Orang Asli Temuan

From The Star newpaper

Saturday April 18, 2009

Desa Temuan orang asli settlement in limbo

Stories by YIP YOKE TENG

My biggest fear is that our future generations may one day end up as beggars... ROSLI MOHD ARUS

DESPITE positive efforts to uplift their lifestyle and assimilate them into the mainstream of modern development, the orang asli community relocated to the urban neighbourhood of Desa Temuan in Damansara Perdana, Selangor, are feeling lost and uncertain of their future.

More worryingly is that there is an increasing number of orang asli youths turning to vices to seek solace and satisfaction.

The settlement of some 500 orang asli, who were the early original inhabitants of Petaling Jaya’s northern region, is nestled within the swathes of luxury condominiums and shopping complexes in Damansara Perdana.

They were relocated from the Orang Asli Reserve Land at Bukit Lanjan in 2002 to Desa Temuan, a 18ha development project comprising 147 bungalows and 130 apartments, under a resettlement package offered by developer MK Land.

The MK Land development has resulted in a massive transformation of the area’s landscape with the mushrooming of urban residential units and modern commercial blocks.

With such properties in the quaint neighbourhood, any outsider would have an impression that the orang asli are doing well in assimilating to the mainstream urban society but the truth is the opposite.

Desa Temuan Village Development and Security Committee (JKKK) secretary Rosli Mohd Arus is one of the few orang asli who dread the community’s bleak future.

“My biggest fear is that our future generations may one day end up as beggars,” Rosli said.

Back then, each family was given one bungalow and another double-storey terrace house at Desa Riang in Damansara Damai to be rented out. Eligible orang asli bachelors were given an apartment each.

Each household also received RM45,000 worth of shares in Amanah Saham Bumiputra, in addition to compensation for crops and allowances.

Overcrowded: Some of the four-room bungalows also accomodate the extended families of the occupants.

The Selangor state executive council had then approved an allocation of RM60.9mil for the development of this modern orang asli settlement. A further RM7.9mil was set aside for an education fund via the Orang Asli Affairs Department.

These funds form part of the contribution to be paid by the Emkay Group in return for the land alienated for development.

Almost a decade down the road, the orang asli find their ever-expanding families trapped in the bungalows, as well as a vicious cycle.

“14 children,” housewife Hapit Chat, 40, said when asked how large her family was.

In addition to that, 11 other people, including her grandchildren and her sister’s family, live in the four-room bungalow.

The living hall has only a torn sofa and a wardrobe exposing crumpled old shirts. The minimal furniture ironically makes it easier for the family to spread out mattresses for the children to sleep on at night. It was stuffy inside the house even though a downpour was imminent.

Asked how much compensation the family received when they first moved into the house, Hapit said: “I don’t remember.”

Asked how much was left, she said: “We spent everything a long time ago, the children needed to eat and my husband does not earn much working as a cleaner.”

Hapit’s family reflects the typical situation of most orang asli households in Desa Temuan.

The illiterate parents earn a combined income of about RM1,000 monthly as general workers. The children, even though given adequate education opportunities through various public and private programmes, are not keen on studying.

“In the old days, the child can just find a plot of land and build his house when he forms his own family. Now, where’s that land and how can he ever afford to buy a house in the city?” Rosli asked.

Trading the properties for smaller units is not an option because although they received the land titles four years back, they are not allowed to sell them to outsiders.

Having studied at a national school and worked in a government department for years, Rosli understands the challenges of the competitive age but concedes that most of his orang asli peers still hold on to the age-old mindsets and even lifestyle.

Alcohol is an intrinsic element of their lifestyle. In the morning, one can sometimes find drunk men sleeping in public areas.

It is learnt that quite a number of orang asli actually died from long-term consumption of cheap liquors.

The common perception that they are lackadaisical workers push them deeper into the trap as many employers shun them for their indiscipline.

