Barisan Nasional plans to appoint a special officer for the Orang Asli community in the Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar’s Office if given the mandate to form the state government.
JELEBU: Barisan Nasional (BN) plans to create a special officer position to represent the Orang Asli community in the Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar’s Office if the coalition is given the mandate to form the state government in the coming state election.
BN chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the proposal does not need to be included in its manifesto as it can be implemented administratively by the state government, adding that this initiative has already been adopted by the BN-led Pahang and Perak state governments.
Ahmad Zahid, who is also the Deputy Prime Minister, said the proposal aims to ensure the voices and needs of the Orang Asli community can be channelled directly to the state government, thereby strengthening ties between the community and the Menteri Besar’s Office.
“This does not need to be included in the manifesto. It can be implemented administratively. This is their request, and I feel that it should be answered,” he told a press conference after attending the Negeri Sembilan campaign programme here today.
Meanwhile, when met by reporters at a gathering with the Negeri Sembilan Orang Asli community in Kampung Tohor, Kenaboi in Jelebu, he said the direct ties between the Orang Asli leadership and the Menteri Besar’s Office in Pahang and Perak are going well.
He also suggested that the Johor government should consider appointing a special officer to represent the Orang Asli community in its Menteri Besar’s Office, since the state also has a large Orang Asli community.
Also present at the gathering were Cameron Highlands Member of Parliament (MP) Datuk Dr Ramli Noor, Jelebu MP Datuk Seri Jalaluddin Alias, who is also BN’s candidate for the Pertang state seat, and Chennah state seat candidate Siow Kong Choon.
Early voting is set for July 28, with polling day on Aug 1.
