HULU TERENGGANU: The 18 Orang Asli ethnic groups in the country have taken full advantage of the government's development programmes to fast track their assimilation with the modern times.
However, their biggest challenge remains in the changing of the mindsets of those living in the settlements and those in small, nomadic groups.
Thankfully, for the few who have entered mainstream society, have returned home to become role models for youths in the settlements. This is an improvement compared to 10 years ago when timidity prevented the natives from stepping out and adopting a different lifestyle.
Those who have succeeded in joining mainstream society are now earning RM5,000 a month and have become an inspiration to others.
However, more efforts are required to bring about 20 per cent of the nomadic groups to accept modernisation and live in settlements.
"We have 205,000 Orang Asli staying in 898 settlements all over the country. There are still a few who are living in the interior, who we cannot reach by road," said Datuk Isa Abd Hamid, Orang Asli Senator.
He said about 80 per cent of the Orang Asli settlements were now accessible by roads and were provided with water and electricity supplies.
"Our statistics showed that only about 20 per cent of these settlements are still without public utilities. However, by 2023 we hope to achieve 100 per cent in providence of infrastructures and public utilities.
"Our priority now is to develop the human capital among the Orang Asli. We have achieved some progress but a lot more needs to be done to change the mindset, especially among youths," he added.
He said so far 800 Orang Asli children were studying at local higher learning institution and 72 have taken up courses in universities abroad.
"An intellectual centre for Orang Asli will be opened in Tok Jembal Kuala Terengganu early next year to cater for students from Terengganu and Kelantan," he said.
The facility, which costs RM10.3 million, would cater to 200 Orang Asli students, who had obtained reasonable grades in the UPSR examination.
Isa said education was the key to changing the mindset of the Orang Asli because it would prepare them for employment.
Isa was met after a visit to the Orang Asli community at Sungai Berua today.