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Extracted From
Malaysiakini
Govt slammed for snubbing Orang Asli meet
Oct 26,
Suhakam deputy chairperson Simon Sipaun has slammed the
Department of Orang Asli Affairs (JHEOA) for their lack of interest and
commitment towards resolving problems within the Orang Asli community in
Peninsular Malaysia.
During a round-table discussion on Orang Asli education rights organised by
Suhakam yesterday, the JHEOA director of its human and mental development unit,
Norzaimee Ghazali, read out a paper regarding policies and special help for
Orang Asli education.
No other senior officials from the department were present during the
discussion and strategising sessions held later that day.
“That indicates the ‘commitment’ of the government. If their representatives
cannot even stay to listen and discuss with the Orang Asli and understand their
problems, experiences and issues, what does that indicate?” Sipaun
sighed when approached after the event.
Sipaun added that the discussions were vital as participants would
articulate their problems and that JHEOA officials should have stayed to
respond to them. Sipaun’s comments were echoed by several participants at the
meeting.
“We might as well end this discussion here, since the decision makers are not
even here,” said a representative from Association of Peninsular Malaysia Orang
Asli (POASM). Murmurs of dissatisfaction among other participants ensued.
JHEOA ineffective
The round-table discussion was organised to generate feedback from the Orang
Asli community, NGOs and government officials following a Suhakam study of five
Orang Asli settlements in Peninsular Malaysia conducted this year.
Problems shared during the discussion by the Orang Asli representatives from
throughout the peninsula are far ranging. However, many of their grouses point
at the ineffectiveness of the JHEOA.
One individual related to the audience how he was forced to drop out of
University Malaya in the third semester due to financial difficulties, as funds
from JHEOA’s scholarship programme did not reach him in time.
Others complained about bus contractors who were not paid for more
than six months. They later refused to ferry children from Orang Asli
settlements in rural areas to schools in urban centres.
However, according to the briefing by Norzaimee, these two privileges, among
others, are fully accorded to all Orang Asli who qualify for government aid.
Other education related aid include school uniforms, transportation to
schools, school fees, exam fees, writing material, breakfast and lunch (for
rural students), subsistence and scholarships to local tertiary institutions.
Earlier, Norzaimee's deputy Roslan Tamby Chik addressed some grouses brought up
and assured that steps were taken to address them. He also conceded that
problems within the delivery system exist.
Indigenous MP
A re-occurring theme during the discussion was how the JHEOA and the
government fail to understand the real needs of the Orang Asli community.
“(I believe that) the JHEOA should be headed and manned by Orang Asli as they
will understand perceived needs and can better attend to the real needs of
the community,” said Sipaun.
It was revealed during the discussions that only a fraction of JHEOA officers
are from the Orang Asli community. There is also a lack of qualified Orang Asli
teachers.
In view of the many problems plaguing the Orang Asli community in the
peninsula, Sipaun suggested that the government should allow a representative
from the community to be elected to Parliament, instead of being made senator.
“Several rural communities in
Discussion from the meeting would be included in a Suhakam report which
will be forwarded to the government soon.