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Akademi Rakan Muda

Project Submission

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Tajuk:�Suara Kami, Naratif Kami

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This project is a collaboration of Orang Asli youth from different fields who come together to focus on introducing a positive perspective about the Orang Asli community by sharing knowledge about traditions and culture through our own experiences. Through a creative approach, we aim to highlight the beauty, strength, and uniqueness of the Orang Asli identity.�

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Group Background

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Luheiw Renaweij Group is a youth dancing group of the Orang Asli. The establishment of this group aims to enliven and revive the concept of Orang Asli dance towards a contemporary approach. This group not only focuses on dance but also on various forms of performance arts such as acting, musical sketches, and more.

Apa Kata Wanita Orang Asli is a collective of young Orang Asli women from various tribes and states across Peninsular Malaysia. With a vision to empower young Orang Asli women to speak up through film production and screenings. The collective aims to highlight issues, identity, rights, and the history of the Orang Asli community.

Kembali ke Asal is a video series that provides accurate information from various reliable sources to the Orang Asli community. The mission of this video series is to help the Orang Asli understand and protect their rights related to customary land, community profiles, community mapping and other topics.

Kembali ke Asal

Apa Kata Wanita Orang Asli

Luheiw Renaweij

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Why should you listen to our voices and narratives?

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Our team’s experiences underscore the persistent stereotypes faced by the Orang Asli (OA) community, who are often unfairly viewed as backward, dependent, and uncivilized. These misconceptions are pervasive, fueled by social media and word of mouth. We’ve seen instances where Orang Asli culture has been misrepresented, and inaccurate narratives have overshadowed the reality of our community’s rich heritage. The negative stigma is deeply ingrained, leaving many Malaysians unaware of the Orang Asli's contributions and identity. Mainstream media often reinforces this by depicting us solely as a marginalized group in need of assistance, suggesting a lack of self-sufficiency. Our project aims to empower Orang Asli youth to become agents of change by embracing their identity, expressing their voices, showcasing their creativity and talents, and utilizing the support available to amplify their impact. Through this, we seek to challenge stereotypes, highlight the true value of Orang Asli culture, and create a narrative that respects and accurately represents the community.

1. Encouraging Orang Asli youth to be agents of change

We want to empower the Orang Asli youth to take pride in their identity, express their creativity, and have a voice in shaping the narrative of their community.

2. Providing accurate information to the public

We aim to amplify Orang Asli youth voices and increase their presence in mainstream media to dismantle stereotypes and promote authentic narratives about their community in public discourse.

3. Showcasing Orang Asli culture, arts and music �Our goal is to showcase our work—including films, video series, and music—to Orang Asli youth and a wider audience, such as media, influencers, researchers, student groups, and anyone interested in learning about the Orang Asli community. We aim to inspire youth to discover their talents and become active voices for their community.

Our Goals

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Target Audience & Beneficiaries

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Indirect Beneficiaries: 200 participants

      • Orang Asli community and public audience

Public audience: Refer to media (Malaysiakini, Free Malaysia Today, Cilisos, etc,), students' groups (Undi 18, ASASI and other university groups) researchers, influencers or any individuals who are not Orang asli but interested to learn more about Orang Asli culture, traditions and history.

Locations:

    • Kampung Orang Asli Bota Kanan, Perak
    • Kampung Orang Asli Pulau Kempas, Kuala Langat, Selangor
    • Centre for Malaysian Indigenous Studies Universiti Malaya (CMIS)

Direct Beneficiaries: 100 youth participants

      • Youth participants (Orang Asli and Non-Orang youth).

Non-Orang Asli youth: Individuals or groups interested in engaging with and deepening their understanding of Orang Asli culture, as well as those who have little knowledge about our community but are open to learning more.

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Proposed Solution

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To address this issue, we plan to organize workshops, film screenings, and sharing sessions that highlight the authentic culture and values of the Orang Asli. Our team, leveraging strong connections across various fields, will work with partners to ensure accurate information is shared. We will also collaborate closely with Orang Asli experts to represent all 18 Orang Asli tribes comprehensively. By amplifying the voices of Orang Asli youth, we aim to reshape societal views and challenge stereotypes surrounding the community.

