SUHAKAM kicks off National Inquiry on Orang Asli's land rights
J-on
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Friday, July 15, 2011
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By YY KHAW
"We hope to gather information on the infringement of orang asli's land rights through this national Inquiry," said Suhakam Chairman Tan Sri Hasmy Agam during a press conference.
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| SUHAKAM's Chairman Tan Sri Hasmy Agam. |
This is the first time a National Inquiry is being conducted to look into land issues faced by the indigenous community in Malaysia.
The Commission has decided to conduct the National Inquiry following numerous complaints and memoranda it has received over the years on alleged infringements of the rights of the Indigenous Peoples to their customary land.
SUHAKAM Vice-Chairman Prof Datuk Dr Khaw Lake Tee reaffirmed the purpose of conducting a National Inquiry.
"A public enquiry is not so suitable in cases of systematic violations; a National Inquiry is more appropriate to address such issues. Besides, it also has the potential to educate the public (on issues faced by the indigenous community)," she said.
Khaw also added that the session in Tapah marked the beginnng of the consulations in Peninsular Malaysia.
Hasmy stressed that SUHAKAM can only try to help voice out the issues faced by the indigenous community but does not have the power to solve the problems faced by them due to the Commission's limited power.
"The power of SUHAKAM is limited, but we hope that the media will help bring the issues to light and create greater public awareness," explained Hasmy.
He added that he does not want the national inquiry to be politicised as to do so would make things difficult for SUHAKAM because issues would be hard to solve.
"All information gathered from the National Inquiry would be compiled into a report that would contain recommendations to the Federal and State Government on how to solve the indigenous community's problems."
The report will take about a year to complete and it will take an independent stand as SUHAKAM does not want to take sides.
"We would try to finish this project together with the report by July 2012 . This would give us time to see that the recommendations are acted upon before our term ends in April 2013," Hasmy said.
The National Inquiry will end on 29 July and the Commission would be travelling up north to Gerik, down south to Johor and finally Selangor.
"We hope that the people will support the Commission in its efforts by spreading the news of this National Inquiry," said Khaw.
