Perak MB temporarily halts logging in Orang Asli area after meeting Waytha, AG

Perak Menteri Besar Ahmad Faizal Azumu has agreed to temporarily halt logging activities around an Orang Asli area in Gerik after resisting criticisms since May this year.

"The menteri besar has with immediate effect ordered a temporary halt to all logging activities within the land in question pending discussions between the state and the Orang Asli community," Faizal Azumu and Minister in the Prime Minister's Department P Waythamoorthy said in a joint statement today.

This was following a meeting between Waythamoorthy, Ahmad Faizal and attorney-general Tommy Thomas.

Ahmad Faizal had come under criticism over his refusal to recognise Orang Asli customary land and defended logging activities in their area, which has been permitted by the Perak government.

Pakatan Harapan has also been urged to educate its state leader about the coalition's manifesto which explicitly recognises Orang Asli customary land.

The statement said Orang Asli issues would be jointly tackled by the federal and state governments.

"Moving forward, the federal and state governments will work together to resolve any issues regarding the Orang Asli community.

"Both the federal and state governments take the rights of the Orang Asli community very seriously," he said.

The Orang Asli community in Gerik has faced repeated arrests for setting up blockades to deter logging activities in their area.