Sunday, September 21, 2008

Orang Asli


Together with the DAP State Assemblyman for Bukit Kepayang Cha Kee Chin, I have visited an Orang Asli settlement in Kampung Sebir, Labu (within Rasah parliamentary constituency) this morning. We had a meeting with their Village Chief whom they call "Tok Batin" and other villagers. The meeting was full of customs (ADAT) where everyone have to be seated on the floor and those turned up wore their traditional headgear.

The meeting was like a court session, some sort like a "Mahkamah Adat" to discuss a particular case against an "outsider". The "outsider" is a businessman who have tress passed their customary land. A few trees have been chopped and this really angered the Orang Asli. The meeting was to discuss the "sentence" against the tress passer. However, they have not decided on the "sentence" today and have to postpone the session till next week to decide on the judgement.

It is really an exciting experience for me to see and "feel" the customs of the indigenous people, the Bumiputera of Malaysia. This group have always been forgotten and neglected. They should be given due attention.

By the way, I will be visiting China tomorrow and will not be back until next Monday. Might not be able to update this blog so frequently.
.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

To Yang_BerHormat,

What The Story

Keeping the Connection ,
Helping each other like ...
Support always Coming......

Anonymous said...

it is time for us to really look into the affairs of these folks

1) their rich culture can be an addition to our multi-ethnic culture

2) an attraction for tourists

3) their contribution in fighting the Japanese during WWII should be established and celebrated

4) as fellow Malaysians, they deserve equal rights, let them not be sidelined; the richness and quality of a nation can be judged by the way minority are being treated.

Regards
Lee Wee Tak

Anonymous said...

If i knew u were paying them a visit, i would wish to follow to c it myself.

Regards,
CS