210
waste management would significantly improve with household income and educational level. That observation concurred with this study, as poor waste management
practised by the Orang Asli community in the village was likely related to a lack of
formal education and low-income status.
Livestock ownership had been a wealth indicator since the olden days. According
to Che Mat et al. (2012), a person could be categorised as poor if he did not own any
livestock, as the animals could generate side income. According to JAKOA (2011),
the government had tried to introduce agricultural activities to the Orang Asli. Some
examples included crop planting, livestock and poultry breeding, and aquaculture.
However, the Orang Asli community in Kampung Sungai Berua were not interested
in those programmes. From observation, none of the villagers reared chicken or were
involved in freshwater aquaculture even though they lived near Tasik Kenyir. It was
possible that they had no traditional knowledge on how to farm or manage livestock.
Sustainability of the Orang Asli Livelihood
The rapid development in a country was a positive attribute, especially for developing
countries like Malaysia. However, the means should be in line with sustainable
development. The Orang Asli, who were normally isolated from mainstream populations, were also affected by the development process. However, they were not
ready for drastic modern changes as they preferred to live in their native environment. The Orang Asli were known to be experts in forest hunting and survival skills.
For them, the forest was the basis of their survival and its resources had to be harvested in a sustainable manner. Hence, when development programmes were introduced by the government, this had led to many conflicts between many parties.
Land degradation and plantation expansions had caused a huge upheaval for the
Orang Asli. These development activities posed a real threat to them because they
did not only deny them the use of their natural resources, but it also destroyed the
natural ecosystem that sustained their lives.
This study does not deny the importance of development and the efforts to
improve the lives of the Orang Asli in the country. The development efforts were
planned with sustainability of the Orang Asli’s lifestyle in mind. The Orang Asli’s
culture and heritage were national treasures that reflected the country’s historical
identity, besides serving as an important attraction for tourism.
Threats to Nature and Their Impact on the Orang
Asli Community
For the Orang Asli, the forest could be perceived as an important “institution” like
what a bank does for the urban dweller. According to Abdullah et al. (2014), the
forest was an important source of food supply and income for the Orang Asli. A
M. F. Abdullah et al.
waste management would significantly improve with household income and educational level. That observation concurred with this study, as poor waste management
practised by the Orang Asli community in the village was likely related to a lack of
formal education and low-income status.
Livestock ownership had been a wealth indicator since the olden days. According
to Che Mat et al. (2012), a person could be categorised as poor if he did not own any
livestock, as the animals could generate side income. According to JAKOA (2011),
the government had tried to introduce agricultural activities to the Orang Asli. Some
examples included crop planting, livestock and poultry breeding, and aquaculture.
However, the Orang Asli community in Kampung Sungai Berua were not interested
in those programmes. From observation, none of the villagers reared chicken or were
involved in freshwater aquaculture even though they lived near Tasik Kenyir. It was
possible that they had no traditional knowledge on how to farm or manage livestock.
Sustainability of the Orang Asli Livelihood
The rapid development in a country was a positive attribute, especially for developing
countries like Malaysia. However, the means should be in line with sustainable
development. The Orang Asli, who were normally isolated from mainstream populations, were also affected by the development process. However, they were not
ready for drastic modern changes as they preferred to live in their native environment. The Orang Asli were known to be experts in forest hunting and survival skills.
For them, the forest was the basis of their survival and its resources had to be harvested in a sustainable manner. Hence, when development programmes were introduced by the government, this had led to many conflicts between many parties.
Land degradation and plantation expansions had caused a huge upheaval for the
Orang Asli. These development activities posed a real threat to them because they
did not only deny them the use of their natural resources, but it also destroyed the
natural ecosystem that sustained their lives.
This study does not deny the importance of development and the efforts to
improve the lives of the Orang Asli in the country. The development efforts were
planned with sustainability of the Orang Asli’s lifestyle in mind. The Orang Asli’s
culture and heritage were national treasures that reflected the country’s historical
identity, besides serving as an important attraction for tourism.
Threats to Nature and Their Impact on the Orang
Asli Community
For the Orang Asli, the forest could be perceived as an important “institution” like
what a bank does for the urban dweller. According to Abdullah et al. (2014), the
forest was an important source of food supply and income for the Orang Asli. A
M. F. Abdullah et al.