Resilience in a community the story of Orang Asli of Royal Belum-Temengor Forest Complex, Perak Rural Research & Planning Group (RRPG) 5 th International Conference and Field Study in Malaysia 2014, 26-28 August, INFRA Bangi, Malaysia Khairul Hisyam Kamarudin . Ibrahim Ngah . KhamarrulAzahari Razak . Mohd Safuan Ibrahim . Anwar Harun
content Some thoughts on ‘resilience community’ Orang Asli of Royal Belum-Temengor Stories of two communities Conclusion
Royal Belum State Park and Temengor Forest Complex (RBTFC) associated with the conservation of its mega biodiversity resources in Malaysia. Recently, RBTFC came into the limelight UNESCO world heritage site.
http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Nation/2014/05/10/Dream-of-Unesco-listing-for-Belum-forest- Najib-calls-for-study-of-forests-heritage-and-economic-val/ PLUS 1
“Indigenous people and their communities and other local communities, have a vital role in environmental management and development because of their knowledge and traditional practices. States should recognize and duly support their identity, culture and interest and enable their effective participation in the achievement of sustainable development” PLUS 2 (Earth Summit, 1992: 13)
Indigenous Knowledge System (IKS) – recognition PLUS 1 from Earth Summit (1992) Adherent to sustainable development principles vs Modernization/ Conservation / carrying capacity Development / limit to growth? PLUS 2 Disappearance of traditional Infrastructure development and values and practices support services Threaten the local Housing quality, job opportunities, biodiversity and resources income Create further new Training, human capital problems development Abandonment of traditional practices and knowledge on Where to go from here? resource management
Orang Asli (Orang Asal) the oldest community ever known to inhabit the peninsular land, (historical record dated back to 25,000 years ago), live in interior rural area with an intimate contact to nature. RBTFC context associated with high levels of poverty and low levels of development. Community’s ability to survive resiliently in today’s socio-economic environment jeopardized in a long term? if they failed to solve the current internal and/or external socio-economic weaknesses bring in the interest for study (on resilient community).
Big Q: have the nature and its inhabitants (the Orang Asli in this context) being included in the regional conservation and development plan?
Some thoughts on resilience community Arise from the need to develop understanding on how people would respond to internal and external disturbances, either caused by natural or human-induced disasters. Rural communities facing complex socio- political and economic disturbances drastic drop of rubber price affected the farmers, small holders, and workers caused farmers to abandon their rubber plantations forcing them to migrate to search for alternative means of living.
Community resilience and vulnerability measure using economic, social and environmental capitals. Source: (an adaptation from Wilson, 2010)
a ‘resilient community’ can be described as a community which is able to create and maintain the balance needs in economy, social, and environmental capitals in a long run (Kamarudin et al., 2014: 170)
Orang Asli of Royal Belum-Temengor
Area Name of Kampung Population Area Name of Kampung Population RPS Banun Sungai Banun 122 RPS Kemar Penderas 120 Kabel 51 Banun 99 Sungai Raba 143 Bal 693 Desa Permai 24 Chuwau 178 Pengkalan Permai 68 Akei 188 Desa Damai 113 Katong 351 Cadak 20 Lediau 159 Desa Ria 87 Senangit 225 Semelor* 159 Lerlar 235 Sungai Tekam 83 Badak 185 Source: JAKOA Gerik, Perak (2014) Pulau Tujuh 87 Shah 255 Sungai Chuweh 97 Ralak 294 Sungai Tebang 131 Rantau 522 Selaor 113 Jarau Lama 299 Sungai Kelab 75 Jarau Baru 117 Sungai Tiang* 409 Desa Pelancongan 143 Sungai Chiong 234 Charok Bus 100 Sungai Kejar 397 Total 2656 Total 3920
Stories of two communities Village (or Kampung) Population Number Male Female Total of families Semelor 85 74 159 30 Sungai Tiang 191 218 409 83 Village (or Kampung) Sub Ethnic Religion TOTAL Jahai Temiar Islam Christian Bahai Animism e Semelor - 159 80 - - 79 159 Sungai Tiang 409 - 49 47 43 - 409
Field study and data collection
Observation of Community’s Proposed Specific Indicators at Community Level Resilient Issues a. Average household income b. Do households have more than one source of income? c. Has there been a need for the household to develop multiple sources of income? d. Has there been any significant change in the main employment sector in the last 20 years? e. How stable are the existing employment sectors? f. What are the prospects for ongoing/future economic development and employment sectors? Economic g. Do households depend on money from relatives living and working outside of the Capital community? h. Is the community receiving government welfare support/funds/subsidies? If yes, how (12) important are they to the community? i. Are there opportunities for new businesses to be developed? Is there any prospect for tourism-related activities? j. What are the potentials tourism development might offer to the community? k. Who makes the decisions within the community on matters of economic activities? l. Are locally produced goods only sold locally?
Observation of Community’s Proposed Specific Indicators at Community Level Resilient Issues a. Is training in relevant skills and knowledge available to community members? b. Are local knowledge or skills passed on from the older to the younger generation? c. Is there any knowledge or skills passed on from the younger to the older generation? d. Is there any authority in local/indigenous knowledge still available in your community? If yes, how is his/her knowledge useful in addressing local problems? Social e. Which stakeholder groups are involved in decision-making? Capital f. Do those who can participate actually participate in decision-making? g. Would those with opposing viewpoints be allowed to participate in decision-making? (10) h. Do young people get involved in decision-making process? i. Do young people think differently/have different ideas as compared to older people? j. Do young people get involved in developing new opportunities/projects in the community?
Observation of Community’s Resilient Proposed Specific Indicators at Community Level Issues a. Is everyone involved in planning the use of natural resources in the community? b. Does the environment pose limitations on the community? c. Are water resources of good quality? d. Are water resources sufficient for local needs? Environmental e. Are water resources distributed fairly? Capital f. Are soils of good quality? g. Are soil resources managed sustainably? (10) h. What are the main environmental issues/problems occurring in your village? i. How does the community react/respond to these issues/problems? j. Are there important traditions/taboos which would influence the management of community resources?
Result & Discussions
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