Smart Use of Multimedia Technology to highlight the plight of Orang Kanaq: Malaysia's Most Endangered Ethnic Group of Orang

Asli Proceedings from the 2nd International Malaysian Educational Technology Convention (IMETC 2008) at MS Garden Hotel, Kuantan, Pahang,Malaysia, 5 7 November 2008

by
Toh Seong Chong, Zarina Samsudin, Salasiah Che Lah, Mahani Awang @ Musa, Azizi Bahauddin and Alias Abd. Ghani

Abstract This paper discussed the smart use multimedia technology to highlight the plight of Orang Kanaq: Malaysias most endangered ethnic group of Orang Asli. The paper will document work carried out in the Orang Asli Museum at Gombak, Selangor followed by on-site visits to the Kampung Sungai Selangi,Mawai, Kota Tinggi, Johor where only 85 surviving Orang Kanaqs are located. The study found that firstly, the Orang Kanaq practiced strict endogamy within its community which resulted in an extremely slow increase in population. Secondly, the Orang Kanaq are not interested in agriculture or animal husbandry. Their former traits of forest-produce gathering, hunting and fishing still remained strong. Thirdly, they lived in rather squalid and unhygienic condition. Fourthly, little success has been achieved in bringing modern education to the Orang Kanaq. Fifthly, they do not care much about worldly things and appear to be contented with what they have. This paper will also document and highlight the way of life of these people through multimedia presentation. Various attributes of multimedia will be highlighted to show how multimedia is an effective documentation tool for research. Discussion on how through the smart use of this multimedia presentation tool the plight of the Orang Kanaq can be effectively disseminated electronically worldwide through over 40 different electronic formats. Introduction Orang Asli (lit, original peoples or aboriginal peoples in Malay) is a general term used for any indigenous groups that are found in Peninsular Malaysia. In 2004, the Orang Asli comprise only 0.5% of the total population in Malaysia. Their population is approximately 148,000 The largest group are the Senois, constituting about 54% of the total Orang Asli population. The Proto-Malays form 43%, and the Negerito forming 3%. These three groups are conventionally sub-dived into 18 ethno-liguistic subroups (Department of Orang Asli Malaysia Report, 2004). They represent one of the most marginalized and impoverished groups in Malaysian society. Based on the Orang Asli Affairs Departments (JHEOA) 2004 figures, the Orang Kanaq make up the smallest number of only 85 people. Taking cognizance of the possibility of extinction of the Orang Kanaq, a team of researchers from the Universiti Sains Malaysia sets out to undertake a multimedia documentation of the habits and lifestyles of these people. This research project is financed by the Universitys Fundamental Research Grant (FRGS). Preliminary archival work was initially carried out at the Orang Asli Museum at Gombak, Kuala Lumpur followed by a visit to the Jabatan Hal Ehwal Orang Asli Headquarters at Jalan Ampang,

Kuala Lumpur. This is then followed by visits to Kampong Sungai Selangi, Mawai Johor, where the present Orang Kanaq live. Demography The poverty rate among Orang Asli is 76.9%. In addition to this high rate, the Statistics Table 1: Orang Asli population by groups and subgroups (2004) Negrito Bateq (1,842) Jahai (2,073) Kensiu (240) Kintak (132) Lanoh (349) Mendriq (245) 4,851 Senoi Che Wong (665) Jahut (2,594) Mah Meri (5,082) Semai (43,505) Semoq Beri (3,629) Temiar (25,233) 80,972 Total: 149,723 Source: Department of Orang Asli Malaysia Report, 2004 Department of Malaysia has classified 35.2% of the population as being "hardcore poor". The majority of Orang Asli live in rural areas, while a minority have moved into urban areas. In 1991, the literacy rate for the Orang Asli was 43% compared to the national rate of 86% at that time. They have an average life expectancy of 53 years (52 for male and 54 for female). A high infant mortality rate is also evident with 51.7 deaths per 1000 births. Proto Malay Jakun (29,263) Orang Kanaq (85) Orang Kuala (3,718) Orang Seletar (1,431) Semelai (6,584) Temuan (22,819) 49,401

