Learning from Asli for Ainu rights

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cMM3Mv_fYuk

Published on Feb 28, 2014

The Orang Asli village of Penderas in Kuala Krau, Pahang recently received visitors from Japan. They came on a study tour to learn how Malaysian NGOs organise communities to present to and even challenge the government on issues concerning them.

They were hosted by urban poor movement Permas, and were earlier given a tour of urban dwellers who had been promised housing in exchange for the land they were living in and were then given long-houses as temporary accommodation. But many are still living in these long-houses 20 years on.

The Orang Asli village represents other villages and reflects their lives and problems they face with authorities. The perennial issue is always land. The Orang Asli own no land on the reserve and are often harassed and threatened by authorities and timber operators when they go out hunting or gathering herbs and other produce of the forest for their daily needs.

The Japanese visitors were from an NGO based in Sapporo, on the island of Hokkaido. They work with Japan's own indigenous peoples; the Ainu who originate from this island.

The Ainu have similar problems with our own Orang Asli; mainly rights over land and hunting grounds.

For along time, the Ainu were not recognised as indigenous people because of the policy of assimilation during the Meiji period.

It was not until the UN declared the Ainu as indigenous people in 1992 that offered some recognition to them, but it wasn't until 2008 that the Japanese government acknowledged them as such and instituted an Ainu Policy.

However the policy fell short of recognising their rights to land and hunting grounds and has been more of a cultural preservation rather than rights recognition.

Many Japanese are however still ignorant of their indigenous peoples living in their midst.

The study visit of the Japanese NGO representatives is to study how human rights NGOs like Permas and Jaringan Kampung Orang Asli Semenanjung Malaysia (JKOASM) organise ground-level activities on rights issues.

Hosting the visitors at his home was Shafie Dris, coordinator for JKOASM.

Video by Shufiyan Shukur
Narrator: Faidzal Mokhtar

Many thanks to:

Shafie Dris (JKOASM)
Permas
Julie Wong (Permas)
and
The people of Kampung Penderas, Kuala Krau

Orang Asli: Henti Merampas Tanah Kami

Orang Asli: Henti Merampas Tanah Kami
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YXBma2grTT0

Lagu Orang Asli Bah Bola

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BnQUY69I4nI

Penjelasan Tentang Sejarah Akta 134 @ Akta Orang Asli 1954 oleh Bah

Penjelasan Tentang Sejarah Akta 134 @ Akta Orang Asli 1954 oleh Bah
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X6Yag5EFXwk

Published on Aug 27, 2013

An explanation on the history of 1954 Aboriginal Act( Malaya) by Bah Tony W Hunt during a talks at Kampung Tering, Negeri Sembilan on 25th Aug 2013

Transisi Demografi dan Cabaran Pembangunan Lestari di Pulau Tuba, Langkawi

(Demographic Transition and Challenges for Sustainable Development in Pulau Tuba, Langkawi, Malaysia)

Jurnal e-Bangi Volume 1, Number 1, 1 - 22, 2006.

ISSN: 1823-884x

Mustaffa Omar & Ishak Yussof 

ABSTRAK

Artikel ini membicarakan tiga perkara berikut: (i) mengenalpasti proses transisi demografi yang sedang berlangsung di Pulau Tuba, Langkawi; (ii) mengesan cabaran-cabaran pembangunan akibat transisi demografi yang berlaku; dan (iii) mengesyorkan langkah-langkah dan strategi pembangunan yang bersesuaian dengan tren perubahan demografi di kawasan kajian. Artikel ini bertujuan menilai impak proses pembangunan Langkawi ke atas perubahan pola kependudukan di Pulau Tuba. Kerangka konseptual ekosistem pulau kecil telah dipilih bagi memandu perbincangan dalam artikel ini. Data yang digunakan dalam penulisan ini diperolehi daripada soalselidik yang dibuat secara banci pada bulan Mei-Jun 2005. Hasil kajian menunjukkan bahawa arus pembangunan ekonomi dan infrastruktur yang berlangsung di pulau besar Langkawi hampir dua dekad lalu telah berjaya mengubah ekosistem pulau tersebut mirip kepada ciri-ciri ekosistem tanah besar atau negeri lain di Malaysia. Namun, hasil analisis menunjukkan bahawa pembangunan ekonomi dan infrastruktur di pulau besar Langkawi ini tidak banyak membawa kesan titisan ke bawah yang mampu dimanafaatkan oleh penduduk di pulau-pulau kecil lain sekelilingnya seperti Pulau Tuba. Kajian ini juga mendapati keadaan ekosistem Pulau Tuba yang mempunyai ciri-ciri jumlah penduduk yang kecil dan kurang padat; modal fizikal, kewangan dan modal manusia yang rendah, dan memiliki jaringan sosial serta ekonomi yang terbatas telah menyebabkan ramai gagal merebut peluang-peluang sedia ada berbanding penduduk di pulau besar Langkawi. Keadaan ini menjadi lebih sukar apabila penduduk dan kepimpinan setempat kekurangan otonomi untuk bebas bertindak membawa pembangunan ekonomi dan sosial di Pulau Tuba tanpa perakuan pihak pentadbiran pusat. Ini menyebabkan penghuni di pulau kecil ini terus menerus terpinggir daripada arus perdana pembangunan.  

