The Malaysian Insight

CAMERON Highlands MP Ramli Mohd Nor today warned that he would not hesitate to lodge a report to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) if roads in his constituency are constructed in a shoddy manner.

“For your information, from now on I will personally inspect every road project that costs millions in Cameron Highlands,” he said during the Budget 2022 debate in the Dewan Rakyat today.

“I am not threatening but I will report to MACC. Please deliver what the people want, don’t cut corners,” he said.

He added that the Orang Asli community have relayed their concerns over subpar road projects in their villages.

“How can the road to the village be good when tar is poured on top of the ground. Where’s the gravel that is supposed to be underneath?” he said, recounting a conversation in the Orang Asli language.

“Orang Asli were not bothered about these things in the past, as long as there were roads, but it is pointless if we spend millions on roads that are subpar and can only last for six months,” he said.

He said the sum spent on these projects dictates their quality must be excellent. Ramli also called out civil servants to ensure that policies are implemented according to plans.

“I suggest civil servants ensure all policies made by your political masters, that are the ministers and deputy ministers, go according to plan.

“Let there not be little Napoleons arranging for their own contractors and posts. You don’t do that. Please, you are the delivery system. It is pointless if millions are spent and the target is not fulfilled,” he said while adding that this has been the case.

Ramli also proposed a new body be set up specifically to look into the economic affairs of the Orang Asli, to minimise bureaucracy without having to refer to the Department of Orang Asli Development (Jakoa) for all matters. This will also facilitate faster decision making, he said.

“Government, please take note, it has been 64 years (since independence) but we are still lagging behind. There are just 200,000 of us. Why is the government still dragging its feet?” he asked.

On education, he proposed for Jakoa to set up a transport unit to help Orang Asli children get to school.

He also raised concerns that there are Orang Asli students who are not going to school while some have dropped out.

“There are many factors which have led to these problems. Among them are their residences which are in the rural areas, lack of school facilities, extreme poverty, parents not paying attention to their children’s education and agencies not taking care of the schooling of Orang Asli students,” he said. – November 11, 2021.