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Introduction
The indigenous community in Peninsular Malaysia, known as the Orang Asli, are
poor minorities who usually live in isolated forest areas. Although some have been
resettled in villages with basic facilities, they still do not fully adopt modern life
despite the nation’s rapid development, and are accustomed to their traditional way
of life (Abdul Talib et al. 2003). However, they are living in a better socioeconomic
environment compared to previous decades. Today, the Orang Asli are no longer
relying solely on traditional economies, such as collecting forest products. They
have adapted to new markets like making and selling handicraft; bubu (fish traps),
mengkuang mats (Pandanus odoratissimus weaving), self-adornment accessories,
blowpipes and mengkuang baskets (Omar 2008).
The government includes all tribes in its indigenous community development
programmes. The various efforts are intended to ensure that socioeconomic development of indigenous communities may progress well without compromising their
welfare. There are general and specific development programmes implemented to
improve their quality of life. Specific development programmes include the organisation of settlements, economic and social exertions. General development programmes, on the other hand, refer to holistic implementations at the national level
(Ramle 2014). The Semoq Beri and Bateq sub-tribes in Kampung Sungai Berua,
Hulu Terengganu, in Terengganu state of Peninsular Malaysia are directly benefiting from these developments. However, despite the many programmes that have
been carried out, their standard of living is still low. Most residents are dependent
on forest harvests as a main source of household needs and income.
Traditionally, the forest provides essential resources in the daily lives of Orang
Asli communities. Their dependence on forest harvests have been widely discussed
in previous research (Choy et al. 2010; Kamarudin and Ngah 2007; Ali et al. 1991;
Dunn 1975; Kuchikura 1988; Gomes 1986).
A study by Dunn (1975) discussed the economic activities of the indigenous
communities. It sytated that their source of income was mainly from selling forest
products, such as rattan and agarwood, to outside communities. Endicott (1974)
studied the Bateq sub-tribe and found that they were also highly dependent on forest
resources. A similar study carried out by Gomes (1986) found that the economic
activities of the Semai sub-tribe were closely related to forest resources, such as
gathering rattan, agarwood and fruits.
In addition, a study by Kuchikura (1988) had discovered that the Semoq Beri
sub-tribe exploited more than 70% of forest products as their source of food, while
the remainder was obtained from outside communities. Furthermore, Choy et al.
(2010) had studied the dependency level of the Temuan sub-tribe. They found that
91% of the indigenous community depended on forest resources in fulfilling their
daily needs. They also asserted that the dependence on forest resources was not only
to get food sources such as fruits, vegetables, plants and animals, but also for nonfood sources, such as agarwood, rattan, rubber, bertam leaves, lempek, tongkat ali
and frankincense.
N. Ab Manaf et al.
Introduction
The indigenous community in Peninsular Malaysia, known as the Orang Asli, are
poor minorities who usually live in isolated forest areas. Although some have been
resettled in villages with basic facilities, they still do not fully adopt modern life
despite the nation’s rapid development, and are accustomed to their traditional way
of life (Abdul Talib et al. 2003). However, they are living in a better socioeconomic
environment compared to previous decades. Today, the Orang Asli are no longer
relying solely on traditional economies, such as collecting forest products. They
have adapted to new markets like making and selling handicraft; bubu (fish traps),
mengkuang mats (Pandanus odoratissimus weaving), self-adornment accessories,
blowpipes and mengkuang baskets (Omar 2008).
The government includes all tribes in its indigenous community development
programmes. The various efforts are intended to ensure that socioeconomic development of indigenous communities may progress well without compromising their
welfare. There are general and specific development programmes implemented to
improve their quality of life. Specific development programmes include the organisation of settlements, economic and social exertions. General development programmes, on the other hand, refer to holistic implementations at the national level
(Ramle 2014). The Semoq Beri and Bateq sub-tribes in Kampung Sungai Berua,
Hulu Terengganu, in Terengganu state of Peninsular Malaysia are directly benefiting from these developments. However, despite the many programmes that have
been carried out, their standard of living is still low. Most residents are dependent
on forest harvests as a main source of household needs and income.
Traditionally, the forest provides essential resources in the daily lives of Orang
Asli communities. Their dependence on forest harvests have been widely discussed
in previous research (Choy et al. 2010; Kamarudin and Ngah 2007; Ali et al. 1991;
Dunn 1975; Kuchikura 1988; Gomes 1986).
A study by Dunn (1975) discussed the economic activities of the indigenous
communities. It sytated that their source of income was mainly from selling forest
products, such as rattan and agarwood, to outside communities. Endicott (1974)
studied the Bateq sub-tribe and found that they were also highly dependent on forest
resources. A similar study carried out by Gomes (1986) found that the economic
activities of the Semai sub-tribe were closely related to forest resources, such as
gathering rattan, agarwood and fruits.
In addition, a study by Kuchikura (1988) had discovered that the Semoq Beri
sub-tribe exploited more than 70% of forest products as their source of food, while
the remainder was obtained from outside communities. Furthermore, Choy et al.
(2010) had studied the dependency level of the Temuan sub-tribe. They found that
91% of the indigenous community depended on forest resources in fulfilling their
daily needs. They also asserted that the dependence on forest resources was not only
to get food sources such as fruits, vegetables, plants and animals, but also for nonfood sources, such as agarwood, rattan, rubber, bertam leaves, lempek, tongkat ali
and frankincense.
N. Ab Manaf et al.