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Globally, indigenous peoples live with stark disparities in health when compared with national populations. The disparities arise from a combination of factors that relate to the social and economic determinants of health, combined with disenfranchisement, and a rapid destruction of indigenous health systems, forests, natural resources and indigenous knowledge. In Malaysia, the indigenous peoples, known as the Orang Asli or 'Original People', are often viewed by authorities as 'backward, ignorant and resistant to modern health services', and therefore responsible for their poor state of health. This view situates the problem in the indigenous community, with the state as the benevolent provider of progress and improvement including health services. Orang Asli responses to this benevolence ranges from pragmatism to resignation to resistance. Drawing on a two-year ethnographic study, this paper explores, from the perspective of the Orang Asli, the dynamics of state and non-state societies, the structure and role of indigenous health systems and the effects of socio-economic transition in shaping Orang Asli responses to modern health services. Already burdened with poorer health compared with the national population, there is a growing problem of non-communicable diseases among the Orang Asli. Addressing this will require a shift from the benevolent dependency-creating approach commonly adopted by state public health services to one that is inclusive, responsive and participatory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: In Malaysia, "health promotion" refers to programmes and strategies aimed at improving the health and well-being of the population. These strategies are often tailored to Malaysia's diverse cultural and racial landscape. The Orang Asli (indigenous people), a minority community, are a native group in Peninsular Malaysia who have sometimes been overlooked and marginalised. However, the Malaysian government has supported initiatives to enhance their access to healthcare. Recently, Malaysia has been called to prioritise the health and well-being of the Orang Asli community due to persistent health disparities. The study aimed to assess Orang Asli secondary school students' knowledge of nutrition, communicable diseases, and hygiene requirements. Methods: The study involved 104 respondents at an Orang Asli secondary school, Sekolah Agama Rakyat Nurul Hidayah, in Sungai Siput, Perak. A health promotion strategy was adopted in this intervention study using a quantitative pre-and post-test design. A 30-item self-administered questionnaire was used to gauge the knowledge of Orang Asli school children on various health promotion-related issues. Respondents who participated before and after the health promotion education in the study were compared. Results: There was a significant difference between the pre-test and post-test with a p-value of 0.001. There was a notable difference in the pre-and post-test results between respondents from all classes at that school, with pre-test p=0.001 and post-test p=0.005. Conclusion: This highlights the importance of sustained and dedicated health education and promotion initiatives within the Orang Asli community to address health disparities and improve overall well-being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Despite the strategic development plan by the authorities for the Orang Asli, there are six subtribes of which their population numbers are small (less than 700). These minorities were not included in most of the health related studies published thus far. A comprehensive physiological and biomedical updates on these small subtribes in comparison to the larger subtribes and the urban Malay population is timely and important to help provide appropriate measures to prevent further reduction in the numbers of the Orang Asli. Methods A total of 191 Orang Asli from different villages in Peninsular Malaysia and 115 healthy urban Malays were recruited. Medical examinations and biochemical analyses were conducted. Framingham risk scores were determined. Data was analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics, Version 20.0. Results A higher percentage of the Orang Asli showed high insulin levels and hsCRP compared to the healthy Malays denoting possible risk of insulin resistance. High incidences of low HDL-c levels were observed in all the Orang Asli from the six subtribes but none was detected among the urban Malays. A higher percentage of inlanders (21.1 % of the males and 4.2 % of the females) were categorized to have high Framingham Risk Score. Conclusions Orang Asli staying both in the inlands and peripheries are predisposed to cardiovascular diseases and insulin resistance diabetes mellitus. The perception of Orang Asli being healthier than the urban people no longer holds. We believed that this information is important to the relevant parties in strategizing a healthier community of the Orang Asli to avoid the vanishing of the vulnerable group(s).

The importance of listening to children’s perception has been emphasized in a wide range of recent research using variety of strategies, including drawing. This paper explores the use of drawing as a strategy to engage with young children around the topic of their life in the forest. Originally there were 40 children taking part in the research, later only ten of them aged 9 to 12 were chosen as final participants. Children were asked to draw anything cross to their mind without restriction to any specific theme. Results of the study depicts for boys, their theme were concentrated on environment, deep forest, and house, fruit orchard in the forest, swimming in the river and hunting activities. Few boys attempted to draw other themes such as football match, car, and invasion of tractor into their village. The themes depicted by children were not much related to the themes present in any of the text books they use in the learning process. Children world views or prior knowledge therefore failed to support the learning process in the classroom suggesting that they may need more exposure to the outside world or they may need a special school curriculum.

