JOHOR BAHRU, Sept 6 — Marina Ibrahim, who recently stepped away from politics, is taking on a new role representing the Sultan of Johor in engaging with the state’s Orang Asli community.
The former Skudai assemblyman from DAP has been appointed a special officer for Orang Asli affairs under the Sultan Ibrahim Johor Foundation, news outlet Free Malaysia Today reported.
Johor Menteri Besar Onn Hafiz Ghazi made the announcement yesterday, saying Marina will work with the community to better understand its needs, while state Agriculture, Agro-based Industry and Rural Development executive councillor Israk Abdullah would also oversee Orang Asli welfare.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said he was confident Marina could contribute effectively by visiting Orang Asli villages and gaining firsthand understanding of the issues faced by the community.
Zahid said such an approach was important to ensure the community’s problems were identified and given due attention.
Marina announced on May 31 that she would not defend Skudai in the July 11 state election and would leave politics to continue her social work.
Johor DAP chairman Teo Nie Ching later said the party had planned to move Marina to contest Tiram.
Marina won Skudai in the 2022 Johor election, defeating Barisan Nasional’s Lim Soon Hai and Perikatan Nasional’s Khoo Keng Ek.
