SHAH ALAM, July 9 — The Bukit Baja Orang Asli village in Dengkil is to be gazetted for a new location on a 180-acre state-owned site, the Selangor State Legislative Assembly was told today.
Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari said the decision, which was made after a series of discussions between the state government and Bukit Baja Orang Asli residents, will ensure the minority group have their own village.
He said the 243-acre site they inhabit now has never been gazetted and is owned by the Selangor State Development Corporation (PKNS).
“The village (site) has never been gazetted as an Orang Asli village, as alleged by some residents, and the land is still owned by PKNS.
“We have held several discussions for a win-win situation, in which there would a gazetted Orang Asli village, while PKNS would be allowed to develop the old site,” he said in response to a question from Datuk Seri Jamil Salleh (PN-Dengkil) about the status of the Orang Asli customary land at Kampung Bukit Baja set to be developed by PKNS.
Amirudin said the village, currently on PKNS land, will be redeveloped for the Integrated Development Region In South Selangor project.
He said among agreements made with the Bukit Baja Orang Asli include initiating an education fund, a village safety committee, a gravesite, a surau, a community hall, a kindergarten, and shops.
“The state government will offer basic construction materials and bear moving costs while the new village is being built,” he added.
— Bernama