Introduction: Parasitic worm infection is a global affliction with significant disease burden. The disease however is endemic in the tropics where poverty stricken communities live in substandard living conditions. In Malaysia, the infection is largely limited to Orang Asli (aborigine) and rural communities across the country where prevalence may reach up to 90%. Objective: This study investigates the parasitic worm infection in an aboriginal primary school closely located to Cyberjaya, the modern IT capital of Malaysia. Materials and Methods: 42 pupils from Bukit Cheeding primary school participated in this study and were screened for hel- minth infection by faecal sample examination using Kato-Katz technique. Result: The overall prevalence of soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infection was 59.5%. Majority of pupils were infected with Trichuris trichiura and Ascaris lumbricoides and double infection with Trichuris and Ascaris constituted 16.6% prevalence. None of the pupils were infected with hookworm. The infection rate amongst the males (66.7%) seemed to be higher than the females (46.7%). The mean worm burden for Ascaris lumbricoides was 2495.6 ± 1709 while for Trichuris trichiura was 1093.1 ± 433. Conclusion: Despite the rising affluence in Malaysia's Klang Valley, minority communities such as the aborigine who live side by side to modernity are still plagued with soil-transmitted helminth infection. More efforts are needed to address this problem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Cameron Highland's by-election held in January 2019 was keenly contested by two major political coalitions in a district in Pahang. It was an election with a difference. The ruling coalition at the national level was the underdog contesting in a state controlled by BN/UMNO, the opposition which, in turn, has been in shambles since GE 14, with only three of 13 parties remaining in the coalition. The by-election created history by electing an Orang Asli (aboriginal people) as a member of parliament. The ruling coalition lost the by-election which was attributed to the use of race and religion by the opposition BN/UMNO in alliance with a party promoting race and religion. The candidate of the ruling coalition won the Chinese and some Indian votes. Based upon ethnographic fieldwork, targeted interviews, and documentary materials, this study analyses the Cameron Highland's by-election by focusing upon several factors including the nature of the constituency, the party system, and the candidates campaigning highlighting the local and national issues. The study found that racial issues did play a strategic role in the outcome of the byelection. The ruling coalition needs to manage the economy and address the issues faced by Malaysia's myriad ethnic communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article identifies various factors which affect the support offered by indigenous persons in Malyasia for the presence of an existing road and construction of new roads in their village.

Introduction: Non-communicable disease accounted for 73% of premature death in year 2015 Malaysian national survey. The orang asli population may be affected similarly. The prevention of non-communicable diseases should start as early as modifiable risk factors prevention, as proposed by STEPWISE approach of WHO. This study aims to identify the prevalence of hypertension, diabetes mellitus and dyslipidaemia among Jakun orang asli population and examine the association with risk factors. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study analysing 72 case reports of General health screening done in year 2015. The study population was adult Jakun orang asli Tasik Chini using cluster sampling followed by simple random sampling methods. Chi Square test was used for bivariate analysis of relationship each variable has with the diseases, and binary logistic regression was used to analyse association of covariates with each disease. Results: The prevalence was 41.7% for hypertension, 25% for Diabetes mellitus, 6.9% for dyslipidaemia. Education level was significantly related to hypertension, X2 = 11.565 (1), p =0.001; obesity was significantly related to diabetes, X2 = 8.333 (1), p=0.004. After adjusted for covariates, low education level has 13.379 odds of getting hypertension. Obesity has 7.384 odds of getting diabetes mellitus; female gender has higher odds of getting dyslipidaemia while younger age, physically active and not smoking are protective factors. Conclusion: Higher prevalence of hypertension and diabetes mellitus was found among Tasik Chini orang asli population. Lower sociodemographic characteristics and unhealthy lifestyle factors are associated with the diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study, in general, addresses the willingness and readiness of the Orang Asli community in Kg Ulu Tual, Kuala Lipis, Pahang to cope with the career transformation due to the decreasing of the forest products which is also their source of income. Respondents for this study were Orang Asli (indigenous people) living in this village. Analysis: To obtain the relevant information, questionnaires were distributed to 44 adults among the Orang Asli participants who voluntarily agreed to be involved in the study. Method: The sampling method used was convenient sampling. All the data obtained in this study was usable for further analysis. For data analysis purposes, descriptive analysis was used to answer the research questions. Findings: The study found that majority of the Orang Asli adults in the village are ready to venture into a new career and is ready to undergo the trainings that are to be provided. Result: The results of this study can provide an understanding of the readiness of the Orang Asli community towards a more holistic career transformation and at the same time it benefits the relevant authorities in their efforts in planning for the training programs and making proper preparation to launch a career transformation program among Orang Asli community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To examine the types of coping strategies practised by Indigenous women or Orang Asli (OA) in Peninsular Malaysia during times of food shortage and to determine the level of severity for food insecurity that will trigger each specific coping strategy.Design: A qualitative case study was conducted. Pertinent information about each type of coping strategy was gathered by in-depth interviews. To gauge the level of severity for each of the coping strategies, focus group discussions (FGD) were held. Thematic analysis was used for data analysis.Setting: OA villages in the states of Kelantan, Pahang, Perak and Selangor, Malaysia.Subjects: Sixty-one OA women from three ethnic groups (Senoi, Proto-Malay and Negrito) for in-depth interviews and nineteen OA women from the Proto-Malay ethnic group for three FGD.Results: The findings identified twenty-nine different coping strategies and these were divided into two main themes: food consumption (sub-themes of food consumption included dietary changes, diversification of food sources, decreasing the number of people and rationing) and financial management (sub-themes of financial management included increasing household income, reducing expenses for schooling children and reducing expenses on daily necessities). Three levels of severity were derived: less severe, severe and very severe.Conclusions: This information would enable local authorities or non-governmental organisations to more precisely target and plan interventions to better aid the OA communities needing assistance in the areas of food sources and financial management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The giant amoebal viruses of Mimivirus and Marseillevirus are large DNA viruses and have been documented in water, soil, and sewage samples. The trend of discovering these giant amoebal viruses has been increasing throughout Asia with Japan, India, and Saudi Arabia being the latest countries to document the presence of these viruses. To date, there have been no reports of large amoebal viruses being isolated in South East Asia. Objective: In this study, we aim to discover these viruses from soil samples in an aboriginal village (Serendah village) in Peninsular -Malaysia. Method and Results: We successfully detected and isolated both Mimivirus-like and Marseillevirus-like viruses using Acanthamoeba