TEMERLOH: The Rural and Regional Development Ministry has drawn up a five-year action plan to develop the Orang Asli community.
Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal said the plan covered education, infrastructure, economy, agriculture and skills training.
“Many schemes have been set up for the Orang Asli. For example, 300 are given scholarships to study law, health and engineering, locally.
“The government has also sponsored eight Orang Asli students for further their studies in the United Kingdom this year. More will be sent in future.
“Meanwhile, 300 more are holding senior posts in the government services,” he told reporters after closing a programme in Penderas, near Kuala Krau, today.
He said, currently, 1,600 Orang Asli were working in government department and agencies.
Mohd Shafie said the government was also working hard to spur the achievement of the Orang Asli in economy and entrepreneurship as well as promote their culture.
Yesterday, also in Kampung Penderas, he told 1,000 residents that RM5.4 million had been allocated for various programmes, including education and house construction and repair for the Orang Asli community in Pahang. — BERNAMA