GUA MUSANG, Aug 25 (Bernama) — Inbound and outbound journeys to and from remote areas that can take up to four hours through challenging routes have prompted 300 Orang Asli community leaders from the Temiar tribe in the Galas State Constituency (DUN) to seek free accident protection.
Yayasan Kebajikan Asnaf Malaysia (Y-KAM) Chairman Datuk Mohd Syahbuddin Hashim said that his organisation is providing free contributions for the Personal Accident Protection Plan, Takaful Kasih Plus Agrobank, to 300 penghulu (village chiefs) and chairmen of the Orang Asli Village Development and Security Committees in the area.
Mohd Syahbuddin who is also the Galas Assemblyman, said the contributions are fully borne by Y-KAM for a year, with a total protection amount exceeding RM3.3 million.
He added that this protection is crucial given that these community leaders frequently need to travel long distances from remote settlements to towns to conduct official business.
“All recipients are eligible to receive accident claim benefits of up to RM11,000 each. We chose this scheme from Agrobank specifically to cover their travel risks. Although we hope no mishaps happen, at least their welfare is now protected if the unexpected occurs,” he told Bernama today.
Meanwhile, Kampung Tapai Penghulu Angah Asang said he has to commute more than 60 kilometers from his remote settlement to government agency offices in town to carry out his duties as a village chief appointed by the Department of Orang Asli Development (JAKOA).
“Travelling through rocky roads, plantation areas, and off-road routes before reaching the Kuala Betis junction takes between two to four hours depending on weather and road conditions,” he said.
Angah added that he had never previously contributed to such a plan due to financial constraints, and thus this initiative provides relief and a guarantee of protection for himself and his family in the event of any untoward incidents while carrying out his duties.
–BERNAMA