castellanii. Phylogeny analysis identified them as Mimivirus and Marseillevirus, respectively. Conclusion: The ubiquitous nature of both Mimivirus and Marseillevirus is further confirmed in our study as they are detected in higher quantity in soil that is near to water vicinities in an aboriginal village in Peninsular Malaysia. However, this study is limited by our inability to investigate the impact of Mimivirus and Marseillevirus on the aboriginal villagers. More studies on the potential impact of these viruses on human health, especially on the aborigines, are warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The political rhetoric of social and economic development in Malaysia is used as a dominant and largely unquestioned discourse to justify the industrialized exploitation of the traditional territories of the indigenous people of West Malaysia. This article explores social policy drivers in respect of findings from a condensed ethnography of the Jakun Orang Asli people of Tasik Chini in the State of Pahang. Tasik Chini provides an important example of a wider problem affecting many Orang Asli communities in Malaysia relating to industrial exploitation, but is a case of special interest in respect of its significance as a site of rich and unique biodiversity, as well as being home to one of only two freshwater lakes in West Malaysia. Notably, Tasik Chini is also a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, of which there are only two in Malaysia. The lake and surrounding forests have provided the Jakun villagers with abundant natural resources for subsistence, but now the area is badly eroded and polluted by the ravages of big business. This presents a serious dilemma for the Jakun concerning whether to resist the destruction of their traditional way of life or to comply with state agendas and collude with their loss of self-sufficiency and autonomy. As such, the situation in Tasik Chini raises important questions regarding national social policy drivers and the position and welfare of indigenous people in Malaysia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This is a preliminary study to seek the influence of the socio-cultural one of aboriginal communities, Kanaq tribe on their acceptance of external elements other than their culture. The external element focused on this study is the mastery of the second language, which is Malay Language. Qualitative method is used this study consisting of literature study and fieldwork. Through the field method, the researcher used interviewing techniques and observation. Five respondents were involved in this study consisting of three Kanaqan teenagers and two experts. The location of this study was Kampung Sungai Selangi, Kota Tinggi, Johor. This study found that Kanaq tribe has strong sociocultural and refused external elements that can help to improve their quality of life. This explains the need for community of aboriginals' socio-cultural to be raised in order to help them master in Malay Language. Through the discussion of this issue, this paper proposes an implementation of ethnographic approach from a socio-cultural perspective faced by the aboriginal community in mastering Malay Language. It is important that these issues are assessed and understood in more depth and comprehensiveness. This research may provide a proposal for the development of the language learning model framework, especially at the secondary school level in assisting the aboriginal community to master in Malay language by taking their socio-cultural aspects of their lives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Peninsular Malaysia is populated by the Malays, Chinese, Indians, and Orang Asli. We have analyzed 17 Y-STRs loci for 243 randomly unrelated individuals, which include 153 Malays (7 Acheh, 13 Champa, 11 Rawa, 9 Kedah, 23 Minang, 15 Bugis, 43 Kelantan, 14 Jawa, and 18 Bugis) and 90 Orang Asli [54 Semang (16 Kensiu, 13 Lanoh, 25 Bateq); 30 Senoi (21 Semai, 9 Che Wong); and 6 Proto-Malay (6 Orang Kanaq)] from selected settlements in Peninsular Malaysia using the AmpFlSTR Yfiler™ kit (Applied Biosystems™). The overall haplotype diversity is 0.9966, i.e., 0.9984 for the Malays and 0.9793 for the Orang Asli. A total of 158 haplotypes (65.02%) were individually unique. The p value and pairwise Rst analysis was calculated to show the genetic structure of the samples with other world populations (from YHRD website). Based on the Y-STR data, Champa, Acheh, Kedah, Minang, and Kelantan are clustered together. Lanoh and Kensiu (Semang) are very closely related, suggesting similar paternal ancestry. Jawa Malays and Indonesian Java, plus the Bugis Malays and Australian Aborigines shared high degree of paternal lineage affinity. This study presents data for very precious relict groups, who are the earliest inhabitants of Peninsular Malaysia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Giardia intestinalis is among the protozoa that is commonly found in the human fecal samples throughout the world. The prevalence of infection is higher among people living in developing countries than developed countries. One hundred and eleven Orang Asli children at Pos Titom, Pahang participated in this study. The prevalence study was conducted in accordance to gender, age groups and the diagnostic techniques employed. Fecal samples were collected and examined for the presence of G. intestinalis using three diagnostic techniques ie; the direct fecal smear, formalin-ether concentration and the trichrome staining technique. The overall prevalence of G. intestinalis infection among Orang Asli children at Pos Titom was 23.42%. The infection was higher among females (25%) as compared to males (21.57%) eventhough it was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). In terms of age groups, no positive case was observed among preschoolers whose age were below seven-years while the school aged children (7 to 12-years old) showed 24.53% infection. The trichrome staining technique was the most sensitive with a detection rate of 22.52% followed by the formalin-ether concentration technique with a detection of 19.82% whilst the direct smear technique only detected 12.61% of cases. The prevalence of giardiasis amongst the Orang Asli children at Pos Titom, Pahang was still high despite various efforts made and improvements in basic infrastructural facilities undertaken for their community. The health care status and personal hygiene of Orang Asli children remains poor and needs to be further improved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Giardia intestinalis is among the protozoa that is commonly found in the human fecal samples throughout the world. The prevalence of infection is higher among people living in developing countries than developed countries. One hundred and eleven Orang Asli children at Pos Titom, Pahang participated in this study. The prevalence study was conducted in accordance to gender, age groups and the diagnostic techniques employed. Fecal samples were collected and examined for the presence of G. intestinalis using three diagnostic techniques ie; the direct fecal smear, formalin-ether concentration and the trichrome staining technique. The overall prevalence of G. intestinalis infection among Orang Asli children at Pos Titom was 23.42%. The infection was higher among females (25%) as compared to males (21.57%) eventhough it was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). In terms of age groups, no positive case was observed among preschoolers whose age were below seven-years while the school aged children (7 to 12-years old) showed 24.53% infection. The trichrome staining technique was the most sensitive with a detection rate of 22.52% followed by the formalin-ether concentration technique with a detection of 19.82% whilst the direct smear technique only detected 12.61% of cases. The prevalence of giardiasis amongst the Orang Asli children at Pos Titom, Pahang was still high despite various efforts made and improvements in basic infrastructural facilities undertaken for their community. The health care status and personal hygiene of Orang Asli children remains poor and needs to be further improved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main objective of this article is to analyze the history and position of Orang Asli during the colonial era. This historical aspect is important to clarify the position of the Orang Asli and the historical