Centre for Orang Asli Concerns coordinator Colin Nicholas said 14 Orang Asli villages in Selangor had been inundated by floodwaters and the people needed help.
Nicholas, who has been aiding the Orang Asli in Selangor, said the worst-hit village was in Bukit Tadom near Sepang. The villagers, helped by NGOs and volunteers, have moved to high ground in four different places.
Nicholas also spoke of the situation in Kelantan and areas bordering it, saying Gua Musang and several villages were “hit quite badly”.
“The villages aren’t submerged, but road access and food supply have been cut off,” he said. “The Orang Asli development department (Jakoa) needs to send helicopters with supplies to aid them.”
Soeb Miah, who chairs the Kampung Tadom residents committee, told FMT non-stop rain was making it difficult for the water to completely subside.
“We are currently living in tents because our homes are fully submerged, and it is an uncomfortable situation for us,” he said. “We are in desperate need of supplies such as dry foods, blankets and pillows.”
In Kampung Jeram, Kedah, floods have affected 387 Orang Asli villagers and they have moved to higher ground.
Village security and development committee chairman Sam anak Chen said although the welfare department, state officials, Jakoa and NGOs had been helping Kampung Jeram residents, food assistance was abruptly halted yesterday.
“We are all hungry and the children have not eaten anything,” he said. “Please send food as soon as possible.”
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