Aboriginal Peoples Act 1954 (Act 134)

Aboriginal Peoples Act 1954 (Act 134) All Amendment up to August 1975 Published and Printed in July 2024 There are no amendments between the date book was published and printed The Aboriginal Peoples Act 1954 (Act 134) is a federal legislation in Malaysia aimed at promoting the welfare, protection, and progress of the Orang Asli, the indigenous communities of Peninsular Malaysia. This Act establishes the administrative structure for handling Orang Asli affairs, including the appointment of a Director General of Orang Asli Affairs and the operational role of the Department of Orang Asli Development (JAKOA). It defines who qualifies as Orang Asli and grants the State Authority the power to designate specific lands as Aboriginal Areas, Reserves, or Settlements. However, these lands are not granted as ownership rights and remain under state control, with such designations subject to revocation. This has led to concerns regarding the security and permanence of Orang Asli land rights. Under the Act, compensation may be provided if the Orang Asli are relocated or lose access to their land, although such compensation generally addresses only the disruption caused, rather than acknowledging ownership of the land itself. The law also limits access by outsiders to Aboriginal Areas and regulates dealings involving Orang Asli property, offering a level of protection against external exploitation. Furthermore, the Act supports initiatives that aim to enhance the social, educational, and economic well-being of Orang Asli communities. Despite these provisions, the Act has been widely critiqued for offering the State broad powers over indigenous lands and for not recognising secure, customary land ownership. It has been a topic of legal and human rights discussions, with growing calls for reform to better protect the traditional land rights of the Orang Asli. Notably, this legislation is only applicable in Peninsular Malaysia, whereas indigenous populations in Sabah and Sarawak are governed under separate legal systems. Find more books like Aboriginal Peoples Act 1954 (Act 134): Statutes