Page 168 - Proceedings Collega2023

THE IMPORTANCE OF CUSTOM LAND FOR THE INDIGENEOUS PEOPLE OF THE TEMIAR TRIBE IN GUA
MUSANG KELANTAN

Abstract

Custom land for the Temiar tribe is an asset that has been passed down from generation to
generation to be used as a settlement and farm for the needs of life. Traditionally, the term custom land
has indeed existed in the Temiar community through their traditional activities of creating settlements,
agricultural areas and grazing areas to obtain food, equipment and sources of income. Nevertheless, the
Temiar tribe is faced with the problem of recognition of custom land and many challenges that need to be
met to be gazetted or recognized as reserve land or the property of the Temiar tribe. Objective: Based on
the problem, the researcher tried to identify the importance of land to the Temiar tribe. Method: A
qualitative method with an ethnographic approach through fieldwork has been successfully implemented
in 14 Posts of the Temiar tribe in Gua Musang Kelantan. Interview techniques, participant observation and
document review were also used to obtain primary and secondary data. The data that has been
successfully collected will be analyzed with NVivo 12 software through several processes namely
transcription, data organization, conditioning, themes, coding, triangulation and reports. Findings: The
results of this study show that custom land is an important asset and there is some evidence that shows
this custom land is very important to the life of the Temiar tribe. The results of the study show the
importance of custom land covering elements of settlement sustainability, socioeconomic sustainability,
property rights sustainability, and sustainability for new generations. Conclusion: Based on the results of
the study, the land of the existing Temiar tribe needs to be gazetted as a reserve immediately so that their
traditional property can be protected. In order to ensure this land gazetting effort, all parties, from the
implementing party and the Orang Asli, cooperate and tolerate each other to find a balanced solution
point. With efforts like this, the problem can be solved. It is hoped that the results of this study can be
used as a guide, especially for stakeholders and Orang Asli.

Keywords: Importance, custom land, Temiar

Pengenalan

Tanah merupakan elemen yang sangat penting dalam kehidupan seluruh masyarakat di seluruh
dunia bagi membekalkan sumber keperluan harian demi kelangsungan hidup manusia. Tanpa tanah
sebuah masyarakat itu tidak mampu bertahan lam untuk meneruskan hidup dan tidak dipandang tinggi
oleh komuniti-komuniti lain di dunia, Kepentingan tanah kepada sesebuah masyarakat adalah sangat tinggi
kerana pengiktirafan identiti sesebuah masyarakat itu kebiasaanya akan dinilai melalui adanya
pengiktirafan pemilikan kepada sesebuah tempat atau tanah. Sehubungan itu kajian ini, akan menjelaskan
kepentingan tanah saka kepada satu komuniti Orang Asli di Semenanjung Malaysia iaitu suku kaum Temiar.
Rasional kajian ini dilakukan adalah untuk menjelaskan kepada umum dan pihak berkaitan bahawa
pengiktirafan ke atas tanah saka bagi suku kaum Temiar adalah sangat penting untuk memastikan generasi

International Conference on Local Wisdom of the Malay Archipelago (COLLEGA 2023) Page - 155 -