Faizal (centre) flanked by Ananthan (left) and Sharifah in a group photo in front of a mural by Orang Asli artist Shaq Koyok.
A Temuan Culture Information Centre (TCIC) has been set up at Kampung Orang Asli Pulau Kempas in Banting, Selangor.
The 234 sqm building was inaugurated by Ananthan Ramaya, policy adviser to Selangor human resources, poverty eradication, minority and indigenous affairs committee chairman V. Papparaidu.
TCIC was launched in conjunction with Temuan Day celebrations, attended by 120 people.
The celebration was initiated by Sahabat Gambut Asli Temuan (SGAT) and village heads of Orang Asli Pulau Kempas and Bukit Cheeding, ahead of their commemoration of Hari Moyang this month.
TCIC was established with funding from Yayasan Hasanah in partnership with the Global Environment Centre (GEC).
Orang Asli Development Department (Jakoa), SGAT, village heads and village security and development committees (JKKK) helped set up the centre, GEC said.
TCIC is a dedicated platform to showcase and preserve the heritage of the Temuan Orang Asli community, while also promoting their creative talents and handicrafts.
Construction of TCIC was completed last month at a cost of RM180,000 and it was built by workers from the community.
A total of RM120,000 was from Yayasan Hasanah and the remainder from GEC.
Ananthan expressed gratitude to Yayasan Hasanah for financing these villages under the “Empowering the Orang Asli Community in Sustainable Livelihoods and Community Leadership Development” project.
He said this initiative aligned with the state’s Orang Asli Development Agenda outlined in the 2024 Budget.
He also thanked Jakoa, GEC as the implementing partner, Pulau Kempas village head Rahman Pahat and SGAT for their dedication and support.
Yayasan Hasanah trustee and managing director Datuk Shahira Ahmed Bazari said collaborating with on-ground partners like GEC enabled them to reach individuals across all layers of society.
“To date Yayasan Hasanah, in collabration with the Finance Ministry, has distributed RM15.4mil across 20 projects to empower indigenous communities in Perak, Pahang and Selangor and impacted 1,300 individuals.”
Shahira said for more effective results, these initiatives must be “tailored to the values, principles and actual needs of the Orang Asli group, involving community members in the planning process.
“We are thrilled to support inclusive projects like this, that not only preserve Orang Asli cultural heritage but also contribute to tangible socio-economic gains.”To ensure continuous help, Yayasan Hasanah, supported by the Finance Ministry, is awarding GEC with the Hasanah Special Grant 2023 (HSG4.0) worth RM1.39mil for a two-year project in Kuala Langat.
GEC director Faizal Parish expressed gratitude to SGAT members and local villagers for their efforts in realising the centre.
“As the project implementation partner, we celebrate the success of the centre and hope to continue our support for its sustained impact on cultural and economic enrichment for Temuan Orang Asli,” he said.
Tok Rahman said TCIC served as a hub safeguarding the social, cultural and traditional heritage of the Temuan Orang Asli. The centre not only offered the sale of community-made crafts but also showcased invaluable traditional knowledge.
