THE deaths of 15 Bateq Orang Asli in Kuala Koh have given a bad image to Malaysia.
It’s a serious case involving a small community with no plans to help them in the long term. Measures taken have been ad-hoc.
I feel the state and federal governments have always wanted to bring the Orang Asli into mainstream development, but have failed despite many attempts.
Members of parliament (MPs) must debate on their plight in the Dewan Rakyat. The MP of Gua Musang, where Kuala Koh is located, should lead the call.
The Bateq Orang Asli need help with vocal, pragmatic and committed leaders, who can steer them to new heights.
I have been to Taman Negara 33 times, climbed Gunung Tahan five times and used the Bateq Orang Asli as guides and they had complained that nothing had been done to help them.
One example is schooling. They complained that teachers and students shun them, and as a result attrition among Orang Asli children are the highest. Also, their jobs as guides in Taman Negara, Pahang, their homeland, have been taken over by outsiders.
They need “special education, versatile syllabus and motivated teachers” to give them a level starting point in this new era.
Only superficial help is being given to them. If someone or a non-governmental organisation applies for an international grant to assist the Orang Asli, it would take months or years to materialise, sometimes not at all. Major alignment issues prevail as the objectives to make the Orang Asli succeed are not transparent.
We need to address issues of religions, race and religious divide. Political considerations cannot override economic sustenance.
Our strategic diversity alignment in nation-building and human capital development has been myopic.
Education, acceptable to the real world is paramount. It has to be dynamic, headed by dedicated and competent professionals. We also need to look at diverse regions, such as Brazil and Borneo, and adopt and adapt best practices.
Let’s not wait for another tragedy to help this impoverished and “forgotten” community.
HARBAN SINGH
Subang Jaya, Selangor