After heavy rains that have consistently battered peninsular Malaysia this monsoon season, an Orang Asli (native people) settlement in the highlands of Simpang Pulai, Perak has been deemed unlivable due to a massive crack formed on the ground.
Measuring 50 meters long, 1.2 meters wide, and 1.5 meters deep, residents first noticed its sudden appearance at 3pm yesterday afternoon. Three of the houses in the Pos Slim Orang Asli settlement are badly affected, according to the state Minerals and Geoscience Department.
Releasing a statement on the matter, they clarified that continued heavy rain, as well as the settlement’s closeness to the river bank, make it unsafe for residents to stay. The river is only ten meters from the crack, and officials believe there is a possibility further erosion could take place.
Considering these factors, six houses were evacuated. The families had been living there since 2008.
Peninsular Malaysia has nearly 200,000 Orang Asli, whose presence in the area predates the arrival of other ethnic groups. Many have been relocated to permanent settlements, and the community struggles with a disproportionately high incidence of poverty compared to other Malaysians.
