Orang Asli kids get schoolbags

JOHOR BARU: The children of an Orang Asli settlement here no longer have an excuse to not attend school when the new term begins.

Previously, the children of Kampung Simpang Arang had stayed away from school or dropped out early as many did not have schoolbags and stationery.

Yesterday, the settlement's 137 school-going children were overjoyed at the sight of new schoolbags complete with the stationery they need for school - thanks to the Port of Tanjung Pelepas (PTP).

Their parents also received RM100 cash to help pay for schooling expenses.

Nusajaya state assemblyman Abd Aziz Sapian, who handed out the bags, stationery and cash contribution, thanked PTP for honouring its corporate responsibility.

He said the contributions worth RM50,000 would go a long way in ensuring that the Orang Asli children attended school regularly.

"I'm proud to note that a student from this village recently obtained 8As in the Penilaian Menangah Rendah.

"This shows, that given the right kind of support, Orang Asli children can excel in their studies and lift their community to be on par with mainstream society.”

Abd Aziz urged PTP to adopt promising Orang Asli students and provide them with scholarships to further their education.

PTP senior corporate division general manager Shahrull Allam Shah Abdul Halim said the contribution was part of PTP's educational aid for the community around the port.

He said PTP had also provided used computers to surrounding schools and held annual motivational seminars for students sitting examinations.

Shahrull said PTP would look into the proposal to provide scholarships to promising Orang Asli students.

He said about 30 Orang Asli were working PTP.