Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad.-filepic
IPOH: Applications have been made to the Rural and Regional Development Ministry to build new houses for the Orang Asli community in Perak.
Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad said the application was made after receiving numerous community requests.
"The application was made last week.
"When we visited the villages, it was brought up by the villagers," he said in a press conference after opening an Orang Asli Symposium here on Monday (July 22).
"Before this, there had been programmes to build homes for the Orang Asli registered under e-Kasih.
"There is an urgent need to build comfortable homes for them," he said.
"It will depend on the allocation (by the ministry)," he added.
When asked roughly how many new homes would be built, Saarani replied "A lot. Hundreds".
Separately, Saarani said any non-governmental organisations that want to provide services to the Orang Asli, would first need permission from the relevant district officer.
"The district officer will need to know about their plan and monitor them to ensure they do not go astray," he said.
