KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 11 (Bernama): Human Rights Commission of
Malaysia (Suhakam) is highly concerned and taking a serious view of Sabah attorney-general
Datuk Roderic Fernandez' statement that the Sabah Land Ordinance (SLO) of 1930
does not allow for the creation of new native customary rights (NCR) land in
the state.
Suhakam
chairman Tan Sri Hasmy Agam said Fernandez' statement clearly conflicted with
the position of NCR, which is a fundamental right of the Orang Asli and
Indigenous people, as enshrined in the Federal Constitution.
"The
Commission is shocked at the Sabah attorney-general's comment, as the position
he has stated is all together new and conflicts with all existing policies and
interpretation of the SLO, in particular with customary Bumiputera laws and
perspectives," he said in a statement here today.
He
urged the authorities to ensure that any policy decisions by state governments,
particularly related to land matters, should be based on meaningful and
effective consultations with consensus from communities and interested parties.
He was
commenting on Fernandez' statement yesterday that new NCR land could not be
created because only the land "still" occupied by natives prior to
the date of the SLO enforcement, was recognised with such a status.
Hasmy also called for a postponement of any new policies
related to land matters until the completion of the National Inquiry on Orang
Asli and Indigenous land.
The
terms and reference of the inquiry includes a review of domestic lan laws and
other policies to handle the problems faced by the Peninsular Malaysia Orang
Asli and Sabah and Sarawak Bumiputera's demands for land rights.
The
inquiry is headed by Hasmy and commenced in Sabah, June last year, followed by
Perak, Kelantan, Pahang, Johor and Selangor.
It is
expected to be completed by July and would be presented to Parliament, State
Assemblies, and the federal and state governments. - Bernama
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