Over 220,000 Orang Asli Communities Continues to Benefit from Government Initiatives

Various initiatives implemented by the government through the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development (KKDW) and the Orang Asli Development Department (JAKOA) continue to benefit 224,559 Orang Asli communities in Peninsular Malaysia.

From a statement by JAKOA, the initiatives implemented cover a wide range of life stages, from early childhood to the elderly, and include aspects of welfare, education, health care, and community development. This commitment goes beyond simply providing assistance; it also conveys the message that the Orang Asli community is always included in the national development agenda.

Among the initiatives offered by the government through KKDW and JAKOA are assistance for the infant category with special formula milk assistance for premature babies and for the child category, the uniform assistance for students entering Year One (1) and Form One (1), miscellaneous claims assistance including the cost of fees, school supplies, reference materials and student learning support at school, pocket money incentives for secondary school students, student transportation services, food assistance for primary school students in rural areas, assistance for personal needs in dormitories, and circumcision fees.

The youth receive consolation money for the Excellent Student Award for SPM and STPM levels; one-off consolation assistance (entry preparation) for Certificate, Matriculation, Pre-Diploma, Diploma and Bachelor’s Degree levels; tuition fee financing and self-sufficient allowance; air ticket facilities to IPTs in Sabah and Sarawak; Malaysian Skills Certificate (SKM) Levels 2 & 3 for women’s garment manufacturing at the JAKOA Paya Bungor Training Center; JAKOA In-Situ TVET – short-term skills training directly in the village to ensure inclusive access to education and skills; and a Career Training Program (PLKK) – competitive technical training and guaranteed stable job placement.

Adult enjoys Millennium Entrepreneur Injection (SUAR) – Assistance with business operation machinery and equipment, as well as digitalisation & ICT (hardware/software). Business Optimisation Leap (LONJAK) – Assistance with infrastructure/renovation of premises, machinery/equipment, digitalisation & ICT, and mobility & eco-tourism assets; women-oriented Usahanita Raih Impak A Support Program (SURI-A) – Financing for training & guidance as well as the provision of a Business Start-up Kit (Starter Kit); Training, Advertising & Certification Initiative Grant (GILAP) – Financing for accreditation, training fees, trade expos, promotion & advertising costs cooperative Support Incentive Scheme (SISKOP) – Assistance with human capital development, training logistics, basic operational equipment, and membership marketing campaigns; Orang Asli Cooperative Grant (G-KOP) – Assistance with business infrastructure, agriculture/livestock, eco-tourism, machinery, ICT and mobility assets as well as marketing and promotion; Community Sprouts Program – Grants for community-based economic development projects; Agro Sprouts – Assistance for novice and small-scale farmers; and Agrotek – Assistance with agricultural technology and mechanisation.

For illness and death, there is assistance for funeral management, transportation of patients/escorts and funerals, including land and water routes, and special formula milk assistance for homeless patients.

Other welfare and medical assistance include one-off assistance for uniformed personnel; food basket assistance during disasters, including pandemics or outbreaks of epidemics and infectious diseases; implementation of road, water, electricity, housing and various social amenity projects such as traditional halls, halls and futsal courts; haemodialysis/CAPD treatment, surgery, support equipment and artificial limbs; payment for laboratory tests, medicines and vaccines; assistance for patients with TB, leprosy and infectious diseases; and payment for General Medical Welfare Assistants (PAKP).

“In line with JAKOA’s vision and mission as well as the aspirations of MADANI Malaysia, this effort will continue to be a priority for the government to ensure that the well-being, welfare and future of the Orang Asli community continue to be preserved.” it concluded in a statement.