Since 2021, Apa Kata Wanita Orang Asli has produced four short films, conducted five content creation workshops, and hosted over 50 film screenings. Kembali ke Asal has released five episodes of its video series, receiving positive feedback and requests for more screenings and discussions. Luheiw Renaweij has been performing since 2019 and collaborated with national dancers and conducted art wokrshop to promote Orang Asli music and culture. Its growing membership reflects how more Orang Asli youth are embracing their identity through music and art. Through these efforts, we aim to engage diverse audiences and inspire a deeper appreciation for the Orang Asli community.

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Project Plan

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Phase 1

Planning and Preparation

Phase 2

Community Outreach and Promotion

Phase 3

Workshop and Film Screening

Phase 4

Feedback collection and reporting

2 weeks

4 weeks

2 weeks

  • Engage with local communities, schools, and other stakeholders.

  • Finalize workshop and film screening schedules.

  • Confirm trainers, facilitators, and logistics for each event.

  • Develop promotional materials for outreach and engagement.

  • Launch social media campaign to raise awareness and attract participants from November to December 2024.

  • Organize a 2-day,1-night program featuring three workshops during the day centered on music, art, and culture, followed by two film screenings in the evening in the targeted locations.
  • Conduct interactive Q&A sessions to foster dialogue and cultural exchange.

  • Host sharing sessions to present project outcomes and lessons learned.
  • Gather participant feedback through surveys and interviews.

  • Document the outcomes and any requests for follow-up activities.

  • Analyze and evaluate the overall impact and compile a project report.

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Project Timeline

Objective

Activities

2024

November

December

W.1

W.2

W.3

W.4

W.5

W.6

W.7

W.8

W.9

  1. Encouraging Orang Asli youth to be agents of change

  • Providing accurate information to the public

  • Showcasing Orang Asli culture, arts and music

Group meeting and project planning

Community outreach and Promotion

Workshops and Film Screening

- Kg OA Bota Kanan, Perak

Workshops and Film Screening

- Kg OA Pulau Kempas, Selangor

Workshops and Film Screening

  • Centre for Malaysian Indigenous Studies Universiti Malaya (CMIS)

Evaluation and reporting

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Resources

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    • Resources Needed

      • a. Workshop material
      • Daun Mengkuang
      • Daun Kelapa
      • Manik and Jelai (beads)
      • Bamboo
      • Thread
      • Needle
      • �b. Film screening
      • Projector
      • Projector screen
      • Sound system

Resources Needed

a. Workshop material

      • Daun Mengkuang
      • Daun Kelapa
      • Manik and Jelai (beads)
      • Bamboo
      • Thread
      • Needle

�b. Film screening

      • Projector
      • Projector screen
      • Sound system

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Project Budget

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Team Members

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Name/Nama

Identification No.

Occupation Status

Roles

Skills/Expertise

1) Shaniera A/P Seliman

951107-06-5220

Executive – Yayasan Hasanah (Kembali ke Asal)

Project Leader

Project management

2) Eliana A/P Tan Beng Hui

001226-01-1250

Project Coordinator – Freedom Film Network�(Apa Kata Wanita Orang Asli)

Assistant Project Leader

Project management & OA activist

3) Albert Anak Bansa

941231-13-5901

Community Filmmaker

Documentation & Technical

Film making and

film screening

4) Selindang Sari A/P Seliman

020306-06-0822

Group Leader�Luheiw Renaweij

Facilitator 1

Dancer, musician and singer

5) Rosdila Binti Ngah Roslan

980511-08-5488

Assist. Project Coordinator – Freedom Film Network�(Apa Kata Wanita Orang Asli)

Facilitator 2

Public speaking and documentation

6) Zamali A/L Alang Achun

060719-08-0879

Member of �Luheiw Renaweij

Facilitator 3

Musician and weaver

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Stakeholders

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Government Agency:

    • JAKOA

We would like JAKOA to recognize our initiative in promoting Orang Asli culture and youth participation by supporting and helping us promote the event.�2. Asyikfm

Asyikfm is the Orang Asli radio station. We aim to collaborate with them to increase outreach and awareness of our event.�

NGO:

1. Persatuan Kebudayaan dan Kesenian Orang Asli (PKKOA)

PKKOA will assist in facilitating our workshop, leveraging their experience in conducting art and music workshops for the Orang Asli community.

