Over 220,000 Orang Asli Continue To Benefit From Government Initiatives
KUALA LUMPUR, June 18 (Bernama) -- A total of 224,559 Orang Asli nationwide continue to benefit from various government initiatives implemented through the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development (KKDW) and the Department of Orang Asli Development (JAKOA).
JAKOA stated in a press release today that these initiatives span various stages of life - from infants to senior citizens - covering welfare, education, health, and community development.
According to the statement, the assistance provided is part of the government's ongoing commitment to empowering the well-being of the Orang Asli community and ensuring they remain a vital part of the nation's development agenda.
"This commitment is not just about delivering aid, but sending a clear message that the Orang Asli community is always part of the national development agenda.
"For the infant category, the government provides special formula milk for premature babies, while for children, the assistance includes school uniforms for students entering Year One and Form One," the statement read.
JAKOA noted that assistance for children also covers claims for various school fees, school supplies, reference materials, and learning support for students in school. It also includes pocket money incentives for secondary school students, student transportation services, food assistance for primary school students in rural areas, personal care assistance in boarding schools, as well as circumcision allowances.
For the youth category, the assistance provided includes cash incentives via the Excellent Student Award for Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) and Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM) levels, one-off allowances to prepare for entry into certificate, matriculation, pre-diploma, diploma, and bachelor's degree levels, as well as the funding of tuition fees and living allowances.
"Orang Asli youth also receive airfare assistance to higher education institutions in Sabah and Sarawak, and the Malaysia Skills Certificate (SKM) Levels 2 and 3 for Women’s Clothing Manufacturing at the JAKOA Paya Bungor Training Center.
"Orang Asli youth also benefit from JAKOA’s In-Situ TVET, which provides short-term skills training directly in their villages, and the Skills and Career Training Program (PLKK), which offers competitive technical training and guaranteed stable job placements," the statement added.
For adults, the initiatives provided include the Suntikan Usahawan Alaf Rezeki (SUAR), Lonjakan Optimasi Niaga (LONJAK), Program Sokongan Usahanita Raih Impak A (SURI-A), the Training, Advertising, and Certification Initiative Grant (GILAP), as well as the Cooperative Support Incentive Scheme (SISKOP).
In addition, the Orang Asli Cooperative Grant (G-KOP), Tunas Komuniti Program, Agro Tunas, and Agrotek are also provided to help entrepreneurs, novice farmers, cooperatives, and communities develop their respective economic activities.
In terms of health and welfare, the assistance provided covers funeral management, transportation for patients, escorts, and bodies across land and water routes, special formula milk for bedridden patients, hemodialysis or Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis (CAPD) treatment, surgeries, supportive equipment, and prosthetic limbs.
JAKOA also provides one-off assistance for uniformed bodies, food basket aid during disasters including pandemics or outbreaks of infectious diseases, alongside executing projects for roads, water supply, electricity, housing, and various social amenity projects such as cultural halls, community halls, and futsal courts.
Also provided are payments for laboratory tests, medicine, and vaccines, financial aid for tuberculosis, leprosy, and infectious disease patients, as well as allowances for Medical Welfare General Assistants (PAKP).
According to the statement, in line with JAKOA’s vision and mission as well as the Malaysia MADANI aspirations, these efforts will continue to be a top priority for the government to ensure the well-being, welfare, and future of the Orang Asli community remain protected.
-- BERNAMA
