RYTHM Foundation and UKM to support indigenous communities

RYTHM Foundation, the social impact initiative of the QI Group, has partnered with Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) to organize a significant convention aimed at addressing the evolving needs and challenges faced by marginalized indigenous communities in Malaysia.

The event, titled “Indigenous Communities in Malaysia: Reframing the National Sustainability Initiative,” will take place on June 21 and 22.

This convention aims to bring together various stakeholders and advocates dedicated to advancing the welfare and sustainability of these groups, particularly the Orang Asli.

Shedding light on pressing issues and challenges

During the convention, experts and advocates will shed light on the pressing issues faced by the Orang Asli, including their economic well-being, education, healthcare, and statelessness.

The event will feature keynote speeches, forums, roundtable discussions, project presentations, and a visual and art exhibition. By offering an engaging and informative experience, the convention strives to increase awareness and understanding of the challenges these communities encounter.

The convention will be held at UKM’s Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities and will involve the participation of esteemed organizations such as Yayasan Sime Darby, Quest International University, Institut Pendidikan Guru Kampus Ilmu Khas, The Malaysian Orang Asli Graduates Association, Universiti Teknologi Mara, and International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) Pagoh.

Collaborative Efforts and Recommended Resolutions

RYTHM Foundation, through its Community Adaptation Programme (CAP), has gained valuable experience in uplifting indigenous communities both locally and internationally. The foundation believes in the importance of bringing together stakeholders from all sectors to discuss the challenges faced by the Orang Asli and develop practical solutions.

The convention serves as a platform to amplify the voices of indigenous communities in national initiatives, ensuring their perspectives are incorporated into policies and systems that concern them. The participating experts and academicians will formulate recommended resolutions, which will be shared with the federal and relevant state governments to drive positive change.

RYTHM Foundation has already launched the Community Adaptation Programme (CAP) in three villages in Kiulu, Sabah, focusing on academic support, youth development, and women’s empowerment.

The program was later introduced in a village in Kuala Tahan, Pahang, through the ‘Sekulah Bateq’ initiative, aimed at providing essential education to the children of the Bateq tribe. As a result, 29 children from the community have successfully enrolled in Sekolah Kebangsaan Merting, becoming the first Bateq children to join a mainstream national school.