As part of the relocation programme, the Orang Asli community development programme was developed with the aim to sustain and further enhance the Orang Asli standard of living. SPLASH is genuinely concerned with the Orang Asli welfare and highly committed in providing more than what was required in the concession agreement. Through the development programme, the Orang Asli community is given the opportunity to adapt to modern living.
The development programme is specially tailored to suit the needs of the Orang Asli and additional programmes are implemented over a period of time in order to achieve tangible results.
The community development programme comprise:
a) Community Development & Skills Training for Orang Asli Men Year: 2000 - 2001
b) 'Taklimat Rumah Sempurna' Familiarisation Programme for Orang Asli Womenfolk Year: 2001
c) Provision of Jobs Year: 2000 - 2003 (Dam construction period)
d) Welfare and Health Care Service Programme Year: 2000 - 2003
e) Higher Education Scolarships Year: 2000 - 2005
f) Provision of Oil Palm Plantation and Plantation Management Skills Year: 2001 - 2004
a) Community Development & Skills Training for Orang Asli Men
In 2000, SPLASH selected 24 trainees, 12 from each village to attend construction equipment training programme at Gamuda Plant Operator School (GPOS).
The objective of the programme is to provide opportunity for the trainees to become skilled plant operators thus enabling them to enter into employment in the construction sector.
All 24 from the two Orang Asli villages were then coached and trained in excavator operations by Gamuda Plant Operator School (GPOS) at Shah Alam. During the training duration, lodging was provided for the trainees at GPOS hostel. In addition, SPLASH sponsored daily allowance for each trainee and weekend visits back to their villages.
The course programme included 2 months of theory and practical training sessions and 3 months of on-the-job training at the SSP3 worksite. After the mandatory period, SPLASH placed them on another 6 months of full-time work as Assistant Operators at SSP3.
At the end of the course in 2001, 17 trainees took the competency course, which covered both theory and practical assessment. Out of this 17, only 1 failed to make the grade. The 16 trainees were issued a certificate of Competency recognised by the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) together with Accreditation Card (Skilled Worker Card). Through this training, the trainees acquired skills and competency to work in the construction industry.
Success well deserved: The Orang Asli excavator operators received their Certificates of Competency from the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) Chief Executive Officer, Y.Bhg. Datuk Profesor Haji Abdul Rahman Abdullah in 2001
b) 'Taklimat Rumah Sempurna' Familiarisation Programme for Orang Asli Womenfolk
In preparation for their move to their new homes, SPLASH updated the families of Kg Gerachi and Kg. Pertak on the construction progress of their village. SPLASH also organised 'Taklimat Rumah Sempurna' familiarisation programmes specifically for the Orang Asli womenfolk, to equip themselves with knowledge on the usage of modern house equipment and appliances, household management, cleanliness and hygiene. The objective of the familiarisation programme is to help prepare them before they move in to their new homes so that they are comfortable and happy with the conveniences provided and their new surroundings once they shift in.
c) Provision of Jobs
During the construction of Sungai Selangor Dam in Kuala Kubu Bharu within 2000 to 2003, SPLASH employed over 40 Orang Asli, inclusive of 3 assistant excavator operators and 17 excavator operators from Kg Gerachi and Kg Pertak who were trained in the community development and skills training programme. SPLASH also provided other positions such as chainmen, flagmen, general workers, watchmen and cleaners to the Orang Asli community in Hulu Selangor. Both Batins and their assistants were offered jobs as liaison officers and assistant liaison officers to ensure smooth communication flow between SPLASH and the Orang Asli community.
An Orang Asli operating the excavator at SSP3 worksite
d) Welfare and Health Care Service Programme
To help ensure the Orang Asli community maintain a healthy lifestyle, SPLASH organised Medical and Health Day regularly for the Orang Asli communities of Kg Gerachi and Kg Pertak. 84 families from both villages were given malaria checks, dental checks and deworming and immunisation for the children.
During the construction period, SPLASH also provided a mobile clinic and an attending doctor at SSP3 site office for the two villages. The clinic was opened on every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. SPLASH provided an average of RM6000 for the health care programme each month.
