30 Facts About Orang Asli

1.

Orang Asli settlements are scattered among the mostly Malay population of the country, often in mountainous areas or the jungles of the rainforest.

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2.

Orang Asli makes up one of 95 subgroups of indigenous people of Malaysia, the Orang Asal, each with their own distinct language and culture.

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3.

The Orang Asli were originally considered ethnic Malay, but reclassified as part of Orang Asli by the British colonial authorities due to the similarity of their socio-economic and lifestyles with the Senoi and Semang.

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4.

However, the Orang Asli Kuala converted to Islam before the independence of Malaysia.

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5.

Thailand is home to roughly 600 Orang Asli, divided between Mani people with Thai citizenship, and 300 others in the deep south.

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6.

Orang Asli do not show much desire to permanently settle in cities because of the high cost of living for them.

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7.

Almost all Orang Asli are now bilingual; in addition to their native language, they are fluent Malay language, the national language of Malaysia.

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8.

Role of lingua franca between Orang Asli speakers is usually played by the Semai language or Temiar language, which establishes a dominant presence.

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9.

Orang Asli kept to themselves until the first traders from India arrived in the first millennium of the Common era.

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10.

Orang Asli settlements were sacked, with adult males being systematically executed while women and children were taken captive and sold into slavery.

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11.

However, the relationship between the Malays and Orang Asli was not always hostile, as many other groups enjoyed peaceful and cordial relation with their Malay neighbours.

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12.

New situation prompted many Orang Asli to migrate further inland to avoid contact with outsiders.

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13.

Many secluded jungle Orang Asli villages became strategic locations frequented by the communist guerrillas of the Malayan National Liberation Army increasing cooperation between the two.

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14.

Subsequently, the forts ceased their activities, and the Orang Asli began to create so-called exemplary settlements called Patterned Settlements.

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15.

The Centre for Orang Asli Concerns, established in 1989, provides assistance in this regard.

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16.

Orang Asli are now known as Orang Kita following the introduction of the "One Malaysia" concept by then-Prime Minister of Malaysia Najib Razak.

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17.

All Orang Asli consider their customary territories to be free for gathering by all members of the community.

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18.

One remarkable feature of Orang Asli communities is that they prohibit any interpersonal violence, both within their groups and in relationships with outsiders.

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19.

Traditional Orang Asli religions consist of complex systems of beliefs and worldviews that give these people the concept of the meaning of the world, the meaning of human life, and the moral code of conduct.

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20.

Orang Asli is traditionally animists, where they believe in the presence of spirits in various objects.

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21.

Traditional Orang Asli rituals are designed to maintain a harmonious relationship between humans and supernatural beings.

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22.

The affected Orang Asli sought a declaration under Article 11 of the Constitution of Malaysia that they have the right to practice the religion of their choice and to build their own prayer house.

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23.

Some of their methodology, which the Orang Asli themselves take for granted, seems to gain the attention of Westerners.

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24.

Legally, Orang Asli is defined as members of an indigenous ethnic group who are of such origin or who have been admitted into the community by adoption, or they are children from mixed marriages with the indigenous, provided that they speak the indigenous language and follow the way of life, customs and beliefs of the indigenous people.

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25.

Legislation of such matters concerning the Orang Asli is the National Land Code 1965, Land Conservation Act 1960, Protection of Wildlife Act 1972, National Parks Act 1980, and most importantly the Aboriginal Peoples Act 1954.

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26.

The final decision in all matters concerning the Orang Asli are decided by the authorized state official, the General Director of JAKOA.

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27.

The Orang Asli's "nativeness" is their attempt to defend a broader political autonomy.

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28.

The Orang Asli are classified as bumiputeras, a status signifying indigeneity to Malaysia which carries certain social, economic, and political rights, along with the Malays and the natives of Sabah and Sarawak.

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29.

Orang Asli have equal voting rights with other citizens of the country, participate in national and state elections.

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30.

The Orang Asli are frequently targeted by the Malaysian state for conversion to Islam and assimilation by the bhumiputra.

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