry season and we rely on the river for drinking water, to bathe and wash clothes.
“We are afraid the logging will pollute the water and cause floods,” he said, adding that Jakoa has been informed, and if contractors come in, a police report will be lodged.
No clearing for now
Ng, the Teja assemblyman, meanwhile said the developer is planning for a jungle trek, and will preserve existing fruit trees, plant a few trees and identify native trees and have a forest education centre.
“No work nor clearing has been carried out. So, far they are just trying to mark the boundary with the help of forest rangers, and they hope to engage with the local community to make sure there’s no confusion and misunderstanding,” Ng said.
She said she is still waiting for them to share the latest map from the land office.
This, she said, is so they could be more certain about the location and boundary of the land.
“In the meantime, I had also suggested to the Orang Asli community to start keeping proper records of their current farm and crops in case they are involved in the leased land.”
As for the logging activities, Ng said she was informed about it last month.
After finding out about their plight, she then tried to reach out to Perak forestry department, Kampar district office and Jakoa to find out more on the logging activity.
“I was informed the case falls under the forestry department’s jurisdiction.”
Ng said she had requested to hold a meeting among all parties involved to clear the air.
She, however, said the forestry department gave feedback that they had recently met Jakoa to discuss this issue and the latter has no objection as the logging site is far from the Orang Asli villages.
Ng added that the logging contractor had contacted her office telling that he is willing to meet her and the Orang Asli representatives to discuss this issue, which she rejected as Jakoa and the forestry department have to be involved.
She said the meeting with the forestry department will take place after Hari Raya.
The villagers have been protesting against a hydro project since 2012. It started with a series of 25 mini dams across the state that BN had approved, with another six given the nod in 2013.
The Semai have accused the concessionaire, Perak Hydro, of destroying their ancestral graves and crops to build a road during construction and encroaching on their land.
Last week, the Ipoh High Court ordered two companies involved in the construction of a hydroelectric dam in Gopeng to stop work pending the disposal of a suit by the Orang Asli.
Lawyer Vinu Kamalananthan said judicial commissioner G. Bhupindar Singh had made the order against Perak Hydro Renewable Energy Corporation Sdn Bhd and Conso Hydro or their agents.
“The application for an interlocutory injunction by the Orang Asli has been allowed pending the outcome of their suit,” he said. – May 7, 2021.
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