Why now? Hadi asks gov't on timing of Orang Asli lawsuit
PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang today questioned Putrajaya’s move to sue the Kelantan government over encroachment into Orang Asli land, amid ongoing campaign for the Cameron Highlands by-election.
“I would like to ask why the government chose to bring up this issue during the Cameron Highlands by-election… Why now when this is an old issue?
“Are they trying to campaign? Or did they really just thought it about now during the by-election, and never before this, when this is an old issue,” Hadi said at a press conference after launching a seminar on the history of PAS, held at its former headquarters in Taman Melewar, Gombak...
PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang today questioned the timing of Putrajaya’s move to sue the Kelantan government over encroachment into Orang Asli land, amid the ongoing campaign for the Cameron Highlands by-election.
“I would like to ask why the government chose to bring up this issue during the Cameron Highlands by-election… Why now when this is an old issue?
“Are they trying to campaign? Or did they really just thought it about now during the by-election, and never before this, when this is an old issue,” Hadi said at a press conference after launching a seminar on the history of PAS, held at its former headquarters in Taman Melewar, Gombak.
In a statement yesterday, attorney-general Tommy Thomas had said the federal government is initiating legal proceedings on behalf of the Orang Asli in recognition of the federal government's constitutional and legal duty to protect and promote their wellbeing and advancement.
Among others, Thomas said, the Kelantan government and its agencies had granted logging rights in Gua Musang to private companies without consulting the Temiar community or offering them compensation, and caused an overall irreparable damage.
PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan, however, echoed Hadi’s sentiment and questioned whether Thomas is “trying to play politics” with his position as chief prosecutor.
Nevertheless, the Kota Bharu MP said a group of lawyers had already volunteered their services to represent the Kelantan government against Putrajaya.
“I was made to understand by the Kelantan government that a group of lawyers have come together to defend the state.
“They will offer their services for free as defence counsel in the suit by the federal government,” said Takiyuddin.
PAS deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man (photo), who was also present during the press conference, claimed that Putrajaya should have “consulted” with the Kelantan government before going ahead to file the suit.
“This is the first time in history that such a thing has happened because at the state level we have our state legal adviser.
“By right, such matters should first be referred to the state legal adviser. They cannot go ahead and straightaway filed a suit against the state government,” he said.
Various Orang Asli groups, as well as local and international rights organisations, have since lauded Putrajaya’s move as a long-awaited step towards recognition of the community’s rights to land.
Comprising about 22 percent or 7,500 voters from Cameron Highland’s total electorate, the Orang Asli community - which previously contributed to the bulk of votes for BN - has been identified as a potential kingmaker come polling day on Jan 26.
