Deputy Speaker moots constitutional amendment to close loophole in Orang Asli law

KUALA LUMPUR, June 14 — Dewan Rakyat Deputy Speaker Datuk Ramli Mohd Nor has proposed that “legal vacuums” found in the Aboriginal Peoples Act 1954 be addressed through a constitutional amendment.

He said while that aboriginal reserves and the Orang Asli’s right to occupy these were listed within the Act, there were discrepancies with the Federal Constitution.

“If we look at Ninth Schedule, the responsibility of the Orang Asli is listed under the Federal List 1, Item 16 (welfare of the aborigines), whereas land matters were listed under List 2 State List.

“Under Section 6 and 7, although the final say is that the federal government is gazetted in a collaboration with the state, the state can at any time withdraw.

“So, what I want to suggest is that, with the political stability that exists now — 148 MPs — I request that minister, and I will also speak to the law minister regarding the amendment so that the welfare of the Orang Asli can be placed under the Federal Concurrent List,” Ramli told the Parliament while presiding over Rural and Regional Development Deputy Minister Datuk Rubiah Wang’s response to debates on the Suhakam Annual Report 2020.

By doing so, Ramli, who is also the Cameron Highland MP, said the state will be able to make land enactments in relation to the Orang Asli community.

“Right now, it doesn’t exist. The previous governments we didn’t have political stability, and now we have 148 MPs, two-thirds majority.

“Sabah and Sarawak MPs always raise issues regarding the Malaysia Agreement 63, I, as the people’s representative who is a Deputy Speaker, have no room to speak on the other side, I request for your good will to consider this,” he added.

Ramli’s request came after Rubiah replied to MPs’ who raised matters regarding land-trespassing that involved the Orang Asli communities.