G25 commends Persatuan Patriot Kebangsaan and the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM) for their statements dated 19 January 2019, both of which endorse the legal action taken by Putrajaya against the Kelantan state over the issue of Orang Asli land rights. These rights have been ignored in order to favour the illegal loggers and political cronies. The various abuses suffered by the Temiar community must stop as these have been going on for a long time. We, G25, are therefore pleased that the Attorney General has taken the unprecedented step to charge the state for its failure to protect the legitimate rights of the Orang Asli.
We would also like to take this opportunity to call on the Government to address the issue of land rights of the indigenous peoples more comprehensively. This had been highlighted by SUHAKAM in its National Inquiry Report on Land Rights of the Indigenous Peoples, which was submitted to the previous government in April 2013, with some 18 recommendations. However, no remedial action has been taken thus far.
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