In early August 2018, a plantation company destroyed a six-month-old blockade set up by an indigenous Orang Asli community in the Malaysian state of Kelantan.
According to a news report, Jaringan Kampung Orang Asli Kelantan president Mustafa Along confirmed the incident, which was also recorded in a video. Mustafa said that the Orang Asli, who are from the Temiar community, had thought that the workers from the firm had dropped by for a discussion after the latter called for a meeting, not suspecting a confrontation.
We thought they were here to talk, but suddenly, they got out of their vehicles, took out their chainsaws and started destroying the blockade.
Durian firm demolishes Orang Asli blockade in Gua Musang
Lawyer and activist Siti Kasim slammed the Pakatan Harapan-led government and Kelantan state government for failing to protect the interests of the Orang Asli following the demolition of three blockades in Pos Tohoi, Pos Bihai and Pos Pasik on Monday morning.
Outrage
Dear TS Muhyiddin @my_malaysia n Dato Azis Jamman @AzisJamman please explain why do you allow FRU being misused by the Kelantan State Government to oppress the orang asli? @staronline @malaymail @fmtoday @chedetofficial pic.twitter.com/5jdus9ol7V
— Siti Kasim (@sitikasim) August 27, 2018
How is it defending their Rights to Ancestral Land is harmful to society, economic & forest sustainability. This morning 53 Orang Asli stand in solidarity 2 defending their land fr being encroached but authorities r expected to appear to break the blockade. @undrip @VTauliCorpuz pic.twitter.com/yDwh4yA2XM
— Faribel (@faribelm) August 27, 2018
Enforcement officers took down Malaysian flags prior to demolishing the blockade established by the #Temiar here on Monday (Aug 27) morning#indigenous #landrights #OrangAsli #Malaysia https://t.co/uQIOzdTIH5
— Zashnain Zainal (@bedlamfury) August 27, 2018
THERE IS NO HUMANITY!!! https://t.co/EbVZKUqkPg
— Sharifah Sofia (@sharifahsofia) August 27, 2018
Indigenous Temiar community fighting for their rights.
Resistance
We, the blockade community will continue to defend and control the ancestral land from being infringed by the company. Whatever happens, happens. The Kelantan government never cares about the rakyat’s issue like us, Temiar.
– Dendi Johari, Spokesperson for the Temiar community.
UPDATE (August 31, 2018)
Orang Asli community in Gua Musang has rebuilt one of three blockades demolished by the Kelantan Forestry Department and state Land and Mines Department on Monday.
Jaringan Kampung Orang Asli Kelantan chairman Mustafa Along said the community had rebuilt the blockade in Kg Cawas, Pos Bihai, and the two others in Kg Depak, Pos Tohoi, and Kg Kuala Wok, Pos Pasik, would be rebuilt soon.
