Special council meeting a key step towards amending Aboriginal Peoples Act, says Zahid
The Rural and Regional Development Minister and Deputy Prime Minister had just chaired a special meeting of the Orang Asli Consultative Council (MaPOA) in Parliament on Monday (Aug 11).
ALSO READ: Amendments to Aboriginal Peoples Act nearing completion, says Zahid
'This meeting is an important step in laying a strong foundation for the amendment of Act 134 and improving a law that has not undergone any substantive amendments for more than 70 years.
'This is an opportunity for us to rewrite the narrative of Orang Asli development so that this community remains resilient and competitive for the foreseeable future,' he said in a press release after the meeting.
It saw various leaders from the federal and state governments, academics and organisations concerned with Orang Asli affairs.
Land rights and settlement issues, which Ahmad Zahid said represented a key symbol of dignity for the Orang Asli culture, were among the key topics discussed.
ALSO READ: Four key areas focus of amendments to Aboriginal Peoples Act, says DPM Zahid
'I believe that land rights are not merely about physical ownership, but a symbol of dignity, the continuity of heritage, and the key to the socioeconomic advancement of this community.
'We are committed to ensuring that these amendments not only strengthen the protection of Orang Asli rights but also bring about significant changes in the lives of the community,' he said.
Ahmad Zahid also stressed that close cooperation between the federal and state governments would be crucial in ensuring that any proposed amendments take into account the interests of all parties and state policies.
He added that over 1,000 engagement sessions have been conducted involving tok batin (village chiefs), state governments, the Federal Government, academics and NGOs.
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