KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 2 (Bernama) -- The government, while focusing on national unity and the 1Malaysia concept, should not neglect the plight of the Orang Asli.

This is the impassioned plea of former inspector-general of police Tun Mohammed Hanif Omar, who spoke of his soft spot for the Orang Asli due to his experiences while serving in the Perak police force during the early phase of his career.

"I have always praised (Prime Minister) Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak as one of the very few who is focused on the plight of the Orang Asli and the setting up of necessary aids for them in his Pekan parliamentary constituency.

"But now (that) he is the prime minister, this is the chance to help them at large," he said.

Hanif, who mooted the idea to the ECM Libra Foundation to help the Orang Asli, presented an initial RM50,000 out of the RM180,000 aid from the foundation, to Sino Pai Nanek Snjik (SPNS) or New Life One Heart Group.

A cheque for the amount was presented at the ECM Libra headquarters in Wisma Genting Monday.

SPNS is dedicated to helping enhance literacy among Orang Asli children, which is part of its 'Pendidikan Celik Huruf' programme.

The foundation has pledged a further donation of another RM100,000 of RM50,000 each for the next two years to fund the programme, and another RM10,000 annually for three years for SPNS to carry out its field activities.

The total sum donated and pledged amounts to RM180,000.

Hanif also hoped that members of parliament in Perak, especially those from the majority Orang Asli constituencies, would put aside their political differences to join hands in helping to alleviate the problems of the community.

Meanwhile, SPNS founder Cik Tijah Yok Chopil said the programmes included educating students, drop-outs and jobless Orang Asli on the basic 3Rs -- reading, writing and arithmetic.

She said her programmes had not received any help or financial assistance from ministries or agencies.

She claimed that an officer from the Department of Orang Asli Affairs had twice asked for information on SPNS' operations, "but after five years, (there is) still no development."

"A community will not progress when it is helped by other communities, but when you yourself do it, there will be a golden touch to it" noted Cik Tijah.