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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 Malaysians 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 Malays 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, Bidayuhs,
Penans, Punans, Orang Ulu, 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 Orang Asli of Peninsular Malaysia, the
Penans, Punans and the Orang Ulus of Sarawak and the Rungas of Sabah.
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.