implications on the introduction of the laws pertaining to the Orang Asli. In this regard, to achieve the said objective, this article describes the background of Orang Asli in Peninsular Malaysia which includes the definition, classification and their origins briefly. Apart from focusing on the position of the Orang Asli during colonial era, this article also discusses the position of the Orang Asli in the pre-colonial era which includes socio-economic and political aspects. This article found that the position of Orang Asli has changed after the Malay dominated and subsequently more apparent when the colonial settled in Malaya. The colonization has also affected the Orang Asli and laws towards them in Peninsular Malaysia. The position of the Orang Asli undergo some changes after independence. Nevertheless, the tragedies experienced by the Orang Asli during the colonization and emergency era were unforgetable and continue to carve in the history of the Orang Asli life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Orang Asli communities in Malaysia have been practicing indigenous agroforestry for generations, but little is known about the specifics of their practices. This study examined the indigenous management and sustainability of agroforestry practices, constraints experienced and contribution to household income. Data were collected from two Orang Asli villages practicing forest-garden agroforestry (FAF) and homegarden agroforestry (HAF). Tools of participatory rural appraisal namely semi-structured household interviews, group discussion and personal observation were used to collect data. In both types of agroforestry practices villagers planted commercially important local fruit species of which durian was the most common and more profitable. Locally available planting materials, use of household labour, market demand of agroforestry products, and usage of mulching and litter to maintain soil fertility were the principal attributes of sustainable agroforestry. A majority of the respondents reported that agroforestry was their principal source of income, selfemployment, and safe and healthy food. Income from per unit area of HAF was significantly higher (21 %) than that of FAF. Land tenure and wildlife disturbances were two major constraints among others. Recommendations were made to resolve land tenure issue in light of government policy for agroforestry promotion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Q fever is a disease caused by Coxiella burnetii. It is a disease of public health concern in many parts of the world. In this study, we described the seroprevalence of Q fever among selected populations of Orang Asli (OA), indigenous people, many of whom live within the forest fringe areas of Peninsular Malaysia. Serum samples were obtained from 887 OA participants from selected villages. Samples were analyzed for the presence of IgG antibodies reactive against C. burnetii by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Statistical methods were used to identify possible associations between seropositivity for C. burnetii and a number of demographic variables obtained from the questionnaires. In total, 9.6% ( n = 85/887) of the serum samples were reactive to C. burnetii. Statistical results suggest that elderly male OA residing in OA village, Bukit Payung, were most likely to be tested seropositive for C. burnetii. This study suggests that OA are at a significant risk of contracting C. burnetii infection, and both demographic and geographic factors are important contributors to this risk. Further prospective studies are needed to establish the true burden of C. burnetii infection within the indigenous population as well as within Peninsular Malaysia as a whole. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To enhance learning among the Orang Asli, the Faculty of Law of the National University of Malaysia, popularly known as Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), organised a motivational programme for Orang Asli students in November, 2014. The programme was facilitated by Orang Asli Student Icons, 12 Orang Asli students representing various faculties in UKM. This article discusses the role of the Orang Asli Student Icons in strengthening the level of awareness and motivation among the participants. To gather their insight into their role as facilitator in transferring knowledge and ideas to fellow Orang Asli students, a questionnaire was developed and administered following the motivational programme. In addition to the introduction and conclusion, this article covers four main areas. First, it discusses challenges and barriers within the Orang Asli education system. This is followed by an in-depth description of the motivational programme that was carried out. Third, a demographic analysis of the Orang Asli Student Icons is done. The final section of the ariticle presents the findings and analysis of the Orang Asli Student Icons' perception of their role in knowledge transfer towards motivating and increasing awareness among Orang Asli students. This article concludes that the Orang Asli Student Icons have played a significant role in addressing all challenges and barriers within the Orang Asli education system. This conclusion is supported by the positive feedback received from the participants and post-event statistics on student dropout among the participants involved in the programme. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background This study was carried out to develop a health education learning package (HELP) about soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections, and to evaluate what impact such a package could have in terms of reducing the incidence and intensity of STH infections among Orang Asli schoolchildren in Pahang, Malaysia. Methods To identify the key risk factors of STH in Orang Asli communities, we applied an extensive mixed methods approach which involved an intensive literature review, as well as community-based discussions with children, their parents, teachers and health personnel, whilst also placing the children under direct observation. To evaluate the package, 317 children from two schools in Lipis, Pahang were screened for STH infections, treated by a 3-day course of albendazole and then followed up over the next 6 months. The knowledge of teachers, parents and children towards STH infections were assessed at baseline and after 3 months. Results The developed package consists of a half day workshop for teachers, a teacher’s guide book to STH infections, posters, a comic book, a music video, a puppet show, drawing activities and an aid kit. The package was well-received with effective contributions being made by teachers, children and their parents. The incidence rates of hookworm infection at different assessment points were significantly lower among children in the intervention school compared to those in the control school. Similarly, the intensity of trichuriasis, ascariasis and hookworm infections were found to be significantly lower among children in the HELP group compared to those in the control group (P

The present study explored the differences in gastric microbiome between three distinct populations of Southeast Asia. These include the isolated Orang Asli population and modern Malaysians, as well as patients from Myanmar, the least developed country in the region. All 79 subjects recruited in this study had Helicobacter pylori infection. Based on alpha diversity analysis, Orang Asli had the richest and most diverse gastric microbiome, followed by Myanmar and modern Malaysian groups. Beta diversity analysis revealed significant separation of samples between different populations. These observations are likely to be associated with the level of modernization of each population. Our data further suggested increased bacterial species richness and diversity of the gastric microbiome in individuals who were less modernized, particularly in the Orang Asli group, could suppress the growth of H. pylori. In addition, there were significant variations in the gastric microbiome between modern Malaysians with different types of gastric diseases. Notably, Cutibacterium acnes was present at significantly greater abundance level in patients with non-ulcerative dyspepsia than those with peptic-ulcer diagnosis. This suggests that C. acnes may also play a role in gastritis besides H. pylori, which merits further investigation.

