A pilot project for Orang Asli affordable homes could be ready by February, said P Waythamoorthy, the Minister in the Prime Minister's Department who oversees the Department of Orang Asli Development (Jakoa).
He said Jakoa proposed that the project be implemented in the Kuala Koh village in Gua Musang, Kelantan which was devastated in May and June this year when an outbreak of disease — later confirmed by Health Minister Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad to be measles — killed 16 villagers from the Orang Asli Bateq community.
"That (building the houses in Kuala Koh) was my suggestion but we have to talk to the local people and see whether they will accept these housing models," said Waythamoorthy.
He added that he had been talking to the Malaysian Institute of Architects and felt that their innovative designs would be suitable for the project.
"I saw the houses they built and that would be suitable for the Orang Asli community. The institute also agreed that those houses would be suitable."
The development at Kuala Koh would further revitalise the community as last month, Deputy Prime Minister Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail announced that RM3.3 million had been allocated towards improving living conditions in the area.
She had said the funds would go towards the construction of a RM2 million grid power supply system by Tenaga Nasional Berhad, a water treatment system valued at RM800,000 and an additional RM434,000 to meet various needs, including the provision of food according to the recommendations of the Health Ministry.
Regarding the housing project, Waythamoorthy said there were still certain procedures that needed to be followed.
"We need to get clearance from the government administration," he said.
"At the moment, the programme is called Program Perumahan Rakyat Termiskin. Under the programme, those houses are brick houses, but from our experience, when we build brick houses the Orang Asli don't seem to stay in it.
"They are more comfortable with wooden houses, so the suggestion is to build wooden houses with fire-resistant features."
The minister said they have prepared some papers to submit and have to go through a few stages to get the necessary approval before the pilot project can be approved.
"I would think by February we would know the result," he said, adding he did not foresee any problems in getting the project approved.
"This is innovative, unique and suitable for the people. Jakoa officers are preparing the paperwork to be taken to the Prime Minister's Department's Finance and Development Unit and they will pass on the application to the Finance Ministry for clearance."
Waythamoorthy said the number of housing units and funds allocated had yet to be determined, adding that Jakoa was willing to work with private companies who were keen to help the project.
He also said Jakoa did not need to seek the Kelantan government's approval as the site was on Orang Asli customary land. - Mkini
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