Don’t back new political party, Ramli urges Orang Asli community

SEREMBAN: The Orang Asli community has been advised against supporting a newly formed political party that claims to champion their rights, according to Datuk Ramli Mohd Noor. As the Deputy Speaker of the Dewan Rakyat and the first Orang Asli MP, Ramli has learned that the Registrar of Societies recently approved the establishment of this party consisting primarily of Orang Asli members. Concerned about potential division within the community, Ramli emphasized the importance of unity during a meeting with community members, which was also attended by state Umno liaison committee chief Datuk Seri Jalaluddin Alias.

With only 217,000 Orang Asli residing on the peninsula, Ramli urged them to continue their support for Barisan Nasional, the party that has been safeguarding their welfare for years. He disclosed his appointment as the chairman of a secretariat tasked with addressing the economic development of the Orang Asli community, sanctioned by the Deputy Prime Minister. Ramli voiced his concern that supporting another party would dilute their political power and diminish their influence.

Ramli further stressed that the dispersed nature of the Orang Asli community necessitates their unity. He confirmed that he has yet to receive any information regarding the new political party’s efforts to engage with Orang Asli villages. Citing his personal knowledge, Ramli stated that approximately 90% of the Orang Asli have consistently supported Barisan Nasional. In his capacity as secretariat chairman, Ramli pledged to introduce additional programs in agriculture and entrepreneurship to enhance the community’s economic stability.

Ramli acknowledged the previous Barisan government’s initiative to annually send at least 10 children from the Orang Asli community abroad, which he said is an ongoing commitment. Additionally, he noted that the community’s budget for development has been increased to RM305 million, demonstrating the government’s commitment to their progress. Ramli urged the Orang Asli not to be swayed by personal interests and to remain steadfast in their support for Barisan Nasional. During his speech, Jalaluddin, who is also the Jelebu MP, expressed his gratitude to the community for supporting Barisan’s candidates in the November general election held in Kuala Pilah, Tampin, Rembau, Jempol, and Jelebu.