One of the Orang Asli groups of mainland Riau (Sumatra) is the Orang Sakai, formally called Orang Batin. From the few early accounts and recent ethnographic research, this paper reconstructs their political-economic and political-cultural relationship with the former Malay kingdom of Siak Sri Indrapura. The Orang Batin had a specific economic and ritual role within the kingdom, and the Orang Asli/Malay nexus was relatively benign and balanced compared to what was described for some kingdoms of the Malay peninsula and even elsewhere in Sumatra. Further, unlike the Orang Asli of the Malay peninsula, they did not suffer from slave raiding. The paper also reconsiders the Malay-peninsula-centered Orang Asli categories (Northern, Central, Southern Aslian, and tribal Malay). It proposes that most (although not all) of the East Coast Sumatran (tribal) Orang Asli should be considered as forming a fifth category of Orang Asli: Malay-speaking Sumatran Orang Asli. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The indigenous people have been identified to be among the poorest and the most socioeconomically and culturally marginalized people all over the world. The main purpose of the paper is to explore the socioeconomic and demographic factors of indigenous people in Peninsular Malaysia in context of poverty and the role of income dependency of non-timber forest products (NTFP). The data were collected in 2014 and 2015 through primary and secondary sources. Partial least squares (PLS) method was used to analysis the data. PLS is a modeling technique that features multiple regression and principal component analysis. The study shows that still a large number of indigenous households is involved in the NTFP activities. But the communities are moving away from NTFP based income to cash-crop based income because of poor sustainable forest management and lack of forest property rights. However, NTFP have a significant role in the household income and contribute 24% of the average income. Moreover, the analysis shows that location is significant to the poverty. There should be a suitable sustainable forest management system which can teach these indigenous communities about proper way of NTFP gathering and given proper rights to forest land. Furthermore, education is not significant to indigenous people and there is a high rate of school dropout among them. The government should introduce a different education system for indigenous communities which will emphasize the importance of education to them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the implication of language and education policies for the indigenous minority populations in two contrasting multicultural and multilingual post-colonial nations, Australia and Malaysia. By comparing and contrasting ethnolinguistic and educational policies in these two diverse nations, this paper explores how indigenous minorities have been positioned within each nation's quest for meeting the challenges of becoming multilingual and multicultural nations. The authors argue that although both countries promote multicultural ideals, they fall short in their acknowledgement of the dignity of difference for their indigenous communities. The authors assert that educational and language policies for indigenous peoples must acknowledge the importance of difference and therefore include indigenous cultural ways of knowing, being, and doing to achieve successful educational outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Proto Malays are the second largest Orang Asli tribe in Peninsular Malaysia. There are six subtribes of Proto Malays, namely the Jakun, Kanaq, Kuala/Laut, Seletar, Temuan and Semelai. Very little is known about the phylogenetic relationships among the Proto Malay subtribes. This study aims to reveal the phylogenetic relationships of the Proto Malays using HVS II D-Loop sequences. Blood samples were collected from all six subtribes. DNA was extracted and 369 bp of HVS II (D-Loop region) was amplified. Phylogenetic trees were constructed using Maximum Parsimony (MP) and the Neighbour Joining (NJ) method. The HVS II D-Loop gene sequence analysis revealed close phylogenetic relationships between all the Proto Malay subtribes as they can be assembled into a single clade. Amongst all the Proto Malay subtribes, the Kanaq shared the closest phylogenetic relationships among themselves with the lowest pairwise genetic distance of 0.0055 and they also formed a monophyletic clade in the NJ and MP tree. The NJ tree explained the phylogenetic relationships of the Proto Malay subtribes the best, as it portrayed the genetic distances of the subjects involved apart from the branching patterns. This study provides an insight into how different Proto Malay subtribes are genetically related to each other although their physical attributes may differ. It also distinguishes the uniqueness of each subtribe based on their genetics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Pap smear screening may increase the quality of women's health through early detection of cervical cancer thus providing a better prognosis for women with cervical cancer. While the benefit of Pap smear screening is well documented, the screening uptake among Malaysian women in general was unsatisfactory with only 47.3% being screened. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of Pap smear uptake and its associated factors among Orang Asli women who lives in rural areas in Selangor. