Hulu Selangor Orang Asli want land matters solved

HULU SELANGOR: Land, welfare, and life-style change. These are three issues raised by many traditional villages inhabited by Orang Asli in Hulu Selangor.

For example in Kampung Serigala, Sungai Selisik, the majority of 33 families are satisfied by government attention but they still want land matters solved.

"This is a critical issue... I myself have several acres of land that has not been gazetted," said the Tok Batin of Kg Serigala, Husin Awa, when met at his traditional village located about an hour from Kuala Kubu Baru.

Husin said land matters caused Orang Asli to be under pressure.

"We have been here since the Emergency. This is Orang Asli land, we are indigenous people," said the Tok Batin, who was awaiting the arrival of Rural and Regional Development Minister, Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal, who was making a community visit to the village on April 19.

Many of other villagers were grateful of government aid via the Department of Orang Asli Affairs (JHEOA) which aided in village development, upgraded roads, built community halls and promoted economic activity.

"As a result of the aid our culture is preserved," said Zamri Tahar, 31, the head of a group of young Orang Asli who did a “tarian” (dance) “sewang” of the Temuan tribe to welcome Shafie. -- Bernama