KUANTAN: The Orang Asli at Bechah Kelubi near Kampung Teluk Gunung in Lipis can finally heave a sigh of relief after the Pahang government approved another 7ha expansion for their settlement.
The settlement currently houses 163 Orang Asli from the Bateq tribe on a 2ha piece of land.
Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail said the state executive council meeting yesterday agreed to approve an area measuring 7.014ha as part of the efforts to widen the Orang Asli settlement reserve.
"The Bateq community have been staying in the area for a long time. The expansion done under Section 62 of the National Land Code was also requested by the Lipis District and Land Office.
"The Orang Asli currently occupy a 2ha piece of land where they have not only built 20 units of houses with the assistance from the government but are also involved in planting crops and rubber. The reserve land will now prevent encroachment by outsiders into the Orang Asli settlement," he said in a statement today.
Meanwhile, Wan Rosdy said the move to provide the land to the community was to recognise their rights and protect the land of the Orang Asli who have been permanently occupying the area for a long time.
"I hope the decision by the state government will ease their worries and the community can continue with their normal routine in the area," he said.