KOTA KINABALU: The term ‘indigenous’ is more appropriate to describe and relate to the indigenous communities in Sabah.
According to the Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak High Court, Tan Sri Richard Malanjum, the term ‘native’ now often used to describe the indigenous communities was introduced by the British in the early 1900. He opined that the term was not suited to describe the aboriginal folks in Sabah as its meaning was too broad.
He said this when sharing his personal opinion on the ‘Rights of the natives after 50 years of independence’ at the Sabah Native Customary Rights symposium held at Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) near here yesterday.
He explained that the term ‘native’ was introduced by the British in 1913 in its Land Ordinance. Under the ordinance, the natives were defined as people encompassing the Malay Archipelago, and Malanjum reminded all that the archipelago was a huge area.
Under the definition, he said even a Taiwanese and a Bangladeshi could claim to become natives of the State.
“Hence, the problem was planted since 1913. We have inherited the problem right up to today. Maybe, this is our opportunity to talk with an open heart whether the approach taken by the British at that time was precise…but the Malay Archipelago is huge and hence, where should we head towards? Do we continue with the term ‘native’ or adopt the UN (United Nations) term of ‘original people’ or ‘indigenous people?” he said.
He added that only Sabah utilizes the term ‘native’ to define the country’s indigenous folks, while the rest of the world have decided to embrace the term ‘indigenous’ to define their indigenous communities.
“I feel the time has come for us to use the term indigenous and not native. But this requires amending the legislation,” he said.
He explained further that the term ‘native’ has a negative connotation and has often been linked with the perception of poverty and under development.
“Some high officials have even referred to natives as folks clad in loin cloth when I used the term ‘native’ in an issue related to domestic violence during a meeting,” he related.
He stressed that this perception must be changed, but at the same time wondered if such a thinking would be changed with the use of the term ‘indigenous’ instead of ‘native’.