KUANTAN: The move to place the Orang Asli Development Department (Jakoa) under the Prime Minister's Department has jeopardised efforts to uplift the community.
Rompin Member of Parliament Datuk Seri Hasan Arifin described the decision to move Jakoa, which was previously under the Rural Development Ministry, to the Prime Minister’s Department as unsuitable as the community still required support, physical planning, basic amenities, education and health assistance.
"Since Pakatan Harapan came into power, they had placed Jakoa under the Prime Minister’s Department. A lot of government agencies with direct ties to the Orang Asli community were previously placed under the Rural Development Ministry (under the previous Barisan Nasional government) which made it easier for Jakoa to coordinate assistance, planning and budget.
"Allocation meant for Jakoa between last year and this year has been slashed. For example, school uniform supply for the Orang Asli children has been abolished. Such assistance is important to encourage the Orang Asli children to attend school," he said in a statement today.
Hasan said delays in providing school books and late payment to school bus operators transporting Orang Asli children had resulted in a lot of children to drop out of school.
"The children have to stop attending school when the bus services were halted. Same applies to the water supply projects (at Orang Asli villages) which were not monitored and maintained, resulting in some to become non-operational," he said, adding that he had questioned in parliament on why Jakoa was placed under the Prime Minister's Department.
Last week, Kampung Bukit Biru in Muadzam Shah, Rompin made headlines when reports emerged over the deplorable living conditions of its Orang Asli, including children playing at a near landfill and villagers not having water and electricity supply.
Some of the villagers had also been scavenging a landfill in Jalan Bukit Ibam located some 500 metres from their village to search for recyclable items to make a living.
Hasan admitted that there were weaknesses on his side and the government agencies in helping to improve the social well-being of the Orang Asli.
"For example, the Orang Asli community in Rompin still practises the nomadic culture. Whatever happened at the dumpsite in Muadzam Shah has been an eye-opener and we welcome non-governmental organisations to provide assistance and help the Orang Asli community.
"I am grateful to ECM Libra Foundation for highlighting about the Orang Asli community especially whatever that took place at the landfill in Muadzam Shah. I urge government agencies to work closely with the private sector to help the Orang Asli," he said.