KUALA LUMPUR, August 26 - The success of a local lecturer in studying the existence of 18 Orang Asli ethnic groups in Peninsular Malaysia, sculpts a new chapter in the field of research.
Currently there are approximately 215,000 Orang Asli with 18 tribes around Peninsular Malaysia, consisting of Jakun, Orang Kanaq, Orang Kuala, Orang Seletar, Semelai, Bateq, Jahai, Kensiu, Kintak, Lanoh, Mendriq, Che Wong, Jahut, Mahmeri, Semai, Semoq Beri and Temiar.
According to Senior Lecturer, Department of Social Sciences and Development, Faculty of Human Ecology (FEM), Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), Professor. Associate Dr. Mohd Roslan Rosnon, the uniqueness and diversity of the tribe has fueled his interest in learning more about the Orang Asli community.
"Although there are various studies on the Orang Asli community, many Orang Asli issues have not been resolved and I chose to continue the legacy of the study because we lack experts in this field," said Dr. Mohd Roslan in a UPM media statement.
He explained that the Orang Asli community is an ethnic minority group in the country but they have integrated and accepted development.
However, the issue of poverty is still in the community due to the locality and limited economic resources.
A native of Kuala Lumpur who specializes in Anthropology and Sociology, specializing in Indigenous Studies and community development, said that he has been involved in Orang Asli studies for 16 years, and does not hesitate to visit Orang Asli villages when conducting his research.
"In Peninsular Malaysia, we have almost 864 villages of the Orang Asli community and when I need to conduct research, I will go to the respective Orang Asli villages to learn more about their way of life and also focus on their culture," he said.
He also shared his experience while continuing his studies at the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) level, by conducting a comparative study of the Orang Asli community in Peninsular Malaysia and the Aborigine People in Australia.
In addition to Australia, his expertise is also referred to by several other foreign countries such as New Zealand, Indonesia and Thailand.
In 2017, Dr. Mohd Roslan successfully won the 2019 High Impact Community and Industry Network Award (ICAN) for the Best Community Partner category through the Orang Asli Student Empowerment program that has been running for three years.
In 2019, his book, Pembangunan Temporari Orang Asli, was crowned as the winner of the National Book Award.
He is actively conducting a review of the Orang Asli Act 1954 [Act 134] and Orang Asli Welfare and was appointed as the Coordinator of Social Development & Multiculturalism, World University Association of Community Development (WUACD) which focuses on indigenous communities.