BETTER housing, more job opportunities, and skills training are what the Orang Asli (OA) community in Kuala Kubu Baharu are expecting from their elected representative.
The OA, who are of the Belandas tribe, have lived in KKB for many years, representing about 2,000 voters in the area.
Their settlements are in Kampung Orang Asli Tun Abdul Razak, Kampung Orang Asli Gerachi Jaya, Kampung Orang Asli Kerling, and Kampung Orang Asli Buluh Telor.
Kampung Tun Abdul Razak village head Asu Al Dollah, 68, said many areas need electricity and roads and street lights are in need of repairs.
He said they require new houses and dilapidated homes need repairs.
"Some are living in wooden houses they built themselves. We don't have money. If we did, we would have bought our own houses.
"The people here also need proper jobs," he told The Vibes.
He wants the government to build a viewing platform on Bukit Jantung to attract visitors.
"On top of the hill, they will get a good view of Tanjung Malim, Rasah, and surrounding areas
"It will also create tourism work for the OA," Asu said.
The villagers work as landscape workers, cleaners, builders and durian farmers.
"We have 50-60 families living here. We hope to get some form of assistance."
Asu said the assemblyment must visit their village.
"It doesn't matter which party the person is from. What is important is that he, or she, is our elected rep.
"We want a meeting to discuss issues that are affecting the people here."
He added that the OA want to be treated the same as the Malays, Chinese and Indians here.
"We should be treated the same as all other races. If someone gets something, then it is only right that everyone gets the same thing."
Kedun Dollah, 56 who works as a handyman in the village, wants the authorities to provide electricity for those living at Bukit Jantung.
"For 30 years there has been no electricity. My brother's house has also been damaged by heavy rainfall and until now nothing has been done (to repair it)," Kedun said.
"When there is an election, everyone comes, bringing rice, coffee and sugar. After that, they all disappear and there is no action (to assist us).
"The elected representative should come more often to the village. Previously, after they won, we never got to see them.
" I'm not angry; I'm just not satisfied."
Simbam Taya, 49, hopes the government will repair her crumbling home.
"I'm a housewife. My children are doing odd jobs.
"I haven't seen our elected representative here. We hope our new assemblyman will come here."
Trader Zahari Alias, 45, want to see progress in the area.
"There have not been any changes here in terms of development.
"We feel that others outside our village are getting more. Also, it's difficult to find jobs here. We are working on our own as there is hardly any support," Zahari said.
Friends of Selangor has stepped in to help the OA community here. Club chairman, Siti Noor Suhaida said the aim is to help raise the OA's socio-economic status.
"We are encouraging the OA community here to register as hiking guides," she told The Vibes.
"In KKB there are many hiking trails, jungles, rivers and other outdoor activities. These are some of the attractions here."
Siti Noor Suhaida said the OA youth are interested in outdoor activities.
She is encourages the youngsters to attend an outdoors course conducted by the Selangor Forestry Department.
She added there are more than 10 hiking guides in the KKB community.
"What we are doing is trying to get the OA youth involved so that they can make a living."
The hiking trails that need guides are Bukit Kutu, Bukit Batu Pahat, Gunung GAP and Gunung Ulu Semangkok.
"Those who want to hike here will have to get a permit from the Rawang forestry department which costs RM5. The hikers would also need a hiking guide.
"So, if the OA gets certification as a guide then can make a living," she said.
Siti Noor Suhaida said the club will sponsor the OA youth.
"So far we have sponsored six OA to take up the hiking course."
She hoped the new assemblyman will help the OA to contribute to society.
The KKB seat in Selangor fell vacant following the death of its three-term DAP assemblyman Lee Kee Hiong on March 21 after a battle with cancer.
Polling day is on May 11. Nomination is on April 27 and early voting, May 7.
The KKB constituency has a mixed electorate of 50% Malays, 30% Chinese, 18% Indians and 2% others.
The electoral roll are more than 40,000 registered voters. – April 22, 2024.
