THE MICRO ENTERPRISE ISSUES AND CHALLENGES OF ORANG ASLI ABORIGINES IN MALAYSIA

The study was carried out to characterize and to evaluate the impact of cultural
practices and entrepreneurial skills on micro business development among the Orang Asli aborigines in Pahang, Malaysia. The findings reported were based on an analysis
of data obtained through a combination of quantitative and qualitative approaches in a study of 100 aborigines practicing micro enterprises, Tok Batins (village chiefs), and the government officers and workers of the Department of Aborigines’ Affairs (JHEOA). The results revealed that the Orang Asli aborigines are no longer having superstitious
beliefs of pantang-larang (prohibitions) for days, places or bad signs in cultural factors of business dealings. The big challenge is how to train them to be better micro business owners in terms of selling skills and satisfying customers’ needs. Consistent repeated exposure to more methodically organized government programs are required as this study found out that they still have strong desires to improve themselves.