LIVID over the Selangor state government’s plan to evict the Mah Meri tribes people from Kampung Orang Asli Bagan Lalang, Sepang, MCA joined the chorus in criticising the latter for its move.
“This is inhumane. It’s obvious that the development project proposed on the land only benefits the state government’s interests, at the expense of the Orang Asli people who live there,” said MCA youth central committee member Siew Shen Kae in a statement.
Two days ago, Permodalan Negeri Selangor Bhd (PNSB), a state-owned Government-linked company (GLC), issued eviction notices to the Orang Asli people in Sepang to make way for the expansion of the existing Avani Sepang Goldcoast luxury resort.
“The plan is to develop the place into a tourist destination by Sepang Bay Sdn Bhd, as part of the Sepang Goldcoast project,” the firm told The Malaysian Insight.
The Orang Asli community has been living there for nearly 20 years but they do not possess land titles, as the land belongs to PNSB and the Sepang Municipal Council.
The natives were given 30 days to vacate the land but they are negotiating for extra time and discussing possibilities of getting resettled.
PNSB’s decision triggered a massive uproar among the public, with even international songstress Yuna came to the Orang Asli’s defense.
Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari was put in the defensive when he received brickbats for the decision made during a public health crisis, so much so that the former began replying to netizens’ online queries.
Touching on the matter, Siew said that while the Mah Meri tribe fully understands that the land is not theirs, PSNB’s action to displace them without holding proper negotiations and arrangement was ludicrous.
“This issue pose questions on the importance of economic development, as opposed to the rights of Mah Meri people and the environment,” he opined. – May 16, 2021
Photo credit: Malaysia MyTravel