Perhaps because they are never trained to manage money, most of them have spent all monetary aid they received and are struggling now to make ends meet.

JKKK chairman Kamaludin Ak Ismail pointed out that water and electricity supply to some families had been cut off as arrears accumulated.

“It’s all buy, buy and buy out there but money is what they lack most,” he said.

Adjacent to the bungalows, the apartments are derelict, reeking of mouldy mattresses. Many of the units are rented out to foreign workers and almost every one seems to be immune to the filth and stench.

The colourful temptation surrounding this little settlement makes the matter worse.

“Fashion, entertainment and enjoyment are just a few doors away.

“Where do you think the children turn to when they do not have money for that?” Rosli said.

That explains why thieving is so common among the youths that it has earned the settlement a notorious reputation among traders in the area.

According to Rosli, cases of drug abuse, alcohol abuse and sexual harassment, no thanks to the easy accessibility of pornographic materials, are also on the rise.

While the urban orang asli are being left behind in the progress of development, they have also failed to preserve their customs, except for the use of Temuan language, as well as the presence of tribal court and committee headed by the Tok Batin, their community leader.

Traditional Temuan ceremonies, dances, cuisine and even games are a thing of the past. Not many of the them know how to make traditional handicraft but one can still find them at the neighbourhood’s Temuan museum, where the lights have been out for several months.

Traditional medicine has long been forgotten as a result of the convenience provided by the public hospitals.

The tribe used to celebrate Hari Moyang, their New Year, but now every one has turned to join the New Year countdown crowd at The Curve shopping centre.

“With everyone worrying about money, where is the time for tradition?” Rosli said.

The JKKK, developer and Orang Asli Affairs Department have organised various programmes to empower the community but all have received lukewarm response.

“About 20 youths did vocational training at Mara institutions but as far as I know, only two of them are making use of what they learnt while the others shoved the certificate under their pillow,” he said.

There are also tuition classes but the children still perform badly academically.

“The biggest problem is that they still have the mentality of waiting for assistance, from the government or some other parties, but how long can that last if they themselves don’t want to change?” Rosli said.

Why is human research origins is so important?

People of the Sea in Sabah

I was just browsing through some of my picture when I saw these pictures I randomly took when I was in Sabah end of year 2008. I took the pictures below as I was slowly driving along the coastal area.

Look at these stilts houses. They are built on top of water that reminds my of my trip to Ranong, Thailand. With basic aminities, the live their life.

These people are the Bajau, who live by the sea and also earn their living by being a fisherman. However, sad to see the condition of their houses.

I think this hut speaks a lot. In contrast to the living condition, the grand hotel at the back is just located few kilometers away.

What as a developing nation, we can do for them?

The Batak People of Indonesia

Orang Batak is an ethnic group found in the Northern Sumatera Island of Indonesia. They are relatively known in Indonesia and can be found staying near Medan and also the Lake Toba.
I visited the settlement twice, first in 2004 and then again in 2007. I love Brastagi and this place is cool and have a lovely atmosphere to it. When I was there in 2004, I have the chance to witnessed a Batak wedding.
I love the atmosphere to it. As I was a visitor, they simply invited me to their wedding too. Its a party where all are invited to come!
Food was served with good helping but just that I am uncomfortable with how it was served! The food was served in a pail and you just dug from there! As I was eating, a lot of imagination runs through my mind!

For example, what do they use the pail for when they don't serve food?

But the occasion was a merry one! The bride and groom danced all morning just to pay respect to visitors and also family members!

Guess who are there, came in their best. One thing I learn about them apart from their hospitality is also that, they are good at balancing things on top of their head!

Indonesian have a lot of nice food. I love to be in Indonesia trying and tasting different foods with rich aromas and flavors too. I have the chance to taste home cook food when I visit Gunung Karo and it simply just awesome!
Their children are friendly too! They love people visiting them and will just crowd around you to play and they are not shy!

