Rasila Yas, Malaysia’s first Orang Asli principal, received the Orang Asli Icon Award for her contributions to education.
She called for greater support and awareness to uplift the community. More Orang Asli students are now pursuing higher education, both locally and overseas.
The Child Witness (Amendment) Act 2024, which strengthens legal protections for child witnesses, takes effect today. It ensures child testimony is fully governed by the Evidence of Child Witness Act 2007 and allows convictions based on their testimony. The reform aligns with Malaysia’s international commitments and includes appointing child rights commissioners to enhance child protection.
The High Court ordered two companies to vacate a hydroelectric dam site in Ulu Geruntum after Orang Asli settlers sued over land rights violations. The court upheld their claim, awarding compensation and affirming their right to protect ancestral land.
PWOAM president Maslah Rompado led the first Orang Asal women’s delegation to the UN Cedaw Committee, highlighting discrimination faced by Indigenous women in Malaysia. They called for better access to education, healthcare, land rights, and inclusion in national policies, urging the government to implement key human rights recommendations.
Johor Ruler Sultan Ibrahim expressed concern over the exploitation of the Orang Asli in Johor by outsiders and middlemen, involving illegal land clearing, wildlife poaching, and unfair trade practices. He proposed turning Orang Asli land into sultanate land to prevent further abuse and stressed the need for legal compliance while condemning lawyers allegedly profiting from encouraging lawsuits against the government.
Children in People’s Housing Projects (PPR) face mental health challenges due to overcrowding, financial stress, and lack of support. Youths highlight the need for safe spaces, internet access, and skill-building programmes, while residents call for better health services and reject the notion that such issues are unique to PPRs.
Early intervention at the preschool level is vital for the success of special needs children, as it helps build essential soft skills and fosters inclusion from a young age. While vocational training is important, experts stress that integration into mainstream education and society begins with acceptance, adequate resources, and public awareness — all key to ensuring children with disabilities are supported to thrive.
Malaysia lacks halfway houses for female parolees and ex-inmates, hindering their reintegration into society, according to the Prisons Department. While 15 halfway houses currently exist, they cater only to men. The department urges more collaboration with NGOs to establish such facilities for women, which are crucial for achieving the goal of rehabilitating two-thirds of inmates through community programs by 2030.
UM and Rythm Foundation developed a new special needs education model, Unlock My Potential, to support children from early years to adulthood. It focuses on strengths, vocational training, and civic awareness, aiming for a more inclusive and holistic education system in Malaysi
Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri announced that the ministry will focus on drafting the Elderly Persons Act and the Social Work Profession Act, ensuring they are based on evidence-based studies. While maintaining existing policies with potential improvements, she emphasized the ministry’s role in welfare and community care. Nancy also met with ministry officials and plans to visit key agencies to better understand their work.