Amend constitution to resolve Orang Asli land woes, says deputy speaker

June 15, 2023

Amend constitution to resolve Orang Asli land woes, says deputy speaker

KUALA LUMPUR: Deputy speaker Ramli Nor today suggested that the Federal Constitution be amended to resolve land issues affecting the Orang Asli.

Ramli, who is the country’s first Orang Asli MP, said currently laws relating to indigenous people and laws that regulated land matters fell under separate jurisdictions.

The welfare of Orang Asli comes under the First List — laws that are the responsibility of the federal government. Land matters are part of the Second List — laws under the purview of state governments.

The Cameron Highlands MP lamented the current situation where even though Putrajaya could push for a plot of land to be gazetted exclusively for Orang Asli, state governments would have the final say.

“The states can retract this (gazettement) at any time,” he told the Dewan Rakyat.

DISYORKAN UNTUK ANDA :

Satu Lagi Tanah Rakyat Terengganu Kena Sakau Dengan PAS

Ramli’s comment came after deputy rural and regional development minister Rubiah Wang said her ministry was prepared to table amendments to the Orang Asli Act 1954 to improve the well-being of the community.

Rubiah was replying to points raised in the debate on the Malaysian Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) Report.

Ramli said it would be better for the government to amend the constitution to place Orang Asli welfare and relevant land issues under the Concurrent List.

This would make the matter the joint responsibility of both federal and state governments, he added.

Ramli said now would be an ideal time to amend the relevant laws as the unity government had a two-thirds majority in Parliament.

“With previous sessions (of Parliament), the government didn’t have that kind of political stability, but now we have 148 (MPs), that’s two-thirds.”