You asked them questions and they will raise their hand to answer! One thing I am sure, they are not like our own children back home, when you asked question, our children will just keep quite and look away!Adults too, they always gave their best to their guess and serve the best with little they have. I enjoyed the time when I was there with them as they invite me to their home and we chat as if we have known each other for years!
The Batak still live a life full of superstitious and this is a house where their witch doctors live! Its about 3 story high and when I was there, I have a peek inside only to see a scull hanging from the roof!

Cambodian - PoiPet & Battambung

I managed to travel to some part of Cambodai some years back. Together with some friends, we took a flight to Bangkok, make our way to Aranyaprathet, boarder town in Thailand, by bus, took tuktuk to Poipet, border of Cambodia. From there, we travel by truck to Battambung over in Cambodia. I must says, this is still the most adventurous journey we ever took and the whole journey took us 16 hours.
This is when we were waiting for the bus to depart from Bangkok
The next morning, we make our way to a local coffee shop to have our breakfast. I remember, i tried to order Milo for breakfast, but they don't have it. They only have 'ovelnine'...and I thought, heck...just take it la. When I was leaving the shop, I realise it's Ovaltine!
These two towns that we went, we found a lot of children who run around and lack of love. Everywhere we go, we catched the attentions of the children. Not because that we are foreigners, (mind you, they love foreigners because they bagged and steal from them) but because, we are there to offer them loves.
We are there just to play with them. We are they to hug them. That's all they need. Back at home, they don't feel the love because, they will be punished by their parents or caretakers, if they don't take home money! Young children are left with their elder siblings, and together, they go out to bagged. If they didn't returned home with enough money, they will be burned with cigarattes and caned too!

Besides that, we are there to help them to built school. It's really about hardwork of about a week, just building school from scratch! Yes, man will do the job. But the ladies who went with us, helps around too. We spend some time with the children! We play with them and teach them some stories too.

I took some pictures of them, here take a look!

He was having some insecurities and unlike other children, he will always be crying if he can't locate his sister! But he definately capture our attention.

I remember this boy who simply love to pose for me to capture his picture and take a look at his picture in the camera. He is so thin but he is simply happy that we are there to play with him.

By now, you should realise that their hair is brownish in colour! No, that's not their original colour and they don't die their hair!


Their hair is this colour because, they lack of nutrients and food! this girl lost so much hair and because they have not wash their hair for so long, that's is all harden and thus makes her hair stand.
Some ladies who lost thier husband during the civil war and during PolPot regime, continues to make ends meet by sewing. This is a community project runs by a local NGO.

I visited their villages too, and I find that their houses are just simply built from the leaves they collected and tree trunks they can find. FYI, in Cambodia, there are not many trees, because they have chopped it down to clear off the land mines. Many children and adults we met, are handicapped because they stepped on landmines.

Most places we visited, are just plain dusty and by the time we get back to our hotel, we are all cover in dirt and our clothes are reddish. Well, even our 'goldmines' are not gold, but red!Cars are commonly seen in the city and bigger towns, but in the village, carts pulled by donkey and horses are common sight. Everywhere we go, we can see them.

Definately, when we were there, we samples their local food.I tried the 'balut' but I forgot to take any pictures. Some of this, we saw and tasted there.
This is their local burger. I simply love this fishes. I love how it tasted, at least before I see how this is prepared! I shall not indulged you with the details though!
We still find this in Cambodia. this is an ancient iron which we have to filled with charcoals before ironing. I remember my Ah Ma (grandma) used to have one.
Before heading back home after this short exposure trip, we went around the town and market area. What can be a better area to understand the local economy and lifestyle of the people than the market. Here we can the local food and costume too.

Sea Gypsies

I have the privilege to visit one of the sea gypsies group, particularly the Mokens, last year over in Ranong, Thailand. They are people who lives on the sea, and they are more commonly known as sea nomads.

