Long journey as Orang Asli group attends rally

They were walking around with their traditional headgear, raising eyebrows among the other participants of the Himpunan Kebangkitan Rakyat rally.

What is even more amazing is that this group of Orang Asli, representing Jaringan Kampung Orang Asli Semenanjung Malaysia, travelled more than 300 kilometres from their village in Kampung RPS Dala to Gerik in boats and motorbikes before boarding a bus to Kuala Lumpur for the rally.

One of the group member Ashrol Agi said the 40 of them took a bus from Gerik and reached KL at 8.30am.

"We gathered at KL Sentral and were waiting to join everyone else," Ashrol, 21, said.

“We decided to wear our Tempok (traditional headgear) to represent our community.”

Rohana Along, 37, who was with her one-year-old son Rosidi Awie, was unaware that children under the age of 15 are not allowed to participate in such rallies under the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012.

"I don't know anything about it (the Act). I am illiterate. Even if they have published it in the newspapers, I would not be able to read it.” Rohana said.

"Since I am aware of it now and being a law-abiding citizen, I choose not to participate in the rally. I will remain at KL Sentral and wait for the others to return," she added.

Meanwhile, the group's leader Tijah Yok Chopil said the group forked out their own money to make the trip.

"We are unhappy over several land issues like land-grab and logging in our area. We have kept quiet for too long and hope the government will listen to our plight,” Tijah added.