An Orang Asli Jahut advocate persistently champions
Indigenous peoples’ rights
Introduce yourself to our readers.
My name is Mia Yusri, and I have been actively involved in the Orang Asli rights movement, serving as the Field Office Manager for Global Peace Foundation Malaysia.
As a member of the Jahut tribe, my upbringing in a village surrounded by corporate-owned oil palm plantations, distant from basic amenities during my childhood, exposed me to significant challenges in accessing education and confronting social stigma.
My understanding of the issues affecting the Orang Asli community deepened during my university years when I was introduced to the land rights movement by my father.
Since then, I have been dedicated to advocacy efforts—beginning with volunteering before advancing to Deputy President of the Orang Asli Youth Network of Malaysia (encompassing Sabah, Sarawak & Peninsular). Subsequently, I collaborated with Impian Malaysia on water supply projects and health camps.
Currently, I persist in this endeavor through Global Peace Foundation Malaysia. To me, empowering the Orang Asli community extends beyond securing their rights; it involves ensuring they have access to opportunities, a platform for their voices to be heard, and prospects for an improved future.
Alongside the Team, I am committed to fostering change at the grassroots level by addressing fundamental needs such as education and community development through effective organization initiatives.
What inspired you to focus your career on empowering Indigenous communities?
My decision to pursue a career in community development was profoundly influenced by my personal experiences and the significant challenges I encountered.
From an early age, I lived without electricity, rose at 4 a.m. daily to attend school, faced bullying, and later confronted the harsh reality of the denial of Indigenous Land Rights during my university years.
These experiences provided me with firsthand insight into how systemic inequality impacts my community.
Encouragement from my father to join the movement advocating for Indigenous rights marked a pivotal moment in my life, highlighting the extent to which Indigenous peoples are marginalized due to unsustainable development practices.
My involvement as a JOAS Youth volunteer and subsequent work with Impian Malaysia and Global Peace Foundation Malaysia has fortified my resolve. Engaging in positive change at the grassroots level has afforded me profound satisfaction.
The theme for this year’s International Women’s Day, “#AccelerateAction,” encourages progress in areas that impact equality and empowerment:
(i) How does this theme reflect your personal journey in the impact creation sector?
The theme “AccelerateAction” aligns profoundly with my trajectory within the impact sector. My personal experiences, ranging from overcoming educational obstacles and social stigma to supporting Indigenous Rights activists, have consistently propelled me forward despite numerous challenges.
Professionally, my endeavors—from advocacy to grassroots engagement—have focused on dismantling barriers and effecting tangible change within my community.
Moreover, in my capacity as a manager, I am acutely aware of the significant responsibility I bear in facilitating accelerated development within grassroots communities.
(ii) Based on your experience, what methodologies or initiatives have proven most effective in advancing this objective?
Drawing from my experience, several methodologies and initiatives have demonstrated effectiveness in advancing #AccelerateAction within the Orang Asli community, with a particular focus on women.
The following approaches have been integral to my journey:
| 1. Capacity Development and Leadership Training: This initiative fosters skill enhancement and leadership qualities among participants.
2. Encouraging a Roots Network Community: This involves ensuring that 40% of women participate in decision-making processes related to the development of our farmers’ livelihoods. 3. Economic Empowerment through Entrepreneurship: By training women (i.e., Kebun Amai), we enable them to generate sustainable income while supporting their husbands in our collaborative agricultural projects. The outcome of this training is the production of marketable goods at competitive prices. 4. Community-Based Development: Ideas and proposed solutions for community development are derived from collective discussions that respect cultural alignment and involve women’s participation. |
These strategies collectively contribute to empowering the Orang Asli community, particularly its female members, by fostering economic independence and inclusive decision-making processes.
In what ways has your early involvement on the ground with Global Peace Foundation Malaysia influenced your professional trajectory within the impact creation sector?
My participation has significantly influenced my professional path within the impact sector in several key areas,
Firstly, I have gained an in-depth understanding of community needs. Serving on the front lines as part of the management team has provided me with valuable insights into the challenges faced by indigenous communities, particularly concerning sustainable development, education, and social well-being. This experience has enabled me to devise more practical and pertinent solutions.
