Four key areas focus of amendments to Aboriginal Peoples Act, says DPM Zahid
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi assured that the amendments would not only defend the rights of the indigenous community but also uplift them.
He said studies are also being carried out towards reviewing existing aspects in the Act comprehensively.
Citing early findings from the study and engagements, the Rural and Regional Development Minister said several Orang Asli matters have been identified as requiring amendments.
This includes customary land matters, welfare, the management of customary marriages and also governance of traditional leadership in the Orang Asli community.
'I want to assure all that the rights of the Orang Asli community will be defended and improved. Engagements will continue until the amendments are tabled,' he said during Minister Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat on Thursday (July 31).
He also said a special meeting is set to be held together with the Orang Asli Development Council (Mapoa).
'The meeting with Mapoa will be held concurrently with the National Land Council, which is chaired by the Prime Minister,' he said.
Ahmad Zahid noted that the Act has not been amended substantively for the past 71 years, citing the crucial need for this.
'We need to understand that the Act was established to prevent the Orang Asli community from being involved in communist activities.
'The situation now is different as we must focus on education, welfare, infrastructure and also the community's future,' he said.
The Deputy Prime Minister also said the government is developing a comprehensive and inclusive Orang Asli Development policy.
Explaining, he said the policy is aligned with the Rural Development Policy alongside Malaysia's commitment to achieving Sustainable Development Goals.
Ahmad Zahid added that the policy will focus on seven focus strategies.
They are land matters. Education, healthcare, economy, leadership, infrastructure and culture.
He was responding to a question by Datuk Seri Jalaluddin Alias (BN-Jelebu) who asked if the government intends to amend the Aboriginal Peoples Act 1954 (Act 134) to ensure the community's rights are upheld.
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