logo
Continued support for Orang Asli veterans via VDM initiative

Continued support for Orang Asli veterans via VDM initiative

The Sun3 days ago
SUNGAI SIPUT: The Defence Ministry will ensure that no former members of the Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM), including the Orang Asli community, are left behind from the Veteran Desa Madani (VDM) programme.
Deputy Defence Minister Adly Zahari said VDM, organised together with the Malaysian Armed Forces Veterans Affairs Department (JHEV), marked Sungai Siput as the fifth location for the programme this year after Pengkalan Chepa, Gua Musang, Jeli and Slim River.
Adly said that VDM is part of the 'Peduli Veteran Madani' (PVM) initiative, which focuses on Orang Asli veterans in line with the inclusive principles of the Malaysia MADANI policy.
'We focus on welfare, health, housing, education and socioeconomic empowerment of ATM veterans, especially those classified as asnaf and B40 groups.
'Orang asli veterans are part of the larger defence family and are not forgotten in the ministry's planning and aid distribution,' he told a media conference after officiating the Sungai Siput-level VDM programme at the Orang Asli One-Stop Centre (OAOSC) in Bawong here today.
The event saw the distribution of ATM veteran cards to Orang Asli veterans, as well as Rahmah contributions and basic necessities to local residents and veteran associations.
Earlier, Adly conducted welfare visits to two Orang Asli ATM veterans classified as asnaf, one non-Orang Asli asnaf veteran, and an active ATM veteran entrepreneur in the agriculture sector. - Bernama
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Orang Asli women master Royal Pahang weaving heritage
Orang Asli women master Royal Pahang weaving heritage

The Sun

time6 hours ago

  • The Sun

Orang Asli women master Royal Pahang weaving heritage

LIPIS: Noor Seshida Hamid never imagined she would master the intricate art of Royal Pahang Weave (Tenun Pahang Diraja), a craft steeped in heritage. For the 29-year-old Orang Asli woman from the Semai ethnic group, this achievement was unexpected, given her initial lack of interest in the textile art. She nearly gave up during her training at Institut Kemahiran Tenun Pahang Diraja Tengku Ampuan Besar Meriam in Pekan, Pahang, finding the process too complex. However, with determination and support from her family and instructors, she succeeded. Today, she is among the weavers representing the Orang Asli community, helping preserve this state heritage. 'I didn't know anything about weaving. But when my mother told me to learn, I just followed. When I saw the intricacy and beauty of the woven fabric, I started to open my heart to learning and appreciating it,' she said during the 'Geopark Odyssey: Heritage and Archaeo Tourism Programme' by Tourism Malaysia Eastern Region. Specialising in kain samping (a cloth worn over baju Melayu trousers), Noor Seshida now completes two pieces monthly, depending on pattern complexity and order volume. 'The main challenge is when the thread breaks often or there's a mistake in the pattern. If that happens, I have to undo it and fix it,' she shared, expressing hope to deepen her weaving knowledge. Her fellow villager Naera Bah Du, 31, also overcame doubts during training. 'When many others quit, I also thought about quitting. But I reminded myself that we were the first group of Orang Asli from our village to learn this art. I wanted to prove that we can do it too,' she said. Naera highlighted the precision required in connecting threads, a seemingly simple task demanding patience. Both women now work full-time at the Tenun Pahang Diraja Centre in Pos Betau, established in 2023 under Cheminahsayang, a company founded by Tengku Ampuan Pahang, Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah. The centre empowers rural communities, particularly the Orang Asli, through weaving. Supervisor Nurhasanah Norrahani, 34, explained its dual role as a production hub and educational space. 'Many think our products are just sarongs or ordinary handicrafts. We demonstrate the entire process, from thread to fabric, helping visitors appreciate this heritage,' she said. - Bernama

JAKOA allocates RM1 mln for Orang Asli Tabika in Kuala Betis
JAKOA allocates RM1 mln for Orang Asli Tabika in Kuala Betis

The Sun

timea day ago

  • The Sun

JAKOA allocates RM1 mln for Orang Asli Tabika in Kuala Betis

GUA MUSANG: The Department of Orang Asli Development (JAKOA) has allocated RM1 million to construct a new preschool (Tabika) in Kampung Orang Asli Teranek, Kuala Betis. The project aims to enhance early childhood education facilities for the Orang Asli community. JAKOA Director-General Datuk Sapiah Mohd Nor stated that the new Tabika is essential as classes were previously held in a surau in Kampung Rod, which was unsuitable. 'We recognise the need for a proper facility to support early education,' she said. The new building will replace the current temporary setup. 'Once inspections and equipment installations are completed, we will relocate the Tabika here,' Sapiah added. The facility is expected to be operational within two to three months. Sapiah made the announcement after the Pre-Handover Ceremony of the KOA Teranek Tabika Construction Project. - Bernama

Strong social and cultural values of Orang Asli community
Strong social and cultural values of Orang Asli community

The Star

time2 days ago

  • The Star

Strong social and cultural values of Orang Asli community

GUA MUSANG: Eighty per cent of the Orang Asli community in Kelantan continue to hold firmly to their traditional customs and beliefs, despite rapid modernisation and technological advancement, says Kelantan National Department of Culture and Arts director Rohaniza Abdullah. She said a study conducted by the department found that the community was proud of its cultural identity and had begun leveraging social media platforms to showcase its uniqueness to the outside world. Rohaniza said the community had continued to preserve their customs across generations up to the present day. 'The strength of the community lies in its ability to preserve its culture and identity in today's modern world. 'Interestingly, young Orang Asli have used social media as a platform to introduce their heritage. 'The research has opened the eyes of many to the strong social and cultural values still upheld by the Orang Asli community,' she said after the Penyemarakan Komuniti Budaya @ Komuniti Orang Asli programme at Pos Brooke, Lojing, here yesterday, Bernama reported. According to Rohaniza, there are still many unique aspects of the Orang Asli community that have yet to be explored or are not widely known.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store