Jangan sewenang-wenang guna istilah ‘tanah adat’, kata Sultan Pahang

Sultan Pahang has cautioned against the indiscriminate use of the term 'adat land', emphasizing that the Orang Asli (Native Malaysian) communities in Pahang should be granted their rightful lands under the Orang Asli Act (Act 134). The Sultan, Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, made the statement while inaugurating the Orang Asli Day event in Sungai Mok village.

He reiterated that the Malaysian Constitution and the relevant laws permit the allocation of specific land for the welfare and advancement of the Orang Asli, including land allocations. However, the land rights must be obtained through a legal process under Act 134, with the state authority having the power to grant land rights within Orang Asli areas or rizab Orang Asli.

Therefore, any claim should not be accepted solely based on the term 'adat land'. Sultan Pahang stressed the necessity of examining the land status, delineation, historical occupancy, and field facts according to the law before accepting any claim. He expressed hope that the procedures for demarcation, adjustment, and recognition of Orang Asli areas would be expedited to ensure that the areas are genuinely reserved for the Orang Asli, preventing disputes and excessive claims.

Sultan Pahang warns against individuals, groups, or stakeholders misleading the Orang Asli community by providing the impression that any area they claim is 'adat land' and automatically becomes their property. He insists that the government must play a more proactive role in preventing such incidents from recurring in other parts of the state, as seen in Jemeri, Rompin, and Cot Maran.