High Court grants mandamus hearing in Orang Asli land acquisition case

The High Court has granted leave to proceed with a mandamus hearing to ascertain the value of a plot of land acquired from an Orang Asli community in 1993.

Some 51 Orang Laut Seletar from Kampung Orang Asli Kuala Masai, today filed a mandamus application at the High Court in Johor Bahru to resolve a land compensation issue which has been pending despite two court victories in 2010 and 2012.

Led by Kelah Lah, 38, and Khalip Bachik, 57, the group had previously succeeded in the originating summons filed in the High Court against three defendants in 2008, namely the Johor Land and Mines director, Johor Bahru City Council and the director-general of Orang Asli Affairs (Jakoa).

Based on the High Court’s decision on Sept 22, 2010, the Orang Asli should be compensated in accordance with the Land Acquisition Act 1960, and such compensation must be determined by the Johor Bahru Land Administrator.

The mandamus application was filed because the Johor Land and Mines Department had yet to comply with the court order to carry out the land valuation.