Furthermore, I have acquired substantial leadership and project management experience through this role. It has afforded me opportunities to manage teams, develop programs, and efficiently allocate funds and resources while making strategic decisions that are crucial for my Team’s advancement.
Additionally, my involvement with the organization has facilitated increased networking opportunities and fostered trusting relationships with both communities and professional entities. This engagement has allowed me to interact continuously with various stakeholders—including other NGOs, private sector participants, and policymakers—thereby expanding my comprehension of how corporate and governmental sectors can contribute to community development.
Lastly, this role has helped me discover a sense of purpose and mission in life. My work with Global Peace Foundation Malaysia has reinforced my dedication to community development efforts and inspired me to persist in the social impact sector through NGOs or similar organizations.
As a female leader within the impact creation sector, what would you identify as the primary factors contributing to your success?
As a female leader within the impact sector, my career trajectory has been shaped by several pivotal factors:
Clarity of purpose and unwavering commitment to the mission have been key. From the outset, I was determined to advocate for indigenous rights and community development as a long-term endeavor. This clear vision has been crucial in maintaining my dedication, even when faced with significant challenges.
Resilience has also played a crucial role in my professional journey. Navigating the social impact sector as both a woman and a mother necessitates bearing considerable responsibility and overcoming obstacles from both external and internal sources. My experiences, from overcoming adversities during childhood to navigating professional environments, have fortified my resilience, enabling me to persevere.
Furthermore, I employ flexible and community-oriented leadership skills. My approach is rooted in inclusive leadership—attentively listening to community needs while guiding my team with empathy and precision. My leadership style transcends mere authority or power; it is founded on trust and the relationships cultivated with both team members and the communities we serve.
Are there particular challenges related to Indigenous peoples that you anticipate GP will encounter in 2025? What recommendations or guidance or prevention would you offer in preparation for addressing these forthcoming challenges?
My response to this inquiry remains focused on the projects undertaken by Global Peace Foundation Malaysia and offers recommendations to further enhance these initiatives, thereby preventing the escalation of current issues. Key areas include:
| 1. Basic Needs (Access to Clean Water & Electricity): Access to clean water remains a significant concern for the Orang Asli due to increasing land encroachment and resource exploitation, which threaten their water resources. Climate change also poses risks of drought and water pollution. Additionally, electricity in remote areas is often unstable, complicating daily life.
Recommendation Implement gravity-based or solar-powered water filtration systems for remote communities. 2. Agriculture and Livelihood Sustainability: The reduction of customary land due to development impacts traditional agriculture practices. Climate change affects agricultural yields and food sources for communities. Furthermore, insufficient knowledge of sustainable agricultural practices can lead the Orang Asli to rely on external assistance. Recommendation Continue training the Orang Asli in sustainable agriculture concepts and introduce high-value crops such as herbaceous plants. Strengthen marketing networks by assisting communities in selling agricultural products directly to consumers or through digital platforms, while developing value chains that offer higher profits for farmers. 3. Education and Development: Limited access to quality education arises from schools being too distant, teachers lacking understanding of indigenous culture, poverty causing school dropouts as children help support family income needs, and cultural erosion when indigenous children are not taught their language, customs, or heritage. Recommendation Enhance educational modules that integrate academic curricula with elements of indigenous culture by providing instruction in native languages alongside cultural learning through songs, oral stories, or visual arts exploration. |
These measures aim at fostering resilience within these communities while preserving their rich cultural heritage amidst modern challenges.
On International Women’s Day, what message or advice or guidance would you share with women aspiring to make an impact?
- Have confidence in yourself and your voice. Do not hesitate to express your opinions, especially those that you believe can contribute to the development of your nation and community.
- It is imperative to support and empower other women as well.
- The journey towards social impact is not solely an individual endeavor; rather, collective support amplifies its effect significantly.
- Embrace the courage to dream ambitiously. There was a time when I hesitated to envision a distant future, but now that dream serves as my guiding direction—transforming thoughts into conversations, conversations into actions, and ultimately evolving into consistent daily practices.
Editor’s note:
For further insights into women’s leadership within our organization, we invite you to explore two additional articles in the “Happy International Women’s Day 2025!” series, highlighting the contributions of Linda Heng and Cass Mah.
