KUALA LUMPUR: The standoff in Gua Musang involving the Orang Asli community stems primarily from their reluctance to recognise forestry and land laws, said Minister of International Trade and Industries, Tan Sri Mustapa Mohamed.
"To them, the forest is their traditional area. They don't recognise land laws. So, when they see companies getting inside the area they perceive as their 'kawasan rayau', they lash back," he said.
Responding to questions from a crowd at his meetup with the Overseas Umno Alumni Club and the National University Students' Association, Mustapa said Malaysia has (always) had a law to govern matters related to forestry.
"At the federal level, we've had the National Forest Policy. However, the onus to enforce the policy is on the state government (as is described in the State List of the Federal Constitution). The federal government plays its part by advising them on the matter," he added.
Mustapa was responding to the Orang Asli blockade issue, which gained nationwide attention following Kelantan's Department of Forestry's action of tearing down the blockade in Gua Musang.
The blockade, built by the Orang Asli in their efforts to block log extraction from the Balah Permanent Forest (HSK), did not have the approval of the state's forestry department, which led to its demolition on Nov 29.
Earlier, the Kelantan Department of Forestry had issued a statement explaining that the demolition of the blockade was inevitable, due to the insistence of the Orang Asli to stand their ground, even after warnings were issued and negotiations carried out.