Menteri besar Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail said the approval was decided at the state executive council meeting yesterday, which was made in accordance with Section 62 of the National Land Code following an application from the Lipis District and Land Office.

“The application involves the settlements of Orang Asli of the Batek tribe who have been living there for a long time, involving an area of two hectares where 163 Orang Asli stay in 20 houses built with government assistance.

“The land has also been cultivated with orchards and rubber trees. This decision is expected to prevent illegal exploitation of the settlement area by outsiders,” he said in a statement here today.

Wan Rosdy said the action was also in recognition of the rights of the Orang Asli to preserve and protect their land as well as to provide relief to the Orang Asli of the Batek tribe there, so that they could continue living comfortably.