Historical Background of the Orang Kanaq The Orang Kanaq ancestors, numbering some 150 people: men, women and children, left the Riau Island, Indonesia some 200 years ago because they are afraid of the Orang Belanda (Dutch), who had come to the islands. However, fear of the Dutch was not the only reason for their departure of their ancestors from the Riau Archipelago. According to the batin (headman), his ancestors has been brought to Johor by the Johor Sultan Ibrahim himself and were employed as slaves. According to Carey (1976), these people were brought to Johor by the then ruling Sultan, more or less as curiosities. When the novelty wore off, they were settled in the vicinity of their present location. During that time, their ancestors lived contentedly at Mawai Lama, subsisting by collected jungle products, rattan and wild yams, until the beginning of the Emergency (the local name for the communist-led insurrection from 1946 1960). Emergency In the early years the Communist insurgents received much help and supplies from sympathizers in the rural areas. However, the Brigg's Plan, which involved relocating much of the rural population into closely-guarded 'new villages', successfully cut the link between the two parties. Consequently, the insurgents were forced to operate from

areas in deep forests, where they sought the help of the Orang Asli. Some Orang Asli were known to provide food, labor and intelligence to the insurgents. The Orang Kanaq community was unable to escape the events described above. Mawai Lama, their home since the community first arrived on the mainland, was judged by the British colonial government to be in a communist-infested area. Thus in the early 1950, the government decided to remove the Orang Kanaq, then numbering about 30, from Mawai Lama and resettle them, far away, at Selayang near Kuala Lumpur. This relocation proved to be extremely traumatic to them. They remained and suffered in Selayang for about 4 years. They did not like living in close proximity to other people. And to cap it all, they claim that one of their women was molested by a man working in the Department of Aboriginal Affairs. In 1955, the Federal Government having now abandoned its relocation policy brought the Orang Kanaq back to Johor by train. They were not brought back to Mawai Lama, but rather to a new location at Sungai Sayung, 38 kilometers southwest of Mawai Lama. However, they were unhappy because they were settled near another Orang Asli community belonging to the Jakun group. After about two years at Sungai Sayung, the Jabatan Hal Ehwal Orang Asli decided to bring the Orang Kanaq back to the vicinity of Mawai, in a village called Sungai Selangi, about 8 kilometers southeast of their old settlement.

Fig. 1: Distribution Map of Orang Asli Groups. (Source: Colin, Nicholas, 2000)

The Orang Kanaq settlement The Orang Kanaq people are presently located in the district of Kota Tinggi, Johor in a small oil-palm village of Kampung Sungai Selangi, Mawai. The inhabitants of Kampung Sungai Selangi village comprise 85 Kanaq Orang Asli, including three Malays, from 23 families. The village took shape in 1965 with only 40 Kanaq residents from 10 families. Some of the villagers 23 families in fact prefer to stay under one roof. Sofa sets with worn-out cushions adorn several of the Kampung Sungai Selangi houses. Abject Poverty Power supply lights up 11 houses built under the hardcore poor programme and there are refrigerators too. But these fridges remain idle as food is said to be "smelly" when kept inside them. Electrical appliances being in constant use are the television sets. Gas cookers are stashed away as villagers prefer to cook outside their houses for the simple reason that firewood cost them nothing. But this village does not lack basic infrastructure. The villagers have a surau, community hall and even an infirmary. There is also a kindergarten which caters to pre-school aged children. Other facilities include a tarred road, street lamps and a sepak takraw court. The village even has treated piped water. There is also a public telephone booth but this telecommunication tool is out of order and beyond repair. In the day, the village appears to be quiet. The men are out working in a nearby Felcra oil palm estate while their wives may be out to catch fish for dinner or resting at home. Endogamy In discussing Orang Kanaq marriage regulations, the most important fact to be noted is the strict endogamy observed by this community; and this despite its very small size of the community (Omar Abdul, 1978). As a community, the Orang Kanaq object most stronlgly to any idea of intermarriage with Chinese, Malay, or any other Orang Asli. In this respect, they are unique among the Orang Asli peoples of Peninsular Malaysia. This is not to say that there has never been any marriage between Orang Kanaq and other peoples, but that is extremely rare. Marriage between cousins is quite acceptable. Because of this strictly-enforced endogamy in the community, everybody is closely related to everyone else. However, this repeated practice of endogamy between close relatives leads to an increase in homozygosity of the population. A higher frequency of recessive, deleterious traits in homozygous form in the population resulted in inbreeding depression, which explains the notoriously low levels of fertility of the Orang Kanaq. Educational Development Despite some improvement in the villagers standard of living, their childrens life is still far too simple. The Kanaq children get their primary education at Sekolah Kebangsaan Mawai Baru, located some two km from the village. Numbering 17 in all, they are in standards one to three in the primary school. Their poor attendance causes their standard of education to wane and none of the villagers` children have so far made it to secondary school. Even though JHEOA provides a van to ferry the children to school,

