Orang Asli Mother Walked 190km To the PM’s House Because Her Husband Was Arrested Trying To Save Their Village
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim wasn’t home — but he called, the detainees were released, and the land dispute was referred to the state government, where it remains unresolved.
- Juliana walked 190km with her seven-year-old daughter to reach the PM's residence after her husband was arrested during a demolition.
- The PM confirmed the villagers were released, but the legal basis for the demolition remains unexplained and the land dispute unresolved.
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Juliana Jazlin Ismail had tried the formal channels.
They did not work, so she walked.
The Jakun mother from Kampung Sungai Cot, Maran, Pahang, covered 190 kilometres on foot with her seven-year-old daughter to reach Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s private residence in Kajang, Selangor — after her husband and two other villagers were arrested while trying to stop the demolition of their homes.
The day before she left, witnesses claimed police were present at the demolition site, appearing to side with individuals claiming to represent the land’s new owners.
No court order or eviction notice was produced at the scene.
The husband was detained under Section 506 of the Penal Code, which governs the offence of criminal intimidation.
What Happened at the Gate
The group arrived on Friday (17 July) afternoon.
The Prime Minister was not home; he called instead.
In a Facebook post published at 9:43 PM that evening, Anwar confirmed he had spoken to the group by phone.
He said he had been informed that the three detained villagers had been released by the police.
He also said the land dispute would be raised with the Negeri Sembilan state government — because land matters fall under state, not federal, jurisdiction.
I remind all parties not to manipulate this matter, and for it to be resolved fairly and wisely according to the rule of law.
Anwar posted a photograph alongside the statement: the group sitting on the pavement outside his gate, in traditional headwear, waiting.
What the PM Can — and Cannot — Do
Anwar’s response highlighted a structural gap in the protection of Orang Asli land rights in Malaysia.
The federal agency responsible for Orang Asli affairs, the Department of Orang Asli Development (JAKOA), operates primarily as a welfare body.
Land matters involving Orang Asli customary territories fall under individual state governments — meaning federal intervention is limited to raising the issue, not resolving it.
Juliana said she had bypassed formal administrative channels because she did not believe they would grant her access to the Prime Minister.
She was right that they wouldn’t; she was also right that walking would.
As a mother, I cannot sit by and watch my child’s future be erased. If the government will not come to the people, the people must walk to the government.
The three villagers have been released, but the demolition that triggered their arrest has not been publicly addressed by authorities; no statement has been issued explaining on what legal basis the demolition proceeded, or who the individuals claiming ownership of the land were.
The family’s home and the village’s land claim remain in dispute.
This Was Not the First Time
Juliana’s walk did not happen in a vacuum.
More than a month earlier, on 12 June, more than 1,000 Orang Asli from across Peninsular Malaysia gathered outside the Ministry of Rural Development in Putrajaya.
They carried banners.
They submitted a formal memorandum to the Deputy Prime Minister and demanded the recognition of customary lands and an end to all encroachments.
The assembly was organised, peaceful, and led by a coalition of Orang Asli groups and environmental NGOs, including PEKA and Greenpeace Malaysia.
No resolution has been publicly documented since.
Three weeks later, a demolition crew arrived at Kampung Sungai Cot.
@wartawanjalanan2026 2,000 Orang Asli berhimpun di Putrajaya desak kerajaan hentikan penindasan sistematik terhadap masyarakat Orang Asli Antara tuntutan & perkara yang diucapkan termasuklah: Menuntut kerajaan melalui Kementerian Kemajuan Desa & Wilayah dan pihak berkuasa serta pembuat keputusan segera mengiktiraf pemakaian TANAH WILAYAH ADAT di Semenanjung Malaysia di dalam perlembagaan dan akta Orang Asli dan menolak penggunaan istilah TANAH RIZAB yg langsung tidak selari dgn aspirasi hidup mereka Menggesa JAKOA supaya tidak mengawal, mengongkong dan mengehadkan kebebasan berfikir, bertindak, membuat keputusan sendiri dan berekspresi Orang Asli dgn pelbagai peraturan & syarat yang tidak munasabah termasuk Jabatan Perhutanan yang mengenakan permit untuk mengakses ke kawasan Orang Asli – yang mengenepikan kuasa batin sebagai kuasa pembuat keputusan komuniti Menggesa JAKOA tidak mengkhianati & menggadaikan tanah dan kampung Orang Asli dgn berkomplot dengan syarikat balak dan syarikat pemaju untuk menceroboh masuk ke tanah Orang Asli Menggesa Kerajaan Negeri, Jabatan Perhutanan Negeri dan Pejabat Tanah untuk tidak bertindak zalim dengan sengaja meluluskan projek pembalakan, perladangan, perlombongan, dan pembangunan tidak mampan lain di kawasan wilayah tanah adat mereka walaupun belum diwarta. Dasar Alam Sekitar, Perhutanan & Perlindungan Biodiversiti Negara langsung tidak mesra masyarakat asal, tidak selari dengan konsep konservasi ekosistem komuniti bahkan menindas masyarakat Orang Asli. Orang Asli merasakan kerajaan lebib prihatin pada binatang dalam hutan berbanding aspirasi hidup orang Asli yg lestari Mengecam pihak pemaju kapitalis, ahli politik, pejabat tanah dan agensi yang bertindak zalim dalam merobohkan rumah, merampas tanah, memusnahkan ladang dan kebun warisan mereka Menggesa parti parti politik supaya berhenti membuat kerja membodoh-bodohkan dan menakut-nakutkan Orang Asli dgn pelbagai ugutan dan sogokan lalu mengambil kesempatan untik merompak sumber alam di kawasan Orang Asli dan demi undi politik. Menggesa isu-isu berbangkit Orang Asli mengenaj tanah, alam sekitar dan sebagainya diselesaikan dan diberi perhatian serius melalui penubuhan jawatankuasa khas yg mengiktiraf penyelesaian mengikut kehendak dan aspirasi mereka sendiri. Ikuti kami untuk kisah jalanan yang seterusnya.
♬ original sound – Wartawan Jalanan
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