Landslide has changed the landscape Orang Asli settlement in Sungai Ruil - PM

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said the landslide on August 7, 2011, has changed the landscape of the Orang Asli settlement in Sungai Ruil.

"Alhamdulillah, what we have approved has become a reality. I feel very happy that all the affected families are living in modern homes complete with facilities.

"It also shows that the government continues to champion the needs of every group and community in this country," he told reporters after spending 20 minutes to visit the relocation project which was completed early this year.

The RM50 million project on a ​​26.3 hectares site involved the construction of 152 semi-detached and community houses for 900 residents of the Semai tribe.

At the event, Najib visited the home of tok batin Kadir a/l Ah San,46, and mingled with the locals and watched the sewang dance performed by a group of Orang Asli musicians.

The relocation project involved slope treatment and the construction of surau, community hall, kindergarten, public toilets and business premises to improve the economy of the Orang Asli community.

Meanwhile, Kadir said the Orang Asli community in the country was not left out of the modernisation process although they were are only a minority.

"We are happy because the government does not marginalise the Orang Asli and has assisted us in providing houses complete with facilities."

Meanwhile, Baahau a/l Bageran, 60, a retired policeman, was happy that the government was concerned for those living in the rural and interior areas.

"The reconstruction of the houses will enhance the suport of the Orang Asli community for the Barisan Nasional (BN) to continue to run this country."