Despite provisions in the constitution to protect and enhance the quality of life of the Orang Asli in Malaysia, the government has failed to address their socio economic issues,  resulting in the continuous marginalization of the indigenous group, said Batu Gajah MP V. Sivakumar.

Under the 153 article which grants affirmative action for Bumiputeras in Malaysia, the indigenous groups deserve to have their rights protected much like the Malays in the country, he said in a statement.

Highlighting the high drop-out rate of Orang Asli’s from schools, Sivakumar said that most of these students do not make it to secondary school.

“About 31 percent of Orang Asli students do not progress to secondary school” he said, attributing the causes to lack of emphasis on education on the part of the Orang Asli adults, and poverty, which forces students to leave school and resort to foraging to make a living.

“The need to make a living under intense economic pressure is the main factor that drives out the indigenous students from the local schools,” he said.

Sivakumar also said that although Rm 64.7 million was allocated for the orang asli in Peninsular Malaysia via the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development, the amount has proven to be insufficient for its purpose of developing their community.

“To me, the amount stipulated is not enough and needs to be increased to RM 500 million yearly.”

“The increase in the budget for the Orang Asli is important to put an end to their nomadic lifestyle.”

No easy access to schools

Another suggestion by Sivakumar was to improve the quality of education for the Orang Asli.

Citing the distance between the school and the Orang Asli settlements as a major challenge to pursuing education, he said,

“Schools should be located closer to their villages, and dedicated teachers who understand the plight of the indigenous groups should be tasked to educate children from these areas.”

” In the span of ten years, only RM 1 billion funds were put aside for developing the orang asli communities,” said Sivakumar who added that the Orang Asli Welfare Development Department is responsible to fulfill its 25 percent target to eradicate poverty by 2015 and complete elimination of poverty by 2020.

“If the government is serious in solving the drop-out rate, then there has to be an increase in the budget aimed at development for the native communities.” -TheRocket