The forgotten people: a study on the indigenous people of Peninsula Malaysia from the constitutional perspective / Adam Shamsul Anwar … [et al.]

After the establishment of the Federal Constitution, the position of the indigenous people of the Peninsula Malaysia under the Federal Constitution is still vague. This research aims to examine the extent of protection accorded to the Indigenous People of Peninsula Malaysia in the Federal Constitution and in the Aboriginal Peoples Act 1954 (Act 134) and also to analyze the legal protection given to the indigenous people in terms of healthcare, land ownership and education as compared to the Natives of Sabah and Sarawak and the Malays. It has been discussed thoroughly in this research that the position of Orang Asli according to Federal Constitution is still vague especially in terms of rights and privileges derived from Article 153. As consequences, the scope of protection to the Orang Asli in terms of healthcare, education and land ownership is insufficient. If there is an amendment to be made to the Federal Constitution to extend the special privileges derive from Article 153 towards Orang Asli, the purpose of such amendment can only be successful if the Orang Asli embrace the fact that they also need to make several changes in their mindset like the Malays and Natives of Sabah and Sarawak by their willingness to accept development in order to gain benefits derive from the Article 153.