Infrastructure, education, income govt's key plans for Orang Asli - Ismail Sabri

BERA: The government's focus on the development of the Orang Asli community is based on three core aspects, namely infrastructure, education and generating income, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said.

He said the government's commitment to this is reflected in the RM305 million allocation provided specifically for the Orang Asli community in Budget 2023, compared to RM274 million for this year.

"The government also intends to resolve the issue of scattered villages by developing more new settlements. The villages to be developed will be more attractive and equipped with the necessary infrastructure.

"Just like this village... however, sometimes there are villages opened in isolated locations. And that is why we have to open up more new villages," he said after attending the 'Moh Ngeteh' programme at the Sungai Tuang Orang Asli settlement here today.

Ismail Sabri also emphasised that the government always focuses on the issue of education for Orang Asli children, because he believes that education is the best platform for a person to change the fate of himself and his family for the better.

As an example, Ismail Sabri cited programmes implemented under the Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA) that sends qualified young members of the Orang Asli community for tertiary studies abroad.

The government also plans to implement various assistance programmes as well as initiatives for the Orang Asli community to improve their economic status, including entrepreneurship programmes involving training, skills and guidance to ensure projects implemented bring results.

In a separate programme, Ismail Sabri said details for the location and development of the drag racing circuit for motorsports in Bera will be announced after the 15th general election (GE15), given that the district is one of the identified locations for a circuit when Budget 2023 was announced on Oct 7.

"The district office has been asked to look for a suitable location (for the circuit) and we will also have to retable the budget for approval as Parliament was dissolved before it could be passed," he said after attending the 'Ride Amal dan Ride to Jannah 4.0' programme at Felda Bukit Mendi, Kemayan near here.

The construction of a circuit in each state with an allocation of RM20 million is to encourage youths to participate in motorsports through the right platform.

-- BERNAMA