By Siti Rohaizah Zainal
SHAH ALAM, July 8 — The state government has spent RM407,373.50 on Orang Asli’s welfare last year, says state executive councillor for Orang Asli affairs Hee Loy Sian.
Hee said the fund was channelled for various programmes including ‘gotong-royong’, upgrading of basic facilities and other small projects.
“Educational programmes were also carried out in several villages using the allocation, in collaboration with the Malaysia Orang Asli Development Association (Moada)
“The state government also gave out food basket aid totalling RM650,000 to 6,500 head of families who were affected following the movement control order,” he said.
He said this during a meeting with Selangor Orang Asli leaders at the Shah Alam Convention Centre here yesterday which was also attended by Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari.
Hee added that the state government has also allocated funding specifically for the implementation of land survey and gazetting work.
“As of now, we have gazetted 29 Orang Asli villages in Selangor, involving 1,672.67 hectares of land.
“All of the villages have been gazetted either under the Sakai Reserve, Section 62 of the National Land Code or Section 6 and Section 7 of the Aboriginal Peoples Act 1954 (revised 1974),” he said.
