IPOH: Rasila Yas, Malaysia’s first Orang Asli principal, has been honoured with the Orang Asli Icon Award in recognition of her achievements and contributions.
The 54-year-old principal of SMK Menglembu is the first from the Orang Asli community to receive the award during the Perak Orang Asli Community Symposium 2025 on Wednesday (July 2).
A member of the Tenuan tribe, Rasila was born in Baling, Kedah, and raised in Pengkalan Hulu, Perak.
"I accept this award with pride and as a recognition of my journey. It is something that honours my accomplishments," she said.
Rasila added that educational awareness among the Orang Asli community is gradually improving, with more students entering universities, but progress remains slow.
"There need to be more programmes to support and accelerate this growth. Even after Independence, I am still the only one from the Orang Asli community to become a principal. That shows how long it has taken and that more must be done," she said.
She stressed the importance of successful Orang Asli individuals returning to their communities to help uplift and create awareness.
"Many in rural areas are not aware of the opportunities available. It's not that they don’t want to progress, they just haven’t realised it yet," she said.
Rasila also urged parents to prioritise their children’s education and give them the best support possible.
Meanwhile, Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad, in his speech at the event, shared the growing success of Orang Asli students.
"In 2020, 56 Orang Asli graduates completed their higher education, including two at the master’s level. They ventured into fields such as social sciences, engineering, and information technology."
"By 2023, the number had grown to 751 Orang Asli students pursuing studies in various disciplines across the country," he said.
Saarani also highlighted that in 2022 alone, seven Orang Asli students were able to further their studies overseas through the Program Ijazah Luar Negara (ILN), which has been running since 2010.
"To continue supporting such achievements, Yayasan Perak has introduced a special excellence incentive for Orang Asli SPM high achievers," he said, adding that Yayasan Perak, which he chairs, is committed to empowering education in the state.
