KELANTAN Menteri Besar Ahmad Yakob today maintained that the state acted fairly in removing Orang Asli blockades in Gua Musang, saying complaints against the blockades also came from the natives themselves.

He said several Orang Asli had complained to the state that the blockades were a hindrance to their business activities.

“The government gave enough time. The responsible parties have taken action (removing the blockades) so that even Orang Asli themselves can pass.

“Some Orang Asli met me and complained that they could not sell their goods (due to the blockades),” he told reporters in Kuala Lumpur today.

Ahmad, who is also PAS deputy spiritual leader, said the state heeded the law when dismantling the blockades.

“We have always followed the rules. We followed what was decided by the courts.

“We give them land to stay on and grow their crops.

“The area that gave rise to problems, we have gazetted it as protected land.”

He said Kelantan was open to holding discussions with Putrajaya on the fate of Orang Asli.

“We are open to it. The negotiations have not yet started, and we are discussing with Suhakam (Human Rights Commission of Malaysia) first.

“Sukhakam has received our views. We have not acted unfairly towards Orang Asli.”

On Monday, authorities demolished blockades that Orang Asli had maintained for seven months to keep loggers and planters off disputed land in the Ulu Kelantan forest.

Some 200 officers from the state Forestry Department and Gua Musang Land Office dismantled the barriers put up in Cawas, Kaleg and Kegeg.

Yesterday, however, Temiar tribesmen in Gua Musang rebuilt the blockades to protect their customary land rights, which they alleged the state had failed to do. – August 30, 2018.