The department’s director, Zahari Ibrahim, said most of those who opposed the logging licence issued by the Kelantan government, failed to understand the legal provisions in place.

“The protesters do not represent the whole of the Orang Asli community, but only a small segment who are unsatisfied as they fail to understand the law.

“But the majority of the Orang Asli understand what is taking place.”

He based this on the information received from the village chiefs that only 20% are opposed to the logging activity.

“The other 80% agree with what the Forestry Department and the state government are doing. In fact, most of them disagree with the blockades put up by the protesters,” he told FMT.

On Monday, 16 Orang Asli were arrested by the KFD for the blockades they put up to stop loggers from entering the forest reserve area in Gua Musang.

This caused an outrage among the Orang Asli community nationwide, who claimed that the state government had failed to look after their welfare.

Zahari denied this, saying that his officers were working hard to make sure the Orang Asli received “accurate information” about the issue.

According to him, most of the Orang Asli responded well to their explanation.

Kelantan Network of Orang Asli Villages (JKOAK) secretary Jamali Ayu, however, rubbished Zahari’s claim and said that 80% of the Orang Asli have stood up to defend their ancestral lands.

“I want to state that Orang Asli from 21 out of 35 territories have supported the fight for their rights over their ancestral lands,” Jamali said when contacted.

On Jan 19, Kelantan’s Department of Orang Asli Development (Jakoa) called on those who had participated in the blockades in Simpang Petei, Bihai and Pasik near Gua Musang to stop their protests.

Jakoa chairman Bidi Ronggeng said any issues they have should be dealt with through negotiations with the authorities.

He said resorting to barricades would only put the Orang Asli at a disadvantage and embarrass the Temiar community.