By: Azman Zakaria
Photo: Rahman Basman
BENUT (Pontian), Oct 10: A close partnership between the university and researchers of Orang Asal (indigenous people) could ensure more comprehensive development of the Orang Asal community.
Paduka Puteri Tunku Mariamz Binti Almarhum Al-Mutawakkil Alallah Sultan Iskandar Al-Haj expressed that she wants the cooperation between various agencies to be enhanced in assisting and developing the Orang Asal community.
"The Orang Asal community requires their approach. We need first to understand their culture which would then allow for smoother cooperation in developing the Orang Asal community,” said Her Royal Highness while speaking at the Majlis Ramah Mesra Bersama Masyarakat Orang Kuala at Kampung Kuala Benut, here.
Also present at the event were the Vice-Chancellor of Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), Prof. Dr. Mohd Roslan Sulaiman, Member of the Senate, Senator Dato 'Isa Abd Hamid, and Dean of the Faculty of Human Ecology, UPM, Prof. Dr. Ahmad Hariza Hashim.
Her Royal Highness Tunku Mariamz also urged the people of Kampung Kuala Benut to take advantage of the event to develop and strengthen relationships, and then work with various government agencies for the well-being and prosperity of the Orang Asal community.
Prof. Dr. Mohd Roslan mentioned that UPM is always providing collaborative spaces and opportunities, as well as contributing to the well-being of the Orang Asal community.
He said it is crucial for the expertise, research findings and knowledge transfer to be translated and used for the benefit of the community.
He hopes the cooperation that resulted from the programme will open the door to other cooperation for the common good.
He added that he also agrees in principle with the offer made by Dato' Isa to turn a premise in Kampung Kuala Benut into a Research Centre of Excellence.
Dato' Isa in his speech said the centre could house artefacts and Orang Asal products and become a rural internet centre for the marketing of their products, as well as an online check-in place for the admission of village students to institutions of higher learning.
He said the centre could also be used as a training ground for the arts and culture of the Orang Kuala community in Kampung Kuala Benut to prevent the disappearance of artistic treasures.
At the ceremony, Her Royal Highness Tunku Mariamz presented food baskets to the asnaf group, as well as donations to kindergarten and nursery students. - UPM
