MELAKA, March 24 — The Orang Asli Development Department (Jakoa) is committed to ensuring more Orang Asli students enter Mara Junior Science Colleges (MRSM) in the future.
Jakoa deputy director-general (development) Mohd Zambri Mustajap said that the initiative with Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara) aims to help the community to improve their families' living standards and break free from the cycle of poverty.
"So far, only 40 Orang Asli students have successfully enrolled in MRSM, but the number continues to grow each year … One of Jakoa's key objectives is to see more students from the community gain admission into the institution," he said.
"We want to give them the opportunity to learn in MRSM and compete like other races so that they can improve their education level and household economy," he told reporters after the Orang Asli leadership discourse and iftar event, which was attended by Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh last night.
At the event, the state government introduced health insurance coverage and funeral benefits for Orang Asli customs board members and schooling aid for Orang Asli students in the state.
Elaborating, Mohd Zambri said prioritising education among Orang Asli is one of the key objectives of Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who also serves as the Rural and Regional Development Minister, to empower the group.
He said the two initiatives demonstrate the state government's commitment to supporting and protecting their welfare.
— Bernama
