A historic first, forged in friendship
The first tok batin conference on this scale, jointly convened by the Spiritual Assembly and the Central Regional Bahá’í Council, drew participants from fourteen Orang Asli communities across Peninsular Malaysia’s central highlands and river valleys. Many traveled for over six hours to reach Kuala Lumpur, motivated by the rare opportunity to reflect and consult with peers facing similar challenges.
Unlike meetings for formal briefings, the participants remarked that this gathering was unique. Al-Shahin Deraoh, tok batin of Chang Baru village, noted that “this forum is for us to profoundly consider and discuss the development of our villages, both spiritually and materially.”
The gathering emerged from a recognition that sustainable village development requires more than individual leadership—it demands the coordinated efforts of institutions, the community, and individuals.
A heavy responsibility, shared
The tok batin hold a unique position in Malaysian society. Their authority is at once formal and deeply personal, touching every dimension of village life. Yet, as Dahali Bah Nanep, tok batin of Berindu village stated: “Sometimes it feels like I am alone against forces too large to move and separated by vast distances from others who might share similar challenges.”
That sense of isolation was a recurring theme throughout the conference. Through candid and heartfelt consultations, these village leaders discussed the daunting issues facing their communities—land encroachment, environmental degradation, inadequate schooling, and social ills such as substance abuse and early marriage—which cast long shadows on the lives of the inhabitants.
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