The Tuaran MP said Malaysia was among 144 countries that agreed and supported the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) which was approved in the UN general assembly in 2007.

“In this regard, Upko will continue to consistently fight for the rights of indigenous peoples to ensure that the 46 Articles contained in UNDRIP are implemented in the country,” he said at the Bicara Rakyat world indigenous peoples’ day webinar recently.

Madius said UNDRIP was the most comprehensive international instrument on indigenous rights.

He said that in the resolution, matters such as “self-determination” in Article 3, were important as they involved the question of identity.

“It means our identity is determined by ourselves and not others. If any party uses our identity, like mentioning the name of a race with the intention of insulting, we can take action against them according to this clause,” he said.

Madius added that Articles 8, 10, 12, 26 and 34 in the resolution also explained defending land rights, cultural rights, education rights, language and more.

Madius said this World Indigenous Day celebration was the fifth celebrated by Upko since 2016.

“We want all stakeholders, starting from political leaders, heads of government departments, community leaders and civil society to be aware and understand this matter.

“They need to be aware and understand the rights of indigenous peoples as contained in UNDRIP,” he said.