The video footage of a Semelai Orang Asli woman showing the charred ruins of what was once her late grandfather’s rumah kebun (green house) is sad and powerful, but also indicative of the plight of her community who are facing a fresh land grab, according to Centre for Orang Asli Concerns director Colin Nicholas.

In the May 12 video, which is taken at Kampung Paya Berangan near Bera, Pahang, a Semelai woman tells the harrowing tale of how the house belonging to her late grandfather was razed along with other minor buildings and fruit trees which were all destroyed the night before.

It is understood that the family has lodged a police report on the matter, but Nicholas believes that the destruction was a calculated move...