Katakunci:  Transisi Demografi, Ekosistem Pulau, Komuniti Pulau, Pembangunan Lestari, Pulau Tuba Langkawi. 

ABSTRACT 

This paper discusses three of the following: (i) the demographic transition as experienced in Pulau Tuba, Langkawi (ii) development challenges due to underway demographic transition, and (iii) recommend appropriate measures and strategies for development in accordance with demographic trends in the study area. The main purpose of this article is to evaluate the impact of Langkawi’s development on the demographic transition in Pulau Tuba. The small island ecosystems conceptual framework has been chosen to guide the discussion. Data for this study is gathered through questionnaire using census method in May-June 2005. Our study revealed that changes in the ecosystem of the Langkawi Island for nearly two decades ago resemble the ecosystems of other Malaysian states on the mainland. However, our analysis also shows that the economic and infrastructure development in Langkawi, which concentrated mainly in Kuah, produced limited trickle down effects to the people livelihood in the surrounding small islands such as Pulau Tuba. The study shows that the Pulau Tuba ecosystem conditions which were characterised by a small population and less dense; lack in physical, financial and human capital investments; limited social and economic network that led many failed to seize the opportunities made available to them. The situation is made more difficult when the small islanders and their local leaders lack the autonomy and freedom to bring economic and social development directly in Pulau Tuba without the approval of the central administration. This led the residents of this small island continuously being marginalized from the mainstream of development.

Keywords: Demographic Transition, Island Ecosystems, Island Community, Sustainable Development, Pulau Tuba Langkawi. 

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Strategi Tradisional Komuniti Jakun Tasik Chini, Pahang Mengurus Sumber Semulajadi Secara Lestari

(The Jakun Traditional Strategy in Managing Natural Resource Sustainably Surrounding Tasik Chini Basin, Pahang)

Journal e-Bangi Volume 6, Number 2, 239-254, 2011.
ISSN: 1823-884x

http://journalarticle.ukm.my/2668/1/mustafa011.pdf

Mustaffa Omar, Zanisah Man & Ishak Yussof

ABSTRAK

Mekanisma tradisional yang diamalkan komuniti asli Jakun dalam mengurus sumber semulajadi di sekitar Lembangan Tasik Chini merupakan asas kepada usaha-usaha konservasi yang penting. Sehubungan itu, suatu  kajian telah dijalankan bagi mendokumentasi nilai  penghargaan (values), ancaman dan cabaran (threats & challenges) serta strategi tradisional  yang digunakan komuniti  ini  bagi mengurus sumber semulajadi secara lestari.  Data dikumpulkan melalui beberapa siri lawatan ke lapangan pada tahun 2007-2008 dengan menggunakan soal selidik, kaedah temubual dan pemerhatian langsung.  Seramai 80 orang individu dewasa dengan sebahagian besar merupakan ketua isirumah dari enam buah perkampungan di sekitar Tasik Chini telah ditemubual.  Dapatan kajian menunjukkan  bahawa kawasan lembangan Tasik Chini (termasuk badan air dan sekitarnya) telah menawarkan pelbagai fungsi dan sumbangan  berharga kepada penduduk setempat daripada segi ekonomi dan sosial.    Antara sumbangan bernilai kawasan lembangan tersebut termasuklah sebagai tapak pertanian dan kawasan perikanan, sumber pencarian hasil hutan, mod pengangkutan, dan perlindungan demi kelangsungan hidup penduduk setempat. Penghargaan tinggi penduduk setempat terhadap kawasan  ini telah  mendorong  mereka  mengambil pelbagai strategi bersifat  tradisional untuk mengurus dan melindungi  sumber-sumber sekeliling agar  kekal lestari bagi memenuhi keperluan hidup mereka untuk suatu jangka masa panjang.  Kajian ini merumuskan bahawa sebarang  usaha konservasi  yang ingin dilaksanakan di kawasan ini memerlukan  penglibatan dan penyertaan aktif penduduk setempat.  Untuk sekian lama, strategi pengurusan tradisional yang diamalkan penduduk setempat  telah berjaya melindungi  dan memulihara  sumber-sumber  alam  sekeliling tasik tersebut secara lestari. Namun, kegagalan pihak berkuasa mengambil kira sumbangan strategi traditional penduduk setempat dalam program pemuliharaan tasik ini menyebabkan usaha-usaha pemuliharaan yang dilaksanakan setakat ini  kurang berkesan dalam mencapai matlamatnya.