the response is very poor. At times, there are only three students using this There was lack of awareness on the importance of education and the parents attitude caused almost all the Kanaq children to drop out of school. Also, the were withdrawn from school because their attendance there conflicted with their rattan-collecting pursuits. Oil Palm Estate

service. indolent children parents

In 1983, JHEOA gave Felcra the green light to develop an oil palm estate on 24.7 hectares of land at the village. The Felcra Mawai Baru II project provides jobs for 12 families. On the average, each Kanaq employed by Felcra as a manual worker earns RM300 a month but some are hired to harvest the palm fruits and they can earn up to RM600 a month. The Felcra participants also earn dividends from Felcra. With money from the Felcra project, the villagers no longer need to look for jungle produce like rattan for their living unless there are special requests from buyers. However, the petai season would see the Kanaq men disappear into the jungle to harvest this wild and pungent jungle delicacy. Money earned from selling petai is much more than harvesting oil palm fruits. Hence during the petai season, the Felcra estate that they work on often faces an acute shortage of laborers and is forced to hire Indonesians to harvest the oil palm fruits. Health Status The Kanaq community converted to Islam en masse in 1994. They still practice traditional healing and would go to their "tok batin" (medicine man) for medication. However, they began to respond positively to modern medicine after receiving visits by a nurse from the Mawai Baru Clinic. Since getting better health services, including health checks on children and pregnant mothers as well as tips on family planning, their standard of health has improved. However, much is still to be desired on their personal hygiene and those of their dwellings. Medical problems like diarrhoea, malaria and respiratory tract infections are still rampant in the village. Most of the villagers have anemia, believed to be due lack of nutritious food. Negative Perception Various initiatives have been undertaken by the Jabatan Hal Ehwal Orang Asli of Johor but their efforts to "develop" the Kanaq community but these initiatives have not borne much fruit despite the villages existence since 1965. Is this scenario caused by outside elements, and not by the villagers themselves who only want development according to their own pace? If we assume that the lack of the communitys development is due to their own attitude, then we should also ask ourselves the question why they appear to have a negative perception against outsiders to the extent of rejecting development? A probable explanation is that this community could have been slighted by outsiders who did not give them due respect like what they had accorded to others. Complacency According to the Kota Tinggi Jabatan Hal Ehwal Orang Asli, the Kanaq villagers do not care much about worldly things and appear to be contented with what they have. The Kanaq Felcra laborers can spend their RM300 monthly wages within a day, and the very next day, the villagers would return to catching fish for their meals. The Kanaqs adopt the concept of "whatever today is for today as tomorrow is a different story. This concept, to a certain extent, has prevented the community from making progress. Only via education, the Kanaq villagers can progress and be on par with the other communities in the country. Despite various efforts undertaken by the Jabatan Hal Ehwal Orang Asli, the

Sungai Selangi Kanaq villagers lag far behind their Orang Asli cousins in the Kota Tinggi district -- 600 Kuala villagers in Sungai Layau, the Jakun clan at Kempas Semenang (160 people) and Pasir Intan (145).

