Rights of Orang Asli paramount

The Star

2 days ago

Fiery blessing: Orang Asal from various tribes lighting the torch as a ritual to lift up the spirits during the 'Hari Orang Asal Sedunia' celebration at Tadom Hill Resorts in Banting. (Below) Aaron urges the community to build greater cooperation with the Rukun Tetangga activities. — AZHAR MAHFOF/The Star
Govt pledges to prioritise the lives, culture of the indigenous people
BANTING: The indigenous community is a vital pillar in shaping the nation's identity and cultural diversity to further fuel unity and strength among races in the country said National Unity Minister Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang.
He said the government has constantly pledged to give recognition to the indigenous community and take steps to improve their quality of life comprehensively through various initiatives.
Aaron cited the 13th Malaysia Plan, which proposed to re-examine the Orang Asli Acts 1954 (Act 134).
He said various other aspects such as land ownership, education and infrastructure will also be improved for the community.
Exclusive interview with Unity minister.Datuk Seri Aaron Ago Dagang National Unity Ministerfor Merdeka Supplement 2025. — AZLINA ABDULLAH/The Star Aaron said the government will prioritise developing talent for the indigenous community by enabling greater access to education and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) with aid for schooling and scholarships to assist their youth in attaining their full potential.
He said the government will also continue to support efforts to preserve the language, oral heritage and cultural arts of the Orang Asli community in the country.
'Cultural heritage is a national asset that has to be preserved especially in efforts to address global issues such as climate change and biodiversity loss.
'The National Unity Ministry is committed to strengthen strategic cooperation with the various indigenous communities in ensuring national policies are developed to be inclusive, responsive and meets the needs and aspirations of the indigenous community,' he said when officiating the International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples 2025 (PHOAS 2025) organised by the Indigenous Peoples Network of Malaysia (Joas) here yesterday.
Aaron also called for the Orang Asli community to increase its participation and build greater cooperation with the Rukun Tetangga activities to enable greater social relations and the spirit of neighbourliness.
He said such programmes would also help the community gain wider access to local development programmes.
Joas president Hellan Empaing said the event was more than a celebration as it was a gathering of solidarity which brought the indigenous community together to reaffirm its rights.
'This celebration will only be meaningful when our rights are respected, our land protected and our voices recognised in all laws and policies at both national and international levels. We are not here to mourn but to strengthen solidarity and to clearly affirm that we are not alone,' she said.
The event, attended by over 200 members of the indigenous community featured cultural exhibitions, public forums, knowledge-sharing and sales booths
With the theme 'Protect the Earth, Restore the Land, Regreen the Future Through Indigenous Wisdom', the event called on Malaysians to recognise the wisdom of the indigenous community in caring for the environment and the earth's heritage and the people's responsibility towards it.