The Orang Asli in Pekan will give their support to Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak and not to someone whom they described as an “old and weak tree branch.”

Tok Batin Rahmat Mansor, representing the Orang Asli community in Pekan, said the community appreciated Najib’s concerns, as the prime minister had continuously made contributions and implemented programmes to improve its standard of living.

He said although the prime minister was busy with various affairs as the country’s leader, he believed the wellbeing of the community in Pekan would always be taken care of.

“I want to share a story that at one time, the Orang Asli community here was astonished when someone brought a 93-year-old person here.

“For 22 years that he had led the government, he never came here, so why should we want to depend on this person now?

“Surely, we need a shady and strong tree as our shelter,” he added.

Tok Batin said this in his speech in front of Najib, who was on a working visit and a get-together with the Orang Asli community at SK Simpai, Pekan today.

While he did not mention any names, he was believed to be referring to the visit of Bersatu chairperson Dr Mahathir Mohamad to Pekan on Feb 28, during which he met up with the Orang Asli community at Tasik Chini.

He said the community would not support a person who brought shame to the country, by making allegations against its leader.

- Bernama