The Malaysian Insight

ORANG Asli communities worry the RM274 million allocated to them in Budget 2022 will fail to reach them as has occurred in previous years.

They said while the aid was a huge sum and an increment from the previous year, they fear they may not benefit from it, because in the past their pleas for aid were often rejected or ignored.

They asked that the government set up a monitoring agency for the funds, which would include Orang Asli committee members with power to make decisions.

Raman Pahat, the tok batin of Kg Orang Asli Pulau Kempas in Banting, Selangor, demanded that funding be managed with integrity.

“If the RM274 million is to be given to the Orang Asli, then ensure that the funds reach us,” he told The Malaysian Insight.

“Most of the time, when we make an application at the Department of Orang Asli Development (Jakoa), they tell us there are not enough funds.

“There must be accountability. Set up a monitoring body so that the distribution caters to the needs of our people.”

He said villagers still lack basic needs such as water, electricity and food.

Another resident of Kg Sg Bumbun in Pulau Carey, Selangor, who declined to be named, echoed the same concern.

“I don’t know anything about Budget 2022, but what I know is that many of us will not receive the allocation.

“I don’t know whether RM274 million is sufficient for our community but what I know is that when we ask, we get nothing.

“The money is not seen, where did it go?” the Orang Asli said, adding that the government can use the allocation to better their village and solve the river pollution.

“There is no water to drink when the rivers are dirty. Will the government at least give us treated water?”

The villager also hopes that aid will come on time, as they have frequently waited in dire need.

Orang Asli poverty on the rise

Amani Williams Hunt Abdullah, known locally in his village in Kg Ampang Woh in Tapah, Perak, as “Bah Tony” pointed out that the allocation was general and unclear.

“There is no breakdown or any other details on what the allocation is entailed for.

“As far as I know, the chunk of the budget went towards education such as enrolling Orang Asli into universities or schools.

“However, we are unsure how much it helps in terms of welfare,” the lawyer said.

Yusri Ahon from Sg Mai Orang Asli village in Jerantut, Pahang, said the government agencies were not efficient in managing the funds and getting them to target groups.

The former vice-president of Indigenous Peoples Network of Malaysia (Joas) said he had heard that budget funds for Orang Asli were returned to the government in previous years.

“The funds are given back to the federal government every year, as if the Orang Asli community doesn’t need it.

“An Orang Asli was appointed the director-general of Jakoa in the past. We knew that in 2018, about RM17 million was returned, that’s not a small sum.

“We do not want to wrong the government, but we want the funds to help us in a wholesome manner. They need to know the community’s needs,” he said.

Meanwhile, Center for Orang Asli Concerns (COAC) director Colin Nicholas said the government must ensure funding is channelled into the needs of the Orang Asli, and not diverted elsewhere.

“Even though the allocation is increasing year by year, the rate of poverty among Orang Asli is also increasing. 

“The government needs to deal with the leakages and work with the current failing structure. Just putting in more money doesn’t solve the real problem,” he said. 

When tabling next year’s budget on Friday, Finance Minister Tengku Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz announced that RM274 million was allocated to improve the living standards of the Orang Asli community.

This could cover subsidies and social welfare assistance to benefit almost 200,000 Orang Asli.

The allocation is an increase from the RM158 million set aside for the Orang Asli in Budget 2021. – November 2, 2021.