Govt Considers Adapting Maori Empowerment Model To Amend Aboriginal Peoples Act
From Ahmad Erwan Othman
WELLINGTON, July 16 (Bernama) – After more than seven decades without review, the Aboriginal Peoples Act 1954 (Act 134) is now being amended, drawing inspiration from the empowerment model of the Māori community in New Zealand, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
He said that among the key elements introduced by the New Zealand government — and potentially adaptable in Malaysia — are land ownership rights, more inclusive access to education, and the establishment of dedicated financing agencies to support indigenous entrepreneurship.
'This Act 134 is 71 years old, and many aspects need to be re-examined. Here in New Zealand, we are not only looking at land ownership issues, but also rights in education, business and financing,' he said at a press conference at Rumah Malaysia here today.
However, Ahmad Zahid stressed that New Zealand's approach could not be adopted wholesale, as it must be adapted to suit the needs and realities of the Orang Asli community in Malaysia.
Ahmad Zahid, who is also the Minister of Rural and Regional Development, is on a five-day working visit to New Zealand, which ends on Friday.
-- BERNAMA
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