ISKANDAR PUTERI, Sept 6 — More than 600 Orang Asli children are now pursuing their studies at universities and colleges nationwide, reflecting a significant increase in the community’s participation in higher education and demonstrating the government’s concern for the group’s education.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the achievement was among the outcomes of the government’s emphasis on education as an important instrument to improve the social mobility of the Orang Asli community.
The Rural and Regional Development Minister said that when the Department of Orang Asli Development (JAKOA) was placed under his ministry four years ago, an initial target was set for 200 Orang Asli children to gain admission to higher education institutions.
“In the first year, the challenge was accepted. Not only did 200 enter university, but the number exceeded 300 Orang Asli who entered university that year.
“In the second year, I increased the target to 300. Clearly, the achievement of Orang Asli children entering university increased to 400 in the second year,” he said in his speech at the national-level Orang Asli Sports Carnival (KSOA) at EduCity Sports Complex here today.
Also present was Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi.
Ahmad Zahid said the achievement of more than 600 students this year proved that the Orang Asli community had the ability to progress if given the appropriate educational opportunities and support.
“This represents good social mobility because education is an element that can improve the social status of any community in the world,” he said.
He said efforts to empower education among the Orang Asli community had also been expanded to Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) through the provision of institutions specifically for the community.
Among them is the Paya Bungor Training Centre in Maran, Pahang, which currently has 135 Orang Asli students enrolled in TVET programmes offering both short- and long-term courses.
Meanwhile, Ahmad Zahid also expressed his appreciation for the Johor government’s commitment in allocating RM600,000 to 60 Orang Asli villages in the state, amounting to RM10,000 for each village.
He also expressed hope that the allocation could be increased in the Johor Budget for next year.
Ahmad Zahid also expressed his appreciation to His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, for appointing former Skudai assemblywoman Marina Ibrahim as special officer in charge of Orang Asli affairs under the Sultan Ibrahim Foundation.
He said the appointment reflected His Majesty’s concern for the welfare and development of the Orang Asli community in Johor. — Bernama
