Deputy rural development minister Abdul Rahman Mohamad said basic essentials such as rice, cooking oil, wheat flour, salt, sugar, tea, sardines and soy sauce would be provided to the Orang Asli during the total lockdown.

Based on records during the implementation of the movement control order last year, the Orang Asli community faced loss of sources of income and had their food supply cut off.

“Jakoa hopes that this food basket assistance will be of help to the affected Orang Asli during the lockdown period and ease their burden,” he said in a statement today.

Following a special session of the National Security Council on Covid-19 management last Friday, it was decided that the first phase of a total lockdown of the social and economic sectors nationwide would be implemented for 14 days starting today.

Abdul Rahman said the aid would be distributed in accordance with lockdown SOPs through each “tok batin” (village head) and monitored by district Jakoa officers to ensure that the aid reaches each head of household.

“It’s every individual’s responsibility to ensure the well-being of the people, including the Orang Asli community nationwide,” he added.