SHAH ALAM, Oct 16 — Selangor is determined to empower the Orang Asli community, particularly through various educational initiatives that provide opportunities for them to pursue knowledge and improve their families’ futures.
Menteri Besar Dato' Seri Amirudin Shari said the state government believes that education is the foundation of progress and plays a vital role in enhancing living standards and building a better future for the community.
“Among the initiatives implemented is the School Assistance Programme, which allocates funds to repair school infrastructure and ease the burden on parents in providing school necessities for their children.
“This programme directly ensures a more conducive and safe learning environment for students across the state, including in rural areas and Orang Asli settlements,” he said.
Amirudin was speaking during the Selangor Sagong Tasi Excellence Awards 2025 ceremony at the State Secretariat Building today.
The event celebrated around 50 outstanding Orang Asli students, and was also attended by the Deputy State Secretary (Management) Dato' Mohd Yazid Sairi.
He added that through the Budi programme under Yayasan Selangor, outstanding students from low-income families, including those from the Orang Asli community, are given the opportunity to further their studies at fully residential schools.
The Sagong Tasi Scholarship was specifically introduced for Orang Asli students as a sign of the state government’s support for efforts to uplift the community’s educational standards.
“Since 2020, the Sagong Tasi Scholarship (Higher Education Institutions) has been awarded to 15 students locally, while the Sagong Tasi Scholarship (Secondary Schools) has been given to 40 students since 2022, providing them with annual monthly allowances,” Amirudin said.
Previously, state executive councillor for poverty eradication, human resources, and Orang Asli affairs Papparaidu Veraman said that RM7.1 million has been allocated since 2020 to strengthen the development of the Orang Asli community in Selangor through various programmes and assistance.
The annual allocation for Orang Asli affairs has also increased from RM500,000 in 2020 to RM1.5 million, reflecting the state government’s continued commitment to ensuring the community’s welfare remains protected.
