Parliament rejected special motion on Orang Asli

Harakahdaily

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 19:  Dewan Rakyat speaker Pandikar Amin Mulia has refused to allow a motion on granting Bumiputera status to Orang Asli in Peninsular Malaysia, drawing criticism from Pakatan Rakyat members of parliament. ORIGINAL PEOPLE BUT NOT SONS OF THE SOIL ... The group from Orang Asli at the parliament today Earlier, a 27-member delegation from the Orang Asli community was denied entry to the Parliament despite being guests of Telok Kemang member of parliament Kamarul Baharin Abbas. Led by Simpan Suda, deputy chairman of the Orang Asli Land Action Front, they were later allowed in after the police were convinced they were not protestors. The group wanted to follow parliamentary proceedings on an urgent motion by Kamarul over their demand to be recognised as Bumiputera under Article 153 and 160 of the Federal Constitution. The Federal Constitution currently recognises only Malays and natives in Sabah and Sarawak as Bumiputera. Pandikar however dismissed the motion, saying the matter had already been raised during the last debate. A disappointed Simpan said issues revolving around the Orang Asli people should have ended after 53 years of independence. “If the issues regarding the natives in Sabah and Sarawak can be solved in the Constitution, why is the government not ready to solve the demands of the Orang Asli from the peninsula,” he asked. Simpan said following the Speaker's rejection, his group would offer help to the PAS candidate in the upcoming Galas by-election. PAS's Kuala Kerai MP Dr Hatta Ramli said the speaker should have allowed the motion to be debated. “This shows the true colour of the ruling party even though they (Orang Asli) had travelled from far (to be at the parliament),” said Hatta, adding that the group's demand was reasonable as Orang Asli were natives in the country. “To recognise the native people as Bumiputera is only natural,” Hatta added. Meanwhile, Tumpat MP Kamaruddin Jaafaar congratulated Kamarul for his commitment to represent Pakatan Rakyat in defending Orang Asli rights.