By Sheeda Fathil
GOMBAK, Oct 18 — The gazetting of Orang Asli village lands in Selangor is expected to be completed within this term, said Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari.
He said the process is part of the efforts by the state government to secure Orang Asli settlements, as well as ensuring the community is not burdened by development in surrounding areas.
“We have measured and helped to gazette almost all of the Orang Asli villages, with only several villages yet to do so.
“I will ensure that the villages will be gazetted within this term so that the Orang Asli community can rest assured that their settlements will not be affected by development,” Amirudin said during the Jelajah Prihatin to Orang Asli Settlements programme in Gombak, yesterday.
He added there are tens of Orang Asli villages in Selangor, including in the Gombak, Hulu Selangor, Sepang, and Kuala Langat districts which need to be gazetted.
“At the aforementioned locations, we need to measure or gazette the areas including their exploration areas. I am sure that the areas will not be affected by development, but we must set the measurement.
“To my knowledge, a lot of areas in Sepang have been gazetted and only a small portion of areas are still pending,” he said.
Previously, state executive councillor for Orang Asli affairs Hee Loy Sian said the Orang Asli Development Department (Jakoa) has been actively carrying out land measurement works across all Orang Asli settlements in Selangor.
For record, there are 22 Orang Asli villages are located in Kuala Langat, Hulu Selangor (16), Sepang (15), Gombak and Petaling (12) and another nine in Hulu Langat.
