By Sofia Nasir
SHAH ALAM, Jan 27 — The issue of educational neglect involving Orang Asli children is among the primary focuses of the state government this year.
State executive councillor for Orang Asli and minority affairs V. Papparaidu said this is as the awareness of the importance of education among the community is still low, owing to various factors.
"They still see education as being unimportant. In fact, some of these Orang Asli parents have their children working as labourers in plantations and the like.
"These children are our future. We harbour high hopes to see them succeed and subsequently contribute to the nation," he told Selangorkini.
Papparaidu said to promote this agenda, he has been conducting a series of visits to 74 Orang Asli villages and six schools in the state starting last year.
He added that the Orang Asli Development Department (Jakoa) is also assisting by providing special incentives to students as an encouragement to attend school.
Separately, Papparaidu said he intends to increase the number of programmes related to moral development in a bid to address the increasingly concerning social issue of alcohol consumption among Orang Asli.
"I, myself, have experienced meeting those who constantly consume alcohol. I will set up a team to investigate this matter as it is very concerning," he said.
Under the 2024 Selangor Budget, the state government has allocated RM2.5 million for the Orang Asli community development, the highest on record.
