PRIME Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad gave his support to the Gua Musang Orang Asli community, who are battling to claim their ancient tribal land rights in a remote part of Kelantan.

The prime minister’s support, said veteran Orang Asli activists, represents a sharp departure from previous government leaders, whom they said often turned a blind eye to their plight.  

Dr Mahathir said the government sympathised with the plight of the Temiar community in the Kuala Betis area in Gua Musang, who for months have been blocking loggers and planters from destroying forests which they say are on their customary land.

“We will try our best to do what we can to solve this issue according to the law,” Dr Mahathir told the media after a surprise meeting with Gua Musang Orang Asli activists at his offices.

“Whatever we want to do, we will have to negotiate with the Kelantan government to bring about a solution. The Pakatan Harapan government sympathises with the Orang Asli in Gua Musang.”

“If the federal government had power (over land issues) we can act now. But because it is under the state government, we have to follow the law.”

“But I will try my best to resolve the issue,” Dr Mahathir said after meeting activists from the Kelantan Indigenous Peoples Network (JKOAK).

JKOAK had originally intended to submit a memorandum demanding that the new federal government step in to resolve long standing conflicts between the community on one side, and logging and plantation companies on the other.

The stand offs have led to blockades and tense confrontations between activists, and loggers and planters for access to the rich forests of Ulu Kelantan.

The Temiar in Gua Musang claimed that loggers and plantation companies have destroyed their communal land which is their source of food, clean water, medicine and is critical to their identity and religion.

The problem lies in the fact that the Kelantan government does not recognize the Temiar’s claims on customary land in Gua Musang thus allowing it to be encroached by outsiders.

Mustafa and other JKOAK activists had maintained five-month blockade on a dirt road leading from Kuala Betis to the plantations in order to stop the estates from expanding.

The blockade was destroyed on August 4 by a group of chainsaw wielding men believed to be ad-hoc workers for the plantations.

But in a surprise announcement this morning, Dr Mahathir agreed to meet the activists.

After a brief discussion in his office, the prime minister came down to meet with 200 other members of the Temiar community who had been waiting near a parking lot outside of the Prime Minister’s Department complex.

The 200 members had arrived in a trip organized by environmental group Peka or the Association for the Protection of Malaysia’s Natural Heritage. Peka has been an active supporter of Orang Asli issues.

Dr Mahathir’s gesture struck a deep chord with Temiar activists such as Nur Mohd Syafiq Dendi Abdullah, who never expected to meet the prime minister.

“I feel very touched with his quick reaction to our presence and his willingness to meet us. We were able to communicate our demands to him and he sympathises with our plight.”

Nur Mohd Syafiq Dendi, popularly known as Dendi, said he believed Dr Mahathir was committed to resolving their land claim problems.

“The federal government will study what can be done as the power over land matters lies with the Kelantan government.”

Commenting on the meeting, Peka president Shariffa Sabrina Syed Akil said Dr Mahathir has been aware of the problem and appeared serious about finding a solution.

“It’s a very positive sign when he decided to come down himself and meet with the 200 community members. It shows that the government cares.” – August 10, 2018.