GUA MUSANG, Jan 14 — The Department of Orang Asli (Jakoa) today distributed food parcels to 172 Orang Asli families in Pos Gob, here, after the residents were cut off from town following severe damage to the main road and collapse of a bridge.
Jakoa district officer Muhamad Yusrizal Ghani said the Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department’s (JBPM) Air Unit also assisted in the effort as it had to obtain logistical assistance in order to bring the food donation to the location.
“Jakoa had made preparations to send the food aid to the Orang Asli at the post but were hampered by the road conditions and damaged bridge.
“In this regard, it had to request the JBPM Air Unit helicopters to speed up the delivery of food items to the stranded residents and prevent them from starvation.
“Alhamdulillah, today we have managed to send the food supplies such as rice, milk, sardines (tins), wheat flour, tea (packets) and biscuits,” he said when met at the Gua Musang Fire and Rescue Station, here.
Meanwhile, Orang Asli residents in Pos Bihai, Simpor and Belatim have not received food parcels.
“We will try to send the food aid as soon as possible while we have distributed (food aid) five days ago to the Orang Asli in Kampung Pasir Linggi and Kampung Aring 5,” Muhamad Yusrizal said.
— Bernama
