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The Orang Asli (OA), Malaysia's indigenous minority, continue to experience ongoing soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections despite efforts including the Resettlement Programme (RPS). This study explores STH epidemiology and associated risks of moderate-to-heavy infections among 259 indigenous Negritos across four states in Peninsular Malaysia. Stool samples, anthropometrics, haemoglobin levels (finger-prick) and sociodemographic and environmental-sanitation factors via pretested questionnaires were collected. Parasitological examinations (direct faecal smear, formol-ether concentration, and Kato-Katz techniques) were thoroughly performed. The study revealed a 63.3% overall STH prevalence, with Trichuris trichiura (57.9%) being the most common, followed by Ascaris lumbricoides (35.5%) and hookworm (8.9%). Moderate-to-heavy infections were observed in 39.3% for T. trichiura and 48.9% for A. lumbricoides, with mixed infections of these two species being the most prevalent (50.6%). The risk for moderate-to-heavy infection increased significantly if other household members were infected (P < 0.001). Adults and adolescents also showed high infection rates, with no significant differences with children's groups. These findings emphasize the need for anthelmintic treatment across all age groups and strategize local policies targeting older groups of the OA community to control ongoing transmission and reduce the STH burden and protect the future well-being of OA children, who deserve a healthier future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background In Malaysia, despite a decline in cases, malaria remains a major public health concern, especially among the vulnerable indigenous people (i.e. Orang Asli) in remote areas. Effective preventive and control measures require an evidence-based understanding of their knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding malaria. This study aimed to evaluate the KAP regarding malaria in an indigenous settlement in Peninsular Malaysia. Methods A household-based cross-sectional study was conducted in March 2024 in six Semai sub-ethnic indigenous villages in Pos Lenjang, Kuala Lipis, Pahang. A structured questionnaire was administered to randomly selected individuals (≥ 12 years old) to collect data on sociodemographic characteristics and KAP. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and predictors of KAP were determined using logistic regression. A p-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results A total of 267 individuals from 160 households were interviewed. Nearly half had good knowledge (49.4%) and positive attitudes (54.3%) towards malaria, with high practice scores for prevention and control (83.1%). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed higher odds of good knowledge in those aged 40–59 years (adjusted odd ratio [aOR] = 6.90, p = 0.034), with primary (aOR = 2.67, p = 0.015) or secondary education (aOR = 2.75, p = 0.019), and with previous malaria history (aOR = 5.14, p

Abstract The COVID-19 pandemic has become a significant challenge to humanity, especially marginalized groups such as indigenous people. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice towards COVID-19 prevention among the indigenous population in Lipis district, Pahang, Malaysia. A cross-sectional study was conducted among the indigenous population and the data were collected through face-to-face interviews using a validated questionnaire. The mean score of knowledge, attitude, and practice were 2.35 (SD 1.104), 32.84 (SD 4.756), and 9.64 (SD 3.227), respectively. In the bivariable analysis, the younger the age (p

The COVID-19 pandemic has become a significant challenge to humanity, especially marginalized groups such as indigenous people. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice towards COVID-19 prevention among the indigenous population in Lipis district, Pahang, Malaysia. A cross-sectional study was conducted among the indigenous population and the data were collected through face-to-face interviews using a validated questionnaire. The mean score of knowledge, attitude, and practice were 2.35 (SD 1.104), 32.84 (SD 4.756), and 9.64 (SD 3.227), respectively. In the bivariable analysis, the younger the age (p < 0.001), and the higher the education level (p = 0.001) of the participants, the higher the knowledge score on COVID-19. Meanwhile, the female participants (p = 0.043) and the higher the household income, the higher the attitude score of the participants (p = 0.006). Factors that contributed to a higher score of practice towards COVID-19 prevention were younger age (p = 0.013), female (p < 0.001), no religion (p = 0.026), unemployed (p < 0.001), and higher household income (p = 0.012). There was a positive correlation between knowledge score and practice score (p = 0.001) and a positive correlation between attitude score and practice score (p < 0.001), respectively. Multivariable regression analysis showed that the younger age (p < 0.001) was significantly associated with a higher knowledge score. Furthermore, female (p = 0.018), unemployed (p = 0.001), higher knowledge score (p < 0.001), and higher attitude score (p < 0.001) were significantly associated with a higher score of practice towards COVID-19 prevention among the participants, respectively. Indigenous people in Malaysia have a good knowledge, attitude, and practice towards COVID-19. However, strategic planning and programmes related to preventive practices against infectious disease outbreaks need to be conducted continuously to reduce the outbreaks in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In Malaysia, despite a decline in cases, malaria remains a major public health concern, especially among the vulnerable indigenous people (i.e. Orang Asli) in remote areas. Effective preventive and control measures require an evidence-based understanding of their knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding malaria. This study aimed to evaluate the KAP regarding malaria in an indigenous settlement in Peninsular Malaysia. Methods: A household-based cross-sectional study was conducted in March 2024 in six Semai sub-ethnic indigenous villages in Pos Lenjang, Kuala Lipis, Pahang. A structured questionnaire was administered to randomly selected individuals (≥ 12 years old) to collect data on sociodemographic characteristics and KAP. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and predictors of KAP were determined using logistic regression. A p-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: A total of 267 individuals from 160 households were interviewed. Nearly half had good knowledge (49.4%) and positive attitudes (54.3%) towards malaria, with high practice scores for prevention and control (83.1%). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed higher odds of good knowledge in those aged 40–59 years (adjusted odd ratio [aOR] = 6.90, p = 0.034), with primary (aOR = 2.67, p = 0.015) or secondary education (aOR = 2.75, p = 0.019), and with previous malaria history (aOR = 5.14, p < 0.001). Higher odds of a good attitude were found in those with secondary education (aOR = 4.05, p < 0.001) and previous malaria history (aOR = 2.74, p = 0.017). Lower odds were observed for the unemployed (aOR = 0.25, p = 0.018) and those collecting forest products (aOR = 0.25, p = 0.049) for attitude and practice, respectively. Discussion: The overall practice level on malaria prevention was high among the Semai Orang Asli in Pahang. However, to ensure sustainability, the low levels of knowledge and attitude regarding malaria must be strengthened through increased health education and continuous community engagement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Orang Asli (OA) Seletar is one of indigenous group categorized under Proto-Malay group alongside with other tribes such as Temuan, Semelai, Jakun, Kanaq and Kuala. OA Seletar also has been recognized as one of sea gypsies group, alongside with OA Kuala because their entire livelihood depends on the sea. Besides that, their understanding of the marine world is different with common people as the sea is not just a source of sustenance but also means to provide to their families. Because of that, most of OA Seletar have taken up fishing as their main occupation to ensure their survival. This study aims to identify the socioeconomic activities carried out by the Seletar indigenous community in Kampung Bakar Batu, Johor Bahru. This study has used a qualitative approach such as in-depth interview methods, participant observation, and library methods. A total of five informants were interviewed to obtain the necessary information. Participatory observation was also done to obtain evidence to support the information obtained during the interview session. The results of the study found that the Seletar community in Kampung Bakar Batu has carried out two main socioeconomic activities, namely traditional fishing and the sale of fishing bait. However, these activities are creasingly challenged by development projects near their settlement areas. This study is indirectly important to document the persistence of the Seletar community in carrying out socioeconomic activities to improve their living standards and economic standards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Orang Asli lifestyle and household setting may influence their health status especially respiratory system and lung functions. This cross-sectional study was carried out to investigate the status of lung functions of Orang Asli community and the associated factors. Methods Data collection was carried out from November 2017 until May 2018 among 211 Orang Asli respondents aged 18 years old and above, who lived in five villages in Tasik Chini, Pahang. All respondents who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were recruited in this study. Interview-guided questionnaire was administered, and spirometry test that include Forced Expiratory Volume in one second (FEV1), Forced Vital Capacity (FVC), and Peak Expiratory Flow Rate (PEFR) was carried out. Data were analyzed using SPSS software version 23.0. In the first stage, descriptive analysis was done to describe the characteristics of the respondents. In the second stage, bivariable analysis was carried out to compare proportions. Finally, multiple logistic regression was performed to assess the effects of various independent predictors on spirometry parameters. Results The respondents’ age ranged from 18 to 71 years old in which 50.2% of them were female. The majority ethnicity in Tasik Chini was Jakun tribe (94.3%). More than half of the respondents (52.1%) were current smoker, 5.2% were ex-smoker and 41.7% were non-smoker. More than half of them (62.1%) used woodstove for cooking, compared to only 37.9% used cleaner fuel like Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) as a fuel for everyday cooking activity. The lung function parameters (FEV1 and FVC) were lower than the predictive value, whereas the ratio of Forced Expiratory Volume in one second and Forced Vital Capacity (FEV1/FVC) (%) and PEFR were within the predictive value. The FEV1 levels were significantly associated with age group (18–39 years old) (p = 0.002) and presence of woodstove in the house (p = 0.004). FVC levels were significantly associated with presence of woodstove in the house (p = 0.004), whereas there were no significant associations between all factors and FEV1/FVC levels. Conclusions FEV1 levels were significantly associated with age group 18–39 years old, whereas FVC levels were significantly associated with the presence of woodstove in the house. Thus, environmental interventions such as replacing the use of woodstove with LPG, need to be carried out to prevent further worsening of respiratory health among Orang Asli who lived far from health facilities. Moreover, closer health monitoring is crucial especially among the younger and productive age group.

