By M.Gokoolaram Naidu
Kampung Pahlawan in Langkap has truly lived up to its name. The Orang Asli people living here are indeed pahlawan or ‘warriors’ in their own way as they possess true fighting grit, thus protecting their rights and their ancestral land.
The village has a population of 750 people belonging to the Semai ethnic tribe. My visit on 17.08.09 coincided with Malaysian Care’s monthly visit and I was given an hour’s slot for the law awareness program. On our arrival, Tok Batin Ah Pong a/l Bahik and team leaders Bah Jalil and Bah Ismail welcomed and ushered us to one of the houses where about 35 villagers had gathered to participate. According to them this was the very first time a program of this kind was being held there.
The program was held at a house owned by a villager called Ah Lek. Ah Lek is a Chinese married to a local Orang Asli lady who demonstrated her excellent hostess skills to us with the little she had to offer. Ah Lek and his wife came from different worlds, but now they had something in common. They are smart and responsible by my estimation for they grow their own vegetables and even have a small poultry farm. He is also a rubber-tapper and general worker at the nearby RISDA plantations. To further supplement his income, he ferry’s children to schools in his own van. He is hard-working and very independent. Among the Orang Asli community, that kind of qualities makes a man stand out. Most villagers here are general workers in factories and plantations.
Contrary to the problems faced by the Jakun tribe at Kampung Buluh Nipis in Pahang, the villagers here receive their wages, share of profits and dividends as promised and on time. Obviously all these wouldn’t have materialized had it not been for their fighting spirit. I was informed that when they were sidelined by RISDA previously, it was an extraordinary David versus Goliath undertaking, with the mostly destitute villagers challenging RISDA. They reminded RISDA of its undertakings and demanded for their dues. They even held several meetings and discussions with the authorities’ bigwigs and finally succeeded in their quests. The Tok Batin informed me that they were able to triumph over tragedy on so many occasions in their lives.
When it comes to appointing Tok Batin, contrary to other villages, the Tok Batin here is elected, as opposed to the tradition of a single family maintaining the post for generations. Hence only determined, hard-working and strong characters hold the posts – hence the wining formula.
My talk was on “Police and Your Rights”. Some were seen diligently taking down notes while others listened. Queries on traffic offences and arrests were raised during question-and-answer session. On the whole, the Orang Asli here are bold and well organized. Their organizational efficiency is also paralleled by their very kind hospitality. I could not find words to thank all of them. It is hoped other Orang Asli villages emulate Kampung Pahlawan’s fighting spirit. I believe the people here have all the means to solve problems in hand and leave no doubt in my mind as to their ability.
As I left Kampung Pahlawan, memories of my recent trip to Kampong Bahong and Kampung Sungei Tiang at the Kelantan/Pahang unfolded…. If only they had the similar fighting spirit in them their rights would have been respected and taken care of by everyone else.
(M. Gokoolaram Naidu is the Executive Officer of Perak Legal Aid Centre & Human-Rights Sub-Committee)