Kuala Lumpur: The draft amendments to the Orang Asli Act 1954 (Act 134) are nearing completion and are anticipated to be presented in Parliament by mid-next year, announced Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the planned amendments aim to address and enhance several critical areas such as land disputes, infrastructure, education, housing, and economic opportunities for the Orang Asli community. Ahmad Zahid emphasized that after more than 70 years, it is crucial to revisit the act to resolve issues between the community, landlords, the private sector, and state governments, particularly concerning land and foraging territories.
The Orang Asli Development Department (JAKOA) director-general is scheduled to visit New Zealand to conduct a comparative study of the Orang Asli Act there, using it as a reference for potential amendments. Ahmad Zahid, who also serves as the Rural and Regional Development Minister, revealed that engagement sessions regarding the proposed amendments would include discussions with Tok Batin (Orang Asli village headmen), Orang Asli leaders, and intellectuals.
In his earlier address, Ahmad Zahid praised JAKOA’s initiatives to advance educational opportunities for the Orang Asli. He highlighted that last year, 550 children from the Orang Asli community were enrolled in universities, exceeding the initial target of 400 students.
Additionally, Ahmad Zahid urged the public to be mindful of food wastage during Ramadan. He referenced statistics from the Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Corporation (SWCorp), which reported that Malaysia generated 75,000 tonnes of food waste during Ramadan in 2023-marking a 15 to 20 percent increase compared to other months. Kuala Lumpur and Negeri Sembilan were noted for significant rises in food waste. He stressed that Malaysia discards 8.3 million tonnes of food waste annually, with each person contributing approximately 260 kilogrammes. Alarmingly, 4,005 tonnes, or 24 percent, of this waste is still edible. Ahmad Zahid encouraged the public to minimize waste and consider donating surplus food to those in need.