Unsure of what to expect once he got there, he spoke to people he knew, asking about their perceptions about the Orang Asli. On Google, he found more information, most of which were stereotypical.
The trip, however, was an eye-opening experience for him.
“The Orang Asli were very hospitable and accommodating. It was very different from what I had heard, it made me wonder where all these people were getting these stories about them from?” Teoh told FMT Lifestyle.
Inspired, Teoh continued volunteering after the trip, and soon made friends among the Orang Asli. One of them was Faizul, a young Temuan native with entrepreneurial dreams.
In 2019, online platform AirBnB entered the Malaysian market, and they approached a social collective Teoh was working with, requesting that he curate experiences involving the Orang Asli on their platform.
How could he resist? Teoh’s tours turned out to be quite a hit.
Inspired, he created Native Discovery, a social enterprise focused on community-based tourism ventures with indigenous communities in Peninsular Malaysia. Faizul became one of their first community partners.
Formed in 2019, Native Discovery organises most of its activities with the people of Kampung Orang Asli Serendah in Selangor.
“We put this up online without much expectation, but it seems there was demand, and it grew quite organically. Our experiences started with just Faizul and his wife, but he then invited his neighbours to get involved,” he said.
“It was a good way to get the community to come together. And also, not just a way to earn additional income, but also tell Orang Asli stories first-hand.”
The social enterprise now leads about 50-100 trips a year: 2022 saw about 900 guests attend their events, while 2023 saw about 1,500 guests.
Native Discovery trips, which usually take about half a day, often see participants embarking on a short hike. Orang Asli guides introduce them to their village and ancestral lands, and share stories along the way. Hear how the hills were given their ancient names, and how the Orang Asli faced and survived the wars!
Those peckish can forage for fruits and berries, with the guides being an invaluable authority on what’s edible and what’s not.
Participants are often given the opportunity to eat traditional delicacies like smoked sambal kantan, smoked chicken in tumeric and semomok. If you’re feeling adventurous, give the blowpipe a try.
“I would say it’s a fairly simple trip, but it gives you time to immerse yourself with the Orang Asli and ask any questions about them you may have. At the same time, they can also learn about you, so there’s a cultural exchange going on,” Teoh elaborated.
Native Discovery often organises trips for corporations, international schools as well as universities. These, Teoh said, offer a practical and effective way to explore issues such as diversity and cross-cultural literacy.
Profits from the company’s trips are shared 50/50 with the Orang Asli communities involved. According to Teoh, Native Discovery’s efforts are also beneficial in helping members of these communities build social capital.
“Whenever people visit their community, it helps build awareness about them. It helps them feel more pride in their culture, and we see this translate into more belief in their own ability. It also helps them build advocacy power.”
He added that in the future, Native Discovery would focus on advocacy projects, many centred on positive and proactive allyship.
In the meantime, Teoh hoped people would have memorable times on Native Discovery activities, and be inspired to keep supporting the Orang Asli.
“From a cosmetic perspective, me and the Orang Asli are very far apart. We are from completely different demographics. So, it is very affirming to me that we can work together, and build things together. And that makes me optimistic. It makes me more confident about how Malaysia could be,” he concluded.
For more information on Native Discovery visit their website or follow them on Facebook and Instagram.