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STATEMENT BY

MR. IKRAM JAMALUDDIN HEAD OF THE MALAYSIAN DELEGATION

AT THE 15th SESSION OF THE UNITED NATIONS WORKING GROUP ON INDIGENOUS POPULATIONS

On

Agenda Item 5 : REVIEW OF DEVELOPMENTS PERTAINING TO THE PROMOTION AND PROTECTION OF HUMAN RIGHTS AND FUNDAMENTAL FREEDOMS OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLE

Geneva, 29 July 1997 Thank you Madam Chairperson,

Allow me to first and foremost congratulate you on your reelection as

Chairperson of this Working group. It is my delegation's belief that under you able chairmanship, this Working Group would go a long way in achieving the goals for which it was established.

2. As you are aware, the Malaysian Government places great

importance on this issue and takes keen note of the various

recommendations and resolutions on indigenous people passed at the

various international fora.

3. In the implementation of these recommendations and resolutions, my

government has also taken great pains to ensure that it is carried out

according to the Malaysian mould. In contrast to some other countries, in

Malaysia the indigenous people who are called Bumiputras (which means

the sons of the soil) form the majority (65%) of the total population of 21

million. The rest are of Chinese, Indian and other ethnic origins.

Currently, the Bumiputras play an active role in the politics and

administration of the country, although they are behind in terms of

economic well being, especially in commerce and industry. 4. However it must be pointed out that the indigenous population of

Malaysia is not a homogenous group. Indeed, the Bumiputeras are made up of many groups. The majority indigenous group is the who from about 84% of the indigenous population, followed by the Kadazandusun

(3.5%) and the Ibans (3.1%). The rest is made up of the other smaller groups such as the Bajaus, Rungas, Malanaus, Muruts, Kelabits, ,

Penans, Punans, , Orang Sungai and a cluster of tribes named as

Orang Asli.

5. Since Independence in 1957, the government has spared no effort

to increase the well-being of the indigenous people, who had been

adversely affected by the British colonisation. These have been done

through constitutional guarantees, affirmative policies, and socio-economic

development programs. As a result they have benefited greatly in terms

of political and administrative participation and socio-economic

development.

6. However, to be frank Madam Chairperson, within the indigenous

population, the benefits of independence have not reached the various

groups evenly. But this is not because of deliberate neglect by the

government, rather it is because of the geographical location and the

traditional values maintained by some of the groups. While the main groups such as the Malays, the Kadazandusuns and most of the Ibans have shed their ancestral lifestyles hundreds of years ago and have progressed fast, there are a few segments of Bumiputras who have not and have progressed slowly. Among these people, poverty, illiteracy and school dropout rate are still high while their quality of life is still low.

7. These are found among the of Peninsular Malaysia, the

Penans, Punans and the Orang Ulus of and the Rungas of .

It has to be pointed out that in Malaysia, these groups of indigenous people

have voiced their aspirations to be on par with their more progressive

brothers, while maintaining their cultural identities.

8. Realising the importance of ensuring that these smaller indigenous

groups are not marginalised in the course of Malaysia's fast economic

growth, the government has recently embarked on new initiatives to

accelerate their socio-economic development. These are:

8.1. The transfer of the administration of primary school for the

Orang Asli from the Department of Orang Asli Affairs to the

Ministry of Education;

8.2. The participation of the private sector in the development

Orang Asli's lands while giving due regard to the distinct

culture and aspirations of the Orang Asli; 8.3. The formulation of state policies to ensure better legal

protection of Orang Asli land;

8.4. The undertaking of preliminary work to issue individual land

titled to Orang Asli whose lands are suitable for such

issuance, and follow-up action to gazette the reservation of

other lands;

8.5. The provision of interest-free loans to Orang Asli to purchase

shares in the Indigenous Shares Trust Fund;

8.6. The Implementation of special integrated hardcore-poverty

development programs for Orang Asli;

8.7. The revitalisation of the forest-based small industry for Orang

Asli;

8.8. The implementation of a special integrated development

project for the indigenous groups affected by the Bakun Dam

in Sarawak;

8.9. The strengthening of the grass-root leadership through the

formation and training of village development committees; 8.10. The provision at local level of health services for the Orang

Asli;

8.11. The preparation of a Strategic Development and Action Plan

for the Orang Asli 1997 - 2005 focussing on land,

infrastructure, poverty, health and educational issues.

9. In conclusion, I would like to state that the Malaysian government is confident that with the success of these initiatives, our smaller groups of indigenous brothers will keep pace with the other groups and together forge ahead towards year 2020 which has been set by the government as the year when Malaysia will become a fully developed country.

Thank you, madam Chairperson.