KUALA LUMPUR: Only 15 of the 83 officially recognised Orang Asli Villages in Cameron Highlands have treated water, the Dewan Rakyat was told today.
Rural Development Minister Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid in a written parliamentary reply to Ramli Mohd Nor (Cameron Highlands- PN) said that the Orang Asli Development Department (JAKOA) would intensify efforts to provide the facility to the remaining villages in the future.
He said in 2022, two projects to upgrade water treatment systems would be carried out in the Leyer and Cheros Orang Asli villages within the constituency.
Mahdzir said that so far, 706 of 853 officially recognised Orang Asli villages nationwide have treated water supplies.
"For the information of Yang Berhormat, the government has been working to provide treated water to Orang Asli villages in the peninsular since the 10th Malaysia Plan. JAKOA has been allocated RM290 million for such projects to supply treated water from 2011 to 2021, 353 of which have been carried out."
"This involves new constructions, upgrades as well as improvements on the treated water systems. As such, the number of officially recognised Orang Asli Villages that have the facility have increased to 706 from the overall 853 such villages."
Ramli had earlier asked what was being done by the ministry to address the issue pertaining to treated water supply especially in Cameron Highlands. The hill station is also Malaysia's main fruit and vegetable production centre.