FOOD aid for the Orang Asli (OA) community needs to be dealt with before the arrival of the monsoon season, an activist group said. 

The Center for Orang Asli Concerns (COAC) said that issues such as a proper census, delivery logistics, and food storage must be looked into.  

COAC coordinator Colin Nicholas said that before aid is given to the OA, there are matters the authorities must address.

“The first is to get their census right. Their data must be correct about the villages.

“How many families are there (in the affected areas)? Because in the past when food aid was given to the OA, for example during the Covid-19 pandemic, there were people who were left out because the data was old, not taking into account new families,” he told The Malaysian Insight.  

Colin estimates that, of the 60,000 OA families on the peninsula, there are more than 20,000 at risk if serious flooding does occur during the monsoon season.  

He said that according to the Department of Orang Asli Development (Jakoa), there were 853 villages registered with them and they knew of 126 additional villages. 

“But, we believe there are more than 300 additional and breakaway villages and these areas should be included because most are flood prone.” 

Nicholas said that out of the total number of registered villages, about 35% to 40% would be badly affected by floods. 

He said that there were two types of issues that would impact the OA if there was heavy rainfall.  

“The first is flooding when we literally see the water levels rising up, as they will then have to move to higher ground.” 

He said the other issue was mudslides.

“So, the OA in different areas will experience different issues. If there is continuous rain, more people will be affected, not just those in the low-lying areas but also those in the interiors.”  

Nicholas said that another issue was the destruction of tapioca plants due to the disaster. 

“This is an important crop for them because it is their survival food and emergency supply. 

“If all their food is gone, they can rely on tapioca plants as long as they are available. But if there are floods, this crop too would be destroyed.” 

He said Jakoa must play a bigger role in providing vital services to the OA community. 

He also said that the federal department must assess the villages based on flood risk and have a proper plan to provide food aid, replace belongings damaged by floods, and evacuate people.  

“That’s why they have to identify these areas. In Selangor and Perak, they can deliver food aid despite the floods. 

“But in the interior areas where road access is difficult because of the floods, they can only go in by helicopters,” he said.  

He added that the most affected interior areas were in Gua Musang, Kelantan and certain areas in Gerik and near the Temenggor dam in Perak. 

He said that Jakoa should focus on these areas.  

“Now is the time to put their plan into action.  

“These areas need to be stocked up (with food aid). They can then deliver goods to the surrounding villages.  

“If not, there is no other option but to send in the helicopters and there is a limit on how much they can bring and the costs are high.” – October 17, 2022.