A GROUP of Orang Asli from the Jakun tribe today denied allegations in a newspaper that they are living in a dumpsite at Jalan Bukit Ibam, Muadzam Shah, in Rompin. 

The group said they had been only looking for recyclables in the area.

Mahmud Dom, 55, representing the group photographed at the dumpsite, said they went to the site to collect cans, bottles and scrap metal that could be resold to supplement their income.

“We only came here to earn some extra income. We need money to meet the expenses of our children who are in primary and secondary schools.

“To just depend on a salary of RM900 a month is insufficient,” he said in a statement to the Orang Asli Development Department (Jakoa) Pahang today.

Mahmud, who gathers forest products as his main source of income, said he did not know the intentions of those who had spread such allegations, but described it as being disrespectful of his community, besides smearing the good name of Jakoa, as well as that of Pahang and Malaysia.

He also sought forgiveness from the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, who is also sultan of Pahang, after being told that the news had saddened the king.

Mahmud said members of his tribe were shocked when Pahang Jakoa director Johari Alwi and other government officials arrived to confirm the allegations, after the king ordered them to do so after the news was published.

“For Allah’s sake, the Orang Asli here only wish to earn some money for our livelihood. The story in the newspaper is not true. I beg for forgiveness from Your Majesty, as what you have heard is untrue.

“Whatever was portrayed (in the story) is false  and, to the extent of saying we eat rubbish, is really demeaning to our people,” he said.

Meanwhile, a Jakoa Pahang spokesman said investigations found that seven Orang Asli families had gone to the site in search of materials to sell for additional income, and had homes in Orang Asli villages nearby.

They also had permanent jobs, such as working in farms, or received dividends from oil palm plantations.

“Their children go to school with help of Jakoa and, for those who do not go to school, they stay at home. Parents tell their children to come with them to the site to help out, not by force or coercion,” he said. – Bernama, February 15, 2020.