KOTA KINABALU: The state government will study whether the privileges enjoyed by Orang Asli children could be extended to poor schoolchildren in remote areas of Sabah.

Chief minister Datuk Seri Panglima Musa Aman said the Sabah government would seek an allocation from the federal government if it was found poor schoolchildren in the state should be given similar assistance.

“It is a good idea especially if there is a special allocation provided for the schoolchildren in remote areas of Sabah,” he said during the Hari Raya Open House of the Chief Minister’s Department at Wisma Innoprise here yesterday.

Among those present were state secretary Datuk Sukarti Wakiman and Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment Datuk Masidi Manjun.

Musa was asked to comment on the proposal by Deputy Rural and Regional Development Minister Tan Sri Joseph Kurup, who called for an in-depth study so that the privileges being enjoyed by the Orang Asli community in the Peninsula can be extended to Sabah soon.

Kurup said this was necessary as many poor schoolchildren in remote and rural areas in the state were in need of assistance in the form of schooling, transport and meal allowances.

Meanwhile, Musa said it was up to the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to decide on the federal cabinet reshuffle.

The Prime Minister would make the decision himself as he knew what the Sabahan leaders and people wanted, he said when asked whether he hoped more Sabahan leaders would be included in the new cabinet if there would be a reshuffle.

On Wednesday, Abdullah said a cabinet reshuffle was possible following the outcome of the recent MCA elections.

Abdullah said he would meet newly-elected MCA president Datuk Ong Tee Keat to look into recommendations by the party.

In the elections, former Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek, who resigned after a sex scandal, won the MCA deputy president’s post by beating Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Seri Ong Ka Chuan.