Skip to content
Sahabat Alam Malaysia
  • Home
  • About
  • Programmes
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Shop
  • BMBM
  • Donate
  • Archive

Violations of Orang Asli customary land rights caused by systemic conditions

  • Publication Date | January 9, 2017
  • Document Type | Media Statement
  • Programmes | Forests & Biodiversity
  • Issues | Forest Conversions, Indigenous Peoples, Land Rights, Logging, Mining & Extractives, Plantations
  • Tags | Aboriginal Peoples Act 1954, customary territory, free prior informed consent, Kelantan, Orang Asli
Share on twitter
Share on whatsapp
Share on email
Share on facebook
Share on linkedin
PDF

Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) would like to announce the release of the publication Encroachment on Orang Asli Customary Land in Peninsular Malaysia: Causes and Solutions, a result of a collaborative project undertaken with the Jaringan Kampung Orang Asli Semenanjung Malaysia (JKOASM). 

Essentially, the publication argues that encroachments on Orang Asli customary land have been caused by systemic governance and legal conditions, as opposed to isolated incidents occurring as a result of the violations of legislative requirements or executive directives. The publication contains 12 in-depth reports involving 13 Orang Asli customary territories in Kelantan, Pahang and Perak. It also analyses the effectiveness of the legal and governance framework in Peninsular Malaysia in providing adequate protection for the Orang Asli customary land. 

A main finding of the report is the absence of meaningful consultations with and consent from Orang Asli customary land owners, prior to the issuance of logging and plantation licences and at times, even prior to the commencement of the operations. Affected communities reported that they would only become aware of the issuance of such licences, either during the period when some form of preparatory activities were being undertaken prior to the felling operations, or when felling operations were about to commence or even when they had in fact already commenced. Although ‘consultations’ might be conducted by some companies, with or without the presence of authorities such as the Forestry Department, they would only take place after the licences had been obtained. Further, although such ‘consultations’ may appear to be a process to obtain consent, by and large, they tend to function more as a notification process only. Subsequently, communities would face many challenges in protesting against such licensed operations, as a result of their ‘legal’ status. 

In light of this, a new understanding on the terms illegal logging and destructive logging is urgently needed. Logging operations carried out in compliance with statutory law in Malaysia but which encroach upon indigenous customary territories are clearly a form of destructive logging. At the same time, if such legal logging operations are still violating indigenous customary land rights, they have effectively failed to attain legal impeccability and must not be accepted as sustainable.  

The publication also further highlights the problems surrounding the gazetting of the permanent reserved forests (PRF), which is supposedly done in order to ensure sustainable logging, but at the same time, greatly impinges on the full exercise of the Orang Asli customary land rights. Communities also confirmed that PRF gazetting has been carried out without any free, prior and informed consent process. 

Equally important, communities still reported on adverse environmental and socio-economic impacts of logging and plantations, including the pollution of their water sources and the destruction of forest resources that they depend on for their food, medicines, income generation and the sustenance of their spiritual customs. In some cases, even farms and burial grounds were destroyed. 

The publication concludes that among the systemic causes of the violations of such rights is the absence of land tenure security for the Orang Asli communities and the unilateral interpretation of the states on the size and boundaries of their customary territories, without any issuance of official maps and boundary demarcation on the ground. The commmunities are not certain as to how states have been able to decide on their territorial boundaries without community consultations and consent. 

The publication therefore recommends immediate statutory reforms are undertaken in respect of the Aboriginal Peoples Act 1954, the National Land Code 1965, the National Forestry Act 1984, the National Parks Act 1980, the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010, other state laws on conservation areas and state mineral enactments. In line with the judicial recognition that the indigenous customary land rights fall under the right to property protected by the Federal Constitution, it is no longer appropriate that they continue to be treated as a form of users’ rights or rights that are no better than that of a tenant at will. In addition, the introduction of a participatory mapping and boundary demarcation process for such territories for the purpose of the issuance of a communal grant is also crucial. 

