The Parliamentary Caucus on Reform and Governance with Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim as Chairman and myself as Deputy Chairman will study why after six decades, the Orang Aslis continue to be the forgotten community in Malaysia, denied of basic needs like proper roads, clean water, electricity, schools, educational advancement, easy access to medical care, housing , decent jobs, business opportunities and protection of their customary land rights.
It is time that Orang Aslis stand up like the Malays, Chinese, Indians, Kadazans and Ibans to demand that in a New Malaysia which the country has embarked upon with the historic decision of the 14th General Election on May 9, 2018, Orang Aslis in Malaysia can also enjoy justice, integrity, freedom and democracy in Malaysia.
Orang Asli communities should take the opportunity of the formation of the Parliamentary Caucus on Reform and Governance to initiate a national discussion as to what can be done to restructure institutions and governance so that all the Orang Asli communities in the country can be absorbed into the mainstream of national development.
They should not miss the opportunity to make representations to the Parliamentary Caucus on Reform and Governance, which will finalise its modus operandi and scope of jurisdiction, which will be announced when ready.
There is now a new Pakatran Harapan Federal Government in Putrajaya and a new Pakatan Harapan Johore state government in Kota Iskandar.
Pakatan Harapan must prove in five years that it is better than the UMNO/BN government for all Malaysians, whether Orang Asli, Malays, Chinese, Indians, Kadazans or Ibans or the voters will not re-elect Pakatan Harapan in the 15th General Election in 2023.
(Speech by DAP MP for Iskandar Puteri Lim Kit Siang after launching the Impian Malaysia education programme at Kampong Orang Asli Simpang Arang in Gelang Patah on Saturday, 15th December 2018 at 12.30 pm)