GUA MUSANG, July 22 — The Orang Asli Development Department (Jakoa) is restricting the entry of four-wheel drive (4WD) vehicles to Orang Asli interior settlements, especially during the monsoon and amid wild animal attacks.
Jakoa director-general Datuk Sapiah Mohd Nor said the Jakoa will issue a special notification before the monsoon season in efforts to avoid road damage.
“Jakoa is not preventing NGOs from entering Orang Asli settlements, only limiting entry. We encourage entry as we know NGOs help solve issues … like providing medical assistance,” she told reporters in Kuala Betis here today.
“Based on the uncertain weather, the Jakoa will issue instructions regarding entry because during the monsoon season many roads are damaged thus disrupting the delivery of health and education aid.”
Sapiah said if there is any aid for Orang Asli villagers in the interior, NGOs can channel it through the Jakoa.
“If an area cannot be reached by road, we will request helicopter assistance to deliver the aid as we have done every year,” she said.
“Applications for permission to enter the Orang Asli villages for corporate social responsibility programmes must be submitted a month or two weeks before the programme.”
— Bernama
