Cover The Aberystwyth University graduate is highlighting issues of poverty and spatial justice affecting Orang Asli communities in Malaysia (Photo: Merdeka Award Trust)
The Aberystwyth University graduate is highlighting issues of poverty and spatial justice affecting Orang Asli communities in Malaysia (Photo: Merdeka Award Trust)
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Proudly hailing from the Jakun tribe, the Aberystwyth University PhD holder is highlighting issues of poverty and spatial justice affecting Orang Asli communities in Malaysia
An academic, an animal lover, a dreamer, and a hard worker—in many ways, university lecturer Masni Mat Dong is like many bright young Malaysians out there with drive, ambition and a strong sense of compassion. In other ways, she’s had to work much harder to get where she is today, in terms of both physical distance and overcoming challenges that affect a very specific group of people.
“Given that many Orang Asli communities live in remote locations, they lack the necessary infrastructure to meet their daily requirements, affecting their health, education, and economic well-being,” says the 33-year-old, who is from the Jakun tribe in Pahang, one of Malaysia’s 18 indigenous ethnic groups. “My childhood growing up as a Jakun kid was similar to many others. While we might not have had an abundance of resources, the educational opportunities I received were sufficient for my needs.”
Read also: Shaq Koyok gives voice to Malaysia's marginalised orang asli communities through art
Above Masni during her university days in Wales (Photo: Courtesy of Masni Mat Dong)
Masni during her university days in Wales (Photo: Courtesy of Masni Mat Dong)
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Raised by her parents to practise gratitude and always be proud of her roots, Masni eventually realised her passion for teaching over time. To her, a good education was the key that would open doors to the big dreams she had.
Despite being teased by some schoolmates for her ethnicity and her looks, she wasn’t easily deterred. “I never let others’ opinions or prejudices define me or dictate my self-worth,” muses Masni. “I’ve always focused on my goals and aspirations. Today, I am proud to say that I have been working as a lecturer at Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology in Pahang for two years.”
In 2023, Masni added another milestone to her academic career by receiving The Merdeka Award Grant for International Attachment, a prestigious programme that helps qualified and deserving Malaysians engage in short-term collaborative projects via a three-month attachment at an internationally recognised host institution. Among the 29 Malaysians selected, Masni is the first Orang Asli woman in Malaysia to receive the Merdeka Award Grant since it launched 11 years ago.
Above Masni at the The Merdeka Award Grant for International Attachment ceremony in August 2023
Masni at the The Merdeka Award Grant for International Attachment ceremony in August 2023
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This grant will give Masni the opportunities and international collaboration that she needs to further her research proposal, Reimagining Inclusive Socio-Economic Development for the Orang Asli In Malaysia, which will shed light on the multifaceted issues affecting Malaysia’s Orang Asli communities, including multidimensional poverty and spatial justice, which posits that one’s place of residence and geography significant affect their ability to access resources and opportunities that affect the quality of their lives.
“Receiving the Merdeka Award Grant is not just a personal achievement for me; it represents a significant milestone for the Orang Asli communities in Malaysia,” Masni adds. “By leveraging the opportunities it offers, I aim to work with international organisations, fostering collaborations that will bring about tangible, positive changes for the Orang Asli. More than just financial support, the grant is a recognition of my work, which focuses on addressing the challenges of spatial justice and multidimensional poverty faced by the Orang Asli. With this acknowledgement and the resources that come with it, I’m optimistic about amplifying the impact of my work, benefiting the communities I am passionate about serving.”
Above A drone shot of Sungai Lembing, Pahang, where Masni's parents and community reside (Photo: Getty)
A drone shot of Sungai Lembing, Pahang, where Masni's parents and community reside (Photo: Getty)
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Masni’s research sees her conducting regular field visits and focus group discussions in Orang Asli communities within the most remote parts of Peninsular Malaysia. She’s seen first-hand the barriers young people in these regions face in trying to get an education. From limited access to infrastructure to land tenure issues and poverty rates that soar above the national average, the Orang Asli communities have to overcome severe economic challenges that inevitably lead to health issues, lower enrollment in school and low graduation rates.
“Often, when [Orang Asli people] are represented in the media, the portrayal doesn’t always capture the full essence and vibrancy of the community,” Masni remarks. “Instead of highlighting the vibrant culture, traditions, and contributions of the Orang Asli, they are sometimes depicted as ‘backward’ or resistant to change, which doesn’t provide a complete picture. I fervently wish for a shift in this narrative. The Orang Asli, like any other community, have aspirations, dreams, and the potential to contribute significantly to the socio-economic fabric of Malaysia.”
Through her research, Masni hopes to understand the needs of these communities and develop sustainable solutions alongside policy-makers, international collaborators and other grass-roots organisations to elevate their socio-economic status and raise their quality of life. “A more comprehensive education policy, tailored to the specific needs and cultural nuances of the Orang Asli, can make a world of difference. A one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t work, given the distinct cultural identity of the Orang Asli. As an academic and researcher, I see a vast scope of work ahead of us. The solution isn’t merely to give aid but to assist and empower them. It’s about equipping the Orang Asli with the tools and knowledge to uplift themselves.”
Above "The Orang Asli, like any other community, have aspirations, dreams, and the potential to contribute significantly to the socio-economic fabric of Malaysia." -- Masni Mat Dong
"The Orang Asli, like any other community, have aspirations, dreams, and the potential to contribute significantly to the socio-economic fabric of Malaysia." -- Masni Mat Dong
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With the support of The Merdeka Award Grant for International Attachment, Masni now has her pick of the top research institutions in the world, revealing her three partner institutions of choice to be the University of Oxford’s Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI), the University of Essex, and the Māori and Indigenous Studies, University of Canterbury, New Zealand.
“As I reflect upon my academic and life journey, I find myself engaging in introspection each night, pondering over my achievements, contemplating if I’ve done enough, and envisioning what more I can contribute,” Masni muses. “To us, poverty is not a choice. It is a birth sentence. My goal is to shine a light on the plight of Malaysia’s indigenous people, and my vision is of a future where the Orang Asli’s quality of life is significantly improved, where they are empowered.”
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Previously contributing to Esquire Malaysia, Expat Lifestyle and Newsweek, Tania oversees digital stories across Tatler’s key content pillars, also leading the Front & Female platform exploring issues and topics affecting women today.