Background: Orang Asli lifestyle and household setting may influence their health status especially respiratory system and lung functions. This cross-sectional study was carried out to investigate the status of lung functions of Orang Asli community and the associated factors. Methods: Data collection was carried out from November 2017 until May 2018 among 211 Orang Asli respondents aged 18 years old and above, who lived in five villages in Tasik Chini, Pahang. All respondents who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were recruited in this study. Interview-guided questionnaire was administered, and spirometry test that include Forced Expiratory Volume in one second (FEV1), Forced Vital Capacity (FVC), and Peak Expiratory Flow Rate (PEFR) was carried out. Data were analyzed using SPSS software version 23.0. In the first stage, descriptive analysis was done to describe the characteristics of the respondents. In the second stage, bivariable analysis was carried out to compare proportions. Finally, multiple logistic regression was performed to assess the effects of various independent predictors on spirometry parameters. Results: The respondents' age ranged from 18 to 71 years old in which 50.2% of them were female. The majority ethnicity in Tasik Chini was Jakun tribe (94.3%). More than half of the respondents (52.1%) were current smoker, 5.2% were ex-smoker and 41.7% were non-smoker. More than half of them (62.1%) used woodstove for cooking, compared to only 37.9% used cleaner fuel like Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) as a fuel for everyday cooking activity. The lung function parameters (FEV1 and FVC) were lower than the predictive value, whereas the ratio of Forced Expiratory Volume in one second and Forced Vital Capacity (FEV1/FVC) (%) and PEFR were within the predictive value. The FEV1 levels were significantly associated with age group (18–39 years old) (p = 0.002) and presence of woodstove in the house (p = 0.004). FVC levels were significantly associated with presence of woodstove in the house (p = 0.004), whereas there were no significant associations between all factors and FEV1/FVC levels. Conclusions: FEV1 levels were significantly associated with age group 18–39 years old, whereas FVC levels were significantly associated with the presence of woodstove in the house. Thus, environmental interventions such as replacing the use of woodstove with LPG, need to be carried out to prevent further worsening of respiratory health among Orang Asli who lived far from health facilities. Moreover, closer health monitoring is crucial especially among the younger and productive age group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - The language load within mathematics test items can lead to inaccuracy in assessing Orang Asli pupils' mathematical ability due to their struggle in comprehending the academic language. This study aims to determine the validity of using test accommodations in the form of oral academic language and oral native language when administering mathematics computation and word problem test items among the Orang Asli pupils. Methodology - By employing a quantitative approach, this study utilised random equivalent group design to examine the validity of using oral test accommodations among 334 Grade Four Orang Asli pupils. Three testlets were constructed and used in this study: written test in the academic language (WAL), oral test in the academic language (OAL), and oral test in the native language (ONL). The three testlets comprised Paper 1 and Paper 2, each consisting of 20 mathematics computation and 20-word problem test items, respectively. One-way ANOVA was used to analyse and examine if there were differences in the mathematics performance between the three groups of tests administered to the Orang Asli pupils. Findings - The results indicated that the test scores of the pupils on the oral tests were higher compared to the written test administered to the pupils for both mathematics computation and word problem items. For computation items, the pupils performed better in the OAL testlet, followed by the ONL testlet. On the other hand, the pupils obtained the highest test scores in the ONL testlet compared to the OAL testlet for word problem items. Furthermore, the results illustrate that there is a difference in the mathematics performance of the Orang Asli pupils between the oral tests in both languages and written tests in the academic language. Significant - This study clearly shows that language plays a prominent role in affecting the Orang Asli pupils' mathematics performance. By utilising the oral test as a promising test accommodation, this measure could help address the language barrier faced by the Orang Asli pupils in mathematics testing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has affected everyone and stress-related mental health issues affect young people more than other groups, including marginalised populations. As a result of this pandemic, society is being urged to examine indigenous psychological resilience, especially among Orang Asli (OA) communities in Malaysia. Hence, this study aims to identify factors associated with psychological resilience among OA youths of Kampung Orang Asli (KOA) in Gombak during the COVID-19 pandemic. Method: A cross-sectional study comprising OA communities was conducted between January 2022 and September 2022 in the Gombak District, Selangor. A self-administered online questionnaire using Google Forms and a self-administered printed questionnaire was used to collect data from youths aged 18 years old--24 years old. The Malay version of Conner-Davidson Resilience Scale-25 (CD-RISC-25) was used to assess psychological resilience. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 28.0, and multiple linear regression analyses were conducted to evaluate the associated factors and their significance level. Result: A total of 158 participants were involved in this study. The mean score for psychological resilience was estimated at 69.28 (SD = 14.52). The social relationships domain recorded the highest mean score for quality of life (71.54, SD = 13.72). Meanwhile, the total mean score for self-esteem fell into the high-level category (35.77, SD = 4.94), and the domain of relationship and family dynamics under family environment scored the highest mean score of 18.83 (SD = 2.89). Psychological resilience was associated with youths of KOA Batu 12 (β = -14.274, P < 0.05), KOA Ulu Batu (β = -17.789, P < 0.05), less than four siblings (β = -6.495, P < 0.05), owner of residential property (β = -7.543, P < 0.05), high self-esteem (β = 0.612, P < 0.05) and good relationship and family dynamic (β = 1.391, P < 0.05). Conclusion: Developing interventions aimed at psychological resilience determinants may assist OA youths in coping with future threats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Land ownership is one of the most important factors for community sustainable and well-being. Yet for the Orang Asli, it's a way to secure a land tenure. Orang Asli is an abbreviation for Orang Asli of Peninsular Asia according to Orang Act Asli 1954 (Act 134) and Constitution of Malaysia. They possess unique rights and privileges and have previously acknowledged the provisions stated in this Act. However, in Peninsular Asia, the concept of communal land does not serve as a single pillar in uniting Orang Asli to the land ownership. The value of the Orang Asli's land has been impacted by the issue caused by the development of their land. The situation illustrates the necessity of communal land from the viewpoint of the government in order to protect the well-being of the community. Therefore, this article highlights the necessity of preserving communal land from the viewpoint of Orang Asli. This article employed a quantitative methodology, utilising questionnaires. A non-probability sampling technique that is purposive was used to select 150 Orang Asli respondents who resided in the states of Selangor, Perak, and Pahang. The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS Version 26) was used to analyse the data. The analysis of this article indicates how highly significant communal land ownership is to the Orang Asli community. The article that outlines how Orang Asli identity, religion, social, economy, and customs affect their land ownership. Nonetheless, there is a lack of consensus among Orang Asli over the necessary component for land ownership. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - The language load within mathematics test items can lead to inaccuracy in assessing Orang Asli pupils’ mathematical ability due to their struggle in comprehending the academic language. This study aims to determine the validity of using test accommodations in the form of oral academic language and oral native language when administering mathematics computation and word problem test items among the Orang Asli pupils. Methodology - By employing a quantitative approach, this study utilised random equivalent group design to examine the validity of using oral test accommodations among 334 Grade Four Orang Asli pupils. Three testlets were constructed and used in this study: written test in the academic language (WAL), oral test in the academic language (OAL), and oral test in the native language (ONL). The three testlets comprised Paper 1 and Paper 2, each consisting of 20 mathematics computation and 20-word problem test items, respectively. One-way ANOVA was used to analyse and examine if there were differences in the mathematics performance between the three groups of tests administered to the Orang Asli pupils. Findings - The results indicated that the test scores of the pupils on the oral tests were higher compared to the written test administered to the pupils for both mathematics computation and word problem items. For computation items, the pupils performed better in the OAL testlet, followed by the ONL testlet. On the other hand, the pupils obtained the highest test scores in the ONL testlet compared to the OAL testlet for word problem items. Furthermore, the results illustrate that there is a difference in the mathematics performance of the Orang Asli pupils between the oral tests in both languages and written tests in the academic language. Significant - This study clearly shows that language plays a prominent role in affecting the Orang Asli pupils’ mathematics performance. By utilising the oral test as a promising test accommodation, this measure could help address the language barrier faced by the Orang Asli pupils in mathematics testing.

