As I descended from over 1,400 metres above sea level at Cameron Highlands, several hikers had caught my attention – they were the only ones travelling on foot at the highest point of Malaysia accessible by car.
I soon realised, I’ve finally made contact with the indigenous peoples of Malaysia. I hastily took these shots through my car window as I drove pass each of them.
Known as the Orang Asli, or literally ‘original peoples’, these jungle dwellers have been living deep within the rainforests even before the first road was laid upon Malaysian soil. Today, they continue to live in fear of their ancestral lands being taken away by state authorities for more development and dam projects.
All they want is to remain in their native lands with their customary rights intact, including their burial grounds.
Under the aboriginal peoples act, they are guaranteed no rights whatsoever to their lands. In fact, the state is not obliged to pay any compensation.
Forced to give up their homelands and stripped of their dignity, real Malaysians deserve better.