SHAH ALAM, Aug 5 — The Selangor Orang Asli Cultural Festival is to be made merrier with various cultural activities, traditional sports and community product sales at Taman Tasik Milenium in Kuala Kubu Bharu on Sunday.
State executive councillor for Orang Asli and minority affairs Papparaidu Veraman said the festival, now in its second year, is expected to draw around 5,000 visitors including Orang Asli groups from across Selangor.
“This festival is not just to recognise Orang Asli communities’ identities and cultures, but also to improve community awareness of their heritage.
“This could also bring (people of different races) closer and open more economic doors with the sale of local products,” he told a press conference at the State Secretariat Building here today.
He added that the festival, held in cooperation with the Selangor and Federal Territories Orang Asli Development Department (JAKOA), will be held from 6.30am to 6pm in conjunction with International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples.
He explained that Selangor has 74 Orang Asli villages and 21,156 villagers in Hulu Selangor, Gombak, Petaling, Hulu Langat, Kuala Langat, Klang and Sepang.
“All Tok Batin (Orang Asli village heads) and villagers will be invited to the festival, with transport aid provided by JAKOA to ease community participation,” he said.
Promoting culture, attracting visitors
Papparaidu said the festival also promotes Orang Asli art, handicraft and customs while encouraging tourist visits to Orang Asli villages to boost the community’s incomes.
“Last year, we held this festival at Kampung Orang Asli Bukit Lanjan in Sepang and got good coverage.
“This time, we hope it also gets media attention at the national and international levels so more people learn about Orang Asli communities and help improve their economy,” he added.
He urged members of the Orang Asli community who don’t yet have valid birth certificates, MyKad or other documents to attend the festival to receive assistance from special officers.
The 21,156 Orang Asli people we have on record are those with complete documents. I cannot deny there could be some who don’t have documents like birth certificates or identity cards. This is why I’m inviting them to this International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples; so my office can help them with their origin documents.
“Under my portfolio, I do have special officers who help resolve documentation issues, not just for the Orang Asli community, but also other communities in Selangor,” Papparaidu said.
