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© 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_2
Orang Asli Anecdotal Reflections
Albert Abee
Abstract Albert Abee worked for the Kemajuan Pahang Tengarra (DARA) as a
Developmental Ecologist 1973–1976. He characterizes his approach in familiarizing himself with emerging environmental issues that affected the Orang Asli concurrent to implementation of Malaysian Development Plans (1966–1975). He
shares stories of personal observations and encounters he had with the Orang Asli
and how such influenced the development of policy affecting the Orang Asli.
Keywords Orang Asli · Indicators · Watershed · Landscape · Forest · River ·
Development
Introduction
Trying to “fit” in was an ongoing challenge. Just like the American expression, I
“dressed for success” as a developmental ecologist in the Southeast Pahang
Development Authority (Lembaga Kemajuan Pahang Tenggara or DARA) and lecturer at Institut Technology MARA (ITA), as did all my professional counterparts.
Well-dressed, professional-looking people, especially from another country, were
respected and given unnecessary deference by labour workers and many others.
To add to that deference, language barriers, where what is said was not always
heard or understood, caused awkwardness and misunderstandings. One had to practice active listening to be sure one understood what was being said or meant and
even then it was still difficult at times. Furthermore, this was compounded by my
height. I am slightly over 2 m tall and generally towered over most Malaysians,
especially the Orang Asli people, which could be intimidating. My Malay friends
affectionately referred to me as Abdul Panjang!
A. Abee (*)
National Coordinator Sustainable Development, United States Department of Agriculture
Forest Services, Washington, DC, USA
© 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_2
Orang Asli Anecdotal Reflections
Albert Abee
Abstract Albert Abee worked for the Kemajuan Pahang Tengarra (DARA) as a
Developmental Ecologist 1973–1976. He characterizes his approach in familiarizing himself with emerging environmental issues that affected the Orang Asli concurrent to implementation of Malaysian Development Plans (1966–1975). He
shares stories of personal observations and encounters he had with the Orang Asli
and how such influenced the development of policy affecting the Orang Asli.
Keywords Orang Asli · Indicators · Watershed · Landscape · Forest · River ·
Development
Introduction
Trying to “fit” in was an ongoing challenge. Just like the American expression, I
“dressed for success” as a developmental ecologist in the Southeast Pahang
Development Authority (Lembaga Kemajuan Pahang Tenggara or DARA) and lecturer at Institut Technology MARA (ITA), as did all my professional counterparts.
Well-dressed, professional-looking people, especially from another country, were
respected and given unnecessary deference by labour workers and many others.
To add to that deference, language barriers, where what is said was not always
heard or understood, caused awkwardness and misunderstandings. One had to practice active listening to be sure one understood what was being said or meant and
even then it was still difficult at times. Furthermore, this was compounded by my
height. I am slightly over 2 m tall and generally towered over most Malaysians,
especially the Orang Asli people, which could be intimidating. My Malay friends
affectionately referred to me as Abdul Panjang!
A. Abee (*)
National Coordinator Sustainable Development, United States Department of Agriculture
Forest Services, Washington, DC, USA