Tuesday, August 09, 2011

Sabah holds celebrations for World's Indigenous People Day


The International Day of the World's Indigenous People today is being celebrated in Penampang, Sabah.

Several orang asli communities of Peninsular Malaysia, Dayak communities of Sarawak and Kadazan Dusun Murut communities of Sabah have been present at the Kadazandusun Cultural Association's Cultural Village since the four-day national level celebrations began on Saturday.

The annual celebration, which alternates between Sabah and Sarawak, is organised by the Indigenous People Network of Malaysia (Joas) and a few other indigenous non-governmental organisations.

The focus this year is on the contributions of indigenous women and youths in the economic sector and forest management.

Suhakam, a co-organiser for the event, conducted a forum on Indigenous Economic Development yesterday.

Suhakam commissioner Jannie Lasimbang, who presented a paper on “Economy, Traditional Occupation and Technology” at the forum, said the national human rights institution was aware that the rights of the indigenous peoples had not been adequately protected or promoted, and was seeking ways to improve the situation.

She said Suhakam was currently conducting Malaysia's first ever national inquiry into the land rights of indigenous people and working on their right to participate in all levels of decision-making.

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