Kampung Kemensah Orang Asli students cut off from internet signals [NSTTV]

KUALA LUMPUR: A group of volunteers from Tips Globeducate - Valley International School recently visited the Kampung Kemensah Orang Asli village in Gombak to raise awareness of the struggles the tribe is facing as they go about their everyday life.

The village, located behind Zoo Negara Malaysia consists of 32 families and 70 children ranging from infants to 12 years old from the Semai tribe.

There are about 24 houses in the village with a few of them shared by two to five families per house because of limited land area for new houses.

Some of the villagers have also been forced to stay with their relatives and friends as the building plan for their own houses is still pending approval for construction.

Valley International School head Suhanti Kuppusamy said there was an urgent need to uplift the living conditions of the Orang Asli community and address issues they faced.

She said volunteers learnt that many children in the village had dropped out of school due to financial constraints and other problems they faced.

"They deserve to see better infrastructure planning which includes improved access to necessities such as clean water, healthcare facilities, education, and transportation.

"The purpose of this field trip is to raise awareness about the importance of acknowledging and addressing the issues faced by marginalised communities," she said when met at the village.

The school's Student Council leaders Devika Soni and Mohanalakshmi Bala said they were able to raise RM1,500 from parents, students, and teachers to support the tribe.

"Additionally, we received clothing and toy donations from various sources.

"The generosity and support from our school community and others was the key in making this charity event a success.

"Even though it is the student council's first project, it has been a real success."

Village chief Jamil a/l Atong, 40, said the villagers are grateful to the Orang Asli Development Department (Jakoa) for their unending assistance in matters from education to improving facilities in the village.

However, he said there was an urgent need for the authorities to set up cellular towers in the area to overcome lack of signal issues.

He said the problem had made it difficult for children in the village to get their school work done as there is no internet or phone signal.

"The children here must get easy access to education because we cannot function without knowledge. They need to have the necessary skills.

"Next, the government must expedite to gazette the land here as the Orang Asli reserve land," he said.

Jamil added that heavy rain and storms can contribute to minor landslides and disrupts the electrical supply for the houses.

He said the villagers have also witnessed water surge because of the improper drainage system that has yet to be improved.