NOT all durian harvests are sweet. For the Orang Asli of Gua Musang in Kaleeg, a particular durian plantation is producing bitter, painful fruit.
For five months, about 200 Orang Asli from six kampung have tried to stop a 400ha plantation from trespassing on their tribal land.
The Orang Asli have been threatened and intimidated while maintaining a blockade of a road leading to the plantation.
These activists have lived around and guarded the blockade 24 hours a day and seven days a week to prevent workers and heavy machinery from entering the plantation.
The more the plantation grows, they said, the more of their communal jungle is cut down and destroyed.
In the “old Malaysia” before the 14th general election, they were arrested and jailed. Neither the federal nor the state government listened to their pleas.
But in the “new Malaysia”, they received a visit from a federal deputy minister who promised to help them negotiate with the Kelantan government for their land rights.
In a clear departure from the past, Deputy Rural and Regional Development Minister Sivarasa Rasiah even supported their right to continue their blockade to protect their land. – August 3, 2018.
Orang Asli men guarding the Kaleeg blockade near Kuala Betis, Gua Musang, Kelantan. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Hasnoor Hussain, August 3, 2018.Orang Asli in their traditional costume waiting for arrival of Deputy Rural and Regional Development Minister Sivarasa Rasiah at the Kaleeg blockade near Kuala Betis, Gua Musang. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Hasnoor Hussain, August 3, 2018.A 400ha plot is being cleared for a musang king durian plantation near Kuala Betis in Gua Musang. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Hasnoor Hussain, August 3, 2018.Nur Mohd Syafiq Dendi Abdullah (centre) at the Kaleeg blockade near Kuala Betis, Gua Musang, Kelantan as two others remove a pole at the gate. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Hasnoor Hussain, August 3, 2018.A group of Orang Asli guarding the Kaleeg blockade near Kuala Betis, Gua Musang, slaughtering wild boar for lunch. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Hasnoor Hussain, August 3, 2018.Orang Asli resting in a hut at the Kaleeg blockade near Kuala Betis, Gua Musang. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Hasnoor Hussain, August 3, 2018.Orang Asli using a stream to wash as they prepare their lunch at the Kaleeg blockade near Kuala Betis, Gua Musang. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Hasnoor Hussain, August 3, 2018.A group of Orang Asli waiting for their meal at the Kaleeg blockade near Kuala Betis, Gua Musang. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Hasnoor Hussain, August 3, 2018.An elderly woman at home in Pos Tohoi, Gua Musang, Kelantan. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Hasnoor Hussain, August 3, 2018.Children playing after school at Pos Tohoi, Gua Musang. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Hasnoor Hussain, August 3, 2018.A pick-up passing the Kaleeg blockade near Kuala Betis, Gua Musang, Kelantan. - The Malaysian Insight pic by Hasnoor Hussain, August 3, 2018.A wooden hut used to shelter the Orang Asli guarding the Kaleeg blockade near Kuala Betis, Gua Musang, Kelantan. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Hasnoor Hussain, August 3, 2018.Women waiting for arrival of Deputy Rural and Regional Development Minister R. Sivarasa at the Kaleeg blockade near Kuala Betis, Gua Musang. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Hasnoor Hussain, August 3, 2018.The Orang Asli gathering for a dialogue between their representative and Deputy Rural and Regional Development Minister R. Sivarasa at the Chawas blockade near Kuala Betis, Gua Musang, Kelantan. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Hasnoor Hussain, August 3, 2018.
Good story Hasnoor ! Tahniah. This is what good photojournalism is all about. I know its very difficult , especially when documenting the Orang Asli and others who are not so fortunate , from making the subjects into " objects of interests ". Keep up the good work
Comments
Posted 7 years ago by [email protected] · Reply
Posted 7 years ago by MAG GR · Reply
Posted 7 years ago by Thiruchelvam Thirunavukarasu · Reply
Posted 7 years ago by WILLIAM FLETCHER · Reply