PEKAN: The Orang Asli at Kampung Gumum near here have adopted a no-nonsense approach in their efforts to prevent outsiders from entering the village during the current Movement Control Order (MCO) 3.0.
The village youths have been stationed at a wooden guard post which resumed operations for the third time since the pandemic hit the country in March last year.
Outsiders are not allowed to enter the village and those entering with valid reasons including delivering aid will have to scan the MySejahtera application, undergo temperature checks and will be accompanied by a villager on motorcycle until they leave the settlement.
Orang Asli villager Navin K. Paramanantham, 28, who was on duty at the guard post said despite the MCO there were still people trying to enter the village to visit Tasik Chini which is located less than 1km away.
"We will not allow those without valid documents to enter the village. However, people from the nearby settlements will drop by claiming they want to "jalan-jalan" (walk around) at the lake....some even told us they wanted to go fishing at the lake.
"Sometimes when people notice us at the guard house, they turn around and immediately leave.....there are some who will try their luck but we will not allow them to enter. Those with documents and valid reasons will be accompanied by one of the youths until they complete their task and leave the area," he said when met.
Meanwhile, Navin said he and his friend, Nurfakkerul Lim Bung Kiang, 17, were on duty between 8am and 8pm before they lock the blockade with chains at night.
"Those who want to enter or leave the village after 8pm will have to call the emergency number. Usually, everyone is at home by 8pm and no one leaves the settlement at night as the roads here are dark," he said.
Nurfakkerul said the youths who were on duty at the guard post were doing it voluntarily and meals were provided by the villagers.
"Besides breakfast and lunch, sometimes villagers will deliver snacks for tea and if they return from town, they will provide us extra food and drinks.
"Our aim is to ensure the village is free from Covid-19 and prevent outsiders from freely entering the settlement. We hope the pandemic will end soon and people can return to visit the lake including going on boat trips," he said, adding the village has 240 families from the Jakun tribe.
State Rural Development and Orang Asli Affairs Committee chairman Datuk Abd Aziz Mat Kiram said the Orang Asli across Pahang had taken preventive measures on their own.
"Some placed long bamboo poles, wood and drums to block the entrance to their settlements. In some settlements, the villagers set-up teams to patrol the area as they are concerned about anglers and outsiders searching for jungle vegetation," he said.
Caption:
1. Orang Asli villager Navin K. Paramanantham (red T-shirt) carries out body temperature checks while Nurfakkerul monitors at Kampung Gumum, Pekan.