Jaringan Kampung Orang Asli Kelantan (JKOAK) chairman Azmi Badun made the call in a report to the commission here today.

He wanted JPNK and the General Operations Force (PGA) to be investigated for abuse of power after the two agencies nabbed over 50 Orang Asli recently.

Present with Azmi were several PSM leaders and a representative from Pertubuhan Perlindungan Khazanah Alam Malaysia (Peka), an environmental NGO.

JKOAK also accused the two agencies of abusing their powers yet again by applying for a two-day remand for 47 Orang Asli on Nov 30.

JKOAK is a network of Orang Asli villages.

“They should also be investigated for demolishing the blockade and makeshift shelters in Kampung Simpang Petei, Kampung Cawas, Kampung Parit and Simpang Pos Tohoi.

“Not to mention that they also prevented the public, NGOs and lawyers from entering OA villages since Oct 11,” he told reporters here today.

Azmi said while the forestry department had the right to deny entry to any forest reserve, as stipulated under Section 47 of the Forestry Act, it could not be used to wall in Orang Asli who are fighting to save the trees.

JKOAK, he added, is also questioning why the GOF had aided the JPNK in arresting the Orang Asli.

“Did they act on the instructions of the Kelantan government?”

Last week, 54 Orang Asli were detained by the forestry department after they set up a blockade to protest logging at a forest reserve in Gua Musang.

Azmi went on to reveal that the community in Gua Musang would continue setting up blockades until the authorities gave in to their demands in regard to land laws.

“We are not afraid of the authorities.”

Meanwhile, PSM Orang Asli bureau chairman Suresh Kumar said the way the authorities arrested the Orang Asli made it seem that they were a security threat.