GOMBAK ORANG ASLI COMMUNITY ELATED AS QUEEN MAKES HISTORIC VISIT TOMORROW

By Mohd Fharkhan Abdul Ghapar

KUALA LUMPUR, July 22 (Bernama) -- The Orang Asli Hospital Gombak (OAG) is poised to make history, as it welcomes Her Majesty Raja Zarith Sofiah, Queen of Malaysia, for a visit tomorrow.

This momentous occasion is eagerly anticipated by over 1,000 Orang Asli community members, from various tribes, residing in the area. Her Majesty’s visit stands as a testament to the enduring bond between the diverse communities and the esteemed institution of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

The Kampung Orang Asli Batu 12 Gombak Village Development and Security Committee chairman, Suhaimi Along, expressed profound significance regarding the Queen’s upcoming visit to the primary health facility serving the Orang Asli community, as it offers residents a rare and cherished opportunity to engage with Her Majesty on a more personal level, and to exchange aspirations.

Suhaimi emphasised that this rare occasion will be utilised to voice the community's aspirations, particularly concerning welfare, health, and developmental needs.

“This visit marks a historic first for our village, as it will be the first time we are graced by Royalty. We never imagined that Her Majesty would honour us with a visit. This will undoubtedly be a treasured and unforgettable memory for us,” he added.

“If granted an audience with Her Majesty Raja Zarith Sofiah, I would express my earnest desire for the preservation of our village’s harmony and natural beauty. It is crucial that our community’s socioeconomic development, standard of living, and educational opportunities continue to be nurtured and protected,” Suhaimi told Bernama recently.

The Queen’s visit to the hospital is scheduled for tomorrow, as part of the festivities marking the Installation of Sultan Ibrahim as the 17th King of Malaysia, on July 20, in a ceremony rich in royal tradition and customs, at the Istana Negara.

Suhaimi said that the community has undertaken meticulous and extensive preparations for Her Majesty’s arrival, including a traditional Sewang dance performance to honour the Queen.

Additionally, Suhaimi highlighted the profound significance of HOAG, which has served as the primary health facility for the local community since the 1950s. He expressed pride in the fact that many of the hospital’s staff are made up of Orang Asli from various tribes, including those from other states.

Suhaimi said that the services provided at the hospital include a mobile clinic, dental clinic, day treatment, mother and child clinic, emergency treatment and social work unit.

“There is also a 'Komuniti Sihat Pembina Negara' or Kospen (Healthy Community Country Builder) programme, which provides basic treatment for residents when there is an emergency in a locality which is far from the hospital,” he said.

According to background information on the hospital's website, the history of health services at this facility dates back to the late 1950s. At that time, Orang Asli youths who trained as medical staff, with the title 'Field Staff Medical', underwent training at the Aborigine Medical Centre in Kuala Lipis, Pahang. They were then assigned to the Senoi Pra'aq Team at Batu 12, Gombak.

The Senoi Pra'aq Batu 12 Gombak team eventually relocated to Jalan Maxwell, while the Medical Division of the Orang Asli Department moved to Batu 12, Gombak, in September of the same year, and the facility was subsequently renamed Rumah Sakit Orang Asli in 1960.

In 1972, the Rumah Sakit Orang Asli was rebranded as Orang Asli Hospital, boasting 13 wards, with a capacity of 400 beds, and employing 528 staff members, including 475 Orang Asli personnel.

By 1987, the Department of Orang Asli Affairs (JHEOA), now known as the Department of Orang Asli Development (JAKOA), constructed a new four-storey hospital building to replace the old wards.

After 57 years of administration under JHEOA and JAKOA, the federal government approved a transition on July 13, 2011, for the Ministry of Health (MOH) to take over the management of the hospital. By 2012, the MOH officially assumed responsibility for all health services at the facility, a role it continues to fulfil today.

-- BERNAMA