Kuala Lumpur, 12 February 2026— Greenpeace Malaysia stands in solidarity with the Orang Asli community of Pos Simpor and reiterates that all actions affecting Indigenous customary lands must proceed only with the Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) of the community. The continued failure to respect Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLC) rights has repeatedly fuelled tensions and escalations across Malaysia, and authorities must not allow this situation to worsen further.
Orang Asli community members in Pos Simpor, Gua Musang, are currently maintaining peaceful blockades in Bereglag and Cerkep to defend their customary lands (Tanah Adat). Community representatives report that authorities may move in today to dismantle the blockade structures, raising serious concerns over possible arrests and escalation.
Greenpeace Malaysia urges authorities to immediately exercise restraint and ensure the rights and safety of Indigenous community members are respected. Any enforcement action taken without meaningful consultation risks criminalising Indigenous land defenders and further inflaming a longstanding land dispute.
Such actions would also contradict the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), which affirms the principle of Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) [1]. Under Article 19, governments must consult and cooperate in good faith with Indigenous Peoples through their chosen representatives before implementing measures that may affect them. Article 18 further recognises Indigenous Peoples’ right to participate in decision-making and maintain their own institutions. The blockade is a peaceful act of land defence rooted in longstanding concerns over deforestation and the protection of customary territories.
Greenpeace Malaysia Campaign Manager, Heng Kiah Chun said:
“Indigenous communities have the right to defend their customary lands and to be meaningfully involved in decisions that affect their forests, livelihoods and future. Any activities on these lands must proceed only with the free, prior and informed consent (FPIC) of the community. Arrests or escalation will not resolve longstanding land disputes, they will only create deep mistrust. What is urgently needed now is immediate, good-faith dialogue with the affected communities and formal recognition of Orang Asli customary land claims.”
Greenpeace Malaysia calls for:
- An immediate halt to all operations on the disputed land and stop to any dismantling of blockades or community structures.
- Meaningful and good-faith dialogue with the affected Indigenous communities.
- Formal recognition and protection of customary land claims.
Following the recent developments in Pulau Carey, Selangor, as well as the arrest of 21 Orang Asli in Pahang who were later released [2], highlight how Indigenous land disputes can escalate when Indigenous People and Local Community (IPLC) engagement is not prioritised.
Greenpeace Malaysia stands in solidarity with the community of Pos Simpor and will continue monitoring developments closely, reiterating the need for restraint and meaningful dialogue to resolve this dispute. A fair and durable resolution will only be possible through good-faith engagement, full respect for Indigenous rights, and strict adherence to national and international human rights obligations.
– ENDS –
Sources:
[1]https://www.un.org/development/desa/Indigenouspeoples/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2018/11/UNDRIP_E_web.pdf
[2]https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/767898
