JOAS vice-president Zurdi Bahru said Isa had failed to defend the Orang Asli community, particularly on the issues of their anti-logging blockades to protect their livelihoods.

“I would like to question the role of the senator in Parliament. We expect him to protect us as an Orang Asli representative but he has failed to do so.

“Our senator has taken no action. We feel sad,” he told FMT.

“What exactly is the role of the senator appointed to represent the Orang Asli?”

Isa was appointed senator to represent the Orang Asli on April 18 for the first term from 2016 to 2019.

Zurdi also slammed the Orang Asli Development Department (Jakoa), for failing to look after the welfare of the Orang Asli.

“We are disappointed and we are questioning Jakoa’s function. We feel it has failed to safeguard the welfare of the Orang Asli.

“If Jakoa does not care about the Orang Asli, especially the issues in Gua Musang, then it should be abolished,” he said.

Zurdi also urged Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to examine the 18 recommendations of the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) in 2011 to resolve the issues of the Orang Asli.

“In 2011 and 2012, Suhakam, after investigations, submitted 18 recommendations to resolve the Orang Asli issues.

“The government should accelerate the decision-making process so that the Orang Asli are given the land in black and white as enshrined in the law,” he said.