Latest news with #Sapiah
New Straits Times
3 days ago
- General
- New Straits Times
Digitalisation of Orang Asli preschool education starts next year
GUA MUSANG: Orang Asli children will soon benefit from more modern educational facilities as efforts to digitalise preschool education will start next year, said the Department of Orang Asli Development (Jakoa) director-general Datuk Sapiah Mohd Nor. She said plans are underway to provide internet access at all kindergartens under the Community Development Department (Kemas) in Orang Asli settlements, including those in remote areas. She said the initiative is part of the community's human capital development strategy within the next five years. "At the Rural Development and Regional Development Ministry level, we are currently formulating a strategy to digitalise preschool education in Orang Asli settlements. "Based on visits to several locations, we found that some kindergartens and educational institutions require special attention. "Insya-Allah, we will provide the necessary facilities according to the scope and allocations under Jakoa," she told reporters during the Mesra Rakyat Programme in Kuala Wook, here. Sapiah said there are 20 Kemas kindergartens in Kelantan and two in Terengganu located in Orang Asli settlements. "We are working closely with Kemas to identify locations that should be prioritised, as internet access and communication coverage are key needs in remote areas," she said, adding that implementation will begin in the most hard-to-reach locations first. – Bernama
The Sun
4 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
No financial constraints, Pos Balar bridge reconstruction to begin soon
GUA MUSANG: The reconstruction of the collapsed bridge at Pos Balar is now in the final stage of procurement and is expected to begin shortly, according to the Orang Asli Development Department (JAKOA) director-general Datuk Sapiah Mohd Nor. She dismissed claims that financial issues had delayed the project, saying swift action was taken after the bridge collapsed on March 9. 'For any infrastructure project, including the Pos Balar bridge, procurement must comply with government procedures. 'This process involves budget allocation and technical assessments. The procurement decision has been finalised and construction is scheduled to start this month,' she said during a media briefing in Pos Pasik today. JAKOA has allocated RM400,000 for the project, which will see the construction of a more resilient and safer bridge for the remote Orang Asli community. 'The new design considers the area's geography and terrain, with weather conditions also influencing the construction specifications,' Sapiah said. Media reports yesterday noted that the collapsed bridge had yet to be repaired. The reports also called for intervention from Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Rural and Regional Development, Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, to expedite the reconstruction.
The Sun
4 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Pos Balar bridge reconstruction to begin soon
GUA MUSANG: The reconstruction of the collapsed bridge at Pos Balar is now in the final stage of procurement and is expected to begin shortly, according to the Orang Asli Development Department (JAKOA) director-general Datuk Sapiah Mohd Nor. She dismissed claims that financial issues had delayed the project, saying swift action was taken after the bridge collapsed on March 9. 'For any infrastructure project, including the Pos Balar bridge, procurement must comply with government procedures. 'This process involves budget allocation and technical assessments. The procurement decision has been finalised and construction is scheduled to start this month,' she said during a media briefing in Pos Pasik today. JAKOA has allocated RM400,000 for the project, which will see the construction of a more resilient and safer bridge for the remote Orang Asli community. 'The new design considers the area's geography and terrain, with weather conditions also influencing the construction specifications,' Sapiah said. Media reports yesterday noted that the collapsed bridge had yet to be repaired. The reports also called for intervention from Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Rural and Regional Development, Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, to expedite the reconstruction.
The Sun
25-05-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
Coordinate aid to Pos Simpor, Pos Gob during road repairs
KUALA TERENGGANU: All associations and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) intending to deliver aid to Pos Simpor and Pos Gob in Gua Musang, Kelantan, are urged to coordinate with the Department of Orang Asli Development (JAKOA) beforehand. JAKOA director-general Datuk Sapiah Mohd Nor said repair and upgrading works on the main roads leading to both areas are currently underway to ensure residents have better and more comfortable access. She said to prevent road damage during unpredictable weather, access, especially for heavy vehicles and four-wheel drives, needs to be restricted. 'JAKOA is in the process of upgrading the roads with this year's allocated budget... both villages (Pos Simpor and Pos Gob) are involved. 'Given the current unstable weather conditions, we want to minimise movement to avoid further damage. Aid can be channelled directly through JAKOA,' she said at the closing ceremony of the 2025 National Orang Asli Sports Carnival here last night. On May 17, a landslide damaged the main road to the two villages, home to about 3,000 Orang Asli residents from the Temiar tribe. However, the road has since been repaired and is now passable. Meanwhile, Sapiah said JAKOA has allocated RM3.9 million this year for the Human Capital Development Programme (PMI). Funding covers various scopes including leadership, student motivation, community classes, education outreach, career skills training and sports development, she added. 'These efforts have yielded results, with an increase in the number of SPM 2024 students achieving five or more A's, rising to 113 compared to 88 in 2023. 'In fact, this year we aim to sponsor 500 Orang Asli students to higher education institutions, up from 456 last year,' she said.
Barnama
25-05-2025
- Climate
- Barnama
Coordinate Aid To Pos Simpor, Pos Gob During Road Repairs
'Given the current unstable weather conditions, we want to minimise movement to avoid further damage. Aid can be channelled directly through JAKOA,' she said at the closing ceremony of the 2025 National Orang Asli Sports Carnival here last night. On May 17, a landslide damaged the main road to the two villages, home to about 3,000 Orang Asli residents from the Temiar tribe. However, the road has since been repaired and is now passable. Meanwhile, Sapiah said JAKOA has allocated RM3.9 million this year for the Human Capital Development Programme (PMI).
