BY: AIN IBRAHIM

While controversy rages over when the Malays, Chinese and Indians settled in this country, and as the debate rages on, what is being overlooked is the plight of the Orang Asli or aborigines who resided in this land from time immemorial.

The Orang Asli are the original inhabitants of this land and they have been displaced and therefore it is vital and necessary that their plight be looked into as their lives should be a matter of great importance to us Malaysians.

Orang Asli lives matter and the government should be more proactive and do more for the community and bring them in line with the rest of Malaysians and ensure that they are not ostracised or shunned.

The Orang Asli are considered by many caring and concerned Malaysians as being disadvantaged and marginalized and all this needs to change and their affairs such as housing, education, healthcare and other basic necessities must be given priority.

It is true that much progress has been made to develop Orang Asli lives but they still lag behind the major races and it is time to jump start their lives to ensure it is on par in terms of quality and well being with the rest of Malaysians.

While aborigines in advanced and developed countries have managed to assimilate into the mainstream of their respective societies, in Malaysia, there is much more that can be done and the government should lead the way.

-THE MALAYSIA VOICE

** The views expressed on this opinion is of the writer and not the publisher