Cameron Highlands MP to visit Orang Asli villages nationwide

Cameron Highlands MP Ramli Mohd Nor has stepped out of his constituency to embark on a series of visits to Orang Asli villages nationwide.

Ramli told Malaysiakini that he decided to do so to get close to Orang Asli, learn of their plight, and bring their voices to the parliament.

"From now on, I will not only focus on the Orang Asli community in Cameron Highlands because I think as an Orang Asli myself, I also represent the whole communities nationwide.

"I am embarking on a series of visits to meet Tok Batin, Penghulu, and the rest of the community," he told Malaysiakini.

Last week, Ramli went to meet Orang Asli communities in Sungai Siput and Tanjong Malim in Perak.

Over the weekend, he went to Bera, followed by Bentong in Pahang and Kampung Orang Asli Serigala in Kuala Kubu Bharu, Selangor.

Kelantan is also on his list of states to visit.

"I will monitor their welfare in the scope of the economy, social, and infrastructure such as roads, electricity, water, and housing.

"My concern is also on the education provided to them. This is a priority. Whatever is lacking, I will list down and bring the issues to the parliament," he said.

The Barisan Nasional MP said the programme is crucial for check-and-balance and to ensure that the Pakatan Harapan government does its job in taking care of the Orang Asli's welfare.

"They (Harapan) say that they look after Orang Asli. I will monitor this as I don't want their pledge to be just rhetoric."

The former senior police officer became the nation's first Orang Asli member of parliament after winning the Cameron Highlands by-election in January.

In August, he accused the government of failing to pay bus operators meant to ferry Cameron's Orang Asli children to school for up to five months, which led to the rising high dropout rate for the children.

He had also called on the government to open an inquest to investigate the death of 15 Orang Asli villagers from the Bateq community in Kampung Kuala Koh, Kelantan.

Ramli had also stressed that ministers were apathetic in answering his questions in the Dewan Rakyat, saying that "the ministers gave low-standard answers" in regards to his question regarding the Kampung Kuala Koh issues.

Highlighting the current issues surrounding Orang Asli, Ramli said: "the welfare of Orang Asli communities is on the decline."

"There are no more free school uniforms for form 1 and 2 students, no more school bus provided for the children, and the daily pocket money for students amounting to RM2 a day has been halted.

"The household living aid (BSH) requires a married couple to show a wedding certificate. The problem is many of them do not have such certificate, and therefore, no BSH for them," he stressed. - Mkini