Latest news with #AboriginalPeoplesAct
The Star
18 hours ago
- Politics
- The Star
Special council meeting a key step towards amending Aboriginal Peoples Act, says Zahid
KUALA LUMPUR: The government is one step closer to its historic goal of amending the Aboriginal Peoples Act 1954 (Act 134) to better secure the rights and future of the Orang Asli community, says Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. 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.
Free Malaysia Today
a day ago
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Acknowledge Orang Asli as Malaysia's First Peoples, govt urged
Deputy prime minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said a draft amendment to the Aboriginal Peoples Act will be ready by September, with the government looking to New Zealand's Maori empowerment model for guidance. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA : Experts and activists say amending the Aboriginal Peoples Act 1954 is not enough to empower the Orang Asli, with one calling for the community to be recognised as Malaysia's First Peoples. La Trobe University anthropology professor Alberto Gomes said the decision to amend the 70-year-old Act was long overdue, and that acknowledging the Orang Asli as Malaysia's First Peoples would foster and improve Orang Asli empowerment and their right to self-determination. In countries like Australia, New Zealand and Canada, he said, the term First Peoples carries significant weight as it acknowledges indigenous communities as the original custodians of the land with distinct rights and cultures. 'I hope that in a revised Act there is an acknowledgement and recognition of the Orang Asli as Malaysia's First Peoples,' Gomes told FMT. 'They (Orang Asli) are entitled to make decisions about matters that affect their lives and communities, and shape their own futures according to their values and aspirations.' The call follows deputy prime minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi's announcement last month that a draft amendment to the Aboriginal Peoples Act will be ready by September, with the government looking to New Zealand's Maori empowerment model for guidance. Gomes emphasised the need to eliminate outdated concepts from the Act that originated during the British colonial period. 'It is unsurprising that embedded in the Act is colonial logic focused on security, surveillance, protection, racialised division, and bureaucratic dictates. 'A review of the Act must consider this historical context, and some effort should be devoted to expunging words and concepts like 'protection' that contradict empowerment,' he said. Orang Asli lawyer Amani Williams-Hunt Abdullah, better known as Bah Tony, said the amendments need to incorporate principles of self-determination. 'If you look at the Act, many of its provisions are quite paternalistic. While the preamble claims it's for the 'advancement and protection' of the Orang Asli, in reality, the so-called protection often amounts to control, and (Orang Asli) advancement is a far cry from it. 'For instance, the Orang Asli don't have the authority to decide who can or cannot enter their villages. Instead, the government holds excessive power to exclude individuals from Orang Asli areas. 'If we truly want to empower the Orang Asli and create opportunities for their progress, these controlling provisions must be removed,' he said. Among other amendments, Bah Tony suggested giving the Orang Asli full authority to select their community leaders, ensuring traditional leadership structures are respected. He said all Orang Asli sub-groups should be clearly listed in the Act, and marriage registration for the community should be formalised as well for documentation purposes. Centre for Orang Asli Concerns coordinator Colin Nicholas urged for two separate Acts to be introduced instead, one focusing on Orang Asli land rights, and the other on their socio-economic development. He said a dedicated land law, similar to the Malay Reservation Act, should legally recognise Orang Asli customary lands and ensure communities have full ownership and control. Apart from prioritising Orang Asli welfare, Nicholas said, the second law should redefine the Orang Asli development department (Jakoa) as a service agency tasked with ensuring access to infrastructure, education, and healthcare. 'These are the changes I would like to see. It's not just my view, many Orang Asli have also agreed with this position,' he added.
Free Malaysia Today
16-07-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Govt to review Orang Asli law, adapting NZ's Maori empowerment
New Zealand's model cannot be emulated as a whole but needs to be adapted according to the needs and realities faced by the Orang Asli, said deputy prime minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA : The government is in the process of amending the Aboriginal Peoples Act 1954 (Act 134) which has not been reviewed in over 70 years, seeking to adapt New Zealand's model of empowering its Maori community. Deputy prime minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said key elements New Zealand had in place which Malaysia could adapt included land ownership rights, better access to education, and financing agencies dedicated to supporting entrepreneurship within the indigenous community. 'Act 134 is 71 years old and many aspects need to be re-examined,' he was quoted as saying by Bernama in Wellington, New Zealand, today. Zahid, who is on a work trip there until Friday, added that New Zealand's model could not be emulated as a whole but would need to be adapted according to the needs and realities faced by the Orang Asli. He said amendments to the law were still being drafted while stakeholder engagement was ongoing, involving Orang Asli academics, professionals and village leaders, among others. Zahid, the rural and regional development minister, said the Orang Asli development department (Jakoa) had been ordered to restructure its community development ecosystem to go beyond basic needs. 'The aim of the amendment is not to deny their rights, but to strengthen protection for the Orang Asli community,' he said, adding that close cooperation was needed with the various state governments since land ownership matters fall under their jurisdiction. Zahid added that there were more than 225,000 Orang Asli recorded in West Malaysia. He expects the proposed amendments to Act 134 to be tabled in Parliament in March next year.