S.M. Mohamed Idris

President

The publication (in English and Malay) can be accessed at:

http://www.foe-malaysia.org/articles/encroachment-on-orang-asli-customary-land-in-malaysia-causes-solutions

http://www.foe-malaysia.org/my/articles/pencerobohan-tanah-adat-orang-asli-di-semenanjung-malaysia-punca-penyelesaian

Latest

Pollution & Extractives

How waste trade impacts us all

The following infographic paints a picture of how the waste trade impacts us all. Plastics overconsumption/overproduction manifests in an increased production of wastes.  The reality

Read More »
March 1, 2023
Pollution & Extractives

Return Lynas radioactive waste to Australia

The Consumers’ Association of Penang (CAP) and Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) welcome the Malaysian government’s move in not giving in to the pressure by Lynas

Read More »
February 16, 2023
Development & Planning

In Memoriam – Trade Unionist Balakrishnan Nadeson

On 11.01.2023, we lost one of our very own former staff, Balakrishnan Nadeson, who succumbed to his illness. Balakrishnan, or rather Union Bala as we

Read More »
January 18, 2023
climate change, global warming, environment
Climate Change

United States must act responsibly to end climate injustice

Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) wishes to respond to the recent statement by the United States Ambassador to Malaysia, Mr Brian Mcfeeters entitled ‘Partners in climate

Read More »
January 17, 2023

How waste trade impacts us all

  • Publication Date | March 1, 2023
  • Document Type | Articles & Stories
  • Programmes | Pollution & Extractives
  • Issues | Pollution, Toxics, Waste
Read more

Return Lynas radioactive waste to Australia

  • Publication Date | February 16, 2023
  • Document Type | Media Statement
  • Programmes | Pollution & Extractives
  • Issues | Pollution, Toxics, Waste
Read more

In Memoriam – Trade Unionist Balakrishnan Nadeson

  • Publication Date | January 18, 2023
  • Document Type | Articles & Stories
  • Programmes | Development & Planning
  • Issues | Development, General, Pollution, Toxics
Read more
climate change, global warming, environment

United States must act responsibly to end climate injustice

  • Publication Date | January 17, 2023
  • Document Type | Letter to the Editor
  • Programmes | Climate Change
Read more
Pollution & Extractives

How waste trade impacts us all

Read More »
March 1, 2023
Pollution & Extractives

Return Lynas radioactive waste to Australia

Read More »
February 16, 2023
Development & Planning

In Memoriam – Trade Unionist Balakrishnan Nadeson

Read More »
January 18, 2023
climate change, global warming, environment
Climate Change

