The Orang Asli community in Malaysia has come a long way and has achieved continuous success both in the academic and in sports. The talents and efforts of this community should be commended by all as they deserve to enjoy a better quality of life too.
The Government, through the Department of Orang Asli Development (JAKOA), continues to help in empowering their standard of living, education and socio-economic development. Among successful Orang Asli are as below :-
From water girl to national mountain biker for This Orang Asli Lady.
A young Orang Asli woman from Pahang is out to prove that nothing is impossible in sports as long as you work hard enough and long enough to chase your dreams. Nia Vanessa Suhana, 23, used to accompany her friend, Siti Natasha, to the cycling track every weekend to watch her train. Nia never predicted she would become mountain biker as her career initially began as a canoeing or rowing athlete. Following Siti Natasha to her training sessions, she kept mostly to the sidelines, bringing the others water whenever they were thirsty. Eventually, though, the trainer invited Nia to join in as well. That was the start of her career in mountain biking — a sport where speed and endurance are equally needed. At that moment, Nia was only 15 years old and still attending boarding school in Kuantan. Her coach’s determination is the primary drive of her participation in the extreme sport. Without realizing it, the enduro bike sports has seeped through her passion and by the time she was 17, she started participating in competitions on both the domestic and international fronts. Now, she is recognised as one of the country’s best line-ups in the sport. Recently, she clinched first place in the women’s open category at the Enduro Bukit 300 Challenge 2022 in Perak. In the international arena, Nia has participated in competitions in the Philippines, Thailand, and Indonesia, finishing among the top three in each one. Nia is the oldest of four siblings, her mother is from the Temuan tribe while her father is from the Semelai community. She is currently in her final semester of sports science major at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia in Bangi.
The Botaks Receive the Special Award of 2019/2020 National Sports Award
The SK Lemoi Football Team recently received the Special Award of 2019/ 2020 National Sports Award from the Minister of Youth and Sports, YB Dato’ Seri Ahmad Faizal bin Dato’ Azumu at a ceremony held in Kuala Lumpur. The award is given to an individual or organisation that is not in the mainstream but demonstrates seriousness and commitment above and beyond the norm, as well as the ability to produce an honourable performance. For the record, SK Lemoi football team, also known as The Botaks, won the MSSD Cameron Highlands Under 12 Football Championship in both 2018 and 2019. Furthermore, due to the pandemic, the award ceremony was held on a one-time basis for the first time in 2019/2020.
Norashikin Mohamad Sayed
She is the first Orang Asli to represent Malaysia in sailing. Norashikin began to show her talent in sailing when she was in Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Bukit Bangkong, Sungai Pelek, Sepang. She is also a graduate of UiTM Perlis majoring in Diploma in Sports Science. Her impressive achievements include winning a gold medal in the Asian Sailing Championships 2010 in China, a silver medal in 2010 Asian Games China, a bronze medal in the SEA Games 2013 Myanmar, a gold medal in the SEA Games 2015 Singapore and a silver medal in the SEA Games Kuala Lumpur 2017.
Muhammad Nasri bin Mamat A.K.A LimakJimar
Muhammad Nasri bin Mamat, also known as Limakjimar (in Barcelona jersey) and his friend Zaidi Bin Rashid have finally found the best platform to polish their skills in the world of football. The two young players were approached by the Football Association of Kelantan (KAFA) to try their luck for the selection of Kelantan President Cup squad. The encouragement and support given by KAFA has enabled to ignite passion and confidence among the youths from the Orang Asli community in Kelantan to explore and find the best platform to showcase and polish their football skills.
Haizil Azri Bin Hadi
Hairil Azri grew up in Orang Asli settlement Bukit Tadom, Banting, Selangor. The avid racer ventured into motorsports in 2013, when he was 11 years old. Following the footsteps of his older brother, Azrul Affendi, he was involved in the Kayo MiniGP Malaysia race (2014) and managed to secure 5th place in the race. He has achieved many glorious achievements throughout his involvement in motorsports. Haizil always completed his race in good rank. He also joined the Idemitsu Kozi DFZ Yam Honda Racing Team.
Azrul Affendi Bin Hadi
He is the first Orang Asli to participate and actively involved in motorsports. He was captivated in motorsports since young and started his involvement in motorcycle racing in 2012. His interest grew in 2013 when he raced in the Petronas Cub Prix Championship. He achieved many commendable accomplishments throughout his participation in this field. Beside constantly getting top positions, Azrul also managed to record four podium victories in the 2015 Pro-Am championship race and to this day still participates in the Malaysian Cub Prix Championship. He became the first Orang Asli to enter the Asia Road Racing Championship in 2019, also participated by Japanese and Australian racers./p>
J.Murni bin Mohamad
J. Murni is a Semelai from Orang Asli settlement of Bukit Rok, Tasek Bera, Pahang. He represented Malaysia in kayaking – SUKMA Pahang in 1996 (bronze medal), SEA Games Jakarta in 1997 (bronze medal), World Wild Water, Telom Descent (gold medal), South East Asia Championship in Yangon, Myamar (1 silver medal & 2 bronze medals), and International Sedim Wild Water in 1998 (gold medal). He has ventured into coaching and was the coach for the national team in 1999 until 2000 and coach for Penang SUKMA team (2 silvers and 1 bronze), coach for Terengganu team in 2008, coach for Melaka in 2010 for SUKMA (3 bronze medals) in 2011, he led Kuala Lumpur in SUKMA and the team took home 6 medals. In 2014, he coached Perlis (1 gold, 6 silver and 3 bronze medals).
