NO amount of money can solve the problems of the Orang Asli as long as there is no political will to recognise their rights, said activists.

They said the government must do more to reform institutions that are meant to help the Orang Asli.

The Centre for Orang Asli Concerns (COAC) coordinator Dr Colin Nicholas said the current system exploits the already vulnerable community.

“Even a billion ringgit for the Orang Asli community will not solve their poverty for as long there is no reform,” he told The Malaysian Insight.

He said the community must be empowered to determine the projects or programmes set up for them.

“They should be given the right to decide what they want and how it should be done,” he said.

He was commenting on the RM158 million allocated to the Orang Asli in Budget 2021.

This allocation will include social assistance programmes and the integrated development programme for Orang Asli villages.

The government also pledges to upgrade and construct 14 new kindergartens at Pos Slim Sungai Kinta, Perak, and Pos Sungai Kelai Jempol, Negri Sembilan.

Another RM5 million will be for land surveys to demarcate 21 Orang Asli villages.

RM41 million will be allocated for the Native Customary Rights programme in Sabah and Sarawak.

Focus, not funds

The funds will be managed by the federal Department of Orang Asli Development (Jakoa).

However, Colin said the RM158 million divided by 200,000 Orang Asli in the country would only amount up to RM79 per Orang Asli for one year.

“The Orang Asli is not even getting peanuts, even after 65 years, they are still poor, it is not the money that will end poverty, it is the strategy, it is the policy and the programmes that you have to reform,” he said.

“If, over the years, all the big budgets that we have for this community have been spent on them, the Orang Asli would be very well off today and not 99% in the B40 now,” he said.

“And we are only assuming that the entire amount goes to the community, but this is Malaysia and we have a lot of leakages when it comes to funding,” Colin said.

He said for as long as there was no reform for Orang Asli development then the system will only continue to create more opportunities for other people to exploit this community and what is meant for them.

Jaringan Orang Asal SeMalaysia director Yusri Ahon also echoed Colin’s concerns.

He said the allocation given this year was relatively small compared to 10 years ago, when they were given RM350 million. 

However, he said it could be because unused money for the development of the Orang Asli was given back to the government.

“But still the amount allocated is still big, I’m just worried that that history may repeat itself where authorities do not do their homework and give back unspent money to the government, when many other Orang Asli and villages need it,” he told The Malaysian Insight.

Understand the society

He said while money was needed to better the lives of the Orang Asli, it could add to their problems if the funds were used for unsuitable programmes.

“The government’s engagement with the Orang Asli community is very important. They should engage and speak to the Orang Asli to figure out what they need and want, that is the only way for us to see progress,” he said.

He added that the government’s initiative to build kindergartens for Orang Asli children is welcomed, however, it was important for the government to understand how Orang Asli society functions.

“Not all Orang Asli children are going to be excited about learning hence it is important to educate them in an atmosphere that they are comfortable and familiar with, where they are connected to their own culture,” he said. – November 21, 2020.