Introduction Questionnaires as a tool to measure sociocultural factors related to COVID-19 infection has not been widely used by researchers. In Malaysia, there is no validated questionnaire for such purpose yet. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to develop and validate a questionnaire as a new tool to measure the sociocultural factors related to COVID-19 among the Orang Asli population in Malaysia. Methods A pilot study was conducted among 30 Orang Asli in Kuala Lipis, Pahang. The Content Validity Index (CVI) was used to test the content validity of the questionnaire, while the construct validity and reliability of the questionnaire were determined using Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and Cronbach’s Alpha coefficient respectively. Results A set of questionnaires, which consisted of four constructs was developed into beliefs, traditional medicine, traditional culture, and social support. A total of 16 items were maintained in EFA with Cronbach’s Alpha of 0.617, 0.778, 0.773, and 0.779. Conclusions This newly developed questionnaire is successfully validated and can be used to measure sociocultural factors related to COVID-19 among the Orang Asli population. However, improvement will still be necessary from time to time to ensure its relevance especially if it is to be used by different populations or countries, considering different diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traditional economic activity is one of the important elements in the Orang Asli community's way of life to secure food for a living and at the same time sustaining their customs and belief systems. However, as the global economy is revolving and becoming money-based economy, the Orang Asli community is facing a great threat. Hence, this study aims to observe the Orang Asli especially the Semelai and Semai communities' traditional economic activity and challenges in sustaining their traditional activities. Therefore, the data collection method used is survey and in-depth interview. This study finds that both Semelai and Semai community practices the same economic activity which is cash-crop economic activity and self-sufficiency. Both subgroups do have few similarities and also differences in values and belief system especially involving the traditional agriculture activity. In fact, they are at risk of food insecurity. Hence, this paper highlights the importance of preserving the traditional economic activity so the community able to gain equal access to food supplies and reclaim their rights as Orang Asli. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

More than 60 years ago, James Neel proposed the Thrifty Genotype Hypothesis to explain the widespread prevalence of type 2 diabetes in Western, industrial contexts. This hypothesis posits that variants linked to conservative energy usage and increased fat deposition would have been favored throughout human evolution due to the advantages they could provide during periods of resource limitation. However, in industrial environments, these variants instead produce an increased risk of obesity, metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, and related health issues. This hypothesis has been popular and impactful, with thousands of citations, many ongoing debates, and several spin-off theories in biomedicine, evolutionary biology, and anthropology. However, despite great attention, the applicability and utility of the Thrifty Genotype Hypothesis (TGH) to modern human health remains, in our opinion, unresolved. To move research in this area forward, we first discuss the original formulation of the TGH and its critiques. Second, we trace the TGH to updated hypotheses that are currently at the forefront of the evolutionary medicine literature—namely, the Evolutionary Mismatch Hypothesis. Third, we lay out empirical predictions for updated hypotheses and evaluate them against the current literature. Finally, we discuss study designs that could be fruitful for filling current knowledge gaps; here, we focus on partnerships with subsistence-level groups undergoing lifestyle transitions, and we present data from an ongoing study with the Orang Asli of Malaysia to illustrate this point. Overall, we hope this synthesis will guide new empirical research aimed at understanding how the human evolutionary past interacts with our modern environments to influence cardiometabolic health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Differences in the distribution of RBC antigens defining the blood group types among different populations have been well established. Fewer studies exist that have explored the blood group profiles of indigenous populations worldwide. With the availability of population-scale genomic datasets, we have explored the blood group profiles of the Orang Aslis, who are the indigenous population in Peninsular Malaysia and provide a systematic comparison of the same with major global population datasets. Variant call files from whole genome sequence data (hg19) of 114 Orang Asli were retrieved from The Orang Asli Genome Project. Systematic variant annotations were performed using ANNOVAR and only those variants mapping back to genes associated with 43 blood group systems and transcription factors KLF1 and GATA1 were filtered. Blood group-associated allele and phenotype frequencies were determined and were duly compared with other datasets including Singapore Sequencing Malay Project, aboriginal western desert Australians and global population datasets including The 1000 Genomes Project and gnomAD. This study reports four alleles (rs12075, rs7683365, rs586178 and rs2298720) of DUFFY, MNS, RH and KIDD blood group systems which were significantly distinct between indigenous Orang Asli and cosmopolitan Malaysians. Eighteen alleles that belong to 14 blood group systems were found statistically distinct in comparison to global population datasets. Although not much significant differences were observed in phenotypes of most blood group systems, major insights were observed when comparing Orang Asli with aboriginal Australians and cosmopolitan Malaysians. This study serves as the first of its kind to utilize genomic data to interpret blood group antigen profiles of the Orang Asli population. In addition, a systematic comparison of blood group profiles with related populations was also analysed and documented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Purpose Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is characterized by visceral obesity, elevated blood pressure and fasting blood glucose, increased triglycerides, and lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. MetS related with intricate gene-environment interactions. FTO and RETN variants were linked to the occurrence of MetS, but inconsistent results were reported. Therefore, this study was conducted to evaluate the potential role of FTO rs9939609 and RETN rs1862513 polymorphisms and their susceptibility risk to MetS among resettled indigenous or Orang Asli (OA) of Temiar subtribe under resettlement scheme by the Malaysia government. Methods A cross sectional study was performed involving 123 Temiar volunteers located in Gua Musang, Kelantan. MetS was identified using modified NCEP-ATP III. DNA extraction was done using peripheral blood. Polymerase Chain Reaction–Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (PCR–RFLP) was employed to genotype FTO rs9939609 and RETN rs1862513 polymorphisms. Susceptibility risk of the polymorphisms (FTO rs9939609 and RETN rs1862513) with MetS was determined by binary logistic regression analysis and odds ratios (ORs). Results FTO rs9939609 and RETN rs1862513 were associated with risk of MetS susceptibility among the Temiar subtribe with estimated OR 19.9 (P

