00:00Orang Asli communities living deep in the interiors of the East Coast say soaring fuel prices are pushing them to
00:08the brink because many rely on generators to power their homes.
00:13Mustafa Along from Guamusang, Kelantan said the hardship is made worse by the lack of transport, as the nearest petrol
00:20stations can be up to two hours away.
00:23Orang Asli activist Tijayok Chopil said families are forced to spend heavily on renting four-wheel drives to reach these
00:31stations, and that the rates are now higher because diesel is more expensive.
00:36Meanwhile, Norfini from Kampung Simoy, Pahang said one villager usually buys petrol for everyone else.
00:42But the 10-litre cap per person makes it very difficult as the 10 litres are needed for both homes
00:48and farming.
00:48Communities in Post Lenjang and Post Tritong Pahang face the same problem, with resident Gadin AB saying higher diesel prices
00:57and a reduced monthly quota for subsidized RON95 patrol have made farming and travel to town harder, while also disrupting
01:05children's studies.
01:07Tijayok urged the government to step in before the Orang Asli's plight worsens by increasing their RON95 patrol entitlement under
01:15the Bodhi 95 initiative and lowering diesel prices, saying fuel is essential for survival in the interior, where there are
01:22no proper roads or power supply.
01:25And I'm Martha Raja, FMT.