Malay Mail
16-07-2025
- Politics
- Malay Mail
Zahid unveils plan to amend 1954 Orang Asli Act, learning from NZ's Maori policies
WELLINGTON, July 16 — 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. He explained that the amendments to Act 134 are at the preliminary draft stage, with stakeholder engagement ongoing involving various parties, including Orang Asli academics and professionals. The Department of Orang Asli Development (JAKOA), which falls under his ministry, has been tasked with restructuring the community development ecosystem to ensure it goes beyond basic needs such as infrastructure and education. 'The aim of the amendment is not to deny rights, but to strengthen protection for the Orang Asli community. 'It will go through Cabinet-level discussions before being tabled in Parliament, debated, voted on, and subsequently presented to the King for his consent for gazetting,' he said. Ahmad Zahid also emphasised the need for close cooperation with state governments, given that land ownership matters fall under state jurisdiction. 'Engagement sessions with state leaders and representatives from 377 Orang Asli villages are ongoing. We want a comprehensive and inclusive approach,' he said. He said over 225,000 Orang Asli have been recorded in Peninsular Malaysia, and the government has never sidelined the interests of the community despite it being a minority. As such, he expects the draft amendments to Act 134 to be tabled in the March session of Parliament next year. Earlier, Ahmad Zahid held a meeting with New Zealand's Minister for Māori Development, Tama Potaka, at the country's Parliament. The meeting opened avenues for bilateral cooperation in indigenous community development and served as a platform for policy and experience exchange between the two countries. He also held a bilateral meeting with New Zealand Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Regulation, David Seymour, and attended an engagement session with the Federation of Islamic Associations of New Zealand president, Ibrar Sheikh, at Rumah Malaysia. — Bernama
Malay Mail
01-07-2025
- Politics
- Malay Mail
Zahid: Orang Asli land law amendments in final stages, to be tabled in 2026
PUTRAJAYA, July 1 — The drafting of amendments to the Aboriginal Peoples Act 1954 (Act 134), which involves matters relating to land ownership among the Orang Asli community, is now in its final stages, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said. 'Insya-Allah, it will be finalised by September at the latest and tabled in Parliament in March 2026," said Zahid, who is also Minister of Rural and Regional Development, during the ministry's monthly assembly here today. In March, Ahmad Zahid said that the proposed amendments aim to improve several key areas affecting the Orang Asli, including land issues, infrastructure, education, housing and economic development. He said the Act is set to be amended for the first time in over 70 years, with several aspects under consideration, particularly concerning land or roaming areas, due to disputes between the Orang Asli community, private landowners and state governments. The last amendment to Act 134 was made in 1967, and the Act was reviewed in 1974. Meanwhile, Ahmad Zahid also called for the expansion of high-impact agricultural initiatives through the Agrotek Wilayah project under the Central Terengganu Development Authority (Ketengah). He said the smart farming approach for fertigation chili cultivation has the potential to increase national productivity and income levels. 'So far, 16,000 polybags have been planted across four acres of land by four participants. I believe, with proper guidance and appropriate technology, this project has the potential to produce 96,000 kilogrammes of chili with an estimated annual revenue of RM576,000,' he said. In addition, Ahmad Zahid urged Ketengah to spearhead the transformation of Kenyir Lake tourism through the Desa Kirana initiative and position it as an iconic destination contributing to the success of Visit Malaysia Year 2026. 'I also want Kolej Ketengah to move beyond borders and work closely with the Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA) to enhance the expertise of its instructors, especially in the field of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), so that the quality of education and training can be raised to a higher level,' he added. Ketengah, a statutory body under the Rural and Regional Development Ministry (KKDW), has been in operation for 52 years and has spent RM1.7 billion during that time to implement various programmes and projects aimed at regional development and improving community well-being. — Bernama
