Only in Malaysia: Orang Asli injunction frustrated by Selangor state lawyer

Shah Alam, Jan 20, 2012: An attempt by the Orang Asli of Mukim Tanjung Duabelas in Kuala Langat to impose an injunction against the Selangor State Government, the Kuala Langat District and Land Office and Kumpulan Semesta Sdn Bhd, was frustrated by the non-attendance of lawyers from the Selangor State Legal Adviser's office. The lawyers were to represent the Selangor State Government and the Kuala Langat District and Land Office.

The Selangor state government, Kumpulan Semesta Sdn Bhd and the Kuala Langat District and Land office are named as Defendants in the application for injunction.

The new hearing date for the injunction is now set for February 14.

The Orang Asli of Mukim Tanjung 12 is applying for the injunction to stop all sand-mining activities, land transactions and other activities by the Selangor State Government and/or its agencies, the Kuala Langat District and Land Office and Kumpulan Semesta.

"These activities are causing, amongst others, environmental pollution that is hazardous to their health and depriving them of their livelihood on their customary land," says the Orang Asli's legal counsel, Serene Tan.

Tan explains that the application for injunction is pending decision on an action taken by the Orang Asli against the defendants to determine that the 17,900 acres of Mukim Tanjung Duabelas, Kuala Langat is Orang Asli forest reserve land that has been constituted as a "Sakai Reserve" even before Independance and neither the Selangor State Government and/or its agencies, the Kuala Langat District and Land Office and Kumpulan Semesta or any other entity have any rights to conduct sand mining and other commercial activities.

The trial is set for April 5 and 6 says Tan.