Orang Asal

The Orang Asal are the indigenous people of Malaysia. The term is Malay for "Original People", and the Orang Asal along with Malays are granted Bumiputra status in Malaysia.

The Orang Asal in Peninsular Malaysia are collectively known as the Orang Asli, and form small minorities there. However, the Orang Asal of East Malaysia form a majority of the population.

The term "Orang Asal" means "Original People". It was originally used by Communist insurgents in the Malayan Emergency in order to gain the support of these tribal groups.

Orang Asal are officially bumiputra, which grants them special privileges in Malaysian society. However, their societies remain marginalised, and they have been said to be "second-class Bumiputra's." A current issue is in regards to land, which is often taken for development purposes. This has caused many issues, including court cases and divisions between federal and state governments. In addition, illegal logging often occurs on what is considered their traditional land. Issues have occurred in relation to immigration, with immigrants often given identity cards ahead of the Orang Asal. In addition, many have been pressed to assimilate into mainstream culture and convert to Islam. Orang Asal are often moved in response to development; the incomplete Bakun Dam in Sarawak has forced 11,000 to move.

Orang Asal are located throughout Malaysia, making up 11% of the population, about 2.1 million people. Orang Asal is an overarching term, encompassing all indigenous people on both Peninsula and East Malaysia.

Those on the Peninsula are known more specifically as the Orang Asli; they number around 149,500 and make up only 0.7% of the total Malaysian population. They are officially 19 ethnic subgroups, classed as either Negrito, Senoi, or Proto-Malay.

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