189
© The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature
Switzerland AG 2021
M. T. Abdullah et al. (eds.), Resource Use and Sustainability of Orang Asli,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-64961-6_12
Orang Asli Health and Mortality in Hulu
Terengganu, Malaysia
Muhammad Fuad Abdullah, Azmah Othman, Rohana Jani, Juli Edo,
and Mohd Tajuddin Abdullah
Abstract Environmental degradation and poverty are the main causes of health
problems and malnutrition among the Orang Asli in Malaysia. The objective of this
paper is to examine the impact of modernisation processes on the health and wellbeing of the Orang Asli. We also explored the level of acceptance of the Orang Asli
to modern medicine. This study was conducted in Kampung Sungai Berua in Hulu
Terengganu, where the Semaq Beri and Bateq sub-tribes live. A total of 93 household heads were surveyed, whereas in-depth interviews were conducted with Orang
Asli Development Department officers, staff of Sungai Berua rural clinic, officials
in Hulu Terengganu district health office and village authorities. It was observed
that modernisation had raised the Orang Asli’s health status. Their birth rates were
under control although child mortality rates seemed constant. There was also a
reduction in vector-borne diseases in the community. Our analysis showed that the
Orang Asli were receptive to modern healthcare.
M. F. Abdullah
Institute of Advanced Studies, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
e-mail: fuad87@um.edu.my
A. Othman (*)
Department of Development Studies, Faculty Economics and Administration, University of
Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
e-mail: g3azmah@um.edu.my
R. Jani
Ungku Aziz Centre for Development Studies, Faculty Economics and Administration,
University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
e-mail: rohanaj@um.edu.my
J. Edo
Department of Anthropology, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, University of Malaya,
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
e-mail: juli@um.edu.my
M. T. Abdullah
Institute of Tropical Biodiversity and Sustainable Development, Universiti Malaysia
Terengganu, Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, Malaysia
e-mail: mohd.tajuddin@umt.edu.my
© The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature
Switzerland AG 2021
M. T. Abdullah et al. (eds.), Resource Use and Sustainability of Orang Asli,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-64961-6_12
Orang Asli Health and Mortality in Hulu
Terengganu, Malaysia
Muhammad Fuad Abdullah, Azmah Othman, Rohana Jani, Juli Edo,
and Mohd Tajuddin Abdullah
Abstract Environmental degradation and poverty are the main causes of health
problems and malnutrition among the Orang Asli in Malaysia. The objective of this
paper is to examine the impact of modernisation processes on the health and wellbeing of the Orang Asli. We also explored the level of acceptance of the Orang Asli
to modern medicine. This study was conducted in Kampung Sungai Berua in Hulu
Terengganu, where the Semaq Beri and Bateq sub-tribes live. A total of 93 household heads were surveyed, whereas in-depth interviews were conducted with Orang
Asli Development Department officers, staff of Sungai Berua rural clinic, officials
in Hulu Terengganu district health office and village authorities. It was observed
that modernisation had raised the Orang Asli’s health status. Their birth rates were
under control although child mortality rates seemed constant. There was also a
reduction in vector-borne diseases in the community. Our analysis showed that the
Orang Asli were receptive to modern healthcare.
M. F. Abdullah
Institute of Advanced Studies, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
e-mail: fuad87@um.edu.my
A. Othman (*)
Department of Development Studies, Faculty Economics and Administration, University of
Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
e-mail: g3azmah@um.edu.my
R. Jani
Ungku Aziz Centre for Development Studies, Faculty Economics and Administration,
University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
e-mail: rohanaj@um.edu.my
J. Edo
Department of Anthropology, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, University of Malaya,
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
e-mail: juli@um.edu.my
M. T. Abdullah
Institute of Tropical Biodiversity and Sustainable Development, Universiti Malaysia
Terengganu, Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, Malaysia
e-mail: mohd.tajuddin@umt.edu.my