THE government will strengthen the Orang Asli Development Department (Jakoa) by maximising its human resources at its headquarters and state and district offices.

Rural Development Minister Dr Abd Latif Ahmad said restructuring was necessary to ensure Jakoa could play a more efficient and effective role in assisting the Orang Asli community.

“There are some things that need to be improved for better administration of Jakoa and service delivery to the Orang Asli community,” he said in a statement after visiting the Jakoa headquarters in Gombak, Kuala Lumpur, today.

He said the government also aimed to boost the income of the Orang Asli through agricultural and farming projects.

He said the tok batin and the Orang Asli Village Community Management Council (MPKK) would be enrolled in courses and training on village administration and management.

On the development of infrastructure and amenities for the community, Latiff said new roads would be built in Orang Asli villages in Hulu Perak, Hulu Pahang, Hulu Kelantan and Johor.

He said work was underway to supply 155 Orang Asli villages with treated water.

He said the Communications and Multimedia Ministry was engaged in making telecommunications more accessible to the community across the peninsula via the National Optical Fibre and Connectivity Plan 1 & 2 and ‘Connectme ​​Now’ programme.

“As for the Orang Asli housing assistance programme, under the 12th Malaysia Plan, the ministry will undertake the construction of 600 housing units and refurbish and upgrade 400 existing housing units,” he said. – Bernama, July 10, 2020.