Officials told to act on worrying Orang Asli infection rates in N Sembilan

 

State and local officials in Negeri Sembilan have been asked to act on the high infection rates of Covid-19 within Orang Asli villages in the state.

Negeri Sembilan Orang Asli villages network deputy chairperson Zurdi Baharu, in an open letter directed to government officials today, called for systemic and strategic efforts to be put in place to bring down the infection rates.

“There are people infected or quarantined as a result of close contact (with Covid-19 patients) within Orang Asli villages in almost every district,” he said in the letter sighted by Malaysiakini.

Zurdi directed the letter to Menteri Besar Aminuddin Harun’s political secretary Mokhtar Ahmad, state women, family, and welfare affairs exco and Bukit Beruntung assemblyperson Nicole Tan, Rasah MP Cha Kee Chin, and Rahang assemblyperson Mary Josephine.

As the awareness is still low among the villagers, Zurdi expressed hope that these efforts will keep the community informed on the importance of vaccination and following the standard operating procedures.

Zurdi also asked officials to step up and tackle the high vaccine hesitancy rate among the Orang Asli community.

Last week, a federal minister revealed that over 60,000 Orang Asli did not agree to be vaccinated based on feedback from the registration forms given out under the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme.

“There must a reason why (this happened), as there are still weaknesses in the communication system from government agencies.

“And the Orang Asli community’s attitude (towards vaccines) which stemmed from various myths and unverified information.

“The Orang Asli community also do not have access to accurate information as there is too much information received by them,” Zurdi said.

Zurdi also expressed hope that the Orang Asli Development Department (Jakoa) will carry out its duty and that there will be cooperation between various parties to get on the ground and come to the Orang Asli villages.

He also believed the Orang Asli Hospital in Gombak and the Orang Asli language radio station Asyik FM, will be the “best team” to come together to help campaign for the vaccines.

“Tok Batin (village head), the National Orang Asli Development Advisory Council, and Orang Asli volunteers should set an example to convince (villagers) and monitor their health.

“Hopefully, this lockdown will truly be effective and may we all be free from the Covid-19 virus,” Zurdi concluded. - Mkini