A journey 120km into the wilderness - Part 2

After being informed by the locals about the blockade, our guide went ahead to investigate while most of us stayed back.

Around us was a few bamboo and wooden houses in what seem like a mini community. On the far side of the hill was a relatively big palm oil estate.

My self portrait

First thing that came to mind was the owner of the land in which the estate is situated in. I went on to ask one of the locals and this was how the conversation went (translated in English).


Me : The estate over there, whose land does that belong to?

Local : The land belongs to our ancestors

Me : So do the community manage the plantation on your own or you get outside help?

Local : The plantation is manage by FELCRA. We just work there as general workers

Me : Huh? Don't you get any share of the profits from the estate since its on your land?

Local : No, we just work there.

Me : So how much are you paid by your bosses?

Local : RM450


Bloody hell... this is like daylight robbery. The so called development institution uses their land to earn bucket loads of moolah and the locals gets nothing apart from being used as cheap labour. How hypocritical can that be? I finally truly understood why my civil rights lawyer friend told me that the orang asli is the riches community in Malaysia but they are ALSO the poorest.

Notice the "hat". I really liked the detail in the design. Apparently its used to ward off evil spirits

I was wondering how the boy got the scar on his nose

Noticed this family looking at us from on top of the hill. Had to use x18 telephoto to get this shot

The boy looking back at us as we started to head out again

After about 20 minutes, our guide finally came back and informed us that clearing is underway to remove the tree blocking our road. We then decided to push ahead and see how things are doing over there.

By the time we arrived, most of the clearing was almost done. There were 2 guys with chainsaw and about half a dozen locals helping out.

After another 15 minute or so, we were able to press.

The locals busy clearing the road for us

After driving for another one hour or so, we finally arrived at Pos Yum. Our 4 hours journey have finally come to an end.....

More to come in part 3