Two journalists, 16 Orang Asli detained by Forestry Dept: Siti Kasim (Updated)

26 Jan 2017 / 20:16 H.
    Two journalists, 16 Orang Asli detained by Forestry Dept: Siti Kasim (Updated)
    Orang Asli from Hutan Simpan Kekal (HSK) Balah, Gua Musang, stand guard at the blockages set up to protest logging activities in Gua Musang, Oct 30, 2017. — Bernama
    Two journalists, 16 Orang Asli detained by Forestry Dept: Siti Kasim (Updated)
    A group of Orang Asli activists block a path and protest against logging activities in the Gua Musang area on Oct 29, 2017. — Bernama

PETALING JAYA: Lawyers of Liberty today expressed shock at the Kelantan Forestry Department's arrest of 16 Orang Asli protestors over their anti-logging barricades in Pos Bihai, Gua Musang and two journalists/documentary makers from Channel News Asia who covered the event.
In a statement today, it said the arrests are a serious assault on democracy and freedom of the press and must be condemned.
"Such high handed behaviour will only send a chilling message to the press to self-censor or not cover such events or else they may be arrested," it said, adding they would like to remind the Kelantan Government that journalism is not is not a crime and the journalists were merely performing their role in reporting an issue of grave importance and of public interest.
It added press freedom is an indispensable component of any modern and democratic society as it functions as a form of check and balance against government excesses, as in this particular case.
Meanwhile the Human rights lawyer Siti Kasim said the Orang Asli activists were released today afternoon and she would meet the concerned authorities who detained them, believe to be not on forest reserve land.
"On the journalists, I am not sure if they have a lawyer. If not, then I am willing to represent them.There was no police involvement," she said when contacted.
Preservation of Natural Heritage (Peka) president Puan Sri Sharifah Sabrina Syed Aki said the officials had no right to arrest the Orang Asli.
"They can only do so if the act of stealing natural resources in the forest has been committed," she said, adding that she was in another village when news spread of the arrest came through her local contacts.
Reports on detention surfaced on news portals Malaysiakini and The Malay Mail Online on the matter.
It was reported that the Kelantan Forestry Department had arrested more than 40 Orang Asli and dismantled their three-month-blockage and huts at Simpang Petei last Nov 29.
The Kelantan Forestry Department authorities was unreachable for comments.

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