A clean home, the Mah Meri children replied.

Plastic is being reused as decoration, forever blooming in the Mah Meri village.

“Draw your ideal home, the one you would love to live in the future,” Hema said with a warm smile as she gently handed a pen and paper to a Mah Meri kid during the collaborative Plastic Awareness Outreach Programme with Malaysian Nature Society (MNS) at Kampung Orang Asli Sungai Dua, Pulau Ketam.

The atmosphere in the hall was suddenly filled with curiosity and excitement as the children eagerly began sketching their dream abodes. As I observed the scene, I couldn’t help but feel inspired by this simple yet profound exercise.

Imagining my dream home, I found myself transported to a world of infinite possibilities. Hmm… perhaps a home on stilts, reminiscent of the beautiful Mah Meri tribe? Or a nomadic dwelling, akin to those discovered in the Gobi Desert? Maybe even a cosy, tiny, minimalist home filled with only the essential elements?

To me, a home is a place where every corner tells a story and every detail sparks joy.

It’s a sanctuary where one experiences unconditional love, where there’s a beautiful balance of giving and receiving among others, and where you can be your authentic self without fear of judgment from others.

To the Mah Meri children, their ideal homes transcend the boundaries of their inner state.

The enchanting relationship between nature and the Mah Meri children is a truly captivating sight to behold. In their symbiotic relationship, they exist in perfect harmony, gracefully coexisting, and intertwining their lives. This is creatively expressed in their drawings.

“Cikgu Hema, rumah saya sangat dekat dengan sungai, malah terdapat gunung berdekatan. Ia sangat bersih, tiada plastik langsung!” 

“Cikgu Hema, rumah saya diperbuat daripada buluh, dan saya akan menenun!”

However, upon closer examination, it becomes apparent that the Mah Meri children prefer living on the mainland rather than on stilts in the mangrove. This preference goes directly against their deeply rooted culture and cherished traditions. A bittersweet moment.

This raises an intriguing question: Why?

The situation at Kampung Orang Asli Sungai Dua is deeply concerning. In particular, its geographical characteristic has posed significant challenges for waste collectors attempting to reach the island. These challenges arise from the low sea levels and the vulnerability of the wooden stilts, which make it difficult for larger boats to dock and access the island efficiently.

The view of Kampung Orang Asli Sungai Dua Jetty.

Kampung Orang Asli Sungai Dua could be seen as a prelude to the waste pollution issue that plagues the outlying islands in Malaysia.

Another organisation, Reef Check Malaysia, has identified significant problems related to waste pollution and sewage on all 31 small, inhabited islands in the country. Each island presents unique challenges when it comes to the effective management of waste.

Local councils bear the responsibility of managing waste; nevertheless, they have long been confronted with challenges stemming from inadequate infrastructure, technology, expertise, and a lack of clarity regarding the roles of the federal and state governments. The scarcity of available landfills further compounds these issues.

Given the urgency and severity of the waste pollution problem, it is imperative for the Malaysian government to prioritise addressing this matter promptly and effectively.

A glimpse of the surroundings of Kampung Orang Asli Sungai Dua during low tides.

Nature has generously provided the Mah Meri community with an abundance of resources, and in return, they reciprocate by nurturing and preserving the beauty that surrounds them.

Despite the dedicated efforts of Kampung Orang Asli Sungai Dua to protect nature through regularly cleaning their surroundings, segregating waste in a community-built recycling station, and diligently transporting waste to designated collection points, the tides persist in bringing more and more waste to their homes.

One may ask, “Where does the waste come from?”

There are FOUR sources of waste creation in Pulau Ketam:

  • The main village, located on the southern side of the island, is also referred to as Pulau Ketam.
  • The other village, situated on the north eastern side, is known as Kampung Bagan Sungai Lima.
  • The relocated Mah Meri community, Kampung Orang Asli Sungai Dua, is located at the second inlet. 
  • Tourists who visit Pulau Ketam.

Map of Pulau Ketam

Just as parents and children of Kampung Orang Asli Sungai Dua relentlessly strive to safeguard their homes, it is my fervent hope that the Malaysian government will demonstrate an unwavering commitment to the islanders, particularly in addressing the waste issues.

They deserve the same level of commitment that the government has for the mainlanders.

My suggestions are as follows:

  • An advisory board should be established to oversee the waste management and recycling system on the islands. The board should consist of diverse villagers, with a particular emphasis on including teachers for educational purposes.
  • Set up recycling stations on each island, including E-waste and composting. These stations should be equipped with wire mesh containers to facilitate waste disposal and encourage villagers to correctly dispose of their waste.
  • When it comes to food waste, it is advisable for islands to adopt a community-sustained composting approach. Villagers should gather their household food waste and deposit it at the recycling station. Each village should have at least one food composting machine, along with the necessary knowledge and standard operating procedures for food composting, provided. In addition, it is recommended to hire a villager on a monthly basis and assign them the responsibility of managing this task.
  • Solid waste can be collected on a weekly basis, while E-waste can be collected on a monthly basis.
  • If the weekly waste collector cannot access the islands due to low sea levels affecting the docking of the boat, it would be prudent to consider hiring a villager on a monthly basis to transport the waste to the designated waste collection points. It is recommended to provide each village with a waste collection boat instead of relying on their private boats. This ensures a commitment to cleanliness and consistency.
  • Mandate tourists who visit islands should bring their trash back to the mainland so that it does not create an additional burden for the islanders.

This is not just a necessity but a responsibility we owe to future generations and Mother Earth.

Ask yourself: What’s your vision of the ideal home for future generations to live in?

Hema with the children outside the classroom, sharing knowledge with them about the types of plastics that can be recycled from their surroundings.