Growing oil palm among the indigenous peoples in Peninsular Malaysia is not uncommon. While individuals' success either economically or academically are lauded and ought to be nurtured and supported, previous study by Wirth believes that collective success is the key not only in elevating the socioeconomic status but also serves as a mean to retain them as a cohesive unit culturally and socially. This study aims in promoting a model for collective development in the form of cooperative in oil palm cultivation of the indigenous peoples. Through simple random sampling and snowball techniques, a total of fifteen small-scale oil palm farmers from an indigenous village in the state of Pahang were interviewed periodically during the months of June till September, 2020. The results of the study found that these indigenous oil palm farmers faced both social and economic issues between the household members as well as within the indigenous community arising from inequalities of income level. At the macro level, a competent cooperative will attain far greater achievements and more beneficial to the indigenous community than a few successful farmers due to the concept of inclusiveness and sustainability. It is hope that the cooperative model can be replicated in other indigenous communities and effectively raise the overall living standard of the indigenous community in Peninsular Malaysia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article unpacks community-level female leadership among Malaysia’s indigenous Orang Asli community. The power dynamics of this community’s relationship with state institutions have been uneven. Critics accuse the authorities of infantilizing the community, through gendered and patriarchal behaviour (for example, male government officers only interact with male heads of communities). Based on the fieldwork including seven interviews with female and male Orang Asli grassroots leaders of an independent, pro-indigenous movement – one which is apparently “leaderless” in terms of its organizational structure – we show how they challenge the abovementioned attitudes through neo-empowerment and agentic efforts, through collective narratives of the environment, camaraderie and compassion. These grassroots efforts also appeal to a new cohort of indigenous people, embody gentle negotiation strategies, and recognize gendered discourses of agency and control. We show how this leads to the creation of a more inclusive, progressive, and feminist-driven empowerment strategy, eventually building resistance to traditional patriarchal structures.

Abstract Orang Asli, the indigenous people of Peninsular Malaysia, is a minority population and placed behind in terms of socioeconomy, education and health. The Malaysian government has supported Orang Asli since the second Malaysia Plan in the 1970s, resulting in changes in their living standard, access to health, education and occupation. Hence, this review aims to assess the recent prevalence of diseases among Orang Asli in Peninsular Malaysia. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) review protocol guided this systematic review. The research question was formulated based on Population, Interest, Comparison and Outcome (PICO). The selected databases include Web of Science, Scopus, Ovid and EBSCOhost. The process of identification, screening and inclusion identified 33 articles. The mixed methods appraisal tool (MMAT) was then used to rank the quality of the articles. Selangor is the most frequent state involved in this review (12 studies), followed by Perak (10 studies), Pahang (10 studies) and Kedah (one study). We categorised into four categories of diseases, namely neglected tropical disease (n = 20), non-communicable disease (n = 6), nutritional status (n = 5), and hepatic disease (n = 2). The prevalence of diseases among Orang Asli is higher than in the general population, especially for soil-transmitted helminth (STH) and malnutrition. There is increasing research on non-communicable diseases due to an increasing trend in the socioeconomic status and lifestyle of the Orang Asli. Government agencies and private organisations must work together to empower Orang Asli with a healthy lifestyle, improve their socioeconomic status, and enhance food security, all of which will improve Orang Asli's health and reduce the prevalence of diseases.

Malaria remains a public health problem in many parts of the world. In Malaysia, the significant progress towards the national elimination programme and effective disease notification on malaria has resulted in zero indigenous human malaria cases since 2018. However, the country still needs to determine the extent of malaria exposure and transmission patterns, particularly in high-risk populations. In this study, a serological method was used to measure transmission levels of Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax among indigenous Orang Asli communities in Kelantan, Peninsular Malaysia. A community-based cross-sectional survey was conducted in three Orang Asli communities (i.e., Pos Bihai, Pos Gob, and Pos Kuala Betis) in Kelantan from June to July 2019. Antibody responses to malaria were assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using two P. falciparum (PfAMA-1 and PfMSP-119) and two P. vivax (PvAMA-1 and PvMSP-119) antigens. Age-adjusted antibody responses were analysed using a reversible catalytic model to calculate seroconversion rates (SCRs). Multiple logistic regression was used to investigate factors associated with malaria exposure. The overall malaria seroprevalence was 38.8% for PfAMA-1, 36.4% for PfMSP-119, 2.2% for PvAMA-1, and 9.3% for PvMSP-119. Between study areas, the proportion of seropositivity for any P. falciparum and P. vivax antigens was significantly highest in Pos Kuala Betis with 34.7% (p < 0.001) and 13.6% (p < 0.001), respectively. For all parasite antigens except for PvAMA-1, the proportion of seropositive individuals significantly increased with age (all p < 0.001). Based on the SCR, there was a higher level of P. falciparum transmission than P. vivax in the study area. Multivariate regression analyses showed that living in Pos Kuala Betis was associated with both P. falciparum (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 5.6, p < 0.001) and P. vivax (aOR 2.1, p < 0.001) seropositivities. Significant associations were also found between age and seropositivity to P. falciparum and P. vivax antigens. Analysis of community-based serological data helps describe the level of transmission, heterogeneity, and factors associated with malaria exposure among indigenous communities in Peninsular Malaysia. This approach could be an important adjunct tool for malaria monitoring and surveillance in low malaria transmission settings in the country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Anaemia continues to be a global public health burden affecting all age groups, particularly children. Indigenous people, including the Orang Asli (OA) population in Malaysia, are at risk of anaemia due to the vast disparities in social determinants of health in their population compared to the non-indigenous population. Objectives: This review aimed to identify the prevalence and risk factors of anaemia among OA children in Malaysia and analyse the knowledge gaps. Methods: A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Cochrane Library, Scopus and Google Scholar databases. This review followed Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for scoping reviews (PRISMA-ScR) guidelines. Results: This review identified six studies involving the participation of OA children from eight subtribes residing in Peninsular Malaysia. The overall prevalence of anaemia among OA children ranged from 21.6 to 80.0%, with iron deficiency anaemia prevalence at 34.0%. The risk factors of anaemia among OA children reported from one study in this review were being younger than ten years old children (AOR 2.11 (95% CI 1.23, 3.63)) and moderate to heavy Ascaris infections (AOR 2.05 (95% CI 1.12, 3.76)). There was no data from OA children from certain age groups and subtribes. Additionally, there is a paucity of data on risk factors for anaemia among OA children from the currently available evidence. Conclusion: The prevalence of anaemia among OA children poses a moderate to severe public health concern. Therefore, more comprehensive studies in the future are needed to address the gaps identified in this review, primarily regarding anaemia risk factors. This data would encourage policymakers in devising effective national prevention strategies to improve morbidity and mortality among OA children in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the challenges to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is climate change. Extreme climate change is a major contributor to the escalation of environmental degradation. Indigenous peoples are often credited with a deeper understanding of climate change adaptation, as they have been connected to the natural environment. Although these communities are minor contributors to the greenhouse effect, the impact of climate change makes it difficult for them to maintain their environmental conservation practises. The aim of this research is therefor to examine the existing literature on the topic of climate change impact on indigenous people in Malaysia. The results of the literature review show that climate change vulnerability include natural disasters and degradation of biodiversity resources. This article therefore illustrates the comprehensive climate change adaptation strategy of indigenous communities. It encourages policymakers to incorporate the perspectives of indigenous stakeholders to address their needs and adopt a balanced approach to climate change adaptation strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Malaria remains a public health problem in many parts of the world. In Malaysia, the significant progress towards the national elimination programme and effective disease notification on malaria has resulted in zero indigenous human malaria cases since 2018. However, the country still needs to determine the extent of malaria exposure and transmission patterns, particularly in high-risk populations. In this study, a serological method was used to measure transmission levels of Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax among indigenous Orang Asli communities in Kelantan, Peninsular Malaysia. A community-based cross-sectional survey was conducted in three Orang Asli communities (i.e., Pos Bihai, Pos Gob, and Pos Kuala Betis) in Kelantan from June to July 2019. Antibody responses to malaria were assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using two P. falciparum (PfAMA-1 and PfMSP-119) and two P. vivax (PvAMA-1 and PvMSP-119) antigens. Age-adjusted antibody responses were analysed using a reversible catalytic model to calculate seroconversion rates (SCRs). Multiple logistic regression was used to investigate factors associated with malaria exposure. The overall malaria seroprevalence was 38.8% for PfAMA-1, 36.4% for PfMSP-119, 2.2% for PvAMA-1, and 9.3% for PvMSP-119. Between study areas, the proportion of seropositivity for any P. falciparum and P. vivax antigens was significantly highest in Pos Kuala Betis with 34.7% (p < 0.001) and 13.6% (p < 0.001), respectively. For all parasite antigens except for PvAMA-1, the proportion of seropositive individuals significantly increased with age (all p < 0.001). Based on the SCR, there was a higher level of P. falciparum transmission than P. vivax in the study area. Multivariate regression analyses showed that living in Pos Kuala Betis was associated with both P. falciparum (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 5.6, p < 0.001) and P. vivax (aOR 2.1, p < 0.001) seropositivities. Significant associations were also found between age and seropositivity to P. falciparum and P. vivax antigens. Analysis of community-based serological data helps describe the level of transmission, heterogeneity, and factors associated with malaria exposure among indigenous communities in Peninsular Malaysia. This approach could be an important adjunct tool for malaria monitoring and surveillance in low malaria transmission settings in the country.

