KOTA BARU: Several locations in Gua Musang have the potential for the setting up of the first Orang Asli Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) College.
Galas assemblyman Mohd Syahbuddin Hashim said a discussion on the matter was held between him and the Kelantan/Terengganu Orang Asli Development Department (Jakoa) director recently.
"Last week, I had a meeting with the Kelantan/Terengganu Jakoa director and we have suggested a few areas for the college to be set up.
"We need to submit the area for the project to the Deputy Prime Minister's office but before that, the land issue needs to be referred to the state government," he said during a high tea session with the media at Jewel Hotel here this evening.
Also present was Kota Lama assemblywoman Dr Hafidzah Mustakim.
Syahbuddin said he hoped the Orang Asli TVET College project would benefit the children in the community.
"If completed, it will be the first TVET college for Orang Asli children in the country," he added.
Last month, Orang Asli village heads, known as "tok batin," during their meeting with Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi in Gua Musang requested for changes in development, infrastructure and their economy.
Among other things, they requested for a TVET College, larger homes as their current dwellings are too small for those with large families, a one-stop centre for Orang Asli in Gua Musang and upgrades to infrastructure such as customary halls (dewan adat) and community halls.
They claimed these demands represented the collective wishes of nearly 16,000 Orang Asli people in the state.
Zahid had responded positively to their demands and promptly approved the establishment of the TVET college for the community, assuring that he would work to fulfill their other demands and engage relevant agencies such as Mara for further action.