The Orang Asli community at Kampung Busut Baru is satisfied with the Selangor government’s re-gazettement but was wary due to previous false promises.

The Kuala Langat North Forest Reserve (KLNFR) was set to be theirs in 1994 but was instead forced out.

The reason was to make way for the building of the Kuala Lumpur International Airport.

Samsul Anak Senin, the community development chairman said, “I hope the promise will be fulfilled by the Selangor state government and agencies this time, and the land will be gazetted as an Orang Asli reserve.”

The 104 acres of land that the indigenous group has will be used for foraging and community education.

Moreover, it will act as a buffer zone which is important to be placed between forest and village. The buffer zones prevent conflict between village residents and wildlife such as the Malaysia sun bear.

The Selangor Menteri Besar’s rollback of the degazettement was due to severe backlash from political parties, NGO’s and citizens.

Samsul on behalf of his village was grateful to those who had rejected the degazettement.

-THE MALAYSIA VOICE