IPOH: The welfare of the Orang Asli has been neglected, says Cameron Highlands MP Ramli Mohd Nor.

       He also said Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin was responsible for this neglect and should resign as prime minister.

       Ramli said the policies under the Perikatan Nasional government did not include strategic development plans and direction to help the Orang Asli community.

       "They did not set up an Orang Asli Economic Development Corporation similar to the Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara) to develop the economy for the community. This despite having been agreed upon during the Malay Consultative Council Convention in October last year," he said in a statement Monday (Aug 16).

       "The plan to set up the corporation was also agreed upon by the Economic Affairs Ministry and Economic Planning Unit," he added.

       "The Rural Development Ministry, as the implementer, rejected the proposal to form the body on the grounds that it would increase the financial burden and government staffing," Ramli said.

       Muhyiddin had been under immense pressure to step down after losing the majority of the support from the MPs.

       He is expected to hand in his resignation letter to the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong on Monday (Aug 16).

       Ramli also said the government has failed to appoint an Orang Asli for the Orang Asli Development Department (Jakoa) director-general's post.