Orang Asli land, settlement issues among key in act amendment talks
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who chaired the meeting, said the government was committed to ensuring that the amendments not only strengthen the protection of Orang Asli rights but also bring meaningful improvements to their daily lives.
He added that to date, more than 1,000 engagement sessions had been held involving various stakeholders, including community leaders (Tok Batin), state and federal governments, academicians, and non-governmental organisations.
"This meeting is a crucial step in laying a solid foundation for amending legislation that has not undergone substantive changes for over 70 years," he said in a statement after the meeting in Parliament.
"The engagement sessions held today are vital before Orang Asli land issues are taken up at the National Land Council (MTN), chaired by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
"I believe that land rights are not merely about physical ownership but represent dignity, cultural heritage, and the key to the socio-economic advancement of this community."
Zahid, who is also Rural and Regional Development Minister, said that although land administration fell under state jurisdiction, close cooperation between federal and state governments remained essential to ensure that any amendments considered all parties' interests and comply with state policies.
He also highlighted that access to quality education, improved infrastructure, and wider economic opportunities were ongoing priorities for the ministry and the Department of Orang Asli Development (Jakoa).
"The act's amendment presents an opportunity to rewrite the development narrative of the Orang Asli, ensuring they remain resilient, competitive, and poised for greater success in the future."
Previously, Zahid said that the government would amend the act to broaden the scope of Orang Asli rights protected under the law.
He said that the original purpose of the act was to deter the Orang Asli community from engaging in communist activities.
Additionally, the government is developing a comprehensive and inclusive Orang Asli Development Policy in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
The policy will align with national priorities, including the Rural Development Policy, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), which Malaysia ratified in 2007.
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