KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 13 (Bernama) -- The Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM) is stepping up efforts to empower the socioeconomic well-being of the Orang Asli community in Kampung Bukit Lagong, Gombak, through the Santuni MADANI Program, focusing on infrastructure development, job opportunities, and the preservation of traditional heritage.
FRIM Director General Datuk Dr Ismail Parlan stated that choosing the village, which is inhabited by the Temuan ethnic community, as FRIM's Kampung Santuni MADANI reflects the institute's commitment to supporting the well-being of local residents. This community also plays a role in protecting the surrounding area of the Bukit Lagong Forest Reserve from encroachment.
"Kampung Orang Asli Bukit Lagong now has 148 residents from 44 families, compared to only four families in 2000."
"The community's involvement also contributes to the conservation of the forest area, which is part of FRIM's surrounding environment, thereby supporting the institute's commitment to environmental heritage preservation," he said in a statement.
In addition to relying on forest produce such as bitter beans (petai padi, petai papan), kerdas, jering, and durians, residents are now exploring new sources of income through vegetable gardens, aquaponic farming, handicraft production, and natural-dye patterned clothing.
To support community development, FRIM has provided Starlink satellite internet facilities at the community hall to bridge the digital divide, alongside contributing a freezer, a sound system, a lawnmower, and painting equipment.
FRIM is collaborating with the Tok Batin (Village Head), the Village Development and Security Committee (JKKK), traditional practitioners, and youths through the Traditional Knowledge Documentation Project.
A total of 42 plant species have been recorded for their uses in medicine, nutrition, building materials, natural dyes, and traditional rituals. Residents were also trained to prepare herbarium specimens using simple pressing techniques.
Efforts to strengthen ties between FRIM and the community are also carried out through residents' involvement in performing the traditional sewang dance during the Forest Merdeka Run 2025, as well as the Ramadan Iftar Programmes in 2025 and 2026, which included gotong-royong (community work) to prepare meals and the distribution of rice and festive monetary gifts (duit raya).
FRIM also helped manage domestic waste collection applications and funded the construction of the village archway, which was officiated by the former Secretary General of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability, Datuk Dr Ching Thoo, during the KUDAH Program on November 29, 2025.
To address issues of unemployment and educational dropout, FRIM has created job opportunities by appointing a qualified resident as a FRIM staff member and hiring local residents as nature guides for boundary checks at the FRIM Forest Park Selangor.
"Residents were also paid to repair the community hall. In conclusion, the Santuni MADANI Programme run by FRIM proves that infrastructure advancement and digitalisation can be integrated inclusively, while continuing to respect cultural identity, preserve environmental sustainability, and empower the living standards of the Bukit Lagong Orang Asli community," the statement read.
The Santuni MADANI Programme, approved by the Cabinet in 2024 through the "One Leader, One Village" approach, aims to encourage cooperation between leaders and residents to address socioeconomic issues, including poverty, educational dropouts, health, unemployment, security, drug abuse, and infrastructure.
-- BERNAMA