KUALA LUMPUR – Having served eviction notices to an Orang Asli community residing at Bagan Lalang in Selangor last month, Permodalan Negeri Selangor Berhad (PNSB) today stated that is open to considering the tribe’s request for an extension of time.
Stressing that it abides by the necessary procedure and laws, PNSB said that the notices to the villagers of Kg Orang Asli Bagan Lalang had been issued with no objections.
“The notice to clear the land which was issued on April 20 is more of a notice to the residents concerning the position of the structures they have built which have encroached onto PNSB's land,” the statement by PNSB read.
The state’s investment arm also confirmed that it has received an appeal letter from the village leader of Kg Orang Asli Bukit Bangkong, a nearby village.
When The Vibes visited Kg Orang Asli Bagan Lalang last month, residents there said they mostly came from nearby Kg Orang Asli Bukit Bangkong.
Tinya Anak Antan, the first settler in Kg Orang Asli Bagan Lalang said she built the first hut in the village for herself because cycling from Kg Orang Asli Bukit Bangkong to her workplace was too far.
“PNSB confirms receipt of an appeal letter by the village head of Kg Orang Asli Bukit Bangkong on April 26, requesting for more time to vacate the land.
“Based on the letter, PNSB is open to negotiations and is ready to consider their request for time taking into account various aspects,” the statement added.
PNSB also said that the land concerned is not the ancestral or historical land for the Mah Meri, and whatever decisions made followed according to procedures and laws.
The eviction notices were served by the Sepang Land Office and PNSB.
The Vibes had reported that the notices from the land office, directed to residents living on “state land near the General Operations Force hut”, stated that the villagers had committed an offence by building structures on government land.
Sg Pelek assemblyman Ronnie Liu had said that his office was looking into the matter.
The former state executive councillor explained that when Selangor was under Barisan Nasional rule, state-linked company PNSB entered into a joint venture with Avani, which operates the nearby Sepang Goldcoast Resort. – The Vibes, May 14, 2021
