GOVT COMMITTED TO HELPING ORANG ASLI
Improvements will be made to aid programmes, says Najib
THE government will further improve existing programmes for the Orang Asli community to ensure they are not sidelined from enjoying the benefits of a modern society.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak yesterday said the government would ensure the Orang Asli community was included in the country’s mainstream development with programmes to help improve the socio-economic status of the Orang Asli.
“I have discussed with (Rural and Regional Development Minister) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaacob to draft plans to improve existing programmes, so that the Orang Asli can say that Barisan Nasional is the government for them.
“Currently, we have several programmes for the Orang Asli community and will continue to look into providing improvement to ensure it caters for the community and they can gain from it,” said Najib, who is also Pekan member of parliament.
He said this during his speech at a gathering with 3,000 Orang Asli from the constituency in Kampung Menchupu.
Najib, who is also finance minister, said a one-off, higher financial assistance amount would be allocated for Orang Asli students who entered institutions of higher learning.
“The amount will be announced when I table the 2018 Budget on Oct 27. With this, when an Orang Asli student enters university, his or her family will receive a bigger amount compared with the current one.
“Education is an important tool to bring changes to the community and parents must ensure their children do not skip school.
“Although I understand that sometimes parents prefer to bring their children to collect fruits during the season, we must ensure that our children do not drop out of school.
“My concern is without education, it will be difficult for the Orang Asli to excel as we want the community to also move forward when the country becomes a developed nation.
“The Orang Asli have to be with the government to ensure we can enjoy success together.”
Najib said there were 767 Orang Asli who had furthered their studies at institutions of higher learning in the country, and that between 2010 and 2016, there were 72 Orang Asli who have gone overseas to further their studies.
The prime minister announced an additional RM1 million allocation for those involved in the Orang Asli homestay programme to boost the community’s entrepreneurship.
“The programme is handled by the Orang Asli Development Department and the Tourism and Culture Ministry. There has been strong support for the programme,” he said.
He described the Orang Asli in Pekan as BN’s “safe deposit” as they had always supported the party during general elections.
Wearing Orang Asli headgear, Najib received enthusiastic applause from the community when he gave his assurances on finding a solution to the flood problems in the village, and told the district officer to prepare an estimated budget.