BackgroundThis research focused on the different varieties of wild edible plants (WEPs) actively utilized by the Orang Asli of Malaysia and their medicinal values. The Orang Asli have been relying on these plants for their sustenance and wellbeing. However, with environmental degradation, many of these wild edibles are slowly becoming sparse, which then has a spillover effect and has resulted in the erasure of knowledge. Therefore, this research paper also aims to highlight the naming system utilized by the Orang Asli, the gender/age gap and the medicinal properties of these wild edible plants.MethodsThis research was conducted to identify the important wild edibles used among the Orang Asli, using both semi-structured and field interviews, as well as ethnobotanical appraisal methods. With the assistance of 24 informants, a total of nine wild edible plants were identified based on their importance as food and medicine for the Orang Asli groups in three different Semai settlements.Results and discussionFrom the results obtained, the wild edibles identified in the study have potential medicinal value and have been used by the Orang Asli for many generations. Also, based on my results, older Orang Asli can potentially serve as a repository of knowledge of wild edible plants within their settlements, as they were more informed than young people. However, there is little remaining knowledge of their medicinal uses in Telimau; elder women retain more knowledge than elder men in Bukit Terang, and the greatest knowledge retention for both young and old is seen in the more remote settlement of Kampung Sat.ConclusionThis research documents the medicinal uses of these wild edibles, and may provide a starting point for further studies on these species and encourage conservation initiatives, in addition to helping safeguard the indigenous knowledge and the distinct cultural identities of the Orang Asli.

Orang Asli, the indigenous people of Peninsular Malaysia, is a minority population and placed behind in terms of socioeconomy, education and health. The Malaysian government has supported Orang Asli since the second Malaysia Plan in the 1970s, resulting in changes in their living standard, access to health, education and occupation. Hence, this review aims to assess the recent prevalence of diseases among Orang Asli in Peninsular Malaysia. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) review protocol guided this systematic review. The research question was formulated based on Population, Interest, Comparison and Outcome (PICO). The selected databases include Web of Science, Scopus, Ovid and EBSCOhost. The process of identification, screening and inclusion identified 33 articles. The mixed methods appraisal tool (MMAT) was then used to rank the quality of the articles. Selangor is the most frequent state involved in this review (12 studies), followed by Perak (10 studies), Pahang (10 studies) and Kedah (one study). We categorised into four categories of diseases, namely neglected tropical disease (n = 20), non-communicable disease (n = 6), nutritional status (n = 5), and hepatic disease (n = 2). The prevalence of diseases among Orang Asli is higher than in the general population, especially for soil-transmitted helminth (STH) and malnutrition. There is increasing research on non-communicable diseases due to an increasing trend in the socioeconomic status and lifestyle of the Orang Asli. Government agencies and private organisations must work together to empower Orang Asli with a healthy lifestyle, improve their socioeconomic status, and enhance food security, all of which will improve Orang Asli's health and reduce the prevalence of diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The positive social and environmental outcomes of involving local and indigenous people in environmental management have made their inclusion in forest management increasingly considered. However, in Malaysia, where indigenous forest-dependent communities, known as the Orang Asli, are not yet involved in forest management, their significance needs to be empirically recorded. This study aims to investigate the relevance of involving the Orang Asli in Malaysia’s forest management. The study employed a participant observational study at Kampung Tanjung Rambai, an Orang Asli settlement located in the Malaysian state of Selangor. Dwelling with the community and engaging in their forest-based lives for a course of 1 month have managed to capture their current relationships with the forest, which were then analyzed to determine their roles as meaningful stakeholders. The results show that the community has maintained a relationship with their land that may ensure the prudent use of resources. Furthermore, their forest-based lives can be regarded as small-scale disturbances in the forest ecosystem, which are necessary for maintaining resilience.