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted in Hulu Langat and Kuala Langat districts from April to July 2017. Through cluster sampling, five Orang Asli settlements in the two districts were chosen. All women in the selected village aged between 18 to 65 years were invited to participate and interviewed using a structured, pretested questionnaire. Data were analysed using SPSS Version 22. Univariate and bivariate analysis were conducted to identify factors associated with Pap smear uptake among the participants. All hypotheses tests were two-sided and level of significance was set at 0.05. Results: Out of the 147 respondents, 114 (77.6%) had undergone Pap smear for at least once in the past. Women aged more than 35 years (p=0.013) were shown to be significantly more likely to take Pap smear compared to women who were 35 years old and less. There were significant associations between marital status (p<0.001), knowledge (p<0.001), attitude (p<0.001) and use of oral contraceptive (p=0.001) with Pap smear uptake. Conclusion: This study showed a high prevalence of Pap smear uptake among Orang Asli women in Selangor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to investigate the level of knowledge about non-communicable diseases, treatment methods, stigma and medicine, eating habits and community norms in the form of taboo for indigenous female after childbirth, among Orang Asli communities in Kampung Chuweh 2, Lembah Belum. Majority of the adult Orang Asli in the village have participated in this study. The data collection was done using in-depth interviews while doing weaving activities where this activity is one of their leisure activities in the village. The findings show that the indigenous people's knowledge of non-communicable diseases is satisfactory. They do not rule out modern methods of treatment from the hospital even though they still practice traditional medicine. In addition, they are free from non-infectious diseases due to their nutrition that is not high in cholesterol and sugar. However, the nutritional status and reproductive health of the indigenous women here ought to be given more attention. This is because few of their babies were born premature as early as 5 months or 8 months of pregnancy and few were overdue of over 10 months and 12 months of pregnancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study aims to [i] identify illiteracy levels according to the age structure of indigenous people between the ages of 15 and 65, [ii] explaining the relationship between illiteracy rate and educational level, [iii] discussing the factors affecting literacy and also a mitigation measures. A total of 100 respondents involved in this study were randomly selected. The findings show that factors affecting illiteracy rates among indigenous communities are [i] poverty, [ii] infrastructure facilities [iii] transportation and accessibility, [iv] parental attitudes and [v] individual attitudes. However, there are also some effective measures such as [i] allocation of fund and assistance by the government, [ii] implementation of more interesting and effective teaching and learning system techniques in schools, [iii] the role of parents, [iv ] individual roles and attitudes, and [v] awareness campaigns to enhance the motivation of the locals. It should be taken and implemented in addressing the illiteracy problem before it becoming a more serious problem in the lives of indigenous peoples in order to ensure mutual social well-being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: CYP2D6 is one of the major enzymes in the cytochrome P450 monooxygenase system. It metabolizes ∼25% of prescribed drugs and hence, the genetic diversity of a CYP2D6 gene has continued to be of great interest to the medical and pharmaceutical industries. This study was designed to perform a systematic analysis of the CYP2D6 gene in six subtribes of the Malaysian Orang Asli. Methods: Genomic DNAs were extracted from the blood samples followed by whole-genome sequencing. The reads were aligned to the reference human genome hg19 and variants in the CYP2D6 gene were analyzed. CYP2D6*5 and duplication of CYP2D6 were analyzed using previously established methods. Results: A total of 72 single nucleotide polymorphisms were identified. CYP2D6*1, *2, *4, *5, *10, *41, and duplication of the gene were found in the Orang Asli, whereby CYP2D6*2 and *41 alleles are reported for the first time in the Malaysian population. Conclusion: The findings in this study provide insights into the genetic polymorphisms of CYP2D6 in the Orang Asli of Peninsular Malaysia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

After a general introduction to the aboriginals of Peninsular Malaysia, the so-called Orang Asli, this article introduces the ethnic group upon which the research focused: the Mah Meri, a Senoi group living in the state of Selangor, not far from Kuala Lumpur. The research is based on a survey on language use and attitudes carried out in four different Mah Meri villages on Carey Island. The results are then analysed in general terms and compared with those provided by similar research carried out among the Bidayuh, a Dayak ethnic group in Borneo, showing a rather high degree of vitality for the Mah Meri language, even though lower than in the case of the Bidayuh. In contrast, when the answers given by the younger speakers of the language are compared with those provided by older speakers, a pattern of slow but steady ongoing language shift clearly emerges. The article closes with some general considerations on the state of linguistic and cultural endangerment Orang Asli are facing, including further comparisons between the results of this research and those of another study conducted in a different Mah Meri village and some suggestions on possible revitalization strategies. The evidence seems to show a relatively high degree of endangerment for the languages spoken by the Orang Asli in general, and for the Mah Meri in particular. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Batek are a forest and forest-fringe dwelling population numbering around 1,500 located in Peninsular Malaysia. Most Batek groups were mobile forest-dwelling foragers and collectors until the recent past. The Batek imbue the forest with religious significance that they inscribe onto the landscape through movement, everyday activities, storytelling, trancing and shamanic journeying. However, as processes of globalization transform Malaysian landscapes, many Batek groups have been deterritorialized and relocated to the forest fringes where they are often pressured into converting to world religions, particularly Islam. Batek religious beliefs and practices have been re-shaped by their increasing encounters with global flows of ideologies, technologies, objects, capital and people, as landscapes are opened up to development. This article analyzes the ways these encounters are incorporated into the fabric of the Batek’s religious world and how new objects and ideas have been figuratively and literally assimilated into their taboo systems and cosmology. Particular attention is paid to the impacts of globalization as expressed through tropes of fear.

