THE government will set up Technical and Vocational Education and Training institutions for the Orang Asli community, said Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

Zahid, who is also the Rural and Regional Development Minister, said this is in line with the ministry’s goal for all Orang Asli children to be employable.

He said the Orang Asli Development Department (Jakoa) is aiming for 400 Orang Asli children to enter university this year after 300 kids gained entry last year.

Zahid said from this year, any Orang Asli child who receives a university offer letter will receive RM1,000 from Jakoa, in addition to full financial coverage for their entire period of study.

The Deputy Prime Minister said this before launching the Madani Career Carnival, also attended by Human Resources Minister V. Sivakumar, at the Jakoa Multipurpose Hall in Gombak today.

Zahid said Jakoa will bear airfare for Orang Asli children studying in Sabah and Sarawak universities.

Sivakumar said the career carnival aims to give Orang Asli access to marketability services, profiling, skill improvements and job opportunities to decrease unemployment in the community.

He said employers who hire Orang Asli workers will benefit from the Madani Career incentive 2023, including receiving up to RM1,800 for three months for every hire. – Bernama, August 10, 2023.