148
hunt. However, the hunting of protected animals still occurred due to lack of economic opportunities or incentives. Therefore, the low socioeconomic status of the
orang Asli that led to a high illiteracy rate and lack of marketable skills had left them
desperate and vulnerable (Azrina et al. 2011).
There was some disparity between the species that the Orang Asli were allowed
to hunt and those that they actually hunted. For instance, even though Orang Asli
communities hunted critically endangered species like the sunda pangolin and redeared slider, they also hunted small arboreal animals like squirrels, which were not
in the Sixth Schedule. According to Aziz et al. (2013), there were weaknesses in the
law such as the rights given to the Orang Asli and how the animals were chosen. As
such, it was important to review the law to make it more relevant and prevent the
Orang Asli from getting into trouble. This was supported by previous studies on
poaching by rural communities in Sarawak, which identified lax enforcement as one
of the causes that encouraged the activity (Kishen et al. 2012).
Conclusion
The Orang Asli community hunted wildlife for both consumption and nonconsumption purposes. The community did not cause wildlife depletion or extinction because they did not hunt in an unsustainable manner. While it was vital to
conserve the survival of threatened species, efforts should be implemented to sustain the livelihood of the Orang Asli. The current findings showed that wildlife provided a significant livelihood to the Orang Asli, particularly the Semoq Beri in
Kenyir, Terengganu. While they were known to hunt in a sustainable manner, more
studies should be conducted to address the issue of wildlife hunting not only by the
Orang Asli, but also by non-native locals. New economic opportunities for the
Orang Asli, alternative incentives to reduce poaching, and maintaining suitable
amounts of virgin forest together with increased law enforcement would help secure
Malaysia’s wildlife heritage and sustainable lifestyle of the Orang Asli.
Acknowledgements This research is supported by the Trans Disciplinary Research Grant Scheme
(TRGS/2015/59373). We acknowledge the permission and assistance provided by the Management
Council of Terengganu State Park, Lembaga Kemajuan Terengganu Tengah (KETENGAH),
Forestry Department and the Wildlife and National Parks Department (PERHILITAN) [Permit No:
100-34/1.24 Jld 4 (10)]. Many thanks to the Orang Asli Development Department (JAKOA) and
all villagers of Kampung Sungai Berua, Terengganu, for their cooperation. Last but not least, the
authors thank Muhammad Fuad Abdullah, Muhamad Aidil Zahidin, Muhammad Syamsul Aznan
Ariffin, Hairul Nizam Mohd Khori and Nurul Faezah Azizan for helping in the field work.
C. V. Bartholomew et al.
hunt. However, the hunting of protected animals still occurred due to lack of economic opportunities or incentives. Therefore, the low socioeconomic status of the
orang Asli that led to a high illiteracy rate and lack of marketable skills had left them
desperate and vulnerable (Azrina et al. 2011).
There was some disparity between the species that the Orang Asli were allowed
to hunt and those that they actually hunted. For instance, even though Orang Asli
communities hunted critically endangered species like the sunda pangolin and redeared slider, they also hunted small arboreal animals like squirrels, which were not
in the Sixth Schedule. According to Aziz et al. (2013), there were weaknesses in the
law such as the rights given to the Orang Asli and how the animals were chosen. As
such, it was important to review the law to make it more relevant and prevent the
Orang Asli from getting into trouble. This was supported by previous studies on
poaching by rural communities in Sarawak, which identified lax enforcement as one
of the causes that encouraged the activity (Kishen et al. 2012).
Conclusion
The Orang Asli community hunted wildlife for both consumption and nonconsumption purposes. The community did not cause wildlife depletion or extinction because they did not hunt in an unsustainable manner. While it was vital to
conserve the survival of threatened species, efforts should be implemented to sustain the livelihood of the Orang Asli. The current findings showed that wildlife provided a significant livelihood to the Orang Asli, particularly the Semoq Beri in
Kenyir, Terengganu. While they were known to hunt in a sustainable manner, more
studies should be conducted to address the issue of wildlife hunting not only by the
Orang Asli, but also by non-native locals. New economic opportunities for the
Orang Asli, alternative incentives to reduce poaching, and maintaining suitable
amounts of virgin forest together with increased law enforcement would help secure
Malaysia’s wildlife heritage and sustainable lifestyle of the Orang Asli.
Acknowledgements This research is supported by the Trans Disciplinary Research Grant Scheme
(TRGS/2015/59373). We acknowledge the permission and assistance provided by the Management
Council of Terengganu State Park, Lembaga Kemajuan Terengganu Tengah (KETENGAH),
Forestry Department and the Wildlife and National Parks Department (PERHILITAN) [Permit No:
100-34/1.24 Jld 4 (10)]. Many thanks to the Orang Asli Development Department (JAKOA) and
all villagers of Kampung Sungai Berua, Terengganu, for their cooperation. Last but not least, the
authors thank Muhammad Fuad Abdullah, Muhamad Aidil Zahidin, Muhammad Syamsul Aznan
Ariffin, Hairul Nizam Mohd Khori and Nurul Faezah Azizan for helping in the field work.
C. V. Bartholomew et al.