The prevailing view about the Orang Asli occupation of land and access to forest resources are that they are privileges extended by the states or at the governments discretion. It is widely believed that the Orang Asli live on the State land as tenant-at-will. This paper examines the position of the Aboriginal Peoples Act 1954 (Act 153) (the APA) and trace its historical background. It takes both historical and doctrinal approaches in the legal research methodology. Situated within this historical background, the principle that developed from it and the position of the laws, the paper argues that under the principle of respect to the rights of the existing inhabitants, the law recognizes the rights of the Orang Asli to their land and resources that arose from their custom and practice. The APA establishes a framework to recognize and protect these rights. There is no legal basis for the perception that the Orang Asli live on the State land on the benevolence of the State.

This study is an effort to examine language education issues in the lives of Malaysian Orang Asli (literally native or original peoples) aborigine children, as a marginalised group within the framework of the national education system. Key concerns that were examined include minority language maintenance and the teaching of English and bahasa Malaysia (Malay the national language) to the wider population – all within the context of a rapidly developing nation, Malaysia. Using the Malaysian national education system as a case in point, this study collected the ‘voices’ of local senior teachers and Orang Asli community leaders from three rural areas in two Malaysian states in order to highlight the concerns mentioned above. Using a narrative approach to collect empirical data, the study brings forward the views of direct stakeholders in the teaching profession and the actual minority communities with reference to language learning and Orang Asli identities – views that are normally not easy to be found in the national education system of developing nations. The data collected suggests that the teaching and learning of languages (particularly English) at primary school level within these rural communities are fraught with intercultural misunderstandings and pedagogical complications, leading to the overall underperformance of Orang Asli children in the general curriculum. In addition, compounded by practical problems in the formal education process, Orang Asli children are also generally losing out compared to children from majority races. Hence, finding a way forward for Orang Asli children will take more than just top-down planning in order to ensure that the language identities of these young learners are not silenced by the teaching of major languages like English and bahasa Malaysia, further disenfranchising and disempowering Orang Asli peoples within the Malaysian education system.

Conventional discussions of sustainable development are often biased by technical and managerial considerations. In the current search for sustainability, we look for models of sustainability and seek to render them more transparent to scientific testing and investigation. The problem, however, is that the terms of the investigation are laid down by the external paradigm; thus, even if we find local models of sustainability, we may not be able to recognize them—or we misconstrue them. The epistemology of the Batek of Malaysia suggests that an ontological approach may be a powerful local paradigm. The Batek interpret environmental disasters as indicators of the superhuman beings’ displeasure with the human world. The onus for maintaining stability is on the forest people, for if they do not heed the messages from the superhuman beings, they endanger their own lives. However, a cosmological interpretation of this sort is not easily translatable into the practical concerns of resource management.

In advanced capitalist countries education prepares children to live in a complex world. Schooling teaches them subordination and the skills they will need for menial jobs. Education is for the children of the rich, schooling for the children of the poor. Malaysian schooling has other “covert curricula,” e.g., Islamicization. Semai children, despite their love of education, have difficulty with schooling because their home experience involves freedom and mutual respect, qualities not salient in schooling. This paper attempts to document these processes and their results, with some suggestions for alternative forms of education.

This article explores the literacy practices of the indigenous Semai Orang Asli community in Malaysia. Literacy for the Orang Asli often centres on formal education and schooling and is hardly explored from a social and cultural perspective. In fact, researchers have paid barely any attention to Orang Asli oral and literate traditions nor their correlation between home and school literacy practices, and the relationship between literacy and development. Thus, taking an ethnographic perspective, this article looks at literacy as a social practice in a setting where Orang Asli social and cultural values are marginal; Semai is not a written language; and literacy is learned in Malay, the national language in Malaysia. It hopes to address central issues and debates regarding the complex relationship between literacy and development inherent in the “great divide”: the binary division between orality and literacy, and literacy and illiteracy; and the asymmetry in power relations in the Orang Asli community context in Malaysia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper recounts toponyms and whetstones memorializing a specific episode in the history of the indigenous Semai Orang Asli of Peninsular Malaysia, namely the Prak Sangkiil or Rawa Malay slave raids. The pillage of Orang Asli settlements for the purpose of acquiring slaves remains unacknowledged in official versions of Malaysian history. Although it was the Semai ancestors who were directly victimized, the Prak Sangkiil lives on in contemporary Semai imagination as a frame of reference for current struggles. As markers of indigenous historical memory, sites, names and narratives testify to the Prak Sangkiil and other acts of violence perpetrated against the Orang Asli. The paper concludes with the idea that the validation of indigenous oral histories is necessary for the creation of more inclusive and just representations of nationalpasts as well as for growing understanding and reconciliation between non-indigenous and indigenous peoples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Universal health coverage is a key health target in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that has the means to link equitable social and economic development. As a concept firmly based on equity, it is widely accepted at international and national levels as important for populations to attain 'health for all' especially for marginalised groups. However, implementing universal coverage has been fraught with challenges and the increasing privatisation of health care provision adds to the challenge because it is being implemented in a health system that rests on a property regime that promotes inequality. This paper asks the question, 'What does an equitable health system look like?' rather than the usual 'How do you make the existing health system more equitable?' Using an ethnographic approach, the authors explored via interviews, focus group discussions and participant observation a health system that uses the commons approach such as which exists with indigenous peoples and found features that helped make the system intrinsically equitable. Based on these features, the paper proposes an alternative basis to organise universal health coverage that will better ensure equity in health systems and ultimately contribute to meeting the SDGs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article cites a research study that examines risk factors associated with metabolic syndrome (MetS) among the endangered Orang Asli (OA) populations. It uses the latest harmonized International Diabetes Federation (IDF) definition and was conducted in geographical locations of the endangered subtribes namely Che Wong, Kensiu, Lanoh and Orang Kanaq.

