SUHAKAM: Orang Asli - "...marginalised in a system similar to 'apartheid'..."

Orang Asli - marginalised and oppressed.

Special provisions, quotas, etc for Malays and natives of Sabah and Sarawak - but for the natives of Peninsular Malaysia. Hence, the Orang Asli (the indigenous people of Peninsular Malaysia) are left out ....marginalised...

Suhakam vice-chairperson Simon Sipaun :- "I'm not surprised with the protest. It is expected that the Orang Asli community would protest as they have been marginalised in a system similar to 'apartheid'," he said without mincing his words.- Malaysiakini, 17/10/2010, Orang Asli marginalised by conditions akin to 'apartheid'

See Article 153 of the Federal Constitution that also makes no mention about the 'Orang Asli' of Peninsular Malaysia

153.  Reservation of quotas in respect of services, permits, etc., for Malays and natives of any of the States of Sabah and Sarawak.

(1) It shall be the responsibility of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to safeguard the special position of the Malays and natives of any of the States of Sabah and Sarawak and the legitimate interests of other communities in accordance with the provisions of this Article.

(2) Notwithstanding anything in this Constitution, but subject to the provisions of Article 40 and of this Article, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong shall exercise his functions under this Constitution and federal law in such manner as may be necessary to safeguard the special position of the Malays and natives of any of the States of Sabah and Sarawak of such proportion as he may deem reasonable of positions in the public service (other than the public service of a State) and of scholarships, exhibitions and other similar educational or training privileges or special facilities given or accorded by the Federal Government and, when any permit or licence for the operation of any trade or business is required by federal law, then, subject to the provisions of that law and this Article, of such permits and licences....

SUHAKAM says it best - and challenges Malaysian Federal Government (and State governments) to correct this grave injustice...

Suhakam vice-chairperson Simon Sipaun said the Orang Asli protest in Putrajaya today is a cumulation of frustration among the indigenous community over a period of many years.

"I'm not surprised with the protest. It is expected that the Orang Asli community would protest as they have been marginalised in a system similar to 'apartheid'," he said without mincing his words.

The Suhakam commissioner described the Orang Asli community's demands such as recognition of their land rights and representation in the legislative assembly as “fair and proper”.

"I believe that they should be entitled to representation by their 'own people' in both Parliament and the state assembly," he said.

He added that they should also be given the same development priorities and preferential treatment enjoyed by the Malays.

When asked to comment on the government's response to cases involving Orang Asli brought up by Suhakam, he said: "The government has always been defensive when it comes to issues pertaining to Orang Asli issue."

He said government officers would generally respond: 'We have done everything for the Orang Asli community in line with the law'.

Sipaun, who is a Kadazandusun from Sabah, considered today's protest in Putrajaya as an Orang Asli's version of the 2007 Hindraf protest - an event which saw the awakening of the Indian Malaysian minority about their plight.

Failure of the NEP

Political analyst Khoo Kay Peng (left), however, disagree that the protest can be equated with the Hindraf protest.

He said issues pertaining the Indian rights has been widely propagated through both mainstream and alternative media, while only a few alternative media carried news about the Orang Asli rights.

Khoo, said the protest, symbolises the failure of National Economic policy (NEP),which supposedly meant to advance the rights and welfare of the Orang Asli, among others.

'It should be a wake-up call for the government and they should now accommodate the needs of the Orang Asli rather than trying to slip its NEP's failure under the carpet," he added.- - Malaysiakini, 17/10/2010, Orang Asli marginalised by conditions akin to 'apartheid'

See also earlier post:- Orang Asli:- When the 'kings of the land' marginalized by 'princes of the land' and UMNO-led BN