New Council, TVET Institution To Empower Orang Asli Economy- DPM Zahid

From Ahmad Erwan Othman

ROTORUA (New Zealand), July 15 (Bernama) -- Malaysia plans to set up an Orang Asli Business Council and a dedicated Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institution to boost the economic standing of the indigenous community, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said today.

Ahmad Zahid, who is also the Rural and Regional Development Minister, said the initiatives are part of five key proposals inspired by the success of New Zealand’s Māori community in empowering their indigenous population.

“I will hold a special meeting with the Department of Orang Asli Development (JAKOA) to discuss the formation of the Orang Asli Business Council.

“We are also considering establishing a TVET institution focused on multiple skill areas to nurture technopreneurs from within the Orang Asli community,” he told a press conference after a roundtable session with Māori business leaders here.

Ahmad Zahid, currently on a five-day working visit to New Zealand, spent the second day of his trip in Rotorua — a cultural and geothermal tourism hub about three hours from Auckland.

He said the government also plans to create a dedicated microfinancing division under Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia (AIM) to help Orang Asli women generate supplementary income.

“For Orang Asli mothers especially, we want to empower them to improve their family’s financial standing. This is one of the lessons we’ve drawn from our visit here,” he said.

Ahmad Zahid added that increasing access to higher education for Orang Asli youth remains a key focus.

“In 2023, we targeted 300 enrolments into higher education institutions and surpassed that number. The 2024 goal of 400 has also been achieved.

“Alhamdulillah, this year, over 500 Orang Asli students have enrolled in universities and colleges. We aim to push these numbers even higher,” he said, adding that one of the proposals also involves reviewing and amending existing legislation concerning Orang Asli affairs.

Ahmad Zahid said focused implementation of these initiatives could significantly enhance social mobility among the Orang Asli — not only by broadening opportunities (horizontal mobility) but also by raising their standing, especially through education (vertical mobility).

The proposed initiatives will be monitored by the Orang Asli Development Committee, chaired by Dewan Rakyat Deputy Speaker Datuk Dr Ramli Mohd Nor.

“I will empower the committee with the necessary authority to oversee and implement the recommendations drawn from this visit,” he said.

As part of the programme, Ahmad Zahid and his delegation visited the Whakarewarewa Living Māori Village and Onuku Farm, a sheep and dairy operation, to explore best practices in agriculture and livestock management that could be adapted to support rural development in Malaysia.

-- BERNAMA