The commitment and deep concern by the government towards the development of the Orang Asli community have culminated in the introduction of the Orang Asli Act that was gazetted on 25 February 1954 under Ordinance No.3, 1954. The Act was introduced in order to provide due protection to, prosperity for and development of the Orang Asli community extant in Peninsular Malaysia. In 1967, the Orang Asli Socio-Economic Development Programme was included in the Original Act.

The government through the Department of Orang Asli Affairs (JHEQA) has developed major development programmes for the Orang Asli community in order for them to enjoy the comfort of modern living and share in the prosperity of the country with the rest of Malaysian. These programe include:

1. The Organized Settlement Programme (PPT).
Through this programme, the Orang Asli community has been relocated to suitable areas that has been equipped with basic utility and public amenities, along with a comprehensive land development programme that gives due emphasis on local development, thus increasing the community’s quality of life.

2. The Economic Development Programme (PPE)
This programme aims to develop the economic resources of the Orang Asli community through the opening of organized farms and business developmenmt assistance through skills training.

3. The Social Development Programme (SDP)
This programme is aimed to provide basic public infrastructure in Orang Asli settlements in line with their social developments. In this programme, the Orang Asli community is given the opportunity to develop their intellectual capacity as well as their mental strength in order to prepare them for the imminent competition with the other races in the country.

The government has been successful in developing several generations of Orang Asli who are highly educated and competitive in business through all of the above programmes. Today, there are many among them who are doing very well in the fields of education, business and politics.