Sense of Inferiority and Shyness There is a deep sense of inferiority amongst the Orang Kanaq children. They are extremely shy and hide themselves when strangers come. At school, the Kanaq children with worn-out uniforms and exhibiting slow learning would feel uncomfortable and begin to isolate themselves. At school, there are teachers to give guidance. Unfortunately, when the children reach home there is no person to push them to study. Big Gap Between Young and Old Currently, the Kanaq children under 15 years of age form half of the Orang Kanaq ethnic group (New Straits Times Online, 2008). This causes the elders to worry about their survival. The headman or batin of the community Mutalib Abdullah, 58, said he considered himself to be of "ripe old age" as many of his tribesmen did not live beyond 50. At 58, I have sons and daughters who have passed away, and I shudder to think of the tribe's children when I am no longer here as there is a big generation gap between the parents and the children. Efforts to get their ancestral land at the Lebak Minchin forest reserve proved futile. With the lack of job opportunities and ancestral land that could provide an additional income for us, the future does not look bright at all. Mutalib said the various aid and subsidies given to them had not helped. We do not want to be dependent on government handouts forever, instead we need the means so that we could have the dignity of surviving on our own, he said. Multimedia Documentation The research team recorded the lifestyle and habits of the Orang Kanaq in the form of digital pictures and videos. A storyboard was designed to highlight the plight of ethnic group. Narration and sound effects were added to accentuate the multimedia presentation. The result is the creation of a moving multimedia story entitled, Orang Kanaq: Malaysias Most Endangered Ethnic Group of Orang Asli.. See Figure 1.

Figure 1: Opening Screen of Multimedia Presentation of Orang Kanaq

Smart Use of Multimedia Technology After completing the storyboard, the research team explores the various multimedia authoring tools and choose one that can manipulate graphics and other media for stunning and top of the range professional output of the multimedia presentation. A multimedia authoring tool entitled Photodex ProShow Producer was chosen because of the following unique features:1. Powerful and Versatile Output Options i) Output to Device This software enables the presentation to be produced to almost any multimedia device available from cell phones, to iPods, to the latest gaming consoles. ii) Output to YouTube It also enables the presentation to be uploaded to the most popular video sharing site on the Internet - You Tube. See Figure 2.

Figure 2: Various Output Options of Photodex Proshow Producer 2. Enhanced Playback & Output Options i) New Video Output Formats - Expanded output options in this software allows more flexibility in the ways the presentation can be outputted. It can be outputted to compressed AVI, Windows Media Video (WMV), HD Video and QuickTime. ii) Flash Output - a Flash movie of the presentation can be created very quickly. Simply create the show, choose Flash video (FLV) playback and a menu-driven sequence will guide the user to Flash video output.

iii)

Widescreen Menus This software also supports widescreen menus for the slide shows. It can create a professional 16:9 Hollywood-style menu to go along with the widescreen show.

Conclusion As a picture is worth a thousand words, the use of multimedia provides a effective tool to highlight the plight of Malaysias most endangered ethnic group of Orang Asli: the Orang Kanaq. Through the smart use of multimedia technology, a high-impact multimedia presentation can be disseminated rapidly and effectively via the Internet to a very large audience worldwide.

Reference Carey, Iskandar (1976). Orang Asli: The Aboriginal Tribes of Peninsular Malaysia. Kuala Lumpur: Oxford University Press. Colin, Nicholas, (2000). The Orang Asli and Contest for Resources: Indigenous Politics, Development and Identity in Peninsular Malaysia. Subang Jaya: International Work Group for Indigenous Affairs. Department of Orang Asli Malaysia Report, 2004. Basic Information of Orang Asli Malaysia. Kuala Lumpur: Bahagian Penyelidikan dan Perancangan, Jabatan Hal Ehwal Orang Asli Malaysia. Omar Abdul 1978. The Orang Kanaq of Southeastern Johor: A Preliminary Ethnography, Pulau Pinang: School of Comparative Social Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia. New Straits Times Online (2008). http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Saturday /National/2365896/index.pda. Accessed on October 5, 2008

Authors note: The authors of this paper wish to acknowledge the Fundamental Research Grant (FRGS) provided by Universiti Sains Malaysia that made this research project possible.