Malaysia Airlines has welcomed its first batch of indigenous cabin crew members after they graduated from the company’s training program.
The ‘Orang Asli’, which translates to ‘original people’, belong to a minority population that are considered the original inhabitants of Malaysia.
Malaysia Airlines said that the four Orang Asli members underwent a rigorous three-month training program at Malaysia Airlines Berhad (MAB) Academy before graduating to become cabin crew on July 11, 2024.
“Amyisha Nurshahira A/P Rosman from Suku Jakun; Sarah Elissa Tang A/P Aman from Suku Temuan; Veena Angelina Bte Jincis from Suku Semai; and Alzariza A/P Alwi from Suku Semai are among the 56 cabin crew who have graduated, and have just begun serving aboard Malaysia Airlines’ flights since May 7, 2024,” the airline said in a statement.
“We are proud to welcome the first batch of cabin crew from the Orang Asli community into the Malaysia Airlines family. This milestone reflects our ongoing commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion within our workforce, ensuring equal opportunities for all, regardless of their background,” Datuk Captain Izham Ismail, Group Managing Director of Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG), said in a statement.
“Our comprehensive training programme ensures that all cabin crew receive the highest standards of service excellence and Malaysian Hospitality, delivering personalized and premium services that prioritize the comfort and satisfaction of our customers throughout their journey with us,” Ismail added.
In December 2023, the airline partnered with the Department of Orang Asli Development and launched a recruitment outreach in Pahang, Perak, and Johor, covering diverse ethnic groups such as Jakun, Temuan and Semai.
Although they are the original inhabitants of Malaysia, Orang Aslis have unfortunately faced discrimination and hardship through the decades as they were driven from their own land.
According to ‘Malaysia’s Original People: Past, Present and Future of the Orang Asli’, a book published by the National University of Singapore, Orang Asli are generally viewed as academically weak in the country, creating employment challenges for the population.
