JOHOR BAHRU – A group of 40 Orang Asli from the Kampung Orang Asli Simpang Arang in Iskandar Puteri were found to have fled from their own village since two days ago for fear of being infected with COVID-19.
The action of the 15 families was following their concern over the COVID-19 outbreak after finding out about a religious teacher in their village who was suspected of being infected with the outbreak.
Kota Iskandar State Assembly Special Co-ordinating Committee (JPKD) chairman Iskandar Pandak Ahmad said JKPD found out about the matter yesterday and had looked into their situation in a nearby forest area which they used as their emplacement.
“We found that about 40 people, including children and babies involving 15 families have moved to a nearby mangrove forest area due to fears of being infected with the COVID-19 virus.
“We have told them that the individual (religious teacher) has already undergone screening and the result was confirmed negative. So, we are now trying to persuade them to return to the village,” he told Bernama.
According to Pandak, the committee, together with the penghulu of the mukim and the Tok Batin (Orang Asli headman) once again made a visit and surveyed the area today and found that the forest area where they lived was not safe, especially for children and babies.
Apart from that, the weather was inclement and the temporary tents and shed were also found to be unsuitable and unsafe to occupy, he said.
Pandak hoped that the Orang Asli involved would soon move back to their village.
It is understood that there were more than 800 people living in about 180 houses in Kampung Orang Asli Simpang Arang.
— BERNAMA
