KUCHING: The federal government has been urged to legislate Articles 25 and 26 of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) in the federal constitution.
Sarawak Dayak Iban Association (SADIA) president Sidi Munan said this was important because these provisions covered issues concerning the native community, particularly the rights to their land.
The provisions gave legal effect and protection to these lands, he said.
Sidi said it was therefore important for the federal government follow the examples of other countries in addressing indigenous land ownership.
He added that there had been many efforts to protect and manage indigenous land rights.
“When they (the indigenous groups) lose the rights to the forest, it means you lose the forest. When you lose the forest, you have climate change problems. It affects everybody, including the natives. A lot of people are affected,” he said.
Despite the efforts and initiatives taken by various associations and organisations, Sidi said forest preservation remained an important issue to tackle.
He said this in a press conference at a Indigenous People and Sustainability In Democratic System Forum here yesterday which was attended by 130 participants from various organisations and associations with indigenous people in Sarawak.
The forum was organised by SADIA and supported by Canada Fund For Local Initiatives.
The High Commission of Canada’s First Political Secretary, Alina Kwan, who was present at the press conference, said the Canada Fund For Local Initiatives was a programme which had been around in Malaysia for 30 years.
“We have supported dozens of local organisations to implement projects meaningful to them that are aligned with Canada’s priority themes such as gender equality, women and girls economic empowerment, the rights of indigenous people, climate change and human rights in general.
“The five forums that are going to be taking place will be from now to February. Hopefully there will be hundreds of people. The education component is really important for indigenous people here,” she said.
