More Than 300 Pos Gob Orang Asli Residents Celebrate National Day

GUA MUSANG, Aug 30 (Bernama) -- More than 300 Orang Asli from the Temiar tribe today gathered at their settlement for the first time and expressed their patriotism by flying the Jalur Gemilang, singing patriotic songs and shouting ‘Merdeka’ in conjunction with tomorrow’s National Day celebration.

Pos Gob Orang Asli Village Development and Security Committee (JPKKOA) chairman Adi Liman said the settlement’s remote location meant that its residents had never had the opportunity to witness or experience the excitement of National Day celebrations.

“We are happy to be able to shout the rallying cry of ‘Merdeka’ together and sing patriotic songs. Many residents are excited because this is the first time such a celebration has been held so grandly at Pos Gob.

“This is an experience we have never had before. Programmes like this should be held every year to foster love for the country, especially among the younger generation,” he said when met by reporters at Pos Gob here today.

Meanwhile, Nenggiri assemblyman Mohd Azmawi Fikri Abdul Ghani said the celebration, specially organised for people living in remote areas, aimed to foster the spirit of patriotism among the Orang Asli community despite living far from urban areas and other communities.

He said that apart from distributing the Jalur Gemilang, his team had made efforts to organise activities centred on independence with the Orang Asli community to ensure that they did not feel marginalised, while fostering a sense of togetherness in celebrating National Day.

“They are very enthusiastic and visibly proud to be able to celebrate independence together. This spirit needs to be continuously nurtured as the Orang Asli community is also part of the larger Malaysian family,” he said.

He said his team had travelled to all Orang Asli settlements in the interior of the Nenggiri state constituency to engage with the communities and provide them with exposure to National Day celebrations.

“The highlight will be tonight, when we hold Malam Semarak Merdeka, featuring a National Day eve celebration and the chanting of the rallying cry ‘Merdeka’ with the Mendriq community in Kampung Kuala Lah, here,” he said.

-- BERNAMA