JOHOR BARU – A group of 40 Orang Asli from 15 families from Kampung Orang Asli Simpang Arang in Iskandar Puteri were found to have left their own village since two days ago for fear of being infected with Covid-19.
The 15 families are believed to have fled after a religious teacher in their village was suspected of being infected with the coronavirus.
Kota Iskandar State Assembly Special Co-ordinating Committee (JPKD) chairman Pandak Ahmad said JKPD found out about the matter yesterday and has looked into the situation in a nearby forest area that they used as their emplacement.
“We found that the 15 families, including children and babies, have moved to a nearby mangrove forest area.
“We have informed them that the individual (religious teacher) has already undergone screening and the result was confirmed negative. So, we are now trying to persuade them to return to the village,” he told Bernama.
According to Pandak, the committee, together with the sub-district chief and Tok Batin (Orang Asli headman), once again made a visit and surveyed the area today, and found that the forest area where they lived was not safe, especially for the children and babies.
Apart from that, the weather was inclement and the temporary tents and shed were also found to be unsuitable and unsafe to occupy, he said.
Pandak hopes the Orang Asli involved will soon move back to their village.
It is understood that there are more than 800 people living in about 180 houses in Kampung Orang Asli Simpang Arang. – Bernama, December 10, 2020
