MONSOON SEASON : 25 TONNES OF FOOD SUPPLIES DISTRIBUTED TO TEMIAR COMMUNITY

GUA MUSANG, Dec 6 (Bernama) -- A total of 25 tonnes of food aid was distributed to 1,000 heads of households (KIR) of the Temiar tribe at Kuala Betis Resettlement Scheme (RPS) here in preparation for this year's monsoon season.

Kampung Merlong headman Ibrahim Marijah said the aid comprising rice, sugar and flour was very important because it could be stored for longer if they faced problems with damaged roads during heavy rains.

He said that the average source of income for residents here was affected due to unpredictable weather conditions as they are self-employed.

bootstrap slideshow

"We have to limit our working hours and go home earlier than usual due to the unpredictable rainy weather. This situation has affected our source of income thus affecting our family members including children.

"Therefore, we are very honoured by the concern of government agencies, elected representatives and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) who are willing to donate basic food to us," he said after the Food Basket Donation Programme by a contractor company here today.

Romani Damak, 44, from Kampung Podek said that most residents are now spending a lot of time at home because they cannot go out to work and have to save money due to their dwindling income.

"Usually, residents are not able to go out to work during the monsoon season and rely on subsistence crops such as cassava and vegetables in the garden," he said.

Meanwhile, Galas assemblyman Datuk Mohd Syahbuddin Hashim said the contribution from the contractor company amounting to RM100,000 was for villagers in the area. 

"We welcome assistance from various parties to help the Orang Asli community whose income is currently affected by the rainy weather," he said.

-- BERNAMA