Kata kunci: Komuniti Orang Asli, Tasik Chini, Pengurusan Sumber Semulajadi, Strategi Traditional, Penyertaan Lokal 

ABSTRACT

Traditional mechanisms adopted by the Jakun community over generations in managing its natural resources sustainably surrounding Tasik Chini area is fundamental to the conservation efforts. In this regard, a study was undertaken to document these traditional strategies, along with its threats and challenges faced by the local communities to manage its natural resources sustainably. Data were collected through a series of field visits in 2007-2008, using questionnaires, face-to-face interviews and 240 direct observation methods. A total of 80 adult members, mainly household heads from six small villages surrounding Tasik Chini area were interviewed. The findings indicate that the water body and land area of Tasik Chini has been offering a variety of functions and valuable contribution to the local people, economically and socially.  Among its valuable contribution  are in agriculture and fisheries,  as well  as forest products to help sustain the local livelihood. Appreciation over the area has prompted many locals to take a variety of traditional strategies for managing and protecting the resources, so that it remains sustainable for future generation. The study concluded that any conservation efforts implemented in these areas requires  an  active  involvement and participation of local residents. For many years before, traditional management strategies adopted by local residents has been successful in protecting and conserving the natural resources around the lake in a sustainable manner. However, the authority failure to take into consideration the importance of traditional strategy is causing the conservation efforts less effective in achieving its goals.

Keywords: Indigenous Community, Chini Lake, Managing Natural Resources, Traditional Strategy, Local Participation

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Strategi Tradisional Komuniti Orang Asli dalam Pengurusan Kawasan Ladang Pertanian Berhampiran Hutan Secara Lestari

Mustaffa Omar & Syaidatulnor Ibrahim 

Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia

ABSTRAK

Masyarakat pribumi atau dikenali sebagai masyarakat Orang Asli merupakan masyarakat minoriti yang tinggal di Malaysia. Mereka kebanyakannya tinggal di kawasan-kawasan pedalaman dan pinggir hutan. Pekerjaan utama mereka adalah mengumpul hasil hutan dan selain itu, mereka juga menjalankan aktiviti bercucuk tanam termasuk pertanian komersial. Demi kelangsungan hidup, aktiviti pertanian kini semakin mendapat perhatian terutama untuk memperoleh makanan dan wang bagi memenuhi keperluan hidup harian yang lain. Masyarakat Orang Asli juga dikenali kaya dengan nilai-nilai tradisi dan kepercayaan. Setiap perkara yang dilakukan harus berpandukan kepada prinsip, strategi dan amalan tradisi yang diwarisi secara turun temurun dalam sesuatu suku kaum tersebut. Dengan itu, prinsip dan amalan-amalan yang ada telah dijadikan panduan semasa mereka terlibat dalam menguruskan ladang pertanian masing-masing. Penulisan ini bertujuan untuk memberikan panduan kepada masyarakat luar bagaimana masyarakat orang asli telah mengadaptasikan prinsip, strategi dan amalan-amalan tradisi mereka dalam menguruskan kawasan pertanian dan hutan berhampiran secara lestari dan sekaligus mengurangkan keterancaman hutan. Melalui kajian ini, maklumat diperolehi dengan melakukan temubual separa berstruktur dan pemerhatian dalam kalangan suku kaum Lanoh, Jahai, Temiar di Grik, Perak, dan suku kaum Jah Hut di Kuala Krau, Pahang. Dapatan kajian dianalisis melalui teknik analisis kandungan. Hasil kajian menunjukkan bahawa berpandukan prinsip, strategi dan amalan-amalan tradisi mereka dalam menguruskan kawasan ladang pertanian berhampiran hutan, mereka telah berjaya menjadikan hutan dan kawasan alam sekelilingnya bebas daripada segala jenis pencemaran dan  bencana serta mengekalkan sumber semulajadi yang ada untuk manafaat generasi akan datang.