THE Orang Asli at Kg Sg Bumbun on Pulau Carey, Selangor are concerned after two villagers tested positive for Covid-19, as this was the first time the village has been hit with the virus.

The victims are a 63-year-old woman and her 36-year-old son, who work as cleaners in Putrajaya.  

The Mah Meri tribe have been advised by the authorities not to go near the victims’ homes as those living nearby have been placed under quarantine.

Village committee chairman Sharin Keng Keng told The Malaysian Insight the families are afraid after hearing news of the positive cases.

“This is the first time we have a positive case in the village. We have advised the villagers not to go near the area as it has been cordoned off by the health department.”

Sharin said there are 162 families living in the village, located about 12km from the Teluk Datuk Panglima Garang town.

He said all the villagers have been advised to follow the standard operating procedure (SOP).

A spokesman for the Orang Asli Affairs Department (Jakoa) said the son had complained of having a fever and was rushed to Banting Hospital on Thursday, followed by his mother.

“He was found to be positive after undergoing a swab test. The mother was also tested and found to be positive.”

He said she is being treated at the hospital while the son was sent to the Malaysia Agro Exposition Park quarantine centre in Serdang.

The spokesman also said the health department has screened and quarantined seven of their family members.

“They have been quarantined at home until Monday, where they will go for another swab test to check their status.”

He said for the time being Jakoa will be giving the family food aid during their quarantine.

The spokesman said that this is not the first positive case in an Orang Asli village.

He said since last year cases among the Orang Asli were detected in Kuala Langat, Hulu Selangor, Gombak and Sepang.

“So far there have been no infections from within the villages. The victims are those working outside their villages.“

As for vaccination for the Orang Asli in Kg Sg Bumbun, he said that 80% of the villagers have registered through MySejahtera.

“We have been informed that so far only five people have been vaccinated.”

He said that at least 30% of the Orang Asli work in areas outside their village, while the rest work on plantations.

“We urge all villagers to follow the SOP.”

As for now, the health department said there is no need to close down the area as there are no clusters.

“We have two Jakoa officers on the island. They will monitor the situation there.

“We will assist the Orang Asli there as the need arises,” the spokesman added. – June 27, 2021.