It said the government has “put its right foot forward” by suing the PAS-led state government, the first by Putrajaya involving native land rights.
“It is morally correct to protect the indigenous group against encroachment into their ancestral land by loggers and durian farmers even though the state government has granted them licences,” Patriot president Brig-Gen (Rtd) Mohamed Arshad Raji said in a statement today.
Noting the statement by Attorney-General Tommy Thomas that the Kelantan government had granted logging rights in Gua Musang to private companies without consulting the Orang Asli, Arshad said disregard for the Orang Asli rights was irresponsible.
“It is an example of what state governments should not do even if land matters are within their jurisdiction,” he said,
Arshad reminded the Kelantan government of the worst-ever floods in the state in 2014 that resulted in suffering and loss of property of the Kelantan people.
“The flood was a result of indiscriminate land clearance and logging activities.
“In allowing for commercial interest over the Orang Asli rights, the Kelantan government appears to have lost its moral compass.
’This is surprising as the state leaders are considered to be revered and pious,” he said.
He said Patriots fully supported Thomas in championing the rights of the Temiar community in Kelantan.
In a statement announcing the suit yesterday, the AG said the government was seeking an injunction to stop private companies from encroaching into native lands to carry out commercial activities.
“The beneficiaries of this suit are the Orang Asli. The litigation will be cost-free to them,” he said.
The suit, filed in the High Court in Kota Bharu, named the state government, state director of Lands and Mines, state director of the Forestry Department and five private entities.
Bernama reported that the suit had been set for mention on Tuesday.
The Kelantan government and its agencies have in recent times granted logging licences to private companies to enter the native land of the Temiar Orang Asli in Pos Simpor, near Gua Musang.
Vast areas of forests were reportedly cleared to make way for durian and rubber tree plantations.