Selangor Menteri Besar, YAB Dato' Dr. Mohd Khir bin Toyo carrying out dental check on an Orang Asli during 'Program Mesra Rakyat' at SPLASH site office
A Mother trying to soothe her baby while the baby being immunized during SPLASH Medical and Health Day
e) SPLASH Scholarships
SPLASH collaborated with Jabatan Hal Ehwal Orang Asli in implementing a scholarship programme to enable deserving Orang Asli students from Selangor to attain higher education level.
Under the scholarship programme, SPLASH provides RM6,000 per year for the period of 3 years to students who qualify to attend Diploma or Bachelor's degree courses in Malaysian institution of higher learning.
In July 2000, SPLASH sponsored the first batch of 5 students who pursued 3-year diploma courses at institutions of higher learning in Malaysia. All five have successfully completed their courses. The 2nd batch of 4 scholars was selected in 2003 and they're currently in their 2nd academic year.
2nd Batch of Orang Asli Scholars: (From left) Rahimah A/P Tera, Ruhaizah bte Kel, Salinda A/P Nun and Latipah bte Jamaluddin
| NO. |
SCHOLARS |
COURSE |
INSTITUTE |
| 1 |
Salinda A/P Nun |
Diploma in Business Studies |
INPENS |
| 2 |
Ruhaizah bte Kel |
Diploma in Management |
INPENS |
| 3 |
Rahimah A/P Tera |
Bachelor of Information Technology |
UNITAR |
| 4 |
Latipah bte Jamaluddin |
Bachelor of Business Administration |
UNITAR |
The following are current details of the 1st batch of scholars who had successfully completed their courses.
Proud moment for the 1st batch of 5 Orang Asli students after receiving SPLASH scholarships from Y.A.B. Dato' Dr.Mohamad Khir bin Toyo (centre) in 2000
Adiana Bah Atu (1st from left):
Obtained Diploma in Business Studies at UNITEN. Currently working with a cleaning firm in Putrajaya. Applied for next year's intake for Bachelor's Degree course in Business Administration at a local university.
Rosnah Anak Senin (2nd from left):
Obtained Diploma in Business Studies at UiTM, Segamat. Currently pursuing Bachelor's Degree course in Operation Management at UiTM Terengganu.
Arhasliza Arshad (1st from right):
Obtained Diploma in Business Studies at UNITEN. Currently pursuing Bachelor's Degree course in Business Administration at UKM.
Aszlinawati Akap (2nd from right):
Obtained Diploma in Accounting at Politeknik, Port Dickson. Currently working in OCBC Bank.
Zuraidah Tengkis (3rd from right):
Obtained Diploma in Computer Science at UTM, Semarak, Kuala Lumpur. Currently pursuing further studies at UNIMAS.
SPLASH has provided a total of RM162, 000 to both batch 1 and 2 under the scholarship programme. The scholarship is an ongoing programme and SPLASH will be selecting the third batch of students in 2005.
f) Provision of Oil Palm Plantation Management and Plantation Management Skills for Kg. Gerachi Families
SPLASH compensated 41 families from Kg Gerachi with 5 acres of oil palm plantation each as part of the resettlement and compensation package. The expected earning from oil palm cultivation is around RM1,100, based on earnings from existing and successful Orang Asli oil palm plantations in Johor and Pahang. Earnings from the oil palm plantation provide them a source of steady income and improved earnings.
As oil palm plantation was new to the Orang Asli community of Kg Gerachi, SPLASH felt it was necessary to familiarise and educate them on the workings and managing of the crop.
In November 2001, SPLASH collaborated with JHEOA Selangor in organising an educational visit to successful oil palm plantation managed by Orang Asli Jemeri in Kuala Rompin, Pahang. 41 family heads of Kg. Gerachi attended the visit. JHEOA Rompin led the visit and gave 7 series of lectures on 180 topics regarding oil palm plantation such as oil palm planting techniques and the plantation maintenance. The visiting group was also taken for a tour of 400 acres of oil palm plantation managed by Kg. Orang Asli Jemeri residents.
Overview of oil palm plantation given to families of Kg. Gerachi
SPLASH's Future Plans for the Orang Asli Community
As a socially responsible company, SPLASH stresses on continuous development for the Orang Asli community. By the end of this year, SPLASH Information Centre which is located nearby the Sungai Selangor Dam is expected to open its doors for business and SPLASH plans to put up for sale products and handcraft specially produced by the Orang Asli community in Kuala Kubu Bharu as a step taken to support positive development of the Orang Asli community.
