A Trip to Kujal home at Orang Asli village Pulau Kempas, Banting
On 6 December 2008, I went to Indian stall near Central Market, Kuala Lumpur to meet Kujal.Kujal is my best friend and I met him online via Temuan Web ( www.oocities.org/temuanz). Kujal is Temuan people from Pulau Kempas village at Banting, Selangor. He is an activist whom fight and protected all the Orang Asli rights. He’s only 23 years old and still earning degree ( Fine Art ) at University Institute Technology Mara at Shah Alam, Selangor. I salute him because he’s been fighting and protected all the Orang Asli rights without hoping for any rewards or fame.
Emm…I think this is the second time I met Kujal.First time I meet Kujal is at JOAS (Jaringan Orang Asal Se-Malaysia) meeting last September.That was the first time I meet him in person. When I met him that time I realized that we share a lot of interest especially idea-idea how to protected the Orang Asli right and how to advanced Orang Asli community in this modern era.
When we meet today, Kujal told me that he want to take two Japanese news reporter to survey on project Kelau Damn at Pahang stated. The Japanese reporters want to survey how the project will effect the Orang Asli community whom life there.For your information, Kelau damn project is funded by the Japanese government will low interest loan payment.All Orang Asli community there been force to evacuate the area by the government through it’s agency JHEOA ( Orang Asli Affair Department ).There’s a lot of Orang Asli there can't read so it’s making the JHEOA easy doing their dirty job. Forcing the Orang Asli there to thumbprint all the document. Kujal also told me that, the JHEOA has been blackmailing Orang Asli there to evacuate their land if their don’t want bulldozer crush their home.The JHEOA also showing a picture how the house at Bukit Lanjan village was crushed by bulldozer because the owner didn’t evacuate their land.
“What, is it true?” I ask Kujal anxiously.”Where got our house in Bukit Lanjan were crush by the bulldozer?” I continue to speak. “I know that, this is the government propaganda whom willing do anything to evacuate the Orang Asli to move from the Kelau Damn area,” Kujal said to me. “What an immoral act by the government and JHEOA ya? How dare their lied dan blackmail the Orang Asli whom live there?!!!” I said with angry tone.
After we taking lunch I and Kujal went window shopping at Central Market.At about 2 p.m we were heading out to Kujal home at Banting. It’s a long trip by my bike and it’s took 2 hours to get there. I had to take a pit stop and we had drinks and food at Malay restaurant near Jenjarum.But that’s is the first and last time I went to that restaurant.It’s very dirty there.A lot of fly flew over our drinks.Kujal only smiled when he had heard me complaining about the restaurant.
k tersenyum jak.
When we arrived at his house at Pulau Kempas, Kujal introduce me to his parents, little brother and his little brother wife. We take a cahat a few minute than Kujal took me for a tour to his village. His little brother named Kenong also followed us. I ask Kujal why this village call Pulau Kempas ( in English Kempas Island). This village are not like island and there’s no sea or beach near by. Kujal smiled and explaint to me that Pulau Kempas has surrounded by water ditch. Like an island.That why their called this village Pulau Kempas or in English “ Kempas Island”
Kujal told me that a lot of outside with the helping of Orang Asli there are stealing sand using bulldozer. But their managed to stop the activity and prevent the outsider from stealing sand from their village again. There’s also logging activity in this area, but they can't do anything about it because of this logging done by the big company.Now the logging activity has been stopped,There’s only left is clear land without any tree there, side effect of logging activity.
When we touring Pulau Kempas village we met Batin Manja and his wife Maznah. We also met three of Pulau Kempas villager there.Batin Mahat is the leader of three village there, Pulau Kempas, Bukit Kecil and Bukit Cheeding. I have shot Batin Manja picture and his wife Maznah. Batin Manja and his villager were clearing the bushes and tag all the trees so the next Orang Asli generation will know the trees name.Their also collect resin to sell for outside there.
After about 6 p.m we saying goodbye to Kujal family and we head back to Kuala Lumpur.As soon we reach Kelang we were lost our way at Kelang.Haha (funny isn’t it?) Finally after 20 minute wondering at Kelang, I ask one Indian guy over there to show our way to Kuala Lumpur. After that we right back on track.We reach Kuala Lumpur with a little rain dropped.After that I dropped Kujal at KL Sentral at 8 .30 pm. I went to Kerichi to see my friend there. After hanging around, I went home at 10 p.m and arrived home 30 minute later.Eventhough I’m exhausted ad my body felt tired I was happy for for went to Kujal home.If I got time I want to go to my other friend home, Hardy at Busut Baru village at Banting also.The End
Ngap Sayop(Banzai).
By-Editor TEMUAN
*Inak=untie