Former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak has taken aim at Perak Menteri Besar Ahmad Faizal Azumu over the latter's advice for the Orang Asli community to stop depending on outside help.

"Pakatan Harapan has not just failed to fulfil their sweet promises, but the government is now insulting the people.

"This is what happens when you only go after votes, and are never sincere in understanding the needs of the people and the Orang Asli," Najib said in a Facebook post today.

On Friday, Bernama reported Faizal as urging the Orang Asli community in the state to stop “expecting outsiders to provide items and help them” and look for alternative sources of income.

He also said that the Perak government would only consider approving aid for those who first improve their settlements, should they want to turn their homes into ecotourism attractions.

In his Facebook post, Najib listed the aid given to the Orang Asli under the previous BN administration.

Of the 800 registered Orang Asli villages, he said BN had ensured that 720 had road access, 660 had electricity, and 701 had a supply of clean water.

He said BN had also opened up education opportunities for the community, including giving a one-off RM3,000 incentive for those who make it to university, as well as sponsoring some 100 Orang Asli students to further their studies abroad.

"I haven't even gone into the transport fare aid, free food, and boarding aid given to them," his post read.

Faizal has come under fire from community activists over his remarks.

Ramesh Arumugam Chettiar pointed out earlier today that the Orang Asli in Perak have never begged for his aid, while lawyer Siti Kasim termed the menteri besar's advice as an "insult" to the community.