A NINE-YEAR-OLD Orang Asli girl remains missing since her disappearance on Thursday after a trip to gather rattan in the Temenggor Forest Reserve in Perak.

Kamilia Anap, or Ayeng to her family, did not return with others in her team who had gone to gather rattan in the forests around Selaor, which is east of the forest reserve.

Centre for Orang Asli Concerns head Dr Colin Nicholas, in a Facebook update, said Ayeng, of the Jahai tribe, had broken away from the 11-member team as they were returning to their village.

They were on a hillock overlooking the settlement, when she decided to remain behind or slow down.

“When she did not return home in due course, the group conducted an immediate search that evening.

“When this was unsuccessful, the rest of the community was informed and another (unsuccessful) search was conducted throughout the night by the villagers.

“According to her uncle, Langan Ateng, Ayeng has a hearing problem and is mentally challenged,” Nicholas, a long-time activist for the Orang Asli, said.

Nicholas added that the hillock near the village where Ayeng was last seen is a place familiar to the child, as that is where the community holds gatherings and celebrations.

The news of Ayeng’s disappearance has received scant media attention in the last four days, although Nicholas’ Facebook updates are being shared on social media.

Ayeng was formally reported as missing the following day, on Friday.

A search party was formed, comprising personnel from the Fire and Rescue Department and the police force.

Orang Asli from the Selaor and Jambatan Dua villages are also part of the search team.

Additionally, more personnel were roped in from the Department of Orang Asli Development and conservation group World Wildlife Fund, which has been running projects in the area.

The Senoi Praaq, which is the Orang Asli wing of the General Operations Force, have also joined in the search. – January 17, 2022.