Page 19 - 022021 PULSE@FASS e-Bulletin

Issue no. 2 | 2021

for them for a convention. She took the opportunity to women and about Orang Asli issues on the whole. This
gather a group of mothers and women to weave and sew sparked a continuous group meeting which raised a
these bags from mengkuang leaves. As a result of weeks consciousness about women’s rights and about issues on
spent together, a powerful bond was created and Tijah women’s empowerment.
took this opportunity to enquire about their familial issues
and spoke about household economy. They were encouraged by Tijah to get the support of their
husbands and children as most of the men-folk were not
The group which comprises Kaum Ibu (a group of supportive. This strategy worked and their meetings were
mothers) helped each other in need by collecting food soon not only made up of Kaum Ibu but also supported by
and sharing with families in need. The Kaum Ibu were their husbands, and their meetings spread to other nearby
then brought for a specific women’s workshop which villages. They felt that awareness and empowerment at
gave them the opportunity to talk about their issues as the grassroots must be the core of their perjuangan. So, in

The lyrics of one of the songs goes like this, “if we see the forest,
tears will fall as we witness the destruction of the forest through

burning blaze which makes it completely barren”.

1995 the SPNS (New Life One Heart Group) collective was
established to strengthen their linkages to other states
and communities like Negeri Sembilan, Pahang, Selangor.

Tijah does not believe in registering the collective, as her
idea of leadership, is that the grassroot movement has to
be decentralized and is the responsibility of each and
every one affected by the issue. Everyone needs to
empower themselves and not be attached to or
dependent on powerful groups as most often than not
they are victims and marginalized. Thus, the creation of
Jaringan Kampung Orang Asli Semenanjung Malaysia
(JKOASM) which is a grassroot movement that advocates
for Orang Asli rights emerged through an organic process
Dendi Johari (JKOASM kelantan) reciting a poem entitled ‘Tanah
from Tijah’s consciousness, helping her bring change and
Semangat’ at Malam Kebudayaan Persidangan Tanah Orang Asli
empowerment to her community.
ke-11 event
We were glad to be given the opportunity to interview
Tijah Yak Chopil, and to know that Orang Asli women like
Tijah play a significant role and are a catalyst in the
JKOASM Orang Asli grassroot movement. To learn this
and to hear her speak inspires us. This brings us hope that
there will be more awareness and recognition of Orang
Asli rights and greater advocacy to protect their
livelihoods. This research has given us an opportunity to
be part of the Orang Asli community which is mostly
marginalized and at the periphery of society or
discussions on public policy. This research also is an
opportunity to hear their stories, their plights, hopes and
dreams. It is a learning and humbling experience in every Yusri (activist JKOASM from Pahang) sing a song for appreciation
towards nature and ancestral heritage
sense!

19 | Pulse @ FASS