Intending to enhance educational outcomes for indigenous students, who have long been undervalued in many present educational systems, there is an increasing variety of educational interventions in mathematics learning. This is in line with two of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are quality education and reduced inequalities, especially among indigenous students. Nevertheless, no research on indigenous students, locally known as Orang Asli, has been performed in Malaysia. Hence, the purpose of this research is to systematically review empirical studies from various countries that documented interventions to help indigenous students in their acquisition of mathematics from 2007 to 2022. This review included a total of 25 studies. Indigenous students from elementary to high school participated in these programs, which took place in both formal and informal settings. The majority of interventions are used in formal settings and elementary schools. The two key characteristics of the interventions were their scientific inquiry practice and cultural relevance. Regarding indigenous students' cognitive, psychomotor, and affective domains, all interventions indicated successful outcomes. This information will benefit not only Malaysian indigenous mathematics teachers and researchers but also academics from all over the world in order to help improve indigenous students' mathematics learning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Orang Asli, the indigenous community in Malaysia is among minority groups that face difficulties acquiring the Malay Language as a second language. Poor achievement and lack of research on the secondary school level for indigenous students have motivated the inquisition for this study. This study intends to explore the Malay language acquisition and learning experience among indigenous students. This is to enhance our understanding of the process. This qualitative research approach used an ethnographic case study research design. A total of 13 participants by purposive sampling technique in this research comprising eight Orang Asli students from the Temiar tribe, two teachers and three of the students' parents. To acquire an in-depth picture of the phenomena researched, the data was collected utilising observation methods, interviews, and field notes. This study was conducted at the only secondary boarding school of indigenous people which is located in Sungai Siput, Perak. The study findings were analyzed using the continuous comparison method to identify the themes and subthemes involved. The findings showed that the Orang Asli Temiar students went through language development activities that could be classed to conscious learning and unconscious acquisition. Efforts to inculcate the use of the Malay language were found to be challenging due to the challenges identified in the process of mastering their second language. Therefore, this study provides a new understanding of the rule of the second language among the Orang Asli and in turn has implications for improvement in formulating BM teaching and learning strategies as a second language especially among the Orang Asli community in Malaysia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Malay World has been home to a range of social formations, from nomadic hunter-gatherers on land and sea, through (semi-)sedentary swiddeners and forest traders, to state-incorporated peasants and aristocrats. In their religious and secular musics, these populations display differing performance manners and organisation that reflect their distinctive socio-cultural and religious orientations. The musics serve to embed those orientations as aesthetically felt rather than conceptually talked about. The differences are encoded mainly onto contrasts between, on the one hand, highly heterophonic and/or starkly non-melismatic performance and, on the other, more homophonic and/or melismatic styles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Blastocystis sp. is a common intestinal protozoan of humans with the phenotypic characteristics strongly associated with its activity, including pathogenicity. This characteristic varies, but the variation has not been clearly understood. The present study evaluates the variation when a single subtype of Blastocystis sp. was isolated from a population with distinct gut microbial composition, namely, the urban and orang asli(indigenous) population. Blastocystis sp. cells isolated from orang asli individuals had a higher growth rate with elevated resistance to harsh conditions. Distinct surface coats with amoebic forms were noticed in parasite cells from urban individuals. Proteases, commonly a virulent factor in other parasites, showed variation depending on the isolation source. Stimulation of cancer cell proliferation by only Blastocystis sp. isolated from urban individuals is suggestive of the variation at the antigenic level. This phenotypic variation suggests that implicating subtype to pathogenicity may be too early, and a deeper understanding of Blastocystis sp. and microenvironment interaction is essential. Blastocystis sp. is a globally distributed protozoan parasite with uncertain pathogenicity. Phenotypic variation in Blastocystis sp. suggests its adaptation; however, the phenotypic features of Blastocystis sp. ST3 from a distinct source of isolation is unknown. Blastocystis sp. isolated from individuals in urban and orang asli (indigenous population in Selangor, Malaysia) settlements were studied for phenotypic characteristics such as growth profile, morphology, ultrastructure, and resistance to harsh conditions. Subsequently, pathogenic potentials, such as in protease activity and the ability to stimulate the proliferation of cancer cells, were assessed. Higher parasite counts with granular and apoptotic forms were found in Blastocystis sp. from orang asli individuals. Cells with fuzzy coats and amoebic structures which seemingly implicate increased interaction with bacteria were seen predominantly in urban symptomatic persons. Also, Blastocystis sp. from orang asli isolates resisted harsh environments, suggesting longer co-adaptation to the hosts. Urban and orang asli symptomatic isolates possessed a predominance of only cysteine protease, whereas all the asymptomatic isolates showed significantly higher cysteine, serine, or aspartic protease activity. However, only solubilized antigen from urban symptomatic isolates showed significant stimulation of cancer cell proliferation. For the first time, our findings demonstrate significant phenotypic variation in a single subtype, ST3 of Blastocystis sp., isolated from urban and orang asli populations that are known to have distinct gut microbial compositions. The outcome emphasizes the importance of identifying people's locations and lifestyles during sample collection before forming conclusions on the prevailing data and implicating subtypes to pathogenicity. The environment plays a significant role in Blastocystis sp. infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of conditions that increase the risk of developing chronic diseases. This paper aims to assess the data on metabolic syndrome among indigenous Orang Asli in Malaysia. Searches were carried out using electronic databases of CINAHL, Medline, PubMed, and Scopus using predefined keywords. Cross-sectional studies of metabolic syndrome using any clinical diagnosis criteria among adult Orang Asli in Peninsular Malaysia included. Fifteen studies with these criteria were selected, five with metabolic syndrome studies. The general prevalence (weighted mean) of metabolic syndrome in Orang Asli was 26.3% (range: 12.0–39.8). Metabolic syndrome was more frequent in females (30.0%) than in males (19.3%). The most common components of metabolic syndrome were low HDL-C levels (41.0%) and hypertension (33.7%). For abdominal obesity, high triglycerides, and abnormal glycemia, the prevalence was; 24.6%, 21.5%, and 14.0%, respectively. Conclusively, the present systematic review brings us closer to an understanding of the prevalence of metabolic syndrome among this vulnerable population. The methodological differences among the studies published limit a joint analysis of their results. Nevertheless, finding from this review shows their high prevalence of the metabolic syndrome is comparable with other ethnic groups in Malaysia that requires immediate attention from all related parties.

The Orang Asli group forms a minority community in Peninsular Malaysia, whose livelihood mostly depends on their land and the surrounding area. Dispute over customary land rights of Orang Asli has been continual in Malaysia although Malaysian Courts, in several cases, have upheld the Common Law rights of Orang Asli to their customary lands. This poses a challenge to some Orang Asli communities and State Governments. Based on focus group discussion, profiling survey, and library research methods, this paper analyses the land rights of Orang Asli in Peninsular Malaysia, by placing focus on Orang Asli in Kampung Parit Gong, Jelebu, Negeri Sembilan. The findings indicate that the Kampung Parit Gong Orang Asli community has been strictly adhering to the customs of ‘Adat Perpatih’ since yesteryears, and that they highly value the land, both through usage of land and by inheritance. Several important concerns were raised by the Orang Asli in Kampung Parit Gong, particularly on the security over their rights on the said customary land and the guarantee of their future generations’ socio-economic well-being. Having said that, this paper proposes several legal and administrative measures to not only address the uprising issues, but also to ascertain that the rights of Orang Asli residing in Peninsular Malaysia are safeguarded.

The Orang Asli (OA) of Malaysia have been relatively understudied where little is known about their oral and gut microbiomes. As human health is closely intertwined with the human microbiome, this study first assessed the cardiometabolic health in four OA communities ranging from urban, rural to semi-nomadic hunter-gatherers. The urban Temuan suffered from poorer cardiometabolic health while rural OA communities were undergoing epidemiological transition. The oral microbiota of the OA were characterised by sequencing the V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene. The OA oral microbiota were unexpectedly homogenous, with comparably low alpha diversity across all four communities. The rural Jehai and Temiar PP oral microbiota were enriched for uncharacterised bacteria, exhibiting potential for discoveries. This finding also highlights the importance of including under-represented populations in large cohort studies. The Temuan oral microbiota were also elevated in opportunistic pathogens such as Corynebacterium, Prevotella , and Mogibacterium , suggesting possible oral dysbiosis in these urban settlers. The semi-nomadic Jehai gut microbiota had the highest alpha diversity, while urban Temuan exhibited the lowest. Rural OA gut microbiota were distinct from urban-like microbiota and were elevated in bacteria genera such as Prevotella 2, Prevotella 9 , Lachnospiraceae ND3007, and Solobacterium. Urban Temuan microbiota were enriched in Odoribacter, Blautia, Parabacetroides, Bacteroides and Ruminococcacecae UCG-013. This study brings to light the current health trend of these indigenous people who have minimal access to healthcare and lays the groundwork for future, in-depth studies in these populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The advancement of genomics has progressed in lightning speed over the past two decades. Numerous large-scale genome sequencing initiatives were announced, along with the rise of the holistic precision medicine approach. However, the field of genomic medicine has now come to a bottleneck since genomic-phenomic interactions are not fully comprehended due to the complexity of the human systems biology and environmental influence, hence the emergence of human phenomics. Results: This review attempts to provide an overview of the potential advantages of investigating the human phenomics of indigenous populations and the challenges ahead. Conclusion: We believe that the indigenous populations serve as an ideal model to excavate our understanding of genomic-environmental-phenomics interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background This paper describes the result of workshops conducted to increase the knowledge and awareness of university students using a multidisciplinary, collaborative, multisectoral and trans-disciplinary approach concerning One Health and the indigenous people of peninsular Malaysia called the Orang Asli. Methods A non-experimental pre and post-test intervention study was carried out among medical, veterinary and allied health students from six public and private universities who attended workshops on One Heath in two Orang Asli communities living by the Temenggor lake in Malaysia as part of the Malaysia One Health University Network (MYOHUN) efforts in training future and present One Health workforce. Results There was a significant increase in various aspects of knowledge and interest concerning One Health and the Orang Asli. The mean knowledge scores of One Health (p

