Orang Asli party makes entry into Malaysian politics, eyes GE16

PARTI Orang Asli Malaysia (Asli) has started gearing up for the 16th general election by visiting the various tribes nationwide to create awareness about the party and garner support from their people.

The party, which was officially registered in December 2022, aims to assist the Orang Asli (OA) on customary land rights issues, welfare, education, and problems that they have faced all these years.

Asli president Rashid Ka’ from the Jakun tribe in Pahang said the movement to found the party came about after the 2018 general election.

“After GE15, we wanted to set up a party that represents the OA and their welfare just like the other parties. This party is for them (OA).

“The most important issue we are looking at is to assist the OA on their land rights, encroachment (into their land). There are also many OA lands that have not been gazetted, so we want to fight for them on these issues,” Rashid told The Vibes.

He also claimed there were cases where the OA won on land rights issues in court, but the state governments still refused to acknowledge it.  

“The customs and culture of the OA are slowly being eroded. We do not want the OA to eventually lose their identity. We want to help them find their way.”

Rashid said another crucial matter is the socioeconomic welfare of the OA which is not taken care of.

“More emphasis needs to be given to the OA. As for their education, they are well behind others compared to other schools.”

He said the party had already started their groundwork ahead of the next general election by visiting the tribes nationwide.

Rashid said that their party to date has about 11,000 members from various tribes.

“We have already started to visit the areas where the OA are located to tell them about our party.”

He said on the peninsula, there are about 200,000 OA – the majority being in Pahang and Perak.

Rashid said for GE16, they will be contesting 11 seats: Three in Pahang, three in Perak, and one seat each in Kelantan, Selangor, Negri Sembilan, and Johor. They are still discussing seats in Malacca.  

As for joining the big players such as Pakatan Harapan or Perikatan Nasional in GE16, he said they might consider it.

“Maybe in the future (join coalition). We want to look at which coalition or parties that are OA-friendly and can sincerely accept us. Their willingness to accept our party.”

He, however, added that they would continue to support the unity government under Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

On contesting in any of the by-elections, Rashid said the party needed to establish itself first. – August 13, 2024.