The Malaysian Insight

A SOCIAL enterprise is enabling Orang Asli women in Selangor to earn a steady income during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Asli Co. aims to empower Orang Asli mothers to make a living in an environmentally friendly and sustainable manner, to which end it has provided the necessary equipment, materials and training.

Since 2019, the women of Kg Orang Asli Serendah, Kg Orang Asli Ulu Kuang and Kg Orang Asli Bukit Cheding have had access to the resources of The Asli Co., founded by Jason Wee and Lim Xin Yu.

To date, the women have produced 6,000 reusable cloth masks for sale, and 1,000 more given away to the Orang Asli Kg Orang Asli Sg Bumbun, on Pulau Carey. 

Lim said the three-ply masks met the standards of the World Health Organisation.

The fact that they are reusable is important, too.

“It has been reported that an estimated 10 million single-use masks are discarded every day in Malaysia,” said Lim.

As masking is expected to become a way of life because of the coronavirus, continued use of disposable masks will add to the country’s waste burden.

“Usage of face masks will continue for many years to come. In recent times, we have seen disposable masks littering the streets,” Lim said.

“We have to work on more sustainable solutions that are also effective in reducing the transfer of water droplets.”

Meanwhile, the women on the island are able to earn money from the work to supplement what they derive from sporadic part-time gigs.

“Their work helps other Orang Asli communities in their daily lives too,” said Wee, adding that a portion of the masks are distributed free to the villagers at Kg Sg Bumbun on Pulau Carey.

The Asli Co. has also worked with the women of Kg Orang Asli Serendah, Kg Orang Asli Ulu Kuang, Kg Orang Asli Sg Buloh and Kg Orang Asli Bukit Cheding to make soap, hand sanitisers and recycled pots for plants.

All the initiatives are conscious of environmental conservation.

The project co-founders plan to make reusable sanitary napkins next.

It has been a great year for The Asli Co. and the duo are glad to be able to pay the women bonuses for meeting production targets.

“We can’t wait to surprise them,” Wee said.

The products made by Orang Asli women are available for sale at The Asli Co. website. – December 30, 2020.