ORANG Asli villages not registered with the authorities are being overlooked in the government’s distribution of aid during the Covid-19 pandemic, the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) said.

According to Suhakam, civil society groups working with indigenous communities have reported aid delivered to registered villages but those not registered were overlooked.

“This is despite assurances from ministries that no Orang Asli would be left out.

“Suhakam calls upon the government to prioritise the needs of the Orang Asli communities that are not included in the distribution of aid packages,” it said in a statement today.

Suhakam also said the Orang Asli will find it difficult to benefit from the government’s economic stimulus package as many are illiterate or lack information about the registration process.

“Suhakam suggests the Orang Asli be automatically registered and given the option to receive stimulus cash benefits directly.

“The Orang Asli are especially at risk due to financial vulnerability, poor health status and restricted access to technology, which prevents news and information on the pandemic from reaching them,” it added.

The commission also urged the government to ensure that Covid-19 infections do not spread among the Orang Asli from interactions with those who deliver aid to them.

“The Orang Asli risk infection, given insufficient availability of masks and sanitisers.”

“Due to their communal social system, low levels of immunity and poor health status, there is deep concern that the disease will spread easily among the Orang Asli once a person is infected.”

It also noted that Orang Asli children are falling behind their peers in online learning, as many indigenous families have withdrawn into the forest out of fear of the pandemic, while others lack computers and internet access.

Last month, a three-year-old Orang Asli toddler was reported to be infected with Covid-19.

Yesterday, Malaysia reported 57 more Covid-19 cases, bringing the total number of infections to 6,002 and the death toll to. 102. – May 1, 2020.