IT was a different way of airing their frustrations, but the Semai tribe in Ulu Geruntum near Gopeng, Perak, drew images of the things that have been troubling their way of life for many years.

Called art therapy, the event was organised by a group of concerned Malaysians to create awareness of the Orang Asli’s problems.

Some 50 Semai villagers from all ages participated in the event, where the women, youth and children drew images of what they perceived as events that have affected their way of life.

The sketches include a tractor desecrating their ancestral graves, dead fish, no handphone signal, vegetation destroyed by outsiders and Semai villagers holding up the Jalur Gemilang.

Event coordinator Roz Hussain said they are concerned about the plight of the Semai tribe and how development had affected their way of life.

“This art therapy is to give a direct voice to the Semai women, youth and children to vent out their problems (to their elected representatives).

“The format is done through cartoons because it is a mode of expression that everyone can identify with,” the 52-year-old said at Ulu Geruntum village on Tuesday.

The event was held in the lush rainforest where the Semai tribe are protesting against a mini-hydro project.

Roz, a former educator who returned from the United States to Ipoh last year, heard about the plight of the Semai from her friend, Gopeng Nomad Adventure owner Chan Yuen-Li.

Together with Semai villager Wah Sona, 49, they then decided to organise the art therapy sessions with other volunteers.

Since her return late last year, Roz has visited the Semai four times to listen to their grouses.

“The Semai said while many people have come to help them, no one is listening to what they want.

“They are asking that their human rights are not violated, preserving their ecosystem and basic amenities such as electricity, water and homes.”

Artwork to be sent to authorities

Roz said once the artwork is completed, it will then be handed to Teja assemblyman Sandrea Ng and Perak Menteri Besar Ahmad Faizal Azumu.

“The artwork they have produced is their story to all Malaysians.

“They are finally free to express the things that they have been observing and what is happening to their village,” she said.

Wah Sona said while they don’t have any document (to prove they are landowners), all they have left is their traditional way of life.

“No one talks (to us) any more and things just happen (dam project).

“We hope they can come and discuss with us before any other project begins here.”

She hopes the authorities are aware of what is happening here.

“The therapy event is to show Malaysians the issues that we are facing here. Why are we being pushed aside?

“We hope that this artwork will reach not only the authorities, but the state government and Putrajaya,” Wah Sona said.

Semai villager Was Yamira, 25, said the event was a good way to create awareness on what’s happening at the village.

“We can collectively say what we like and don’t like. The event gives us a chance to express ourselves.

“What we don’t want is the hydro dam project.

“The Semai have the right to protest and our objections should be taken into account. We want to be heard.”

The Semai are angry that Perak has failed to scrap a mini dam project that is encroaching on their ancestral land.

The tribe had hoped Pakatan Harapan would reverse the decision of its Barisan Nasional predecessor to build the dam in the lush jungles where they call home for decades.

Despite calls to stop the project from the tribe, activists and other civil society groups, the state government gave the green light for the project to resume last year. – February 20, 2020.