A TOTAL of 41 residents of Kampung Orang Asli Batu 12, Gombak, living on land involved in the East Coast Rail Link Project (ECRL) project, are ready to move to a new settlement, the Orang Asli Development Department (Jakoa) said.

Jakoa said it held a briefing session with the residents on May 30, relaying information related to the decision of the Selangor government meeting on their relocation.

“The new settlement is located in Compartment 1, Hulu Gombak Forest Reserve which is between the Orang Asli Museum and the Jakoa Logistics Unit covering an area of 10 acres.

“Malaysian Rail Link (MRL) shall carry out appropriate measures and bear the costs of moving the Orang Asli from the existing settlement to the new location.

“This includes building houses, quarters, infrastructure and basic facilities, as well as paying compensation for the trees cut down for the settlement.

“In addition, the cost of moving from the existing settlement to the new location also needs to be borne by MRL,” Jakoa said in a statement today.

The briefing session was also attended by the Orang Asli Village Development and Security Committee (JPKKOA) Batu 12, Gombak and the Gombak Orang Asli Action Committee.

Jakoa said the transfer of residence will only be implemented when all terms and conditions are met and fully resolved.

They also said that as a result of the briefing session, the residents had verbally agreed to the transfer to the new location that was proposed.

“The distance between the old settlement and the new settlement is 400 meters, as well as nearby facilities such as the Gombak Orang Asli Hospital and the Orang Asli Museum will be maintained and not be affected by the relocation,” the statement said. –  June 22, 2023