As the first peoples of Malaysia, Orang Asli communities bore witness to the nation’s history. And in Selangor, it’s the voices of the Mah Meri that ring out in the spirit of Merdeka.
Often referred to as the “Masked Men of Malaysia”, the Mah Meri are one of 18 Orang Asli tribes. They primarily live along the coast of Selangor, largely in the Pulau Carey region.
FMT Lifestyle visited the Orang Asli villages in Kuala Langat and Sungai Pelek recently to hear what Malaysia’s independence means to them.
Nasir Minjin is the Tok Batin, or village chief, of Kampung Orang Asli Tanjung Sepat, a coastal town with about 600 residents.
“To value Merdeka, we ensure our children understand that in the past, our elders lived in hardship, with uncertain days and unsafe nights,” he told FMT Lifestyle.
“Today, everyone can travel freely wherever they want, and as we now live in peace, I want to pass this appreciation to the children.
“I want them to know that Merdeka Day is for everyone in Malaysia,” the 63-year-old said, adding that for them, this day is regarded as one of the most important in the year.
Indeed, weeks before Merdeka, the four- to six-year-olds in the kampung’s kindergarten were already joyfully colouring drawings portraying Malaysia’s independence.
And it’s not just the kids – even 64-year-old Sarimah Jamil, another village resident, was seen wearing a Jalur Gemilang bandanna.
Sarimah shared that every year on the eve of Merdeka, the village comes together to celebrate. This year, they’ve planned a karaoke session featuring patriotic songs.
This patriotism among the Orang Asli goes back to pre-independence, where their men played a crucial role in the fight for the country’s freedom. The Senoi Praaq, founded in 1956, is a guerrilla unit of the Royal Malaysia Police composed almost entirely of Orang Asli.
As the communists hid in the jungles, Senoi tribes, including the Mah Meri, were deployed to flush them out. With their unique jungle skills and physical strength, the Senoi Praaq had a reputation for being the most ruthless police unit – even earning the nickname “the silent killers”, given by the CIA.
Remarkably, the Senoi Praaq still exists today, with their specialised skills sometimes sought for special cases.
Not far from Tanjung Sepat is Kampung Orang Asli Bukit Bangkong in Sungai Pelek, with around 800 residents. For the people here, being Malaysian is something they hold dear to their hearts.
During FMT Lifestyle’s visit, 53-year-old Ramon Shari, the 10th leader of the village, was decorating the village with flags. “Every year, we will walk the streets, proudly waving the Jalur Gemilang, shouting ‘Merdeka! Merdeka!’”
While pride is evident on every face here, a quiet frustration lingers beneath the surface. Fisherman Ramon shared that, like many other Orang Asli villages across the country, they still struggle to protect their ancestral land.
“Even now, Kampung Bukit Bangkong is not officially gazetted and is still considered state land. So what, then, is Merdeka for the Orang Asli community?” he said.
“Although the Orang Asli share in the spirit of independence, our rights, such as land rights, are not recognised or protected. This has led to some disappointment within the community.”
It’s clear that the Mah Meri, whose numbers have dwindled to fewer than 4,000, face ongoing challenges. Despite this, both village chiefs remain hopeful for the future.
“As Malaysians, I hope we can maintain this peace and unity among all races. We must safeguard it for our children and loved ones to come,” Nasir expressed.
Ramon added: “My hope is that in the future, the Orang Asli community will progress and be on par with other communities.”