Orang asli speaker draws rousing applause at Asean Women’s Forum

Fatimah Bah-sin (third from left) putting down her signature on a banner at the first women's forum in the 10-year history of the Asean People's Forum, an annual event held in parallel to the Asean Summit. Looking on is Maria Fatima Pereira Guteres (2nd from right) who is also from an indigenous community from Timur Leste.

KUALA LUMPUR: A petite orang asli woman from Pahang who could not speak a word of English drew the attention of participants at the Asean Women’s Forum Wednesday.

The presence of delegates from the region did not deter Fatimah Bah-sin, who belongs to the minority tribes of Semak Beri and Semai in Kuantan, from speaking up.