Malaysian Orang Asli Party debuts in Johor state election

The Malaysian Orang Asli Party (ASLI) is entering the political arena for the first time, marking its debut in the nation's democratic system. The party has chosen the Endau State Legislative Assembly seat in the Johor state election as its initial testing ground. ASLI's candidate for the seat is Jati Awang, a local member of the Orang Asli community.

ASLI's primary objective is to elevate the voice of the Orang Asli community within the state's leadership. Jati Awang stated that the party's participation is not merely a challenge to existing political parties but serves as a platform to advocate for the rights of the Orang Asli people. Key areas of focus include education, economic development, customary land ownership, and access to basic amenities.

"My focus is to ensure more balanced development, job opportunities for youth, and solutions to long-standing issues faced by the Orang Asli, especially in the Endau area," Awang told Utusan Malaysia. He expressed hope that ASLI's presence in the upcoming state election will pave a new path for the Orang Asli community's engagement in the national political landscape.