SEREMBAN: The draft amendments to the Orang Asli Act 1954 (Act 134) are nearly complete and expected to be tabled in Parliament by mid-next year at the latest, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. He said the amendments sought to improve several aspects, including land issues, infrastructure, education, housing, and the Orang Asli community's economy. “The act will be amended after more than 70 years, and several aspects are being considered, particularly land and foraging areas, as there are disputes between the community, landlords, the private sector, and the state government. “The Orang Asli Development Department (JAKOA) director-general will visit New Zealand to conduct a comparative study on the Orang Asli Act there and use it as a reference for amending this act,” he told reporters after attending the Rural and Regional Development Ministry's (KKDW) Santunan Kasih Ramadan Programme 2025 here today. Ahmad Zahid, who is also the Rural and Regional Development Minister, said the engagement sessions on the proposed amendments to the act would involve Tok Batin (Orang Asli village headmen), Orang Asli leaders, and intellectuals. Earlier in his speech, he commended JAKOA's efforts in advancing Orang Asli education, highlighting that 550 children from the community enrolled in university last... SEREMBAN: The draft amendments to the Orang Asli Act 1954 (Act 134) are nearly complete and expected to be tabled in Parliament by mid-next year at the latest, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. He said the amendments sought to improve several aspects, including land issues, infrastructure, education, housing, and the Orang Asli community's economy. “The act will be amended after more than 70 years, and several aspects are being considered, particularly land and foraging areas, as there are disputes between the community, landlords, the private sector, and the state government. “The Orang Asli Development Department (JAKOA) director-general will visit New Zealand to conduct a comparative study on the Orang Asli Act there and use it as a reference for amending this act,” he told reporters after attending the Rural and Regional Development Ministry's (KKDW) Santunan Kasih Ramadan Programme 2025 here today. Ahmad Zahid, who is also the Rural and Regional Development Minister, said the engagement sessions on the proposed amendments to the act would involve Tok Batin (Orang Asli village headmen), Orang Asli leaders, and intellectuals. Earlier in his speech, he commended JAKOA's efforts in advancing Orang Asli education, highlighting that 550 children from the community enrolled in university last... Read full article MORE NEWS.