GUA MUSANG: The Temiar Orang Asli tribe in Pos Simpor have asked the government to consider building additional brick houses to replace their existing bamboo houses.
Pos Simpor Orang Asli Village Development and Safety Committee chairman, Dendi Johari said so far, only some residents enjoyed such housing facilities built in 11 villages there through the Home Assistance Programme (PBR).
Dendi said more housing assistance is required to accommodate the growing population each year which at the same time can become better homes to be inherited by future generations.
"Most of the houses were built by the residents using wood and bamboo but they are easily damaged and need a lot of maintenance. As such, I hope there will be more housing programmes to help the Orang Asli in the interior this year.
"So far, about 86 new houses are needed to replace the houses of residents in Kampung Sedal, Kampung Penad, Kampung Ceranok, Kampung Dandut, Kampung Jader Lama, Kampung Jader Baru, Kampung Rekom, Kampung Simpor and Kampung Kledang," Dendi told reporters here today (January 31).
Kampung Jader Lama resident Lama Ami Along, 59, echoed the same sentiments, saying many people in his village are still waiting for the PBR to enable them to have more comfortable houses that are equipped with rooms and toilets.
"Although living in a bamboo house is a heritage from our ancestors and a tradition of ours, I feel that our children and grandchildren need to live in better and more comfortable homes.
"I ask that the government consider our needs although we are in the interior," he said.
Meanwhile, Galas assemblyman Mohd Syahbuddin Hashim said it was appropriate to upgrade the premises of the Orang Asli there by increasing the number of houses under the PBR.
He said the Gua Musang Orang Asli village head had brought up the issue of infrastructure requirements when Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi visited Gua Musang last October. — Bernama