JASIN – “Every time they want our votes, only then will we see them in the village,” said Ahmad Salleh, the tok batin of Kg Orang Asli Air Dusun Tebong, Machap Jaya in Melaka.
Such was the sentiment expressed by the 62-year-old, who is tired of the games played by political members promising the stars and moon to the Orang Asli community at the village each time Melaka sees an upcoming election.
He admits, however, that the presence of a fresh candidate as a people’s representative in the state assembly provides the best chance to make appeals regarding Orang Asli benefits in his village.
According to him, among the issues brought up during the assemblyman candidate’s presence were drainage and housing problems that have long plagued the lives of the Orang Asli community in the village.
“The drainage problem faced by the village has gone for far too long without any resolution, even though we have made multiple requests to the authorities.
“Because we lack proper drains, our village is flood-prone every time it rains heavily. We need this. It is extremely important to us,” he said when Getaran visited yesterday.
Ahmad recalled how he was forced to threaten visiting candidates that the village would not cast their votes, as a desperate attempt to find a resolution to their problems.
“I told them that if the problems with our drains are not addressed, we will not come out to vote. I have to threaten them in such a way for the matter to be resolved.
“Drains are vital. If there is no flowing water, then a variety of problems will occur including dengue fever, floods, and so on,” he said.
When Getaran arrived at the Orang Asli village, cleaning work was underway with the installation of an additional drainage channel being conducted by a contractor commissioned by a political party.
Besides problematic drainage systems, six Orang Asli families in the village are also homeless, forced to seek shelter with other families, leading to cramped homes.
Despite appeals to authorities made several years ago, Jamil Baloi, 28, a father to two young children aged seven and five, is still homeless and living an impoverished life.
“Look at this house. I have applied to the Orang Asli Development Department (Jakoa) so many times over the years and have not gotten anything from them. Their excuse is always that there is no budget,” he said.
Because of his growing family, he was forced to build a dilapidated wooden hut as a shelter from the sun and rain.
“Please help me, Jakoa, I am a poor man. I have been asking for a house and have yet to get one,” he pleaded. – Getaran, November 16, 2021
Reported by Zaidi Azmi and Fitri Nizam
