The priority for the Orang Asli should be to restore their constitutionally guaranteed indigenous rights to their lands and natural resources, says USM’s Ahmad Fauzi Abdul Hamid.
“It is dakwah bil-hal, or dakwah by example, not by pontificating to the Orang Asli and treating them in a paternalistic way,” he told FMT. Azlan said there were more than 100 MAIK missionaries and community workers under the Islamic Development Department of Malaysia tasked with looking after the welfare of Orang Asli and giving them an education.
He said the state government’s continued denial of Orang Asli customary land rights in favour of logging companies in areas such as Gua Musang had damaged PAS’ credibility in the eyes of the aboriginal population in Kelantan.“The Kelantan government’s past mishandling of the land rights issue only served to extend the Orang Asli’s suspicions of Islam since PAS had always claimed to represent the religion,” he said, adding that this was a disservice to Islam, which was inclusive by nature.
Tiljah said the priority should not be on religious conversion but on tackling the lack of infrastructure for the Orang Asli’s basic needs, education and self-development.“Right now, the Orang Asli need their customary land rights, without interference, so that they may build their economy and preserve their culture, traditional knowledge, history and ancestry and live in peace, health and safety,” she said.