Latest news with #AboriginalPeoplesAct1954
The Star
24-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Giving voice to Orang Asli
Working together: Ahmad Zahid (centre) attending a retreat marking one year since the Bumiputra Economic Congress in Putrajaya. Also present was Deputy Economy Minister Datuk Hanifah Hajar Taib (second from right). — Bernama Amendments to Aboriginal Peoples Act expected this year PUTRAJAYA: Amendments to the Aboriginal Peoples Act 1954 (Act 134) are expected to be tabled in Parliament later this year, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said. He said engagement sessions on the proposed amendments had already been conducted, involving a wide range of stakeholders, including the Orang Asli community and non-governmental organisations. 'The struggle of the Orang Asli is not just something to be fulfilled, but something that must be deeply understood. 'We believe the younger generation among the Orang Asli, particularly those who have pursued higher education and earned doctorates, must be empowered and given expanded opportunities,' he told reporters after attending a retreat marking one year since the Bumiputra Economic Congress here yesterday. Earlier in his speech, Ahmad Zahid stressed the importance of equalising economic opportunities for bumiputra across the nation, including in Sabah and Sarawak, to avoid significant development disparities. He also said efforts to uplift the bumiputra economy should not be viewed as marginalising other communities, Bernama reported. 'This is a fundamental principle. We do not need to be apologetic, nor should we feel guilty for championing these causes. We are not claiming special treatment, but rather implementing rights that are enshrined in the Federal Constitution,' he said. Ahmad Zahid also lauded Sarawak's early achievements in advancing the bumiputra empowerment agenda within the state, noting that its customised policies for local bumiputra should serve as a model for other states. Regarding the retreat, Ahmad Zahid said it would be made an annual event to collectively advance its development agenda. He said the annual session would also enable bumiputra development to be implemented across ministries, agencies and sectors. 'The time has come for us to move boldly, guided by strategic inventions that are data-based and backed by real results. 'Now is the time to prove that everything that has been planned is being implemented,' he said. Ahmad Zahid said he wanted every driver under the Bumiputra Economic Transformation Plan 2035 (PuTERA35) to have a clear, aggressive and consistent communication plan. 'The people have the right to know how many bumiputra entrepreneurs have been produced this year, how many progressed from micro to medium enterprises and how many TVET graduates are earning monthly salaries of RM4,000 and above,' he said. To ensure PuTERA35 proceeds smoothly, he directed all deputy secretaries-general (policy) in each ministry to coordinate and monitor the plan's implementation. Ahmad Zahid called on all PuTERA35 drivers to prioritise the 132 initiatives contained in the plan so the people can see the targeted results and impact. 'So far, the implementation of programmes and projects under PuTERA35 has reached more than 15%,' he said. PuTERA35, launched in 2024, is a holistic action framework aimed at strengthening the bumiputra economy over the next 10 years.
Malaysiakini
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Malaysiakini
Changes to Aboriginal Peoples Act to be tabled this year: Zahid
Amendments to the Aboriginal Peoples Act 1954 (Act 134) are expected to be tabled in Parliament later this year, Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said. He said engagement sessions on the proposed amendments have already been conducted, involving a wide range of stakeholders, including the Orang Asli community and NGOs.
The Star
23-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Amendments to Aboriginal Peoples Act expected in Parliament this year, says Ahmad Zahid
PUTRAJAYA: Amendments to the Aboriginal Peoples Act 1954 (Act 134) are expected to be tabled in Parliament later this year, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi says. He said engagement sessions on the proposed amendments have already been conducted, involving a wide range of stakeholders, including the Orang Asli community and non-governmental organisations (NGOs). "The struggle of the Orang Asli is not just something to be fulfilled, but something that must be deeply understood. "We believe the younger generation among the Orang Asli, particularly those who have pursued higher education and earned doctorates, must be empowered and given expanded opportunities," he told reporters after attending a retreat marking one year of the Bumiputera Economic Congress (KEB) here on Friday (May 23). Earlier in his speech, Ahmad Zahid stressed the importance of equalising economic opportunities for Bumiputera across the nation, including in Sabah and Sarawak, to avoid significant development disparities. "We must level the playing field for Bumiputera across the board, not only in Peninsular Malaysia, but especially in Sabah and Sarawak," he said. He also said that efforts to uplift the Bumiputera economy should not be viewed as marginalising other communities. "This is a fundamental principle. We do not need to be apologetic, nor should we feel guilty for championing these causes. We are not claiming special treatment, but rather, we are implementing rights that are enshrined in the Federal Constitution," he said. Ahmad Zahid also lauded Sarawak's early achievements in advancing the Bumiputera empowerment agenda within the state, noting that its customised policies for local Bumiputera should serve as a model for other states. "It is crucial that we learn from this early success and refine our strategies to ensure that no Bumiputera is left behind in the national development agenda," he said. - Bernama
New Straits Times
23-05-2025
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Zahid: Amendments to Aboriginal Peoples Act by year's end
PUTRAJAYA: The amendments to the Aboriginal Peoples Act 1954 aimed at restoring the rights of the Orang Asli will be tabled in the Dewan Rakyat by the end of this year. Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said this follows engagement sessions conducted by the Orang Asli Development Department (Jakoa) with the relevant stakeholders. "We want the struggles of Orang Asli activists not only to be acknowledged and addressed, but we want to recognise the aspirations of the new generation of Orang Asli. "This is especially important for those who have pursued higher education up to the doctoral level, as they view the rights of the Orang Asli as something that must be restored and further strengthened," he said. Zahid said this to reporters after the One-Year Retreat Session after the 2024 Bumiputera Economic Congress. Last year, Deputy Dewan Rakyat Speaker Datuk Ramli Mohd Nor had said an amendment to the Federal Constitution concerning the interests of the Orang Asli was expected to be tabled by 2027 at the latest. Ramli, who is Cameron Highlands member of parliament, had said the constitutional amendments would address two key matters. The proposed changes would clarify that the responsibility for the care of the Orang Asli falls under both federal and state governments, covering areas such as land rights, forestry and community welfare. Ramli, who is the first Orang Asli MP from the peninsula in the country, had also expressed hope that the proposed amendments to the act would receive the required two-thirds majority support in the Dewan Rakyat.
