Orang Asli kids fare better in their customary lands, says activist

 

Orang Asli children in resettlement areas do not enjoy a better quality of life, an online forum has been told. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: Orang Asli children enjoy better health when they live in their customary lands, while resettlement schemes for the Orang Asli have failed to guarantee a better quality of life, an online forum was told.

Colin Nicholas, from the Centre for Orang Asli Concerns, said: “Some resettlements are better run than others, but most do not fulfil the promises made when the Orang Asli were asked to be resettled.

“After 30 years of resettlement in Dala (in Perak), some of the villagers still have to use the river for their daily needs. Even in Betau (Pahang) — the government’s model resettlement scheme — there are issues with insufficient water.”

He said the land in the resettlement areas was also unsuitable for vegetables.

Colin Nicholas.

He said a 1997 study had shown that the diet of the Jehai tribe in the resettlement area at Fort Banding, Perak, was found to be deficient in protein, iron and vitamins, while the Temuan tribe in Bukit Cheding, Selangor, were deficient in vitamin B.

He said many of the most widespread causes of death among Orang Asli children could be prevented if these children were allowed to live in their customary lands, as long as they were in pristine condition.

“When Orang Asli traditional territories are left intact, undiminished and unappropriated, they provide adequate protein and a healthy variety of fruits and green vegetables for the community. It is only when their lands are destroyed, degraded or taken away from them that the slide to poor health begins.”

Nicholas added that some of the Orang Asli had returned to their customary lands and were willing to restart their lives to enjoy better health and wellbeing, as well as secure these lands. - FMT