52
tion and communication. It was also noted that most of the Orang Asli spent all their
money without allocating any for the future.
Keywords Poverty · Expenditure pattern · Savings · Orang Asli · Sustainable
livelihoods · Semoq Beri
Introduction
Orang Asli are a minority in Peninsular Malaysia. According to the Orang Asli
Development Department (JAKOA) under the Rural Development Ministry, the
natives are divided into three main tribes, namely the Negrito, Senoi and ProtoMalays. The tribes are further divided into six sub-tribes each. The Negrito tribe
consists of the Kensiu, Kintak, Lanoh, Jahai, Mendriq and Bateq, while the Senoi
comprises the Che Wong, Mahmeri, Jahut, Semoq Beri, Semai and Temiar. The
Proto Malays are made up of the Kuala, Kanaq, Seletar, Jakun, Semelai and Temuan
people (Carey 1976). Their communities are scattered all over the peninsular, with
some living in the fringe of the jungle near civilisation, while others live deep within
the forests and highlands. Their occupations, cultures and beliefs vary among subtribes, and they even speak different languages (JAKOA 2011). In Terengganu, two
aboriginal tribes may commonly be encountered, namely the Semoq Beri and Bateq,
which belong to the Senoi and Negrito tribes, respectively (Ramle 2014).
Aboriginal communities are often afflicted by poverty and live a hard life. They
choose to live in rural areas and practise a traditional way of life, and many have
been left out from the nation’s development (Ramle 2014). Based on the report by
JAKOA (2014), the number of Orang Asli living in poverty in 2013 was 11,423
people out of 178,197 people. Of which, 4102 were categorised as poor and the
other 7321 as extremely poor. This circumstance is brought about by numerous factors like absence of viable strategies to improve their lives, exploitation and threats
to their way of living (Sabran 2003).
Poverty in Aboriginal Communities
The issue of poverty among the Orang Asli is not a new phenomenon. Previously,
there were many studies conducted in relation to poverty issues of the Orang Asli
(Mcgrath et al. 2006; Agostini et al. 2008). A study by Agostini et al. (2008) indicated that the poverty rate of the Orang Asli is higher than mainstream society, and
there is a significant socioeconomic gap and quality of life.
The poverty issue among the Orang Asli has been studied by Jamiran et al.
(2013), who directed hands-on work on the economy of the Orang Asli in Kampung
Peta in the state of Johor, which is in the south of Peninsular Malaysia. They believed
N. Ab Manaf et al.
tion and communication. It was also noted that most of the Orang Asli spent all their
money without allocating any for the future.
Keywords Poverty · Expenditure pattern · Savings · Orang Asli · Sustainable
livelihoods · Semoq Beri
Introduction
Orang Asli are a minority in Peninsular Malaysia. According to the Orang Asli
Development Department (JAKOA) under the Rural Development Ministry, the
natives are divided into three main tribes, namely the Negrito, Senoi and ProtoMalays. The tribes are further divided into six sub-tribes each. The Negrito tribe
consists of the Kensiu, Kintak, Lanoh, Jahai, Mendriq and Bateq, while the Senoi
comprises the Che Wong, Mahmeri, Jahut, Semoq Beri, Semai and Temiar. The
Proto Malays are made up of the Kuala, Kanaq, Seletar, Jakun, Semelai and Temuan
people (Carey 1976). Their communities are scattered all over the peninsular, with
some living in the fringe of the jungle near civilisation, while others live deep within
the forests and highlands. Their occupations, cultures and beliefs vary among subtribes, and they even speak different languages (JAKOA 2011). In Terengganu, two
aboriginal tribes may commonly be encountered, namely the Semoq Beri and Bateq,
which belong to the Senoi and Negrito tribes, respectively (Ramle 2014).
Aboriginal communities are often afflicted by poverty and live a hard life. They
choose to live in rural areas and practise a traditional way of life, and many have
been left out from the nation’s development (Ramle 2014). Based on the report by
JAKOA (2014), the number of Orang Asli living in poverty in 2013 was 11,423
people out of 178,197 people. Of which, 4102 were categorised as poor and the
other 7321 as extremely poor. This circumstance is brought about by numerous factors like absence of viable strategies to improve their lives, exploitation and threats
to their way of living (Sabran 2003).
Poverty in Aboriginal Communities
The issue of poverty among the Orang Asli is not a new phenomenon. Previously,
there were many studies conducted in relation to poverty issues of the Orang Asli
(Mcgrath et al. 2006; Agostini et al. 2008). A study by Agostini et al. (2008) indicated that the poverty rate of the Orang Asli is higher than mainstream society, and
there is a significant socioeconomic gap and quality of life.
The poverty issue among the Orang Asli has been studied by Jamiran et al.
(2013), who directed hands-on work on the economy of the Orang Asli in Kampung
Peta in the state of Johor, which is in the south of Peninsular Malaysia. They believed
N. Ab Manaf et al.