LIPIS - The Rural and Regional Development Ministry has targetted at least 400 Orang Asli students nationwide to pursue their studies at public universities or private higher education institutions this year.
Its minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said this was one of the changes made to the community in the country.
He said the target of 300 Orang Asli students enrolling at universities last year had been achieved.
"We are confident in the Department of Orang Asli Development (Jakoa). So, we had set at least 400 Orang Asli students to enrol at public and private universities this year.
"I will discuss with the secretary-general about giving RM1,000 through Jakoa to every student who managed to pursue their tertiary studies," he said.
The Deputy Prime Minister said this in his opening speech at the Pahang Umno liaison committee open house at Laman Sejahtera, Sungai Koyan, here, today.
Meanwhile, he said he would continue to improve infrastructure in Orang Asli villages including water supply and electricity as well as helping to build new houses and upgrade the houses for the comfort of the community.