CAMERON Highlands MP Ramli Mohd Nor wants authorities to state if they have prepared food aid for Orang Asli who will be stuck in their villages as the country goes into total lockdown tomorrow. 

The Umno man said the Orang Asli Affairs Department (Jakoa) should be more empathetic, sensitive and concerned towards the plight of Orang Asli.  

“They are also human beings and Malaysians. Do not confine them without food aid. 

“With the directive of total lockdown involving the whole country, it’s going to be more challenging (for Orang Asli),” he said in a statement. 

Ramli was referring to an incident where the people in Pos Menson and Pos Betau in Cameron Highlands did not get food aid when they were placed under quarantine last month.  

“It was discovered that the Orang Asli community in these two areas were confined to prevent the spread of the virus and not given food aid. This happened about a month ago. 

“I understand that this happened because the central Jakoa did not allow the state department to make emergency procurement to assist in the food supply for the two pos,” said the lawmaker from the Orang Asli community. 

Putrajaya has announced a full lockdown of the social and economic sectors across the country for 14 days, starting June 1. 

This is to curb the spread of Covid-19 cases and deaths that have spiked in recent weeks. 

Ramli also questioned the appointed suppliers for food aid and government officials who carried out the tender process. 

“Why didn’t the Jakoa secretary-general delegate the power to the state director to implement it (food aid) for the welfare of the Orang Asli? 

“I hope that there will be no abuse of power and waste of millions of ringgit of people’s money.” – May 31, 2021.