Orang Asli still hoping for development 67 years after Merdeka, says Ramli Nor

September 1, 2024

Orang Asli still hoping for development 67 years after Merdeka, says Ramli Nor

KUALA LUMPUR: Sixty-seven years after Merdeka, the Orang Asli community in Peninsular Malaysia is still holding out hope for progress in infrastructure and socio-economic development.

Cameron Highlands MP Ramli Nor said the community, consisting of 18 ethnic tribes, is still significantly lagging in development and requires sustained support.

“Even after 67 years of independence, I see that the Orang Asli in the peninsula are still lagging behind,” he told FMT in an interview in conjunction with National Day.

He cited the 2024 Bumiputera Economic Congress report, which highlighted critical issues affecting the community, including customary land rights, economic challenges, educational disparities, and inadequate infrastructure such as roads, and electricity and water supply.

The other pressing concerns include hardcore poverty, weak legal protections for Orang Asli rights, the erosion of their customs and culture, and the inefficacy of the Orang Asli development department’s role in helping the community.

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Ramli, who is the deputy speaker of the Dewan Rakyat, said assisting the Orang Asli should be the government’s priority in upholding the community’s special position as set out in Article 8(5)(c) of the Federal Constitution.

“When efforts to advance the Orang Asli are made a government policy, they must be monitored and executed. Allocate a budget for implementing these policies and ensure there is some output,” said Ramli, who is of the Semai tribe.

He said that since independence, the community has largely relied on whether elected representatives were willing to voice their concerns.

Ramli, who is the first and only Orang Asli MP elected, said he felt responsible for voicing the concerns of approximately 217,000 people from the community.

“At the very least, I have direct access to ministers, deputy ministers and department heads to raise Orang Asli issues. But there are limits, as I am the MP for Cameron Highlands and must also address issues affecting other voters.

“The Orang Asli have been left behind for decades in all sectors, but God willing, with patience and effort, there is a way forward,” he said, adding that he is working on constitutional amendments related to Orang Asli rights and interests.

Ramli urged the Orang Asli community not to reject but rather to embrace the assistance provided by the government to improve their lives.