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INDIGENOUS CHILDREN AND FOOD SECURITY IN MALAYSIA: IN NEED OF
REGULATIVE MEASURES

WRITTEN BY: SHEELA JAYABALAN, NADZIRAH AHMAD, SITI HAFSYAH IDRIS, NORMAWATI HASHIM & NUTTAKORN
VITIANON

The indigenous people of Peninsular Malaysia are known as ‘Orang Asli’. The population of Orang Asli is estimated at 13.8% of the
31,660,700 million people in Malaysia inclusive of the Orang Asli children. Systematic literature review indicate that Orang Asli children
suffer from malnourishment and some are stunted in growth. This fact is supported by empirical evidences obtained through semi-structured
interviews under qualitative research method. These research findings are evident that Orang Asli children suffer from food insecurity.
Imminent measures to overcome food insecurity among children however is lacking and should be a primary concern that ought to be
addressed. One of the mechanisms to eliminate food insecurity should be through regulative interventions as regulative actions sanctions any
form of interventions. Furthermore, sustainable development goals (SDG) thrive to achieve zero hunger by 2025 and the United Nations
Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples affirms their right to the highest attainable standard of health. As such, this article
discourses the justifications and suggestions for regulative reform warranted in Malaysia.