Lecturer becomes first Orang Asli woman to receive prestigious Merdeka Award Grant

Masni Mat Dong dons her tribal headdress. Photo: Masni Mat Dong

Growing up as an Orang Asli from the Jakun tribe in a small kampung, Masni Mat Dong understood, from an early age, the troubles that her people went through.

“My father was a waste collector and we weren’t well-off. There were seven of us siblings at home in Kampung Orang Asli Bukit Bangkong Sg Lembing in Pahang. My parents couldn’t afford to raise me and I was given up for adoption when I was six months old,” says Masni.