MELAKA INTRODUCES TWO INITIATIVES FOR ORANG ASLI

MELAKA, March 24 (Bernama) -- Melaka has introduced health insurance and death benefit coverage for Orang Asli community leaders as well as schooling aid as part of efforts to protect the wellbeing and welfare of the state's Orang Asli community, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh.

"The health insurance and death benefit coverage will benefit 93 community leaders, including Tok Batin (headman), the Council of Customs, and the Orang Asli Village Management and Development Committee, with an allocation of RM40,000.

"As for the schooling aid…it will benefit 700 students from preschool to secondary levels, with an allocation of RM700,000," he told reporters after the Orang Asli leadership discourse and iftar programme last night.

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Also present were Orang Asli Development Department deputy director-general (Development) Mohd Zambri Mustajap and State Rural Development, Agriculture and Food Security Committee chairman Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh.

Ab Rauf said the initiatives align with the state government's goal of nurturing a prosperous and competitive society by focusing on welfare, education, and economic opportunities to ensure no one is left behind.

"The state government strives to cater to the needs of Melaka Orang Asli and ensure that they are not left behind in development and can enjoy progress just like other communities.

"We will continue to preserve the customs, culture, and heritage of the Orang Asli community to ensure they are not lost in time. As of now, there are 1,986 Orang Asli in Melaka," he added.

-- BERNAMA