A total of 143 fire victims from 40 families in Kampung Orang Asli Teluk Jawa are expected to be temporarily relocated to the Taman Cendana People’s Housing Programme (PPR) in Pasir Gudang.
Faisal Long, director of the Johor Orang Asli Development Department (JAKOA), stated that the relocation was intended to provide temporary housing until the permanent homes on the 10.7-hectare Orang Asli reserve land in Kuala Masai were completed.
In the statement, he said that since the fire broke out, all victims from the Seletar tribe have been housed at the Dewan Muafakat Megah Ria Temporary Relocation Centre (PPS).
“We persuaded and explained the relocation process, and they are now prepared to move,” he said to Bernama.
According to Faisal, the relocation was free of charge under the state government’s initiative, with the length of their stay at Taman Cendana PPR determined by the construction of the permanent home.
“The state government and JAKOA are working closely together to ensure that the relocation process goes smoothly and meets the needs of the Orang Asli community,” he stated.
Faisal had previously visited the proposed new settlement area in Kuala Masai to inspect the village’s condition and assess the community’s infrastructure and socioeconomic development needs.
The visit was accompanied by Deputy Director General of Development Jakoa Mahat Mat Dong, Director of JAKOA’s Socio-Economic Development Division Muhamad Abu Bakar, and Director of the Johor Ministry of Rural and Regional Development (KKDW) Amy Lydia Adnan.
On 12th February, a fire destroyed Orang Asli homes, which were mostly built on water, displacing more than 100 residents.
