Where’s Kelantan when we need them, ask Orang Asli

Noel Achariam Noel Achariam Updated 6 years ago · Published on 14 Jun 2019 7:00AM · 2 Comments

Tok batin (village head) Muhamad Pokok at the site where Din Hamdan is placed on a customary burial hut. Din is one of the 14 victims of an outbreak in Kuala Koh, Gua Musang. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Najjua Zulkefli, June 14, 2019.

MEMBERS of the Bateq tribe in Kg Kuala Koh, Gua Musang, are disappointed with Kelantan for neglecting them during their recent tragedy, whereby 14 of them died from a mysterious illness.

Tok batin (village head) Muhamad Pokok told The Malaysian Insight that they were hoping to see state officials during the crisis.

“We are disappointed with the state government officials for their absence.

“The only person we know who came from the government was Health Minister Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad,” said Muhamad.

On Monday, Dzulkelfly visited the Orang Asli at Hospital Gua Musang and later went to their village to meet the others at their makeshift tents.

Accompanying him were officers from the Department of Orang Asli Development (Jakoa).

He also asked the Orang Asli if they wanted to move to better housing (brick house) with proper water and electricity facilities, to which they all agreed.

He said he would try to get them clean water and electricity supply so that they can live in better conditions.

Besides Dzulkefly, National Unity and Social Well-being Minister P. Waytha Moorthy is the only other cabinet member who has visited their kampung.

Since early May, 14 Orang Asli, including a year-old baby, have died allegedly after suffering breathing difficulties.  

The government has yet to ascertain the cause of their deaths, which some parties claimed are caused by river pollution.

An activist with a water sample taken from a river flowing into an Orang Asli kampung in Kuala Koh, Gua Musang. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Najjua Zulkefli, June 14, 2019.

On Wednesday, the authorities entered the jungles to retrieve the remains of the 12 tribesmen.

They have also exhumed the remains of a Bateq tribesman for a second post-mortem to determine the cause of death.

Muhamad said that they were hoping the state government would come and assist the families.

“All we are asking are homes, water and electricity. We are waiting for their help. We hope that the state government can look into our request.”

An environmental activist, who wants to be known as Dome, said he was also disappointed with the state government over its inaction and lack of interest.

“This tribe has been sidelined by the government for many years.

“The state should come and help the people because they are also Malaysians,” said Dome, who has been assisting the Bateq tribe for 10 years .

Dome has been travelling back and forth from Terengganu where he is based to help the Bateq.

He said that the government should have been at the site since the first deaths.

“We have been disappointed with them for a long time. We have not seen them help the Bateq tribe.” – June 14, 2019.

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Comments

  • Lebai are too busy with their wives. Moreover they aren't competent to handle any crisis. What they can do is to put the blame on others and conduct prayers to comfort themselves.
    Evryone knows prayers won't be able to get rid of plague.

    Posted 6 years ago by Chee yee ng · Reply

  • PAS Kelantan government has no interest in the Orang Asli. All that interest the government is their land resources. So the Orang Asli should wise-up and make the correct choice when voting for the state government.

    Posted 6 years ago by Rupert Lum · Reply