PETALING JAYA: Two Orang Asli survivors, Norieen Yaakob and Miksudiar Aluj, still carry the trauma of being lost in a Kelantan jungle for over a month, eight years ago. During that time, they lost their friends and family members. Today, Norieen is 18 years old and married, with a baby on the way, while Miksudiar is 19. Sadly, the tragic event continues to leave a lasting impact on their lives.
According to lawyer and activist Siti Kasim, both teenagers have become withdrawn, and neither has returned to school since the incident. Siti Kasim added, “Personality-wise, they are very withdrawn. It’s really difficult to get anything out of them, especially Norieen. She hardly talks. She is married now and is heavily pregnant. Miksudiar is still a child but she is doing a bit better than Norieen. I think the future for them would be like any women in their community.” Siti Kasim has been assisting the victims with their legal action against the government.
In August 2015, Norieen, Miksudiar, and five other Orang Asli pupils from SK Tohoi in Gua Musang fled their school hostel and entered a nearby forest to avoid punishment. After being lost for 47 days, Norieen, then 10, and Miksudiar, then 11, were discovered alive but malnourished and weak on the bank of Sungai Perias on October 9. Unfortunately, the other five children did not survive. They were Norieen’s younger brother Haikal, Ika Ayel, Juvina David, Linda Rosli, and Sasa Sobrie.
Siti Kasim also revealed that Norieen and Miksudiar did not receive continuous counseling due to their remote village location. However, with the government agreeing to a RM1.41 million settlement on Monday, Norieen, Miksudiar, and the families of the deceased victims can finally move forward and find closure. The settlement will be shared equally among the six grieving families who filed negligence suits against the government in 2018.
Siti Kasim expressed that the families experienced relief and tears upon hearing the news of the settlement. However, it may take some time before the money is released, and the families have been advised to deposit the funds into an interest-bearing account to capitalize on the interest. Siti Kasim said, “It’s my advice, but it’s up to them. We can’t stop them from using the money as they wish.”
Credit: The Star : News Feed
