* Commentary by Mustafa K Anuar

LIKE many other native people elsewhere the world over, the Orang Asli on the Malaysian peninsula often find themselves at the receiving end of rapid urbanisation and industrial development that tend to be perilous to their ancestral lands, livelihoods and cultures.

Bereft of the wherewithal of the supposedly civilised tribes from the concrete jungle, the aboriginal peoples are helpless or ill-equipped to face the challenges posed by state actors and corporate figures, as well as economic opportunists.

In such a dire context, the decision of two lawmakers, for example, to set up a committee to help the Semelai Orang Asli in Bera, Pahang to fight for their ancestral lands, is well placed and appreciated.

The customary native land, which is now earmarked for oil palm cultivation, has been a bone of contention between the Semelai and the Pahang government for more than seven years ago, said Bentong MP Wong Tak and Raub MP Tengku Zulpuri Shah Raja Puji.

They said the tribe has been living on the land for hundreds of years that provides food and other necessities, a major factor that prompts these MPs to offer assistance.

But most customary native lands are not only crucial to be preserved for reasons of ancestry and sustenance, but are also and especially for environmental conservation and protection.

The North Kuala Langat Forest Reserve in Selangor is a case in point. The planned de-gazettement of this 931ha of forest for “development” has received more than 40,000 objections from concerned Malaysians.

This is because this forest has a very unique ecosystem as most of it is peat swamp forest. It is one of the most diverse and richest ecosystems that serves humans and nature, which is conducive to the culture of the Temuan tribe of approximately 2,000 people living in the area.

To be sure, there are other cases of the natives’ ancestral lands being encroached for development in other parts of the country that have negative environmental consequences.

The environmental degradation that is going on in our country should alert us to the importance of treating Mother Nature more kindly because obviously earning her wrath is something we do not wish for.

Look at the rapid rate of deforestation, the polluting of our rivers and seas, disturbances of catchment areas, and the “balding” of our precious hills in our country over the years – all of which raise the vital question of good environmental condition and water and food security, among others.

In other parts of the world, serious environmental degradation and climate change have made certain governments see the wisdom of establishing cooperation with indigenous peoples in an effort to save and manage the environment.

Such collaboration is a clear recognition and appreciation of the natives’ worldview and knowledge of nature.

For example, the Australian government has asked its aboriginals to apply their knowledge about nature to preserve and protect the ecosystems in designated Indigenous Protected Areas in 2018. This is said to be one of the biggest environmental conservation alliances in the world.

In the Amazon, indigenous peoples are also asked for assistance to preserve the rainforest that is confronted with the threats of industrial deforestation and climate change.

Given that our Orang Asli and other indigenous communities in the country have in many ways served as informal guardians of the environment over the years, our lawmakers may want to take a leaf out of those countries’ book by taking an initiative to engage with the native communities.

The natives’ knowledge of the natural environment may well be useful in helping to make well-informed public policies pertaining to the environment for the benefit of especially our future generation. – April 3, 2021.