Hundreds of Orang Asli in their resettlement area in Sungai Rual, Jeli, are worried that their livelihood may be affected by the state government's plan to set up a People's Farm project near their settlement.

NONE Jeli member of parliament Mustapa Mohamed said the state government said the Orang Asli community there were also worried that their source of water supply could also be affected by the project.

"The matter had been raised by the Orang Asli residents at a dialogue session and I am asking that the state government explain to them the project and to allay their fears," he said after a Ramadan function at the Sungai Rual Orang Asli Resettlement Scheme, today.

Mustapa, who is also International Trade and Industry Minister, said the Orang Asli residents from the Jahai, Batek and Mehri tribes were concerned about the development which would be too close to their settlement.

"I myself was not informed about this project but as the elected representative here I need to know about this new development," he said.

The People's Farm, a project by a state government subsidiary company, involves the cultivation of oil palm and rubber by selected participants who will be given dividends annually.

The issue had been raised by BN elected representatives before during the state assembly sittings as the company had given out dividends when the farm has not even existed.

At the function, Mustapa also handed over Raya contributions including rice, biscuits and cloth to several residents.

- Bernama