PETALING JAYA: For two Orang Asli survivors, even the passage of time could not assuage the shock and trauma of being lost in a Kelantan jungle for more than a month and losing their friends and family in the ordeal that happened eight years ago.
Although Norieen Yaakob and Miksudiar Aluj are now 18 and 19 respectively – with Norieen having married and now an expectant mother – the tragedy has left an indelible mark in their lives.
Lawyer and activist Siti Kasim said the two teenagers practically retreated into their shells, and neither of them went back to school after the incident.
"Personality-wise, they are very withdrawn. It's really difficult to get anything out of them, especially Norieen. She hardly talks. She is married now and is heavily pregnant.
"Miksudiar is still a child but she is doing a bit better than Norieen.
"I think the future for them would be like any women in their community," said Siti Kasim, who has been helping victims of the tragedy in their legal action against the government.
In August 2015, the two girls and five other Orang Asli pupils of SK Tohoi in Gua Musang fled from their school hostel into a nearby forest to escape from what they thought was impending punishment.
Norieen, then 10, and Miksudiar, then 11, were found alive, albeit malnourished and weak on the bank of Sungai Perias on Oct 9 – after being lost for 47 days in the woods.
The five who perished were Norieen's younger brother Haikal, Ika Ayel, Juvina David, Linda Rosli and Sasa Sobrie.
Siti also said that Norieen and Miksudiar had not been continuously provided with counselling aid, which is believed due to the geographical factor as they live in a remote village.
However, with the government's agreement to a RM1.41mil settlement on Monday, Norieen and Miksudiar as well as the families of the deceased victims will finally be able to close the chapter moving forward, said Siti.
The cash will be shared equally among the six grieving families, which filed negligence suits against the government in 2018.
"They were shedding tears after it was over.
"At least they can now have closure and there will be no more going up and down the courts for them."
She added that the families had been told that it could be some time before the money is released, and that they had also been advised to put the money in an interest-bearing account.
"It's going to take months before the money is released. The order is also not sealed yet, it will take time.
"I did advise them to put it in a high-interest account and perhaps they can take the interest instead of the capital.
"It's my advice, but it's up to them. We can't stop them from using the money as they wish," said Siti.
