RM8.5 MLN ALLOCATED TO SUPPORT ORANG ASLI STUDENTS IN PURSUING HIGHER EDUCATION

KUALA LUMPUR, May 18 (Bernama) -- A total of RM8.5 million has been allocated to support Orang Asli students pursuing their studies at local institutions of higher learning this year.

Deputy Minister of Rural and Regional Development Datuk Rubiah Wang said the allocation is expected to benefit around 500 Orang Asli students, in line with the government’s efforts to enhance human capital development within the community.

“This initiative is part of the Orang Asli Development Policy, which is currently being strengthened. We want to see more Orang Asli youth succeed in professional fields such as teaching, engineering, medicine, the civil service, academia, and emerge as credible community leaders,” she told reporters after launching the Anugerah Mahasiswa Inspirasi (AMI) ceremony here today.

Rubiah said the success of Orang Asli students in pursuing higher education should be widely shared, especially by agencies under the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development (KKDW), so that it may serve as inspiration to the younger generation of the community.

At the same time, she also reminded Orang Asli students to acquire skills, particularly in digital, innovation and leadership fields, as they are set to become agents of change in the development of their communities.

Meanwhile, Rubiah said the proposed amendments to the Aboriginal Peoples Act 1954 (Act 134) are still at the engagement stage.

“I was informed that the preliminary report will be presented at the upcoming meeting of the Orang Asli Consultative Council (MaPOA), which will cover several proposed amendments not only in terms of the definition of Orang Asli, but also land development, welfare, and other aspects that were previously somewhat lacking in the existing Act,” she said.

Rubiah further explained that these improvements will help strengthen legal protection for the Orang Asli community to ensure their rights and well-being are better safeguarded.

“This is to ensure that the welfare and well-being of the Orang Asli can be enhanced through clearer legislation, benefiting not only the Department of Orang Asli Development (JAKOA) but also the overall governance system of the Orang Asli community,” she said.

-- BERNAMA