KUALA LUMPUR - While the Orang Asli in the Kuala Langat Utara permanent forest reserve struggle against Selangor’s plan to degazette and raze it for a mega-development project, one particular community among them is feeling distressed and confused.
Years ago the indigenous community at the Kampung Bakar Leleh settlement were told that 46.9 acres of land around their settlement would be gazetted for them as native customary land but have since found the amount reduced to only 20 acres.
Speaking to the Vibes, village leader Roslan Anak Ligam explained that he originally received a map by the Selangor state government showing plans to gazette the 46.9 acres for the community.
He said that a similar message was conveyed to them by Bukit Lanjan assemblywoman Elizabeth Wong.
He shared the image of a Selangor government map from 2015 which clearly stipulates 46.9 acres of the forest as being officially recognised as native customary land for the areas of Bumbun and Bakar Leleh.
However, sometime around 2018, Roslan received a banner from Kuala Langat MP Xavier Jayakumar which stated that only 20 acres would be gazetted.
Pastor Mohan Marie who conducts worship in Kampung Bakar Leleh and is familiar with Roslan confirmed that the worrying situation has been dogging the villagers who feel deprived.
“From 1972 they (the community) have proposed that the land be gazetted officially,” he said.
“Many agencies have come in but there was nothing in black-and-white. At last when Roslan received the news that it (native customary land size) was less, it was disappointing,” he said when contacted.
The Vibes sought clarification on the matter from both Wong and Xavier.
Asked over Whatsapp whether it is true that 46.9 acres were initially mapped for the residents of Kampung Bakar Leleh, Wong said: “Yes. Otherwise, we won't be informing them.”
She stressed that this land area was not just promised, but “approved and mapped”.
At press time, the Selangor state executive councillor in charge, Hee Loy Sian who heads the environment, tourism and green technology, Orang Asli and non-Islamic affairs portfolios has yet to respond to questions sent to him on the issue.
When contacted, Xavier as the parliamentarian representing the area said the matter of adjusting the size of the native customary land comes under the purview of the state government and not Parliament.
“All these things are under the state government, not Parliament,” he said.
“Whether there's an increase or decrease in land (gazetted), that depends on the area and also when the final survey is done. So the adjustment will be done by the state government,” he said - The Vibes, November 3, 2020
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