Before 1960, the Orang Asli – as an ethnic category – did not exist. The various indigenous minority peoples of Peninsular Malaysia did not see themselves as a homogeneous group, nor did they consciously adopt common ethnic markers to differentiate themselves from the dominant population. Instead, they derived their micro-identity spatially, identifying with the specific geographical place they lived in. Their cultural distinctiveness was relative only to other Orang Asli communities, and these perceived differences were great enough for each group to regard itself as distinct and different from the other.

This is not to suggest that traditional Orang Asli societies developed in isolation. On the contrary, far from remaining static, they have continually changed and adapted themselves and their social organization to their neighbours. However, with increased contact with the dominant population, it became clear that the various Orang Asli groups had more in common with each other than they did with the dominant population (Carey 1976, p. 6).

It is argued here that Orang Asli homogeneity is more a creation of non– Orang Asli perceptions and ideological impositions than it is self-imposed. Nevertheless, as a result of social stress brought about by the implementation of new development paradigms and new political equations, the various Orang Asli communities quickly adopted the ethnic label – largely as a political tool for more effective negotiation. Orang Asli identity, however, is perceived differently by the Orang Asli themselves, and is utilized variously by different categories of Orang Asli. This gives rise to problems of representation of Orang Asli interests and, consequently, this has implications for the genuine progress of the community.

GIVING ORANG ASLI A NAME

Particular ethnic labels and identities had historically been ascribed to indigenous communities by others who wanted to discriminate against them on the grounds of real or assumed ethnic characteristics (Veber and Waehle 1993, p. 14). The Orang Asli are no exception. In the colonial period, the generic terms “Sakai” and “Aborigines” were commonly used to refer to this group of peoples.

In fact, the term “Sakai” continued to be used in popular and official communication well into the late 1950s even though it was despised by the peoples so addressed, as it was used to mean slave or servant.