MIRI – Sarawak’s Penan community must not be left out in the RM274 million allocation for Orang Asli development in Budget 2022, said Dennis Ngau.
The Telang Usan assemblyman, who has a majority of the Penan folks in his constituency, told The Vibes that Penans have the same status in Sarawak as the Orang Asli in the peninsula.
“The Penans are the Orang Asal in Sarawak, just like the Orang Asli are the Orang Asal in the peninsula. They must be considered in the same group.
“So, the RM274 million allocated for Orang Asli’s social development must be shared with the Penans too.”
Ngau hopes the coordinating agency will liaise with the Sarawak government on this.
Meanwhile, the subsidy for rural air service will go a long way in supporting rural districts, he added.
“It will benefit tourism in those areas too, so it is a good move. Without government subsidies, rural flights will be too expensive.”
Yesterday, Finance Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz said the RM274 million allocation is expected to be disbursed to assist almost 200,000 Orang Asli individuals.
Additionally, Orang Asli students attending secondary schools will have their pocket money from the government increased to RM4 a day.
The ministry has also provided RM10 million to provide children in Sabah and Sarawak with better access to education related to culture and traditions. – The Vibes, October 30, 2021
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