The Orang Asli representatives said they understood the state government’s dependency on the forest for revenue, especially in Kelantan. They suggested the state government opt for alternative revenue generating activities like eco-tourism which would preserve the forest. Such activities could involve the Orang Asli community sharing their knowledge of the forest and its resources. The Kelantan Forestry Department responded positively and proposed having a ‘community forest’ as an interim measure before native customary land rights were recognised by the state. The concept of the community forest suggested by the Kelantan Forestry Department is one where the Orang Asli will be involved in the monitoring and management of the forest. The Forestry Department has suggested that public consultation is held before granting any licence to private companies and that the Orang Asli be appointed forest rangers so they can monitor and report on illegal activities in the forest. According to the Kelantan Forestry Department logging activities would stop completely in 2030. It added that the last approval for logging was given in 2013. During the same dialogue, JAKOA stated that it has developed a five-year plan for the development of Orang Asli in Gua Musang at an estimated cost at half a million ringgit. The development will encompass the following: i. Construction of 1,180 Hardcore Poor Housing Programme (PPRT) units for Orang Asli. ii. Construction of roads running 203 km at Orang Asli settlements in Gua Musang. iii. Installation of street lights. iv. Construction of a complex which would serve as One Stop Centre for Orang Asli. A plot of land of measuring 9.7 hectares has been acquired near Kuala Betis – Lojing for this purpose. SUHAKAM noted that while JAKOA has developed a programme which would benefit the Orang Asli community, the people were never consulted. The Orang Asli representatives who were at the dialogue did not have any knowledge about the proposed development project. In order to achieve a long-term solution, SUHAKAM has requested a follow-up meeting with the Kelantan Chief Minister to further discuss the land rights of Orang Asli and to explore a sustainable forest management programme. SUHAKAM’s visits to Orang Asli settlements in Lojing and Kuala Betis, Gua Musang, proved that their situation was worse, in contrast to some of the responses SUHAKAM received from Kelantan state 90 SUHAKAM ANNUAL REPORT 2018