The National Human Rights Society (Hakam) is raising funds for Orang Asli students studying at Chung Hwa Asahan Chinese primary school located at the border of Johor and Melaka.

Fund raising coordinator Koh Swee Yong said that Orang Asli students in vernacular schools are not entitled to financial support, unlike their counterparts in national schools.

Koh was speaking at the opening of Hakam's new office in Kuala Lumpur yesterday. He explained that up to 1992, Orang Asli students receive aid regardless of the type of school they attended.

He said Hakam strongly believes that the Orang Asli community should not be restricted on their choice of schools.

"If you don't give allowances because they study in Chinese or Tamil schools, then you deprive the children's rights of education," said Koh also a former student at Chung Hwa Asahan.

Generally poor

Eleven of the 13 Orang Asli students in need of funds were also present at the event, accompanied by their parents and village heads of Kampung Sg Mering Batin Ujang Talam.

A teacher, who only wished to be identified as Ms Lim, said that the Orang Asli students are generally poor and are in dire need of aid.

Meanwhile, the event also witnessed the launching of the book Speaking out-Insight into contemporary Malaysian issues , authored by prominent academic Dr Collin Abraham (photo).