{
  "id": 5944435,
  "title": "600 Orang Asli youths pursue higher education, triple target set four years ago",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/06/600-orang-asli-youths-pursue-higher-education-triple-target-set-four",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-06T07:57:07.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2026/09/1526921/600-orang-asli-youths-pursue-higher-education-triple-target-set-four"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "More than 600 Orang Asli youths are currently enrolled in universities and colleges across the country, surpassing the initial goal of 200 when the Department of Orang Asli Development (Jakoa) was transferred to the Rural and Regional Development Ministry under Deputy Prime Minister Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. In the first year, the target of 200 was met, with over 300 Orang Asli youths enrolling in universities. Dr Zahid raised the target to 300 in the second year, which was achieved, with the number of Orang Asli students increasing to 400. This year, the achievement of more than 600 students signifies the Orang Asli community's potential for further progress if provided with opportunities and adequate educational support. Dr Zahid emphasized that education is a means to enhance social mobility across communities worldwide. He also highlighted the expansion of educational efforts to Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), including the establishment of specialized institutions like the Paya Bungor Training Centre in Maran, Pahang, which currently accommodates 135 Orang Asli youths in various TVET programs. Dr Zahid commended the Johor government's commitment to allocating RM600,000 to 60 Orang Asli villages in the state, amounting to RM10,000 per village.",
  "summary": "ISKANDAR PUTERI: More than 600 Orang Asli youths are currently pursuing their studies at universities and colleges nationwide, reflecting the government's concern over education issues affecting the community.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 5,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Bernama",
        "title": "General : Over 600 Orang Asli Students Pursue Higher Education At Universities, Colleges - Ahmad Zahid",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/06/general-over-600-orang-asli-students-pursue-higher-education-at",
        "published": "2026-09-06T03:45:25.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Malay Mail",
        "title": "DPM Zahid: Over 600 Orang Asli students now pursuing higher education, reflecting rising social mobility",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/06/dpm-zahid-over-600-orang-asli-students-now-pursuing-higher-education",
        "published": "2026-09-06T04:38:07.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Marina Ibrahim appointed special officer for Johor Orang Asli",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/06/marina-ibrahim-appointed-special-officer-for-johor-orang-asli",
        "published": "2026-09-06T04:41:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "New Straits Times",
        "title": "Former Skudai rep Marina Ibrahim appointed Johor special officer for Orang Asli",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/06/former-skudai-rep-marina-ibrahim-appointed-johor-special-officer-for",
        "published": "2026-09-06T06:03:32.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}