MP under fire for lack of feelings over Orang Asli woes

 

The community at Kampung Orang Asli Selai in Segamat, Johor, are believed to have been deprived of piped water for a year. (Facebook pic)

PETALING JAYA: An MP from DAP has come under fire for an apparent lack of feelings towards the plight of an Orang Asli community in Johor who had complained of water supply problems.

Rajesh Nagarajan and Sachpreetraj Singh said Labis MP Pang Hok Liong showed “no empathy or sympathy” when he urged the community to apply through the proper channel for pipe repair funds.

They said DAP should be assisting the Orang Asli instead of throwing bureaucratic wrenches in their way. They said there was no necessity for the poorest of citizens, such as the Orang Asli, to follow the internal procedures fixed by the authorities.

Pang Hok Liong.

“The Labis MP seems to have taken no proactive steps to assist the Orang Asli,” the two activists told FMT.

Earlier today Pang was quoted by Malaysiakini as saying that the Orang Asli village’s application for funds must be submitted by the village community management council and not by its Tok Batin or village head.

The community at Kampung Orang Asli Selai in Segamat, Johor, was reported to have resorted to using sticks and stones to mend their pipes and a water catchment dam.

Johor Orang Asli action committee chairman Achai @ Juti Kais said the villagers had been plagued by water supply woes and deprived of piped water for a year.

Achai also expressed disappointment with Pang, Bekok assemblyman Tan Chong and the district Orang Asli development office over their lack of action.

The Orang Asli development department has denied claims that it ignored the plight of the community. The department said water was supplied to the village through tube wells it had put in place.

Rajesh and Sachpreetraj said the Labis MP seemed intent on enforcing red tape rather than assisting his constituents to get the job done.

They said the Federal Constitution placed the onus of positively discriminating against the Orang Asli on the executive.

They said Pang should either pull up his socks and assist the Orang Asli, or failing which, he should resign and allow someone else to serve as MP for Labis. - FMT