The Aboriginal Peoples Act amendments will grant the minister power to appoint council members, aligning with a new consultative body modelled on New Zealand’s Maori Council.
KUALA LUMPUR: Proposed amendments to the Aboriginal Peoples Act 1954 will grant the minister power to appoint council members with specific knowledge in Orang Asli affairs.
Deputy Minister of Rural and Regional Development Datuk Rubiah Wang said this aligns with plans to establish the Orang Asli Consultative Council for Peninsular Malaysia.
She said the council will be modelled on the New Zealand Maori Council, which has successfully promoted Maori development.
“The government hopes to strengthen the voice and aspirations of the Orang Asli through a more robust legal framework,” she said in the Senate today.
Rubiah added this is in line with the self-determination principle of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
To incorporate community views, the ministry has gathered feedback from 1,336 respondents including stakeholders and the Orang Asli.
It has also held engagement sessions, workshops and town halls to ensure views are included comprehensively.
The proposed amendments have been presented to the Meeting of Chief Ministers and Menteri Besar and the National Land Council.
They are expected to be tabled in Parliament in 2026.
Separately, Deputy Minister of Human Resources Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Mohamad said the ministry is committed to developing the talents of huffaz.
He said initiatives are offered to ensure they have access to relevant skills training.
Talent development is carried out through institutions like the Advanced Technology College in Selandar and other cross-ministry training bodies.
A subcommittee for TVET in Tahfiz has also been established under the National Skills Development Council to ensure inclusive skill development for religious schools.
