RM380 Million Allocation To Boost Orang Asli Education, Economic Development - JAKOA

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 21 (Bernama) -- The Department of Orang Asli Development (JAKOA) is poised to leverage the RM380 million allocation from Budget 2025, to enhance both the education and economic development of the Orang Asli community, said its director-general Datuk Sapiah Mohd Nor.

She said the department would engage in more comprehensive discussions to make the initiative a success.

“We are very pleased with the increased allocation of RM50 million, bringing the total from RM330 million to RM380 million,” she added.

“This funding is earmarked for development, and with this increase, we will formulate a robust plan at the ministry level, carefully assessing where the funds will be best utilised,” she added, after a gathering with Orang Asli tertiary students in the capital, today.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, while presenting Budget 2025 in the Dewan Rakyat on Friday, announced that the allocation aims to enhance the living standards of the Orang Asli community, through farm redevelopment projects across the country.

Additionally, RM10 million has been allocated for collaboration between non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and JAKOA, to construct housing units under the EPIC Homes programme.

This initiative aims to provide electricity and clean water to the Orang Asli community in a more cost-effective and timely manner, and it is expected to involve 40 Orang Asli settlements nationwide.

-- BERNAMA