• No results found

Critical factors of sustainable livelihood in context of housing

2. Literature review

2.1. Critical factors of sustainable livelihood in context of housing

Which factors are critical in constructing houses to obtain a Sustainable livelihood for the Semai community?

As described in the Objectives, the framework of Sustainable Livelihood will be used. Figure 14 visualised this concerning the Semai people of Bt. 17 within the scope of this research. Central to this framework are the Semai people with their Livelihood Assets, which defines the capabilities and resilience. This consists of five capitals: Human, Natural, Financial, Physical and Social. As clarified in this framework, just obtaining a certain capital does not necessary result in a desired outcome. It depends on many other factors.

Figure 14: Sustainable Livelihood framework of Semai people Own work, derived from: (DFID, 1999)

2.1.1. Livelihood assets and its vulnerabilities

Vulnerability context comprises of shocks, trends and seasonality and can have direct positive or negative impact on the Semai livelihood assets, both predictable and unpredictable. Therefore, it is useful to map some of those which can affect the Livelihood assets regarding housing for Semai.

Human Capital

The seasonal trend of lowered school attendance affects the Human Capital. For most Semai their main source of income is fruit collected from the forest (Appendix 1; Appendix 6). This has such importance that during the harvest season a lot of movement and truancy from school is noted (Dentan, Endicott, Gomes, & Hooker, 1997).

Natural Capital

Deforestation by commercial logging, commercial agricultural business, mining, infrastructure, mega dams, and urban development forms a major threat for the resources of the Semai since they are considered Ecology-Based Communities (EBC). For many years, Orang Asli are threatened by deforestation. Malaysia has lost 14.4% of its forests from 2000-2012, which is the highest of the world (Yong, Sarawakians Access, & Jaringan Kampung Orang Asli Semenanjung Malaysia, 2014). This continues with an annual rate of 2%. The Orang Asli have no any influence on logging

25

decisions even when they concern Orang Asli reserves (Dentan et al., 1997). Moreover, according to Saedah the Orang Asli around Tapah need to ask permission to cut down trees. This

complicates the accessibility of their natural resources.

Financial Capital

The twelve applicants of TSP in Kg. 17 had an average monthly income of 540RM (120 USD) (Appendix 6), compared to the national average of 2,300RM (515USD) (Kei, 2016). Inflation and Goods and Service Tax (GST) puts pressure on the affordability of the resources for the Semai, which causes a lowered financial capital. The rising resource costs has also put pressure on TSP.

According to Dr. Wan, the price of one unit with 1000RM (225USD) within a few years.

Physical Capital

TSP provides an improved Physical capital through the private sector. This thesis can provide a Livelihood Strategy which leads to the given outcomes. This will strengthen the Livelihood Assets and the position of the Semai.

Secure shelter and buildings are part of the Physical Capital. The DFID report also notes that infrastructure commonly is a public good used without direct payment, with the exception of shelter, although it states that direct supply of physical goods to the poor can be problematic.

Therefore it states the following:

The emphasis is on providing a level of service that not only meets the immediate requirements of users but is affordable in the long term. It can also be important to provide simultaneous support to skill- and capacity-development to ensure effective management by local communities. (DFID, 1999, sec. 2)

The high population growth of Orang Asli also affects the Physical Capital. Despite health issues, high level of infant mortality, and migration, the Orang Asli has a relatively high population growth (Masron, Masami, & Ismail, 2013). In Perak state the OA population growth in 2010 was 28.4%, while the growth of the whole population of Perak was only 1.4% (Saw & Institute of Southeast Asian Studies, 2015). Dr. Wan confirms this and says the Semai usually have big families up to ten children (Appendix 2). This causes a higher demand of new houses; e.g. Physical capital.

Social Capital

Legally the Orang Asli are still in a weak position. The government has a long history of a paternalistic approach to convert all Orang Asli into Malaysians by regroupment and Islamic conversion (Dentan et al., 1997). On 13 September 2007, Malaysia adopted the UN Declaration of Rights of Indigenous People (2008). The declaration states that it is the people’s right to have housing and be involved in the process of development. “Indigenous peoples have the right to the lands, territories, and resources which they have traditionally owned, occupied or otherwise used or acquired”(United Nations Declaration, 2008, p. 10). Still, the Orang Asli are forced to be part of a state in which they have little influence (Nordin & Witbrodt, 2012). The lack of actual permanent recognition by the government of their lands prevents Orang Asli from further development. Moreover, politicians have the most misconceptions and erroneous perceptions of the Orang Asli and the Orang Asli situation (Nicholas, 2010). Also, the government always had a

26

paternalistic approach with JAKOA more functioning as a collaborator instead of an advocate for the Orang Asli (Nicholas, 2010).

Figure 15: Semai child Source: Dr. Wan

2.1.2. Sustainable livelihood of comparable Orang Asli community

In the journal article “Factors that contribute to sustainable livelihood of the Orang Asli communities” (Kamil et al., 2011) six Orang Asli fishing villages are analysed on sustainable livelihood. This is a different Orang Asli tribe, but with a comparable income. This article

suggested that higher level of education and income relates to sustainable livelihood among the Orang Asli. Negative relations include main job, marital status and dependents. It suggests to help the very poor first to prevent destruction of their environment. Also, it suggests self-reliant

development be emphasised, but:

 within natural resource constraints;

 development is cost-effective;

 should not degrade environmental quality;

 should not reduce productivity in the long run (Kamil et al., 2011).

2.1.3. Link with participation and skill transfer

The framework shows that in the process of sustainable livelihoods feedback loops are essential.

The achievement of livelihood outcomes generates positive feedback to the livelihood assets, which creates a vicious circle. Participatory approaches are essential to establish users’ priorities and needs (DFID, 1999). This will be further discussed in the section ‘Participation’. The physical asset of sufficient sustainable housing would require participation and, by preference, provide simultaneous support to skill- and capacity-development (DFID, 1999).

27

2.1.4. Conclusion

For this section the following research question was used: Which factors are critical in

constructing houses to obtain a Sustainable livelihood for the Semai community? Most of the factors of a sustainable livelihood, even to subject of housing, are outside the reach of the organization. Based on the literature, the legal status of the Orang Asli is very concerning since there is a major gap between policy and actual realisation. The priority of Semai is mostly their agricultural activities, since it’s their only source of income. Also, a higher level of income would relate to sustainable livelihood, but is outside the scope of this research. Negative relations include main job, marital status and dependents.

Literature does emphasise that in action of a Sustainable Livelihood the priority is to help the poorest of the community to prevent any environmental destruction. Since a higher level of education relates to sustainable livelihood, the high dropout rate of Orang Asli students is very concerning. The physical asset of sufficient sustainable housing would require participation and, by preference, provide simultaneous support to skill- and capacity-development. These

requirements are both discussed in sections 2.2 and 2.3.

2.2. Participation of Semai people in constructing their own