ISKANDAR PUTERI: Johor state government demonstrated its commitment to empower the Orang Asli community by allocating RM9,720,344.70 for their development programmes and projects last year.
Agriculture, Agro-based Industry and Rural Development Committee Chairman Datuk Zahari Sarip (BN-Buloh Kasap) said the funding, comprising RM9,268,344.70 from the federal government and RM452,000 from the state government, was directed toward infrastructural development, social amenities, sustainable water supply, economic empowerment, administrative institution strengthening at the village level, and human capital development.
Zahari said the collaborative commitment between the state and federal governments were to ensure that these development initiatives enable the Orang Asli community to compete and progress alongside Johor's development trajectory.
Zahari was responding to Tuan Tan Chong (BN- Bekok) query on the government's initiatives towards the welfare and progress of the Orang Asli populace, during the 15th Johor State Assembly, held at Bangunan Sultan Ismail in Kota Iskandar, near here, today.
He said the funds also went towards the Kampung Orang Asli Sejahtera pilot project in Kampung Orang Asli Putting in Segamat, which aimed at aligning the community's progress with other villages.
"We also took 400 Orang Asli youths on a visit to Johor Darul Ta'zim Football Club and 80 Orang Asli community members to cooperative-developed villages in Perak, fostering learning experiences and knowledge sharing for exposure," he added.
In response to Hahasrin Hashim's (BN-Panti) inquiry about efforts in developing the Orang Asli community in his constituency, Zahari said the state government continuously addressed the community's development needs.
This commitment ensures inclusive progress across all segments of society, aligning with Johor's ambition to be recognised as the first developed state in the country by 2030, he said.
Zahari specified that RM384,363 was allocated for development programmes last year in Orang Asli villages such as Kampung Orang Asli Kempas Menang, Kampung Orang Asli Pasir Intan, and Kampung Orang Asli Sayong Pinang in Panti.
The focus was on upgrading infrastructure, social amenities, and community security programmes, he added.
Zahari said RM384,363 was allocated for development programmes last year in Orang Asli villages such as Kampung Orang Asli Kempas Menang, Kampung Orang Asli Pasir Intan, and Kampung Orang Asli Sayong Pinang, in Panti, with focus on upgrading infrastructure, social amenities, and community security programmes.