KLUANG, Sept 23 (Bernama) -- Yayasan Sultan Ibrahim Johor (YSIJ) aims to visit all 60 Orang Asli villages in the state to identify the community’s needs, particularly in education and housing.
YSIJ Chief Operating Officer (Orang Asli Community Development Division) Marina Ibrahim said she had so far visited 11 villages, with the outreach efforts to continue in stages, particularly in areas with limited access to development and basic amenities.
She said the on-the-ground approach was important to enable the foundation to hear directly about the issues faced by the Orang Asli community before matters requiring further action were referred to the relevant authorities.
Marina said the foundation had identified housing as one of the issues affecting the Orang Asli community and would seek to better understand their needs and find solutions.
“Personally, I want to go to the ground myself and, where necessary, raise the issues with the relevant executive councillor and Menteri Besar through the special officer for appropriate action.
“Matters will also be brought up for consideration in the state budget,” she told reporters after the release of native fish fry into public waters at Kampung Orang Asli Sungai Peroh, Kahang, here today.
Marina said the Orang Asli community was increasingly open to change and wanted their voices and needs to be heard, requiring development approaches that took into account the community’s actual circumstances.
“Insya-Allah, there will be some good news for them in the upcoming state budget. Apart from education and housing, many other matters will also be given attention.
“However, everyone needs to understand that not every issue can be resolved in the short term,” she said.
Marina said visits to Orang Asli villages would continue from time to time until all 60 villages had been covered, providing a more comprehensive picture of the community’s needs.
Meanwhile, she welcomed the Johor Fisheries Department’s initiative to release native fish fry into public waters, saying it could help boost fish stocks and support the livelihoods of inland fishermen among the Orang Asli community in Sungai Peroh and surrounding areas.
-- BERNAMA