Kajian ini membincangkan kepentingan variasi fonologi kata pinjaman bahasa Melayu yang dituturkan oleh orang asli Jakun kepada kajian linguistik Melayu. Objektif kajian ini adalah untuk menghuraikan variasi bahasa Melayu yang dituturkan oleh orang asli Jakun dari sudut fonologi dan menjelaskan kepentingan kewujudan variasi bahasa Melayu ini kepada kajian linguistik Melayu. Seterusnya, kajian ini menggunakan kaedah kualitatif deskriptif untuk menghuraikan data yang dipungut di lapangan. Data bahasa Jakun ini dikutip melalui temu bual dengan informan di lima buah perkampungan orang asli Jakun di Kluang, Johor. Bagi menghuraikan fonologi bahasa Jakun, kajian ini menggunakan teori atur rumus Chomsky dan Halle (1968). Hasil kajian ini mendapati orang asli Jakun telah meminjam banyak perkataan bahasa Melayu, namun terdapat perbezaan dari sudut fonologi. Perbezaan dari sudut fonologi ini telah menghasilkan variasi bahasa Melayu yang berbeza sedikit dengan bahasa Melayu standard. Antara proses fonologi yang berbeza ialah penyisipan hentian glotis di akhir kata, kewujudan konsonan [h] antara urutan vokal, kewujudan konsonan [h] di awal kata, vokal rendah berubah menjadi vokal separa tinggi, vokal separa tinggi berubah menjadi vokal tinggi dan tiada penengahan vokal. Variasi bahasa Melayu yang terhasil daripada pertuturan orang asli Jakun ini telah memperlihatkan kedinamikan bahasa Melayu dari sudut kebolehan bahasa Melayu itu diserap dan digunakan oleh kaum lain.

The Orang Asli (OA) of Malaysia have been relatively understudied where little is known about their oral and gut microbiomes. As human health is closely intertwined with the human microbiome, this study first assessed the cardiometabolic health in four OA communities ranging from urban, rural to semi-nomadic hunter-gatherers. The urban Temuan suffered from poorer cardiometabolic health while rural OA communities were undergoing epidemiological transition. The oral microbiota of the OA were characterised by sequencing the V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene. The OA oral microbiota were unexpectedly homogenous, with comparably low alpha diversity across all four communities. The rural Jehai and Temiar PP oral microbiota were enriched for uncharacterised bacteria, exhibiting potential for discoveries. This finding also highlights the importance of including under-represented populations in large cohort studies. The Temuan oral microbiota were also elevated in opportunistic pathogens such as Corynebacterium, Prevotella, and Mogibacterium, suggesting possible oral dysbiosis in these urban settlers. The semi-nomadic Jehai gut microbiota had the highest alpha diversity, while urban Temuan exhibited the lowest. Rural OA gut microbiota were distinct from urban-like microbiota and were elevated in bacteria genera such as Prevotella 2, Prevotella 9, Lachnospiraceae ND3007, and Solobacterium. Urban Temuan microbiota were enriched in Odoribacter, Blautia, Parabacetroides, Bacteroides and Ruminococcacecae UCG-013. This study brings to light the current health trend of these indigenous people who have minimal access to healthcare and lays the groundwork for future, in-depth studies in these populations.

Southeast Asia (SEA) has one of the longest records of modern human habitation out-of-Africa. Located at the crossroad of the mainland and islands of SEA, Peninsular Malaysia is an important piece of puzzle to the map of peopling and migration history in Asia, a question that is of interest to many anthropologists, archeologists, and population geneticists. This review aims to revisit our understanding to the population genetics of the natives from Peninsular Malaysia and Borneo over the past century based on the chronology of the technology advancement: 1) Anthropological and Physical Characterization; 2) Blood Group Markers; 3) Protein Markers; 4) Mitochondrial and Autosomal DNA Markers; and 5) Whole Genome Analysis. Subsequently some missing gaps of the study are identified. In the later part of this review, challenges of studying the population genetics of natives will be elaborated. Finally, we conclude our review by reiterating the importance of unveiling migration history and genetic diversity of the indigenous populations as a steppingstone towards comprehending disease evolution and etiology.

Southeast Asia (SEA) has one of the longest records of modern human habitation out-of-Africa. Located at the crossroad of the mainland and islands of SEA, Peninsular Malaysia is an important piece of puzzle to the map of peopling and migration history in Asia, a question that is of interest to many anthropologists, archeologists, and population geneticists. This review aims to revisit our understanding to the population genetics of the natives from Peninsular Malaysia and Borneo over the past century based on the chronology of the technology advancement: 1) Anthropological and Physical Characterization; 2) Blood Group Markers; 3) Protein Markers; 4) Mitochondrial and Autosomal DNA Markers; and 5) Whole Genome Analysis. Subsequently some missing gaps of the study are identified. In the later part of this review, challenges of studying the population genetics of natives will be elaborated. Finally, we conclude our review by reiterating the importance of unveiling migration history and genetic diversity of the indigenous populations as a steppingstone towards comprehending disease evolution and etiology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

