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​Interview
Mr. Hiew Kim Boon （Right）and two committees.
The Millennium Legacy of Indigenous Peoples and the Challenges of Modernization
Across the vast lands of Malaysia, the indigenous peoples, collectively known as the “Orang Asli,” are like a long-flowing river, quietly carrying their stories through the storms and trials of millennia. They are the first inhabitants of this land, deeply connected to its forests, mountains, and rivers. For generations, they lived in harmony with nature, relying on hunting, gathering, and farming. However, as technology rapidly advances, their traditions and lands face unprecedented challenges, and the wave of modernization is eroding their way of life.
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Issues like land disputes, cultural disconnection, and struggles with social integration have emerged one after another. The lands, cultures, and languages that once defined their identity and carried their memories are gradually fading in the tide of time. As the indigenous peoples navigate the balance between preserving traditions and adapting to modernity, they face immense challenges.
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Mr. Hiew Kim Boon, the current head of the Kampung Kwan Tung Baru in Sungai Chua and a former Selangor state official for 15 years (five of which were spent as head of the Jawatankuasa Tetap Hal Ehwal Orang Asli Selangor), has been deeply involved in the changes in indigenous affairs, particularly the complex and difficult land issues. In an interview, he candidly stated that the greatest challenge for indigenous peoples is the long-standing issue of land. Land is the foundation of their identity and survival, yet this foundation is gradually being taken away.
Land Issues: The Core Conflict of Identity and Survival
Land is the starting point of life for indigenous peoples, but it is also the root of their struggles. They share a deep bond with their lands, which provide them with both a means of survival and a sense of identity. However, this bond is slipping away.
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Mr. Hiew mentioned that in Malaysia, indigenous peoples have long been marginalized and excluded, resulting in them being considered a vulnerable group. After Malaysia's independence, many lands where indigenous peoples had lived for generations were classified as state land. Due to a lack of legal knowledge and land ownership documents, they cannot legally claim these lands, even though their ancestors lived there for centuries.
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Under the pressure of development needs, governments or corporations often claim these lands for their use, leaving the indigenous people with no choice but to relocate. Although the Selangor state government established the Badan Bertindak Tanah Orang Asli Selangor (BBTOAS) in 2008 to address these issues, the situation remains complicated. Many lands have already been designated as forest reserves or are privately owned.
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Some indigenous people, due to cultural differences or distrust of government processes, reject the land rights secured by the committee, making coordination more challenging and exacerbating the problem.​​​
Infrastructure Efforts: Progress and Limitations
Mr. Hiew Kim Boon shared a story about indigenous communities and land acquisition by the government. Near Shah Alam, in the past, the government, in an effort to secure votes and appease the sentiments of indigenous people, promised to provide each indigenous household with newly built detached houses, along with relocation allowances and living subsidies. However, the government failed to take into account the indigenous people's lifestyle, resulting in unintended consequences. The indigenous people, unable to adapt to the new environment, sold their houses, used the money to return to the forests, and rebuilt their homes with simple materials. This reflects not a rejection of modern life, but rather a steadfast adherence to their own culture.
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Regarding living conditions, Mr. Hiew Kim Boon revealed that the Selangor state government has made considerable efforts in recent years to improve the living conditions of indigenous communities. Since 2008, the state government has shown unprecedented attention, particularly in areas of land rights and infrastructure development. The establishment of the Badan Bertindak Tanah Orang Asli Selangor (BBTOAS) has worked to secure land rights for indigenous people, while funds have been allocated to enhance their living conditions. The government has also provided strong support in infrastructure development through effective solutions. For instance, solar and hydropower projects have been successfully introduced in many remote indigenous communities, effectively addressing energy supply and water access issues. Although these projects require substantial funding, Mr. Hiew Kim Boon emphasized that by adopting innovative approaches such as hydropower, the government has not only significantly conserved resources but also greatly improved the quality of life for indigenous people while ensuring their basic needs are met.
Cultural Loss: The Crisis of Language and Festivals
Beyond land issues, the cultural heritage of indigenous peoples is like a candle flickering in the wind. Their traditions and culture, especially language and festivals, are at risk of disappearing.
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Mr. Hiew mentioned that younger generations have almost entirely lost their mother tongues. For example, among the Temuan tribe, many traditional festivals have vanished, leaving only their most significant celebration, Ancestor Day (Hari Moyang). Despite their desire to preserve their culture, a lack of resources and support prevents younger generations from learning and passing it on.
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Efforts to promote indigenous language education began in 1997, including hosting a regional conference on minority languages in Southeast Asia. However, due to a shortage of teachers and teaching materials, these initiatives saw limited success.
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Today, few elderly Temuan or Mah Meri people still retain some knowledge of their native languages, which are now mixed with Malay and difficult to fully express.
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Education: A Double-Edged Sword
Education has been both a blessing and a challenge for indigenous peoples. It opens doors for younger generations to integrate into mainstream society but also distances them from their cultural roots.
The government has provided strong support for indigenous education, establishing schools, covering costs for uniforms, school supplies, and transport, and offering scholarships like the Biasiswa Sagong Tasi. This scholarship has no academic requirements—any indigenous student who enrolls can receive full funding to pursue higher education.
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However, while these efforts help them integrate into modern society, they also contribute to cultural loss. Standardized curricula prioritize Malay and modern knowledge, sidelining indigenous languages and traditions.
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Religious education has further accelerated this cultural shift. Some indigenous people convert to Islam, often incentivized by financial benefits, such as receiving allowances for attending religious classes. Over time, traditional beliefs fade, replaced by new religious practices that they may not fully understand.
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This cultural assimilation creates contradictions. Many indigenous Muslims retain their traditional practices, such as keeping dogs, drinking alcohol, and eating pork—behaviors at odds with Islamic teachings. This dual identity highlights the unintended consequences of assimilation.
Future Hope: Balancing Tradition and Modernization
Where does the hope for the future lie?
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Mr. Hiew believes the solution requires patience, respect, and resources. The government must respect indigenous lifestyles and provide solutions tailored to their needs instead of applying standardized approaches. For indigenous peoples, happiness often lies in their deep connection to nature.
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He emphasized the importance of government-indigenous collaboration to protect and pass down their culture. Policies should aim to empower indigenous communities and encourage educated individuals to return and contribute to their tribes.
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By combining internal and external efforts, indigenous peoples may find a way to preserve their traditions while embracing a brighter future.