The two-day convention of ‘Indigenous Community in Malaysia: Reframing the National Sustainability Initiative’ that ended yesterday hoped to provide its participants with three major key messages in empowering the livelihood and development of Indigenous or the Orang Asli community in Malaysia.
Chairperson of Rythm Foundation Datin Seri Umayal Eswaran said Malaysians must first acknowledge the importance of indigenous knowledge to the modern world as their wisdom to live with nature for countless generations is often overlooked.
“The Orang Asli, with their deep connection to the land, hold invaluable knowledge about sustainable living and environmental preservation. Their traditional practices embody a profound respect for the earth, teaching us how to exist in equilibrium with our surroundings.
“By acknowledging and incorporating their wisdom, we can find innovative solutions to combat climate change, protect biodiversity, and create a sustainable future for all,” she said in her speech at the convention held at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) here yesterday.
She said the second key message was to celebrate the achievements of the Indigenous community and the role they have played in shaping the nation with their vibrant cultures, unique languages, and rich traditions that deserve recognition.
“Their unique languages, arts and crafts, music, dance, and traditional knowledge have influenced Malaysian culture and added to our country's vibrant heritage. In fact, their unique cultural practices and natural heritage have become major tourist attractions for those interested in experiencing indigenous cultures, promoting a boom in Malaysia’s eco-tourism sector,” she said.
Umayal said the Orang Asli community also have a deep comprehension of their local ecosystems, medicinal plants, hunting techniques, sustainable practices and efforts to document as well as preserve their traditional knowledge, which had been instrumental in enhancing the understanding of Malaysia's biodiversity and promoting sustainable practices in modern society.
Umayal said the last key message is for all Malaysians to open their hearts to improving the lives of Orang Asli and preserving their culture for future generations.
“Orang Asli have a beautiful culture of respecting nature and seeing themselves as part of the ecosystem. They go beyond the concept of sustainability. They practice the idea of harmony. They believe nature is the Creator’s gift to them, and they, in turn, have to nurture this gift responsibly. They are the best custodians and stewards of our forests,” she said.
Meanwhile, QI Group founder and executive chairman Datuk Seri Dr Vijay Eswaran said the indigenous community has been here for more than 2,000 years and Malaysians needed to embrace them because hopes for the future of the nation depend on them.
“We need to wake up to the fact that (they) can teach us more than we can teach them. They didn’t depend on us, we are the ones who are depending on them because they give us the root, and they give us 2,000 years of history.
“Ecotourism is the key right now to bring tourists to places like where the Orang Asli is living. Tourists are paying good money to go and stay at these places to breathe fresh air, drink and drink natural water,” he said.
During the two-day convention, challenges faced by the indigenous community were discussed along with potential solutions, with emphasis placed on four elements to empower them in terms of healthcare, education, statelessness and livelihood.
Among the health resolutions are to empower and work with indigenous people to enable them to take control of their lives, community and health needs; reducing mortality rates by looking into their malnutrition issues and teaching them the use of digital health technologies to improve access to healthcare services for remote places as well as overcoming geographical barriers.
As for the livelihood aspect, collaborations and alliances for development are needed to ensure the sustainability of development programmes; create effective capacity building and accessibility to employment opportunities; promote sustainable economic development models and advocate for land rights that will ensure adequate means for livelihood.
Statelessness resolutions include building mutual trust between the Orang Asli Development Department (JAKOA) and the community to restore the traditional leadership system that works according to the Orang Asli customs and values; recognising their customs with regard to the births of their children: and reviving the power of Board of Traditions on marriage and divorce.
Lastly, the resolutions on education include a relevant curriculum to be made for the Orang Asli, focusing on aspects of their daily lives, including subjects pertaining to family life, health, nutrition, sanitation, hygiene and food, knowledge, traditions, languages, as well as oral histories and a flexible pedagogy incorporating 3M (read, write and count) with 3M (eat, play and music).
Source: BERNAMA News Agency