PUTRAJAYA: A 10-year legal battle over ancestral land was resolved today with the 85 Orang Asli families from the Seletar tribe agreeing to be relocated to a new resettlement area to be gazetted as an Orang Asli reserve.
This followed an out-of-court settlement among the parties involved with the consent order recorded before Court of Appeal three-member panel comprising Justices Datuk Yaacob Md Sam, Datuk S. Nantha Balan and Datuk Mohd Nazlan Mohd Ghazali.
Lawyer Khoo Guan Huat, representing the Johor government and the State Land and Mines director, told the court today that parties in the suit had agreed to the consent order.
Following that, Justice Yaacob, who chaired the panel, struck out the appeals by the Johor government, the Johor Land and Mines director and eight others, including developers, , as well as a cross-appeal by the Orang Asli.
Based on the consent order, the Orang Asli families from Kampung Sungai Temon, commonly known as the Orang Laut, would be resettled at a 45 acre-site in Mukim Sungai Tiram, Johor Baru, Johor .
It would involve the setting up of a village with basic facilities and infrastructure, such as water and electricity supply and street lights.
It was also agreed that the affected Orang Asli families would be allowed to stay in Kampung Sungai Temon until the completion of the construction of the new resettlement area, expected to take five years and would be carried out by Node Dua Sdn Bhd.
As part of the consent order, the 85 Orang Asli families would each also receive RM5,000 in compensation and RM1,500 for the purchase of furniture.
Also stated in the consent order was the payment of RM6,500 in compensation per household for 50 families from Kampung Bakar Batu.
In 2012, the Orang Asli from Kampung Sungai Temon Kampung Bakar Batu, led by one Eddy Salim filed a suit against 11 defendants including the Johor state Land and Mines director, the Johor state government, Director-General of the Orang Asli Development Department (JAKOA), federal government and developers and individual owners for encroaching into their land.
The land in dispute is in the Danga Bay region of the Iskandar Development Corridor in Johor.
On Feb 28, 2017, the High Court in Johor Bahru ruled that the Orang Asli had customary rights over the territories and were entitled to compensation for the deprivation of their customary territories.
It also ruled that the federal and state government had breached their fiduciary duties for failing to gazette and protect the customary territories from being alienated to third parties.
Although the High Court had ruled in favour of the Orang Asli, they, however, decided to appeal to the Court of Appeal in a bid to regain their land ownership rights instead of receiving compensation.
A team of lawyers led by Steven Thiru represented the Orang Asli.
Federal counsel Safiyyah Omar appeared for JAKOA and the federal government.
-- BERNAMA
Bernama
Thu Jan 12 2023
A 10-year legal battle over ancestral land was resolved today with the 85 Orang Asli families from the Seletar tribe agreeing to be relocated to a new resettlement area to be gazetted as an Orang Asli reserve. - BERNAMA
Astro AWANI's revamped English news website, AWANI International, launches on Oct 21
Astro AWANI's revamped English platform delivers in-depth global news and expert analysis to keep you informed on key developments.
Israeli strikes kill 33 people in Jabalia refugee camp in Gaza, medics say
Residents of Jabalia said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp after pushing through suburbs and residential districts.
Liam Payne's ex-partner calls for media restraint after 'painful' death
Cheryl Tweedy used her statement to urge the media to remember they had a seven-year-old son, Bear, who could read the reports.
Analysts: Indonesia's strong MoF leadership team to boost investor confidence
Sri Mulyani Indrawati as head of Indonesia's Ministry of Finance is expected to instil confidence among investors.
Biden offers both a carrot and a stick to Israel as his term nears an end
Israel has frequently resisted US advice and has caused political difficulties for the Biden administration.
Putin says BRICS will generate most of global economic growth
Russian President Vladimir Putin will host a summit of the group in the city of Kazan on Oct. 22-24.
ISIS Malaysia's perspective of Budget 2025
An excellent rakyat-centric budget under the overarching principle of a caring and humane economy.
Budget 2025: Record increase in STR, SARA aid initiatives
The government will provide a significant boost to the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) initiatives next year.
Budget 2025: EPF contributions to be made mandatory for foreign workers – PM Anwar
The government plans to make it compulsory for all non-citizen workers to contribute to the Employees Provident Fund (EPF).
What policies to expect from Indonesia's new President Prabowo
Prabowo will be open to foreign investment, his aide has said, such as by offering investors management of airports and sea ports.
Budget 2025: Govt allocates RM470 mil to empower women's participation in PMKS
The Women's Leadership Apprenticeship Program will be intensified as an effort to produce more female corporate personalities.
Israel sends more troops into north Gaza, deepens raid
Residents of Jabalia in northern Gaza said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp, using heavy air and ground fire.
Indonesia ramps up security ahead of Prabowo's inauguration
Prabowo Subianto will be sworn in as Indonesia's president on Sunday with Vice President-elect, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, also taking office.
Immediate allocation of RM150 mil for local authorities, DID to tackle flash floods
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said this allocation is intended to address the recent flash floods that hit the capital and several major towns.
Budget 2025: Sabah, Sarawak to continue receiving among highest allocations - PM
Sabah and Sarawak continues to be prioritised under Budget 2025, with allocations of RM6.7 billion and RM5.9 billion respectively.
NFOF will be operational in November 2024 with funding of RM1 bil
PM Anwar Ibrahim said NFOF will support venture capital fund managers to invest in startup companies with RM300 million set aside for 2025.
Minimum wage to increase to RM1,700 effective Feb 1, 2025
The Progressive Wage Policy would be fully enforced next year with an allocation of RM200 million, benefiting 50,000 workers.
Bursa Malaysia ends higher on Budget 2025 optimism
The benchmark index, which opened 1.85 points higher at 1,643.29, moved between 1,641.71 and 1,649.31 throughout the trading session.
Five important aspects relating to people’s lives in Budget 2025 - PM
The focus is on driving the MADANI Economy, speeding reforms, cutting red tape, raising wages, and tackling the cost of living.
Economic outlook: Govt plans to leverage, expand existing city transit system
The expansion aims to provide a more efficient and reliable public transportation network, reduce congestion, and improve accessibility.