United States must act responsibly to end climate injustice

Read More »
January 17, 2023

Testimonials

Sahabat Alam Malaysia adalah satu badan bukan kerajaan (NGO) yang telah sekian lama berjuang mempertahan kelestarian alam. Ia juga mendidik masyarakat tentang pentingnya kebersamaan dalam pemikiran dan tindakan agar alam ini dapat kita wariskan kepada generasi hadapan dalam keadaan yang elok dan terpelihara. Dalam pada itu juga SAM giat membantu golongan nelayan pantai dalam memperjuangkan hak-hak mereka sehinggalah tertubuhnya Persatuan Pendidikan dan Kebajikan Nelayan Pantai Malaysia (JARING). Nelayan pantai sepenuh masa ini dididik oleh SAM sehingga mereka mampu memainkan peranan sebagai pemimpin nelayan yang meneruskan kesinambungan memperjuangkan hak-hak nelayan pantai lainnya. Sebagai contoh SAM telah berjaya menyedarkan masyarakat nelayan keperluan menjaga hutan paya bakau untuk kebaikan hasil tangkapan nelayan itu sendiri.
Jamaluddin Mohamad Bualik
Jamaluddin Mohamad BualikPersatuan Pendidikan dan Kebajikan Jaringan Nelayan Pantai Malaysia (JARING)
During the 1980s, I used to read about the Consumers’ Association of Penang (CAP) in the news. After retirement, some time in 2001, while lazing around, I read news about the construction of a carbon in leach plant using sodium cyanide to extract gold in Bukit Koman. My friends and I visited CAP and we were introduced to SAM and her legal team. We discussed the details of filing a case against the gold mining company and the department of environment with Ms Meenakshi Raman and her legal team. That was the beginning of a beautiful friendship between lawyers from SAM and many of us from Bukit Koman. We had many ups and downs in our struggle to shut down the gold mine that was causing a nuisance in our village. But, as a community we never gave up because SAM had our backs.
Hue Fui How
Hue Fui HowSecretary, Bukit Koman Ban Cyanide in Goldmining Action Committee (BCAC)
Sahabat Alam Malaysia adalah sebuah NGO yang memperjuangkan nasib masyarakat luar bandar khasnya. SAM menerima aduan-aduan masyarakat dan menyelesaikan masalah yang dihadapi. SAM telah mewujudkan ramai aktivis-aktivis sosial dan alam sekitar. Pada era 1980 dan 90an SAM sangat dihormati oleh masyarakat dan agensi kerajaan. Apabila media sosial menguasai maklumat maka SAM pun terkesan dan masalah masyarakat terus disalurkan dengan pelbagai cara. SAM perlu mewujudkan aktivis-aktivis pelapis yang muda untuk terus membantu masyarakat. SAM juga perlu membuat perubahan supaya banyak turun kelapangan dan jangan mengharapkan laporan media sahaja. Tingkatkan prestasi sebagaimana pada zaman kegemilangan SAM di era 80-90an.
Che Ani Mt Zain
Che Ani Mt Zain
SAM taught me the importance of social activism and the role it plays in upholding the rights of people and the protection of the environment. In my experience, SAM has never hesitated to speak up in defence of people and their environment, and has gone the extra mile to champion their rights, by helping communities take their battles to the higher ups and even to the courts.
Jessica Binwani
Jessica BinwaniPublic/Private Interest Lawyer
Semenjak kami kenal SAM, banyak pengalaman dan pengetahuan yg kami dapat. Kami telah belajar cara membuat baja asli daripada SAM. Semenjak itu, bermulalah minat kami dalam aktiviti pertanian. Dengan memperolehi kemahiran dalam membuat baja asli dan penanaman lestari, kami juga telah dapat menambahkan pendapatan sampingan kami. Ini lebih baik daripada tanah kami terbiar dan tidak diusahakan. Terima kasih SAM kerana sudi memberi bantuan dan tunjuk ajar kepada Persatuan kami.
Chedo Anak Nyuwen
Chedo Anak NyuwenPersatuan Penduduk Sg Buri, Bakong, Marudi
My journey with SAM started when her community organisers took me to the meet the paddy farmers of Kedah, connecting my growing interest in environmental law with our people who struggle to work the land in the face of pollution, replacement of traditional seeds with commercial hybrids and their accompanying chemical package of fertilisers and weedicides. I then had the honour to work with SAM in the struggle for the rights of the native communities of Sarawak, in defence of their forests from massive logging and destructive mega-projects. In every issue that SAM takes up, she combines rigorous research with the realities and voices of the communities to advocate for policies and laws that care for people and nature. From the courts to the elected legislators to policy makers and implementers and to the United Nations, SAM walks side by side with the communities in Malaysia. How can I not be inspired by the vision and passion of the generations of women and men who coalesce to form SAM?
Chee Yoke Ling
Chee Yoke Lingstudent of SAM, Executive Director of Third World Network, SAM’s sister organisation

Support our mission

Do your part for the environment with your donations. Each contribution enables our organisation to create more impact towards environmental justice.

Donate here

Sahabat Alam Malaysia (Headquarters)
No. 1, Jalan Joki,
11400 Penang,
Malaysia
Tel: +604 827 6930
Fax: +604 827 6932

Sahabat Alam Malaysia (Marudi Office)
129A, First Floor,
Jalan Tuanku Taha,
P.O.Box 216,
98058 Marudi,
Baram, Sarawak,
Malaysia
Tel & Fax: +6085 758 973

Sitemap

  • Home
  • About
  • Programmes
  • Resources
  • Archive
  • Donate
  • Shop
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Usage of the Website Content

Get the latest news

Facebook Twitter Youtube Instagram

Sahabat Alam Malaysia (Headquarters)
No. 1, Jalan Joki, 11400 Penang,
Malaysia
Tel: +604 827 6930
Fax: +604 827 6932

Sahabat Alam Malaysia (Marudi Office)
129A, First Floor,
Jalan Tuanku Taha,
P.O.Box 216,
98058 Marudi, Baram, Sarawak,
Malaysia
Tel & Fax: +6085 758 973

Sitemap

  • Home
  • About
  • Programmes
  • Resources
  • Archive
  • Donate
  • Shop
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Usage of the Website Content

Get the latest news

Follow us here

Facebook Twitter Youtube Instagram
Copyright © 2023 Sahabat Alam Malaysia