Christian groups working among the Orang Asli (OA) communities share a common dream of ultimately establishing indigenous OA churches. That dream may soon become a reality, if the aspirations articulated at the recent OA leadership training in Port Dickson are crystallised into concrete plans of action.
Arising from this training event is the realisation of the need for a wider and bolder vision: To build an OA Church that will spearhead efforts to holistically transform the wider OA community in line with Vision 2020.
The event gathered the nation’s OA pastors, leaders, church workers, and the many non-OA involved in the OA ministry. It was organised by the NECF Malaysia OA Ministry Commission – a fraternity of at least eight denominations and Christian groups – which has, since its set-up three years ago, been encouraging and providing a platform for OA churches of various denominations to work together.
The increasing inter-denominational participation of the OA churches in the activities planned for them is proof that the OA churches are moving towards their desired unity and cooperation. The apprehension, fears and suspicions that have long dominated the various churches involved in helping the OA community are slowly giving way to healthier, friendlier, more relational and mutually beneficial interaction.
This trend is certainly a promising prelude to the emergence of a united OA Church that could well be a catalyst to improving the lot of the OA community – an increasingly urgent need considering the rapid pace of development in the nation. It is imperative that the Church-at-large understands the spiritual, political, economic and social needs of the OA. Only then can it play an effective, proactive role in addressing critical issues relating to land ownership and development, religious freedom and education.
Transforming the OA community
Historically, the ministry among the OA peoples is a competitive one, fraught with claims of ‘ownership’, pride, individualism and selfish motives. This has allowed the ‘divisive syndrome’ (at times dictated by doctrinal stands and ‘territorial’ claims) to prevail, thereby limiting any meaningful contribution to fostering unity that is so crucial to self-sufficiency and restoration of dignity.
The OA church leaders have voiced their conviction that a self-financing, self-managing and self-propagating OA Church could, as an effective change agent and advocacy entity, impact more effectively the economic, social and spiritual wellbeing of the OA community.
Apart from fostering a healthy working relationship with development agencies – such as the Department of Orang Asli Affairs – the OA Church can engage itself in pursuing a multi-prong strategy of redemptive ministry, advocacy on justice issues, development of a viable resource data bank, planning skills, and spiritual enhancement programmes.
To date, the OA community has yet to be brought into the mainstream of national development. Thus far, the OA’s participation in the civil service has been dismal, contrary to Article 8.1 of the Federal Constitution which legitimise discriminatory legislation in favour of the OA community.
To improve the lot of the OA peoples, there must be a greater citizenry participation in the democratic process of electing a government. An elected OA representative, in addition to appointed senators "capable of representing the interest of the aborigines" – Article 45(2) – will spell better representation for the OA at decision-making levels. The OA concerns will then be placed in the national agenda, thereby halting any erosion of their existing rights to land and resources. The effectiveness of existing agricultural and livestock and forest resource-related projects can then be enhanced to benefit the larger OA community.
The OA Church can become a credible force among its own people – a community church where brethren dwelling in unity (Psalm 133) take their community from its present plight to greater economic, social and spiritual heights.
Wholesome training in skills and leadership for development of both the OA church leaders and community will generate a greater degree of self-reliance and total involvement in community development. The deep-seated sense of insecurity experienced by the community will then give way to a sense of sustainable competency and confidence.
A united OA Church, apart from upholding our national ideology (Rukun Negara) and nation-building initiatives, will uphold godly principles of collaboration, cooperation and corporate community enterprise in line with the Lord’s command in John 13:35, "As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples …"
This is our vision, not only for our Orang Asli brethren, but also for the Orang Asli community. |
