They came from across the country to air their grouses and problems. But the 1,000 odd Orang Asli left disappointed when Rural and Regional Development Minister Abdul Aziz Shamsuddin failed to show-up.

Abdul Aziz had been slated to officiate the 15th annual general assembly of the Peninsular Malaysia Orang Asli Association (POASM) in Putrajaya yesterday.

"We are very disappointed. Government officials have always been talking and talking, but are never brave enough to be up front with the Orang Asli community," said past POASM deputy-president Arif Embing ( pix ) when met.

Meanwhile, vice-president Melati Jamil expressed her disappointment in having let down the members who had traveled far to have an audience with the minister.

"We didn't pay for their transportation costs. When they were told that the minister would officiate this AGM, they came by paying their own bus fares and other transportation costs," she said.

Malaysiakini learnt there was a death in the minister's family but he was expected to return to Kuala Lumpur the same morning.

Change mindset

Earlier, in a speech read out by his political secretary, Abdul Aziz said the government was committed to protect the interests of the Orang Asli.

"For us, this is a responsibility that has to be carried out... we are highly committed to realise the aspirations of the government in ensuring the community share in the plans for development," he said.

The onus in realising such plans, he added, laid with the Orang Asli community as the government had provided sufficient facilities and amenities to facilitate their development.

"As such, POASM is responsible to help the government in increasing the awareness and changing the mindset among the Orang Asli to accept development.

"This is among the areas that we need to focus on while, at the same time, seeking physical development such as housing, roads, water and electricity," he said.

On the alarming rate of Orang Asli children dropping out of school before reaching secondary level, the minister said there were 25,354 pupils registered at the primary level but only 7,559 were registered in secondary schools.

"Does it have to do with inadequate facilities or a mindset that still does not stress on the importance of education?" he asked.

Abdul Aziz also argued that the success of about 500 Orang Asli who had reached or completed tertiary education, with some acquiring PhDs, meant that others were just as capable.

Addressing the question as to why there was only one Orang Asli holding a management position in the Department of Orang Asli Affairs, he said this was not because the government was intentionally not according high positions to them.

"Admittedly, there area many Orang Asli who have succeeded in graduating from institutions of higher learning. (But) those who had completed their studies ventured into other fields such as lecturing or engineering (instead of applying to the department)," he said.

"The crux of it is, they must be interested in building and developing their communities themselves," he added.

On the economic front, Abdul Aziz lamented the fact that 76 percent of the 29,873 Orang Asli households are categorised as poor, but promised that the ministry was in the midst of floating a proposal to the state governments involving the distribution of land to them.

At the same time, he added that the Orang Asli should be encouraged to seek additional sources of livelihoods to supplement their meager income and to break out of the cycle of poverty.

However, the speech failed to make up for his absence and the messages fell on cynical ears.

Raised many times

POASM past president 'Bah' Anthony Williams-Hunt said Abdul Aziz's absence was in line generally with the government's general indifference to the plight of the Orang Asli community.

"Frankly speaking, I'm not disappointed. It was in a way expected," he added.

Questioning the minister for blaming the Orang Asli for their socio-economic conditions, Tony noted that many proposals for the betterment of the community had long been presented to the authorities nothing has happened.

"It simply defies logic that we would be opposed to development as he implies. What 'mindset' are they trying to change? The land issue, for example, has been highlightded for many years and we have proposed many solutions (but these have been ignored)," he said.

On Orang Asli children dropping out from school, Tony said a comprehensive study should be done on the factors contributing to the large drop-out rate instead of lumping it simplistically and conveniently on parents.

Earlier in his speech, POASM president Majid Suhut raised the similar problem of Orang Asli issues being placed on the back burner of the government's development plans.

"Our community is behind in many aspects and there are many problems that we have discussed many times in past AGMs. Various objectives and decisions that been formulated and presented to the authorities.

"We have not, however, seen any results, although we will not give up in asking for and pleading to the authorities in seeking ways to resolve such issues that have been and will be raised," he said.

Photographs from the event are courtesy of Colin Nicholas.