INTRODUCTION: In Malaysia, there are little up-to-date data on the prevalence of Entamoeba spp. and most of the previous studies were carried out using the conventional insensitive method of stool microscopic examinations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted from September 2018 to Mac 2019 in the three villages of Orang Asli communities at Slim River, Perak using the molecular assay. Risk factors associated with Entamoeba spp. infection was assessed by analysing questionnaire responses obtained from the study participants. RESULTS: From the 55 stool samples collected, molecular prevalence revealed 7.3% and 9.1% E. histolytica and E. dispar infection respectively. Infection was due to indiscriminate defecation and not washing hands after playing with soil or gardening, as well as associated with gastrointestinal symptoms. CONCLUSION: This study showed that there is still an ongoing transmission of Entamoeba spp. among the studied population, thus warrants the implementation of specific prevention and control strategies of this infection in Malaysia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - In the 21st century, the importance of having good English proficiency in Malaysia and globally has impacted educators, especially in terms of their pedagogical practices. Although students are exposed to 11 years of English language instruction in Malaysia, Orang Asli students still possess low English proficiency and poor writing skills. This study aims to determine the extent to which the genre-based pedagogical approach is able to improve Orang Asli students' English as a foreign language (EFL) writing performance and analyse their responses in using the genre-based pedagogical approach as a framework to improve their EFL writing performance. Methodology - This quasi-experimental study included 78 students from a secondary school in Pahang, Malaysia. Participants were assigned to the experimental and control groups (N=39) to generate students' pretest and posttest scores. Quantitative data from the students' questionnaire were also triangulated with qualitative data from the focus group discussions with the experimental group. Findings - The approach was effective in improving students' descriptive writing and had a more significant effect than the mainstream process-based approach. Students reacted positively to the approach as they found it useful in improving their writing skills, which correlated with their improved test scores. Therefore, the genre-based pedagogical framework can be further enhanced by incorporating more grammar-related activities to meet the learning needs of Orang Asli students lacking in EFL writing skills. Significance - The novelty of this study is that the framework has the potential to be implemented in Malaysian secondary schools and other indigenous' educational contexts. Furthermore, this study can be a point of reference to stakeholders, English language teaching (ELT) practitioners and educators in terms of advocating a genrebased pedagogical approach in an EFL context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to examine the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the Orang Asli. Specifically, this study examined the impact of the pandemic on the economic activities of the Jahut tribe residing in Pahang, Malaysia. It used semi-structured interviews with the representatives of the Jahut tribe and found that the economic activities of the Orang Asli are still in the form of self-sufficiency and „enough to live.? This study shows that the Orang Asli's economic activities were originally from finding agarwood, collecting bee honey, and weaving products from rattan. However, the economic activities of the Orang Asli gradually changed as they get more involved in commercial agricultural activities. This study also found that the Covid-19 pandemic has affected their economic activities because they could not sell their harvested crops due to cross-border restrictions. In addition, some planned economic resources along with assistance from several government and non-government agencies had to be postponed since no demand is expected. This study contributes to the existing literature, where it can be used as a future reference related to the field of Orang Asli. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The purpose of this correspondence is to express our disappointment with the coverage of the BMC Public Health supplement: Vol 19 (4) titled “Health and Nutritional Issues Among Low Income Population in Malaysia”, which neglected to include the fundamental health and nutrition issues that are adversely affecting the lives and livelihood of the indigenous peoples. The Supplement comprised 21 papers. Two of these papers included indigenous peoples as study subjects. These two papers addressed peripheral, albeit important health issues, namely visual impairment and quality of life, and not the persistent and rising health concerns impacting this population. We will provide evidence from research and reports to justify our critique that the Supplement missed the opportunity to spotlight on the serious extent of the health and nutritional deprivations of the indigenous peoples of Malaysia. As researchers of the indigenous peoples, we ought to lend our voice to the “silenced minority” by highlighting their plight in the media including scientific journals.

Abstract Background Poor oral health among Malaysian indigenous Orang Asli (OA) children may impact on their daily performances. Aim To assess the oral health status, related behaviours, and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) among OA children in Cameron Highlands (CH), Malaysia, and to identify the predictor(s) for poor OHRQoL. Design This was a cross-sectional study involving 249, 11–12 year old OA children from 4 OA primary schools in CH. The children completed a self-administered questionnaire comprising information on socio-demographics, oral health-related behaviours, and the Malay Child Oral Impacts on Daily Performances (Malay Child-OIDP) index followed by an oral examination. Data were entered into the SPSS version 23.0 software. Non-parametric tests and multiple logistic regression were used for data analysis. Results The response rate was 91.2% (n = 227/249). The prevalence of caries was 61.6% (mean DMFT = 1.36, mean dft = 1.01) and for gingivitis was 96.0%. Despite the majority reported brushing their teeth ≥ 2x/day (83.7%) with fluoride toothpaste (80.2%), more than two-thirds chewed betel nut ≥ 1/day (67.4%). Majority of the children (97.8%) had a dental check-up once a year. Nearly three-fifths (58.6%) reported experiencing oral impacts on their daily performances in the past 3 months (mean score = 5.45, SD = 8.5). Most of the impacts were of “very little” to “moderate” levels of impact intensity with 90.2% had up to 4 daily performances affected. Most of the impacts were on eating (35.2%), cleaning teeth (22.0%) and relaxing activities (15.9%). Caries in primary teeth is associated with oral impacts among the OA children. Conclusions The 11–12 year old OA children in Cameron Highland had high prevalence of caries and gingivitis with the majority chewed betel nut regularly. Caries in primary teeth is associated with poor OHRQoL. Future programmes should target younger age group children to promote positive oral hygiene practices, reduce caries, and improve quality of life.

Abstract Background School children are considered a high-risk group for visual impairment because uncorrected refractive errors and problems such as amblyopia can seriously affect their learning abilities and their physical and mental development. There are many studies reporting the prevalence of refractive errors among school children of different ethnic groups in Malaysia, however, studies concerning the prevalence of refractive errors among indigenous or Orang Asli children are very limited. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine the prevalence and causes of visual impairment among Orang Asli children. Methods One hundred ten Orang Asli children aged 7 to 12 years old in Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia were selected. 51% of these children were boys while the remainders were girls. They underwent visual acuity test, cover test, Hirschberg’s test, ocular external assessment and ophthalmoscopy. Children who failed the vision screening were then referred for further eye examination. Results Of these 110 Orang Asli children, 46 failed the vision screening and subsequently 45 of them were confirmed to have visual problems (40.9% of the total subjects). The main cause of visual impairment in this study was refractive error (34.5% of the total subjects) where the main refractive error found was hyperopia (28.2%) followed by amblyopia (2.7%), strabismus (1.8%) and ocular abnormalities (1.8%). Conclusion Hence, vision screening and a comprehensive eye examination is very important and needs to be done on all Orang Asli children so that any visual problems can be detect at an early stage to avoid the development of learning difficulties among these already disadvantaged children.

This article provides a critical reflection on the participatory approach methodology and the collaborative creation approach used in an advocacy project to sustain the musical heritage of the indigenous Semai community in Malaysia. These approaches were examined through the medium of an advocacy project that aimed to stimulate the interest of Semai youth in traditional music through relevance, engagement, and connection with their current musical interest and skills. The intention of the project was to also co-create new traditional music with the Semai youth through live musical interaction, improvisation and jam sessions with the research team. This article explored the research team’s use of the “Participatory Action Research” (PAR) method, which involved planning, action, observation, reflection, and revision during the initial stages of our advocacy project. Our findings suggest a narrative style in discussing advocacy processes because they occur in a lateral than the linear or cyclical format used in current action research models. Findings also reveal that any attempts to advocate change in the community would firstly require an established relationship of trust, respect, and belief in the research team. The research team would have to have had prior involvement, commitment, and dedication to the community before members of the team could influence change among the community. A self-review of the research team’s effort to co-create new traditional music with Semai youth led to the conclusion that co-creation between musicians of different musical training would require a “new” compositional method that negotiates Western musical composition techniques with the oral tradition of creating music. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The Malaysian OA live mainly a traditional life of forest gathering. Over the decades, the Malaysian government relocated them, exposing them to lifestyle changes. This study investigated the prevalence of MetS among translocated Temiar OA. The objectives were to compare the prevalence and associated risks with other OA and Malaysian studies to inform authorities of the unintended consequences of translocation. Study design: This was a cross-sectional study of a resettled Temiar community in Kelantan. Methods: The study involved a simple random sampling of 123 resettled Temiar individuals. MetS was diagnosed on a modified NCEP ATP III Guidelines. Anthropometric, dietary, and biochemical information were gathered. Differences were determined using independent t tests for continuous variables and chi-squared test for categorical variables. The associations between variables were determined using binary logistic regression. Results: MetS occurred in 39.8% of the subjects. They were younger adults, with a mean age of 38.6 years. Age, BMI, BP, serum adiponectin, and serum resistin predicted MetS development in this population. Conclusion: The prevalence of MetS was higher than reported figures for other OA and ethnic groups in Malaysia with an apparent younger onset. Associated (risk) factors are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]