Background: Intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) are still major health problems in many developing countries including Malaysia, particularly in the poor and socioeconomically deprived rural and remote communities in Peninsular Malaysia. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of IPIs and to identify the key factors associated with intestinal polyparasitism as well as to evaluate the knowledge, attitude and practices (KAP) on IPIs among rural Orang Asli and Malay communities in Terengganu, Malaysia. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 340 participants (165 Orang Asli and 175 Malay) aged ≤ 15 years from the Hulu Terengganu and Kemaman districts of Terengganu. Faecal samples were examined for the presence of intestinal parasites by using direct smear, formalin-ether sedimentation, trichrome stain, modified Ziehl Neelsen stain, in vitro cultivation in Jones' medium, Kato Katz and Harada Mori techniques. Demographic, socioeconomic, environmental and behavioural information of the participants and their KAP for IPIs were collected by using a pre-tested questionnaire. Results: Overall, 149 (90.3 %) Orang Asli and 43 (24.6 %) Malay children were infected by at least one parasite species. The overall prevalences of intestinal polyparasitism among the Orang Asli and Malay were 68.5 % (113/165) and 14.3 % (25/175), respectively. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that using unsafe water supply as a source for drinking water, the presence of domestic animals, not wearing shoes when outside, not washing vegetables before consumption, not washing hands after playing with soil, indiscriminate defecation and the low level of mother's education were the key risk factors for intestinal polyparasitism among the Orang Asli, while working mothers and the presence of domestic animals were the risk factors among the Malay children. Almost all the Malays were well aware about the IPIs while Orang Asli respondents had a poor level of related awareness. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that IPIs are highly prevalent in rural Terengganu, Malaysia. Community awareness about IPIs was found to be imperative in protecting Malay children from these infections. An integrated control programme for the prevention and control of IPIs is highly recommended for these communities, with a special emphasis on the Orang Asli population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores the genetic history of the various sub-populations currently living in Peninsular Malaysia. This region has received multiple waves of migrants like the Orang Asli in prehistoric times and the Chinese, Indians, Europeans and Arabs during historic times. There are three highly distinct lineages that make up the Orang Asli; Semang, Senoi and Proto-Malays. The Semang, who have ‘Negrito’ characteristics, represent the first human settlers in Peninsular Malaysia arriving from about 50,000 ya. The Senoi later migrated from Indochina and are a mix between an Asian Neolithic population and the Semang. These Asian genomes probably came in before Austroasiatic languages arrived between 5000 and 4000 years ago. Semang and Senoi both now speak Austro-Asiatic languages indicative of cultural diffusion from Senoi to Semang. In contrast, the Proto-Malays who came last to the southern part of this region speak Austronesian language and are Austronesians with some Negrito admixture. It is from this group that the contemporary Malays emerged. Here we provide an overview of the best available genetic evidences (single nucleotide polymorphisms, mitochondrial DNA, Y-chromosome, blood groups, human platelet antigen, human leukocyte antigen, human neutrophil antigen and killer-cell immunoglobulin-like receptor) supporting the complex genetic history of Peninsular Malaysia. Large scale sampling and high throughput genetic screening programmes such as those using genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphism analyses have provided insights into various ancestral and admixture genetic fractions in this region. Given the now extensive admixture present in the contemporary descendants of ancient sub-populations in Peninsular Malaysia, improved reconstruction of human migration history in this region will require new evidence from ancient DNA in well-preserved skeletons. All other aspects of the highly diverse and complex genetic makeup in Peninsular Malaysia should be considered carefully for genetic mapping of disease loci and policy formation by health authorities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Powerful western nations, especially those which control global news media, tend to portray less powerful nations through a Western-centric lens or perspective in globalised space. As such, less powerful nations are depicted as weak and powerless victims, reinforcing in the process prevailing power structures or unequal relations between powerful nations and less powerful ones. Minority groups are also not spared as they are, more often than not, depicted in a similar negative way. Interestingly, this is where the global connects with the local as mainstream media in the local front are inclined to construct minority groups such as the Orang Asli or indigenous community through the lens or perspective of the powerful elite. They are not given the space to speak for themselves and as such portrayed as weak and disempowered. The indigenous people are often marginalised by the mainstream media because they in part do not constitute a constituency considered politically important; neither are they regarded crucial by profit-oriented media because they do not have the purchasing power which advertisers relentlessly seek via the media. Given this scenario, this study examines the portrayal of the Orang Asli in a mainstream paper, The Star newspaper, from a critical discourse analysis perspective. Utilising van Dijk's Theory of Semantic Macrostructures and Theory of Ideology, the projection of the community is inspected through the analysis of macro elements that is thematic structure and micro elements comprising lexical, syntactic and rhetorical structures. Findings reveal that the "self" group members comprising the ruling or powerful elite and governmental organisations were positively depicted while the Orang Asli were portrayed in a negative and stereotypical fashion. Needless to say, media coverage of indigenous people globally has also often revolved around similar stereotypical images that are both pejorative and discriminatory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]