By Siti Rohaizah Zainal
SEPANG, June 9 — The Selangor government remains committed to protecting the welfare of Orang Asli in the state, with various forms of assistance being allocated for the community each year.
State executive councillor for Orang Asli affairs Hee Loy Sian said among the aid provided include infrastructure repair, construction of new houses, the conducting of community activities, allowance increment and bonus payout to tok batin (village chiefs).
“Every year, the state government allocates RM500,000 to build and maintain roads and infrastructure, and repair community halls, besides an additional RM10,000 fund to conduct various activities.
“On top of this, we also allocate RM1 million each year to repair and build new houses. Last year alone, 12 homes benefitted from this assistance, with each costing RM80,000.”
Hee further noted that the state has also increased the allowance of tok batin from RM900, which is provided by the federal government, to RM1,500.
He said this after officiating the Kampung Orang Asli Bukit Baja community hall, here, yesterday, following repair works on the facility, which was also attended by Senator Bob Maholan Mohamad.
Hee said all tok batin will begin receiving their minimum RM1,500 wages beginning this month.
“The state government had agreed to top up the RM600 (on top of the federal government’s RM900) since January, but there have been some delays.
“However, starting this month, all tok batin will receive their RM1,500 salary. The additional allowance by the state that was supposed to be paid since January will also be deposited this month,” he said.
Meanwhile, Hee announced that the state government has allocated RM271,976 to upgrade existing facilities at Orang Asli villages around the Dengkil area, including road works.
This includes the RM84,000 to repair the Kampung Orang Asli Bukit Baja community hall, which previously suffered from roof leakages, among other things.
“This hall not only benefit Kampung Orang Asli Bukit Baja, but also Kampung Orang Asli Air Tertentang and Kampung Orang Asli Bukit Damar, which are resided by close to 1,000 people.”
Kampung Orang Asli Bukit Baja tok batin Jalil Long, 49, said he is delighted that the community hall has gone through upgrading works, ensuring the comfort of residents in the area.
“Now that the hall has been repaired, various activities can be conducted, including meetings and solemnisation ceremonies,” he said.
Separately, Hee said 33 Orang Asli villages in Selangor, which account for 45 per cent, have been gazetted by the state government to date.
The remaining 41 settlements are still awaiting approval, due to overlaps in ownership, Malay reserve land, forest reserves, mosques and roads.
“This matter is quite complicated and it takes two to three years to resolve. I hope the residents can be patient,” he said.
Previously, it was reported that 22 of the villages are located in Kuala Langat, Hulu Selangor (16), Sepang (15), Gombak and Petaling (12), and Hulu Langat (nine).