However, during the 2003 Tsunami which hit part of Asia, they too were affected. Nevertheless, none of them were killed because of their knowledge about the sea and their close relationship with the sea. Now, they are settled in few islands around Ranong, they need the help of us. Here are some of the pictures that I took while I spend about 5 days with them.
Before I went, I was very excited about the trip. Firstly, this will be the first trip that I make to Thailand after I moved to KL 7 years ago. Knowing that I will fly to Phuket, I am more that eager to go. After, I love the sea! And Sea nomad, where else they live!
However, we just plan this trip to be a normal exposure trip, spending our time with them from morning till evening and to see how they go through their life. From there, I can learn more about them, and actually how can we help them without disturbing their lifestyles.

Children there were the first to great us as we climb on to the jetty. We have to time ourselves right to get into this settlement. if we come in too early, we will have to walk in to the jetty through the mud. If we come in too late, the tide will be too hide and the sea will be very choppy.

However, on the first day that I am there, I am reduced to tears as I see the living conditions and the settlement.

This is the first sight that greated me when I am there. Debris and broken bottles were everywhere on the floors. Broken boats and wooden planks lying everywhere. Houses built of stilts looks like it will collapsed anytime.

Further in, we see more houses and signs that showed they actually live from the harvest they find from the sea.

However, about an hour later, we were asked to get back to the jetty. When I reach back, I only realise why. the worst has yet to come. The dirty place suddenly was turn into Venice look alike. After all, Venice was surrounded by water, but this place is far from it. Everything that lie around, floats and water is far from clear. Its milky and I don't even dare to step into the water. But suddenly, I can see little children in the water.

Facilities...basic amineties for this settlement in nearly 'zero'. After tracking for half hour, we reach to the peak of a small hill. Here we can see few wells being dug and powered by bicycle pump. This is an ingenious design since, all that it cost is human energy to draw water from the well. However, as I tasted the water, it's salty and smell funny. The village headman told me because the well is too low and too near to the sea.

Children here are oblivious to their living conditions. Once the tide comes in, they are happy to play in the water. Child as old as a year takes the water like fishes put into sea. I saw little boy, the most to be two years, jumping from their house veranda into the water. In my heart, I crunched. I wonder what will actually cut the boy, from wooden planks to broken bottles and sharp metal lying aroung.

The elder boys will head towards the jetty and this will be their bathing time. I look at the whole scene with a cry in my heart and feeling down thourghout the day. The don't realise what will actually they come in contact too in the dirty water. What more, about sickness that they will actually come down with. Turning my eyes away from the elder boys, I saw younger ones.
I question myself, does he knows about what he will face in the future? I suddenly felt how he will feel if he knows that we have so much yet we are complaining and he have none.

I scouted this two girls paddling on the make shift boats around the settlement, happy that now they can also float and play with others.

And yet, the eyes of this child capture my attention. Hopelessness. Rejected. Insecure. I asked myself, where does the future of this boy lies?
But, after all, they are still happy just to jump of the branches and head into the sea, not knowing what will catch them nor hit them when they touches it.

A year has passed, I have not forget about this community. I consistently prayed for them and remembering them. I ponder how can I help, in this age where I and most of you who read this think without the internet connection will actually makes us suffer. What more, I asked myself, if I am taken from my current condition and lives with them, where every day is a fight to survive. Electricity is a luxury! No, having food on the table is a luxury!

To learn more how you can help, email me khaichung@gmail.com.

You may go to http://www.projectmaje.org/ to learn about this community.

A new blog post

Well, this is my third blogs that I hope to maintain. I am an academician in the Biology field. Simply put it, some people says I am a geek or many will called me the 'orang asli' literally translated as original people or the aborigines. Not that I am one, but I do a lot of research about them. To others, I simply have 'permanent head damage'!

Well, through this blog, I hope to share with you some of the photos that I have taken throughout my field study in the past 5 years and more to come.