Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (second, left) holds a meeting with the Minister for Māori Development, Tama Potaka, held at the Minister’s Meeting Room in the New Zealand Parliament, today. --fotoBERNAMA
WELLINGTON: After more than 70 years, laws regarding the rights and welfare of the nation's Orang Asli will undergo significant amendments, says Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
The Deputy Prime Minister said the proposed amendments will be wide-ranging, covering not only land-related matters but also other aspects, inspired by the model used by the Maori community in New Zealand.
"The Aboriginal Peoples Act 1954 (Act 134) is now 71 years old, and many aspects need to be reviewed. We are not only looking at land ownership but also their rights in education, business, and financing,” he said.
“Of course, we cannot fully adopt New Zealand’s model, but its approach can be adapted based on the needs and realities of Malaysia’s Orang Asli community," he told reporters at a press conference at Malaysia House on Wednesday (July 16).
Dr Ahmad Zahid said some of the proposed amendments are derived from what was learned during his working visit to New Zealand.
Besides land protection, he noted that the Maori model also addressed education and economic elements.
He said the proposed amendments are still at the early draft stage, and added that engagement with relevant stakeholders, including academicians and professionals from the Orang Asli community, is still ongoing.
Dr Ahmad Zahid added that the Orang Asli Development Department (Jakoa) will also be tasked with looking at the development of the Orang Asli community beyond their basic needs, such as infrastructure and education.
“The purpose of this amendment is not to deny rights, but rather to strengthen protection for the Orang Asli community.
"It will be brought to the Cabinet for discussions before being tabled in Parliament, debated, and voted on," he said.
He added that March next year would likely be the timeframe for the amendments to be tabled in the Dewan Rakyat.
Dr Ahmad Zahid acknowledged that cooperation from the respective state governments is crucial in ensuring the proposed amendments are drafted accordingly.
“Cooperation with state governments is crucial.
"We do not want to exclude any party, so ongoing engagement sessions are being conducted with state leadership and representatives from the 377 Orang Asli villages in Peninsular Malaysia," he said.
Although the Orang Asli are a minority in Malaysia, with a population of only about 225,000, Dr Ahmad Zahid said the Madani government will not marginalise their rights.
Earlier, Ahmad Zahid held a meeting with Maori Development Minister Tama Potaka at the New Zealand Parliament, known as the Beehive.
The meeting provided both parties with the opportunity to share views on indigenous community development policies and strengthen cooperation to empower the Orang Asli community in Malaysia.
Dr Ahmad Zahid, who is also the Rural and Regional Development Minister, also met with his counterpart David Seymour.
He later held an engagement session with the Federation of Islamic Associations of New Zealand's president, Ibrar Sheikh, at Malaysia House.
