KUALA LUMPUR, 9 August 2026 – Deputy Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has extended his greetings to the Orang Asli community on the occasion of World Orang Asli Day 2026, reaffirming the government’s ongoing commitment to their development and welfare.
In a post shared on his official X account @DrZahidHamidi, Zahid, who is also the Minister of Rural and Regional Development and President of UMNO, said the Orang Asli community remains close to his heart. He highlighted the opportunities he has had to engage directly with various Orang Asli communities while leading the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development (KKDW).
“Throughout the trust given to me in leading the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development, I have had the chance to get closer to more Orang Asli communities, listen to their voices firsthand, and understand the needs and challenges they face,” he said.
Zahid noted that every meeting with the community has been meaningful, stressing the uniqueness of their customs, culture and way of life. He expressed confidence in the potential of the younger generation of Orang Asli, saying they possess the ambition and ability to progress further.
The Deputy Prime Minister pledged that efforts by KKDW through the Department of Orang Asli Development (JAKOA) would continue to be strengthened. These efforts cover education for Orang Asli children, economic opportunities and income improvement, as well as basic amenities and community well-being.
“We will continue to ensure that every initiative implemented truly meets their needs,” he added. “Much has been done, but much more still needs to be done. Insya-Allah, I will continue to listen, continue to go down to the ground to engage with the Orang Asli community, and ensure their voices are always given attention in every development agenda we pursue.”
Zahid also expressed appreciation to the entire Orang Asli community for their contributions in enriching the nation’s cultural diversity and heritage. He encouraged them to continue advancing while preserving their identity and sense of self, which he described as a shared source of pride.
The message was accompanied by an official poster featuring young Orang Asli individuals in traditional attire against a backdrop of cultural motifs, with the greeting “Selamat Menyambut Hari Orang Asli Sedunia” and Zahid’s official titles.
World Orang Asli Day coincides with the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, observed annually on 9 August.
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