Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) stand in solidarity with the Orang Asli community and call upon the Government to honour the demands and plight of the Orang Asli – the Indigenous people in our land.
PSM is also angered by the comment of the Minister Shafie Apdal who said that the Orang Asli were not protesting but just sightseeing. This kind of comments shows the lack of respect on the part of the Minister and his attitude towards the plight of this community.
The Orang Asli is the most deprived community in our country. They experience continuous oppression by the State as well as by developers out to rape and grab their land. It is heartening to see after all these years, thousands of Orang Asli marching in Putrajaya and demanding what is rightfully thiers.
PSM is worried that the proposed new planned amendment to the Aboriginal People's Act would be yet be another act of grabbing land. The amendments propose that each family be given two to six acres of land and this scheme is designed to make the community lose more lands.
It is sad that the Government always reacts and backtracks when they should have started consultation first before deciding. The Orang Asli community rights over their land must be recognized and the Government must respect this rights and discuss with the community with respect.
PSM stand united and in solidarity. We call upon the Government to stop the exploitation and honor the demands.
S.Arutchelvan
Secretary General
Tel -019-2537791
