Kua, during the launch of the 20th Annual Human Rights Report for Malaysia 2017, suggested that the government do away with the Federal Territory ministry, deeming it redundant, and instead form a ministry for the Orang Asal (indigenous people) that could actually prevent them from being further oppressed.
“The indigenous people are the poorest and most oppressed.
“In Kelantan, the Orang Asal have been victims of deforestation and have to resort to human blockades to stop their livelihood from being taken away from them. Similar blockades have also been carried out in Sarawak and Sabah.
“That is why we need a new ministry for the Orang Asal if we want to talk about prioritising the indigenous people,” he said.
The rights and livelihood of the Orang Asal must be placed at the top of the national agenda by recognising their rights over the land they have been occupying for centuries, Kua added.
“Logging should be prohibited in Orang Asal land and their villages must have adequate social facilities and services.
“The autonomy of the Orang Asal must be respected by ensuring their participation in all policy-making processes involving their interests and introducing policies and laws that comply with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People, especially their right to customary land,” he said.
Kua also reminded the current Pakatan Harapan (PH) administration over the problems facing the 10,000 indigenous people displaced by the Bakun Dam project in 1998.
“This was done when Dr Mahathir Mohamad was prime minister.
“Until today, the Sungai Asap Resettlement Scheme is a mess. He (Mahathir) should pay them a visit to see what life is like for them and what kind of housing they have.
“The Orang Asal should not be subjected to the capitalist system in the country, where the previous government wanted them to be only hired as wage labourers.”
The Bakun Dam project was conceived to supply 2,400 megawatts of electricity for a state which at that time needed only 200 megawatts. The excess power was supposed to be sent elsewhere.
It was previously reported that residents at the Sungai Asap Resettlement Scheme were still facing issues such as dry taps or murky water, housing, shortage of farming land, proper infrastructure, telecommunications and employment opportunities.