SHAH ALAM, 23 Aug: Although the country has achieved independence for almost 58 years, the meaning of independence has not been fully felt by the indigenous people.
The Vice President of the Peninsula Network of Indigenous People, Yusri Ahon, said that despite modernity, indigenous people continue to be marginalised when their land is taken and labelled as invaders.
He said that unlike other communities, the ethnicity is considered to not have any privileges and is often oppressed.
“When the land of indigenous people is trespassed upon, they will defend it, but they will later be accused as being supportive of the opposition, encroaching government land and rioting.
“Their land is taken, seized and those who defend it will then be put in prison,” he said at the Selangor International Indigenous Art Festival at the Shah Alam National Botanical Garden.
However, Yusri said that the fate of indigenous people in Selangor is different when the state began being administered by a new government in 2008.
He said that since the state government changed, land encroachment and illegal logging no longer happen at indigenous territories.
“Our land is no longer disturbed, in fact the state government gave victory to the indigenous people in Selangor,” he said.
The festival is in recognition of the involvement of indigenous people in Malaysia, in addition to introducing the heritage and culture of various races.
The event was officiated by the Exco of Tourism, Environment, Green Technology and Consumer Affairs, Elizabeth Wong.
NS
