53
that the Orang Asli is poor because of their choice to live in isolation from the rest
of society. This is a similar circumstance with the Orang Asli in Terengganu state in
the peninsula’s northeast. In 2011, the poverty rate of the Orang Asli in the state was
32.45%, with 11.70% classified as poor and the other 20.74% as hardcore poor
(JAKOA 2011). In 2014, 61 individuals were identified as living in poverty, with 22
classified as poor and 39 as hardcore poor (JAKOA 2014). Noor Zamani (1999) and
Ramle (2014) identified the Orang Asli’s way of life as a reason for their destitution.
The natives are solitary people who do not readily embrace development and interaction with other societies, besides being reluctant to take risks.
The main source of income of the Orang Asli in Kampung Sungai Berua, Hulu
Terengganu, are forest products, such as rattan (Calamus spp.) and dividends from
palm oil companies for the use of their land (Ramle 2014). From these sources of
income, this study tries to track how they spend it to satisfy their daily needs.
Literature Review
The indigenous communities live in isolated regions and some of the members still
practised their traditional beliefs and lifestyle (Ramle 2014). According to Todaro
(1977), development is defined as an arrangement process and reorienting of social
and economic systems. This opinion is in the line with Frank (2004), which indicated that development involves a change in the structure of the economy, society,
politics and culture. In addition, according to Seers (1979), development results can
be seen from a decrease in poverty, unemployment and inequality. Five indicators
are commonly used to measure progress among the Orang Asli i.e. poverty indicators, education achievement, occupation status, housing and facilities (Khor 1988).
In the structure of a national improvement programme, particularly for the urban
network, data would be acquired for consumption design. Studying consumption
trends like family expenditure is vital to improve lives in an economic sense. Family
income is usually limited and will be utilised proficiently to satisfy needs and prerequisites (Masud 1982). According to Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, people will
prioritise expenditure on basic needs, for example, sustenance, clothing and housing
for their family and themselves, before being able to satisfy psychological and selffulfillment needs. This is bolstered by the study by Nordin (1976), who found that
family needs, in order of importance, are nourishment, lodging, transport and
clothing.
Methodology
The qualitative method had been selected to drive this research. This method was
suitable for understanding a phenomenon. It delivered a form of social inquiry that
focused on how to clarify an individual’s belief, which was logical to their life
Spending Habits of the Orang Asli in Kampung Sungai Berua, Hulu Terengganu, Malaysia
that the Orang Asli is poor because of their choice to live in isolation from the rest
of society. This is a similar circumstance with the Orang Asli in Terengganu state in
the peninsula’s northeast. In 2011, the poverty rate of the Orang Asli in the state was
32.45%, with 11.70% classified as poor and the other 20.74% as hardcore poor
(JAKOA 2011). In 2014, 61 individuals were identified as living in poverty, with 22
classified as poor and 39 as hardcore poor (JAKOA 2014). Noor Zamani (1999) and
Ramle (2014) identified the Orang Asli’s way of life as a reason for their destitution.
The natives are solitary people who do not readily embrace development and interaction with other societies, besides being reluctant to take risks.
The main source of income of the Orang Asli in Kampung Sungai Berua, Hulu
Terengganu, are forest products, such as rattan (Calamus spp.) and dividends from
palm oil companies for the use of their land (Ramle 2014). From these sources of
income, this study tries to track how they spend it to satisfy their daily needs.
Literature Review
The indigenous communities live in isolated regions and some of the members still
practised their traditional beliefs and lifestyle (Ramle 2014). According to Todaro
(1977), development is defined as an arrangement process and reorienting of social
and economic systems. This opinion is in the line with Frank (2004), which indicated that development involves a change in the structure of the economy, society,
politics and culture. In addition, according to Seers (1979), development results can
be seen from a decrease in poverty, unemployment and inequality. Five indicators
are commonly used to measure progress among the Orang Asli i.e. poverty indicators, education achievement, occupation status, housing and facilities (Khor 1988).
In the structure of a national improvement programme, particularly for the urban
network, data would be acquired for consumption design. Studying consumption
trends like family expenditure is vital to improve lives in an economic sense. Family
income is usually limited and will be utilised proficiently to satisfy needs and prerequisites (Masud 1982). According to Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, people will
prioritise expenditure on basic needs, for example, sustenance, clothing and housing
for their family and themselves, before being able to satisfy psychological and selffulfillment needs. This is bolstered by the study by Nordin (1976), who found that
family needs, in order of importance, are nourishment, lodging, transport and
clothing.
Methodology
The qualitative method had been selected to drive this research. This method was
suitable for understanding a phenomenon. It delivered a form of social inquiry that
focused on how to clarify an individual’s belief, which was logical to their life
Spending Habits of the Orang Asli in Kampung Sungai Berua, Hulu Terengganu, Malaysia