SNAPSHOT | Orang Asli duo held over alleged obstruction; 'cabinet say needed on edu institutions' 30pct bumi equity removal'

KINI SNAPSHOT | What’s going on in the news today, with updates at 9am, 6pm, and 9pm.

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Orang Asli

• Two Orang Asli men have been detained for two days over allegedly obstructing public servants from performing their duties during an enforcement operation at the Tasek Bera Conservation Forest Reserve in Pahang.
  
  According to Harian Metro, Bera district police chief Zulkiflee Nazir said the remand order for the duo, aged 27 and 61, was granted yesterday until tomorrow to assist in probes under Section 186 of the Penal Code.
  
  He added that the suspects were arrested under the National Forestry Act 1984 during the operation yesterday, during which enforcement officers detained a lorry carrying the two men.
  
  The suspected offences include Section 47(1) for entering a Permanent Forest Reserve, Section 15 for taking forest produce without permission, and Section 81(1)(d) on searching for or removing any forest produce or mineral.
  
  The lorry, which was also carrying a load of palm oil, was seized under Section 88 of the same Act.

READ MORE: Tasek Bera operation turns tense as five Orang Asli arrested, officer kicks incense pot

Bumiputera equity

• Any decision on removing the 30 percent bumiputera equity ownership requirement for private educational institutions’ operators must first go through the cabinet, said Economy Minister Akmal Nasrullah Nasir.

  

  The Star quoted him as saying that since the rule was based on a 2009 cabinet decision, any amendments to it should be a “collective government position.”
  
  He added that the Education Ministry must obtain information through the cabinet, with the government remaining committed to empowering the bumiputera agenda.
  
  Akmal’s (above) remarks added ambiguity to whether the requirement remains in place, following the Education Ministry’s Sept 21 statement declaring its abolishment.

READ MORE: Education groups demand clarity after MOE-Miti bumi equity confusion

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