KUALA LUMPUR — Former Skudai assemblyman Marina Ibrahim has been appointed as a special officer for Orang Asli affairs in Johor under the Yayasan Sultan Ibrahim Johor (YSIJ).
The appointment was announced by Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi, who said Marina would serve as a special representative to Sultan Johor Sultan Ibrahim, with the responsibility of engaging with Orang Asli communities and understanding their needs, local media reported.
“With the consent of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, who is also Sultan Johor, Sultan Ibrahim, there is now a new special officer, Marina Ibrahim.
“In addition, the state Agriculture, Agro-based Industry and Rural Development Committee chairman, Md Israk Abdullah, will also help look after the welfare of the Orang Asli community in the state,” he said.
Onn Hafiz was speaking at the opening ceremony of the National Orang Asli Sports Carnival at Educity, Iskandar Puteri, on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister and Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi expressed confidence that Marina would be able to carry out her role effectively by visiting Orang Asli villages to gain a first-hand understanding of the issues and challenges faced by the community.
He said such an approach was crucial to ensuring the concerns of the Orang Asli community were identified and addressed appropriately.
“I am confident Marina will go to the ground, including visiting about 60 Orang Asli villages in Johor, to understand the problems they face.
“Subsequently, the progress and well-being of the Orang Asli community will be improved,” he said.
Marina, who joined DAP in 2017, previously served as the Skudai assemblyman from March 2022 after winning the seat in the Johor state election with a majority of 13,943 votes.
She was also appointed as a Kulai Municipal Council member in 2018.
In May, Marina announced that she would not defend her Skudai seat and would step away from politics to refocus on community work. – September 6, 2026