State to hold workshops to boost Orang Asli economy
Selangor government will hold workshops to identify eligible Orang Asli who qualify for government assistance.
Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari said Orang Asli participation in the various government programmes remained low.
'For instance, only 10 Orang Asli villages in Selangor have applied for funds under Sejati Madani.
'Sejati Madani is a Federal Government programme that allocates between RM50,000 and RM100,000 to boost the economy of villages.
'Hence, I will ask the state standing committee in charge of Orang Asli to identify eligible beneficiaries through workshops,' he said after attending the state-level Orang Asli Festival at Kampung Orang Asli Kelinsing in Sepang, Selangor.
Amirudin said the state aimed to promote the Orang Asli economy by designating their handicrafts as official souvenirs for government departments, agencies and events.
He said the state would showcase unique items of cultural and heritage importance like the Orang Asli woven headgear.
'This step will not only showcase the community's identity, but create new market opportunities to increase their income.
'These items can be used as souvenirs for Asean conferences and the like, hence introducing these products to a wider stage,' he said.
State human resources and poverty eradication committee chairman V. Papparaidu who was present at the event, said the state was committed to creating opportunities and providing avenues for the Orang Asli community to actively participate in various education-related initiatives.
'Be it youth empowerment programmes, scholarships, skills training, or strategic partnerships with institutions of higher learning, these efforts aim to ensure Orang Asli children are not left behind in the advancement of knowledge and technology.
'The state believes that fair and comprehensive access to education is key to building a more prosperous and competitive future for the Orang Asli,' he said.
Papparaidu added that the Selangor Technical Skills Development Centre (STDC) welcomed Orang Asli who were keen to join programmes.
'As Selangor's technical and vocational development centre, STDC is committed to offering inclusive learning opportunities tailored to participants' interests and potential,' he said.
'This includes people from indigenous communities.
'This approach will enable the Orang Asli to acquire practical, relevant skills, paving the way for more stable careers and sustainable incomes.'
He said Selangor was among states in Malaysia with a significant Orang Asli population – comprising Temuan, Mah Meri and Semai groups – with 74 villages. ― By VIJENTHI NAIR
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Borneo Post
17 minutes ago
- Borneo Post
Outbound travellers in Sabah warned of risky payment terms
Liaw KOTA KINABALU (Aug 13): The Sabah Tour and Travel Agents Association (Satta) has cautioned the public about outbound travel packages that require unusually early and large payments. Satta president Datuk Seri Winston Liaw said certain groups are offering tours that demand a deposit followed by full payment 45 days before departure. 'Normally, payment is collected from tour members 30 days or three weeks before departure, and the full sum is paid to the agent only once the members arrive in the destination country,' he said on Tuesday. According to Liaw, the groups claim the money must be sent to China or Korea 45 days in advance but do not disclose the identity of the operator. 'In 45 days, they can already collect 50 per cent of the payment, and later the remaining balance. This could easily total RM100 million. It's risky because the cash flow is entirely in their hands,' he said. Liaw warned that there have been cases where travellers paid in full but found no arrangements upon arrival, often leading to lengthy legal disputes. 'I'm not against their promotional methods, but the payment system. I don't want Malaysians to be cheated. They have been doing this in Sarawak and West Malaysia, and now they seem to be eyeing Sabah,' he added. While stopping short of calling it a scam, Liaw urged caution and suggested requiring bank guarantees from operators using this payment method as a safeguard. 'It would instil more trust if bank guarantees are issued to each travel agent. This is a very important matter,' he said.
Sinar Daily
17 minutes ago
- Sinar Daily
The Jalur Gemilang unites us, not divide
The national flag represents unity, pride and identity; and must be respected by all Malaysians, regardless of race, religion or political affiliation. By MUKHRIZ MAT HUSIN 13 Aug 2025 09:41am Bernama photo for illustration purpose only. SHAH ALAM - With less than three weeks to go before Malaysia's 68th Independence Day celebrations, calls have been made for Malaysians to focus on unity rather than allowing political controversy over upside-down Jalur Gemilang incidents to divide society. Former National Unity Advisory Council member Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye emphasised that the national flag represents unity, pride and identity; and must be respected by all Malaysians, regardless of race, religion or political affiliation. 'We hoist the Jalur Gemilang to show that we are proud of our country and as a mark of respect for the symbol of a sovereign nation. What is important now is that all parties, especially the public, should not politicise this issue. 'If an incident of the Jalur Gemilang being flown upside down was unintentional, then the party involved should apologise, admit it was a mistake and correct it. That is all,' he said. Bernama photo for illustration purpose only. Lee added that if such incidents occurred due to negligence and without intent, the government should focus on educating and raising awareness among those involved. He argued that no one would deliberately want to fly the flag upside down and turn it into an issue. 'Perhaps there are those who do not know or are ignorant about this matter. That is why I suggest that the government should publicise and run an awareness campaign showing the correct way to hoist the Jalur Gemilang,' he suggested. Universiti Malaya Media Coordinator at the International Institute of Public Policy and Management (Inpuma) Dr G Manimaran, echoed this sentiment as well. He urged a return to the fundamentals of civic education to prevent such incidents in the future. 'Lately, we have been politicising this issue more than seeking solutions to correct the mistake. We have not looked at the root cause of the problem. We need to go back to the basics, which is civic and citizenship education and this should be from all levels,' he said. Senator Professor Emeritus Datuk Seri Dr Awang Sariyan took a firmer stance, stressing that the government must ensure acts of disrespect towards the Jalur Gemilang are treated seriously and dealt with through legal action. 'The government must take firm action through enforcement agencies. Anyone committing the offence of insulting the national flag must be prosecuted in court. The punishment that can be imposed is a maximum fine of RM20,000 or a maximum prison term of three years, or both. 'The government's firmness is important so that insulting the national flag, which is equivalent to insulting the nation, is not taken lightly and does not recur,' he said.
New Straits Times
an hour ago
- New Straits Times
D-Day for A-GC in appeal against Najib's addendum bid
KUALA LUMPUR: The nation's top court will shortly deliver its decision on whether Datuk Seri Najib Razak can go ahead with his bid to confirm the existence of a royal "addendum" allowing him to serve his sentence under house arrest. The case is set for 9am today before the Federal Court, with the country soon to find out whether the Attorney-General's Chambers (A-GC) has succeeded in its final attempt to stop the former prime minister bid to compel the government to reveal and enforce the alleged order. Najib claims the addendum, said to have been issued by the 16th Yang di-Pertuan Agong when the Pardons Board agreed to halve his jail term from 12 to six years. The review bid is currently before the High Court, and will proceed if the A-GC's appeal is rejected. Should the Federal Court rule in favour of the attorney-general, then the High Court case will end. The case before the apex court is not whether the addendum exists, as Senior Federal Counsel Shamsul Bolhassan said previously the government does not dispute this. The A-GC, however, is contending the procedure by which it was introduced as new evidence in Najib's judicial review. On Jan 6, a three-member panel of the Court of Appeal voted two-to-one in favour of Najib, allowing him to file additional affidavits in support of his application. Najib is currently serving a six-year prison sentence for misappropriating RM42 million from SRC International Sdn Bhd. He was originally sentenced him to 12 years in prison and fined him RM210 million, but the Federal Territories Pardons Board reduced to six years and lowered the fine to RM50 million. Subsequently, Najib filed an application claiming the existence of an addendum order, allegedly signed by the 16th Yang di-Pertuan Agong, which would allow him to serve the remainder of his sentence under house arrest.
