By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Nov 21: A coalition of Indigenous Peoples groups and Indigenous-led civil society organisations, led by Jaringan Orang Asal SeMalaysia (JOAS), plans to officially hand over the Sarawak Native Rights Memorandum 2025 to Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg during the upcoming Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUS) sitting this Monday (Nov 24).
JOAS president Hellan Empaing Chi Tungkat said the memorandum highlights urgent issues concerning Indigenous rights, particularly native customary tenure security, land grabbing and resource exploitation, loss of culture, identity and traditional livelihoods, as well as weak institutional safeguards for Native rights.
“The document also presents practical, tangible and long-term solutions that the Sarawak government can adopt to strengthen governance, improve transparency and uphold genuine sustainability in the State,” she said in a statement.
JOAS and its partners also called on the State government to recognise that Indigenous peoples play a vital role in climate resilience, forest protection and ecosystem health.
“For the wellbeing of future generations and our planet, the rights of Sarawak Natives must be reinforced, respected and fully integrated into State-level sustainability strategies.
“JOAS stands ready to work collaboratively with the Sarawak government to ensure that Indigenous perspectives and rights are meaningfully embedded in policy, legislation and development planning,” Hellan added. – DayakDaily
