for Orang Asli development are markedly devoid of autonomy-augmenting
objectives as laid down in the 1961 Policy Statement discussed earlier.
The JHEOA has been accused of usurping traditional institutions of
leadership such as the Lembaga Adat and in it is place instituted the Village
Security, Development and Welfare committees (JKKKs) or installed village
headmen (batins) who are frequently perceived to be pro-JHEOA or proGovernment. The JHEOA’s ‘Procedure and Guidelines for the Appointment
of Village Headmen’ grants them the opportunity to exercise such discretion
should the JHEOA need to apply it.
In a survey of 12 Orang Asli villages in 2003 on the issue of local government
(Nicholas, et al 2005), most of the respondents felt that the batins seldom
voice out the problems faced by the villagers to the respective authorities.
Even worse, they felt that some batins feel it is their duty to convince the
villagers to support the programmes of the JHEOA. Thus, for example,
in the event that the state wants a particular Orang Asli land, it is not
uncommon to find the JHEOA convincing the batin, if it cannot convince the
community, to accept the State Government’s proposals. And, invariably,
the batin’s consent is deemed to be the same as having obtained consent
from the community.
In fact, in the appointment of the Orang Asli senator, the JHEOA takes it
upon itself to recommend to the minister concerned who, in its opinion, is
the best person to represent the Orang Asli in parliament. This is despite
the fact that the particular candidate may not have the support of the
Orang Asli, or may even be despised by the Orang Asli (as was the case in
one candidate).
The JHEOA’s perceived role as the Orang Asli’s legal guardian also makes
it useful for the states to obtain their consent, on behalf of the Orang Asli,
should the state want to acquire any Orang Asli land. In all land disputes
involving the Orang Asli and the state, the JHEOA has invariably sided with
the government side. This has prompted some Orang Asli to comment that
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