(RE)MEASURING THE SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS OF VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES IN MALAYSIA

Authors

  • Muhammad Fuad Abdullah Faculty of Business and Management, Universiti Teknologi MARA, 42300 Puncak Alam, Malaysia & Institute for Biodiversity and Sustainable Development, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), 40450 Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia
  • Badli Esham Ahmad Academy of Language Studies, Universiti Teknologi MARA Jengka Campus, 26400 Bandar Tun Razak, Pahang, Malaysia & Institute for Biodiversity and Sustainable Development, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), 40450 Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia
  • Mohamad Pirdaus Yusoh Institute for Biodiversity and Sustainable Development, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), 40450 Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia
  • Agus Purwoko Pusat Unggulan Iptek Kooeksistensi Manusia-Satwaliar, Fakultas Kehutanan Universitas Sumatera Utara, Kampus 2 USU Kwala Bekala, Deli Serdang Medan, Indonesia
  • Seca Gandaseca Faculty of Applied Sciences, Universiti Teknologi MARA, 40450 Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia
  • Siti Aekbal Salleh Institute for Biodiversity and Sustainable Development, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), 40450 Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia & Faculty of Built Environment, UiTM, Shah Alam, Malaysia, Universiti Teknologi MARA, 40450 Shah Alam, Malaysia
  • Cecep Eka Permana Fakultas Ilmu Pengetahuan Budaya, Universitas Indonesia, Depok, Indonesia
  • Nur Azirah Zahida Mohamad Azhar Faculty of Business and Management, Universiti Teknologi MARA, 42300 Puncak Alam, Malaysia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.22452/jati.vol30no2.2

Keywords:

indigenous community,, socioeconomic, Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI),, protected area,, Taman Negara Pahang.

Abstract

The Orang Asli are frequently associated with poverty, but conventional unidimensional measures like the Poverty Line Income (PLI) fail to capture the full scope of their complex deprivation. This study employs the UNDP-Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the profound socio-economic challenges faced by the Batek community in Taman Negara Pahang, with a specific focus on severe deprivation in the dimensions of standard of living, education, and health. Through in-depth interviews and field observations with 17 informants, the research reveals the community grapples with severe deficiencies in their standard of living, lacking basic necessities such as adequate housing, clean water, and sanitation. These material shortfalls coexist with and exacerbate significant, persistent barriers in accessing equitable education and healthcare services, creating an interlocking cycle of disadvantage. The study documents a nuanced reality; while the establishment of village clinics has demonstrably improved healthcare access and utilisation, substantial obstacles remain. The findings underscore the critical need for collaborative, multidimensional interventions from policymakers, governmental agencies, and non-governmental organisations. These interventions must be specifically tailored to the community's unique cultural context to prioritise holistic development and effectively break the cycle of poverty.

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Published

2025-12-31