2. Center for Orang Asli Concerns (COAC)

COAC is highly regarded within the Orang Asli community for its advocacy and support in promoting a better understanding of Orang Asli culture and identity. They will serve as our primary advisor on the information shared with our audiences.��3. Jaringan Orang Asal Semalaysia (JOAS)

JOAS has worked closely with COAC and has been involved in international indigenous networks. Partnering with JOAS will provide an opportunity to elevate our program to the national level.

4. Tok Batin and Jawatan Kuasa Kampung Orang Asli (JKKOA)

It is crucial for us to engage with community leaders and organizations to ensure our activities are approved and supported by the Tok Batin and JKKOA.

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Potential Risks & Mitigation Plan

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  1. Scheduling Conflict with Community Holidays (December)�December is a busy period for the Orang Asli community due to Christmas, Genggulang, Jis Pai, Taun Baru celebrations.

Mitigation:

    • Extend workshops and film screenings to January 2025 if December 2024 timing is not feasible.
    • Ensure proper engagement to maximize impact during a more suitable period.

2. Approval Delays from JAKOA and Village Authorities

Program implementation requires approval from JAKOA, Tok Batin, and JKKOA, which can take up to a month.

Mitigation:

    • Initiate engagement with JAKOA by October (upon proposal approval).
    • Prepare alternative locations, such as:
      1. UTAR, Kampar, Perak Campus
      2. GMBB, Kuala Lumpur

3. Negative Public Perception or Backlash

Efforts to challenge stereotypes may receive negative reactions from some stakeholders.

Mitigation:

    • Consult Orang Asli experts (e.g., COAC, JOAS, Tok Batin, and JKKOA) for accurate content.
    • Develop a communication strategy emphasizing:
      • Education and positive messaging.
      • Sharing success stories and the benefits of breaking stereotypes.

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Projek Naratif Kami is designed to help us share our own stories with the wider public. This initiative brings together Orang Asli youth from various backgrounds, empowering them to become leaders of change for our community and country. While our numbers may be small, our presence is significant, and through this project, we as Orang Asli youth are taking charge of our future by making decisions that matter today.

We are also guided by three key areas from Rakan Muda. First, our project aligns with Rakan Muda’s ‘10 new lifestyle practices.’ For example, we embrace the ‘Rakan Aktif’ principle, with our group of Orang Asli youth actively promoting our culture and advocating for our rights since 2019. We also embody ‘Rakan Ekspresi,’ as we are ready to voice our concerns on issues affecting the Orang Asli community, sharing perspectives from our own experiences. Additionally, we represent ‘Rakan Mahir’ and ‘Rakan Muzik,’ with members skilled in film production, digital marketing, music, and traditional arts such as weaving and performing traditional music.

Secondly, Rakan Muda’s focus on youth development is evident in our efforts to encourage youth participation and nurture their talents. In our projects, we aim to involve more youth in our activities and uncover more Orang Asli talent. In fact, our group has been actively developing Orang Asli youth through workshops on music and human rights.

Lastly, Rakan Muda emphasizes building partnerships with various groups. By participating in this project, we believe we can collaborate with other Malaysian youth to better understand and tackle the challenges facing today’s generation on a wide range of issues.

Final Remarks

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Slide 11: Declaration / Pengisytiharan

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11.1 I declare that the information provided in this proposal is true and accurate to the best of my knowledge and that I will be responsible for the project’s implementation if selected. / Saya mengisytiharkan bahawa maklumat yang diberikan dalam cadangan ini adalah benar dan tepat mengikut pengetahuan saya dan saya akan bertanggungjawab untuk pelaksanaan projek ini jika terpilih.

Name / Nama: Shaniera A/P Seliman

Date / Tarikh: 29 September 2024

Signature / Tandatangan:

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Appendix 1