Aborigines on Stamps

Fazleeha wrote in the Start on the stamps for depicting the Orang Asli in Malaysia. These are the dying breed of Malaysian. The aborigines are the nomadic tribes that live in the wild jungles in Malaysia. The were the jungle gatherer and keep on moving when a specific things happen, such as a death of the family members.

Now that there are efforts to resettle them, that mean they will be taken off from their traditions. The size of their dwelling ground also had shrank, forcing them to be off-rooted from the jungle. They cannot fit into the industry and the closes possibility will be the agricultural endeavor.

By FAZLEENA AZIZ
fazleena@thestar.com.my

EXPECT long lines at post offices on Monday (Sept 27) as stamp enthusiasts make a beeline for the stamps and First Day Covers on the “Lifestyle of the Aborigines People in Malaysia”.

The stamps, issued to celebrate the different orang asli tribes in Malaysia, feature the Proto-Malay, Negrito and Senoi.

Pos Malaysia Bhd had worked with the Department of Orang Asli Affairs Malaysia (JHEOA) to come up with this collection.

The stamps are 35mm x 35mm in size, printed in sheets of 20 on SPM watermark, phosphor-coated paper and available in three denominations — 60sen (Proto-Malay), 70sen (Negrito) and 80sen (Senoi).

The 60sen stamp features two Proto-Malay women playing a traditional instrument known as the Ketuk Buluh used to scare away birds during harvesting season. Only 350,000 of this stamp have been printed.

The 70sen stamp features a Negrito man hunting with his blowpipe, a silent and accurate weapon that fires darts dipped in poison. Only 130,000 of this stamp have been printed.

The Senoi tribe’s woodcarving skills is depicted on the 80sen stamp, of which only 100,000 are available.

Senoi tribesmen often sculpt spirit gods and effigies that are used both for worship and decoration.

The complete folder set for the collection is RM49.50 while the folder is RM5.50.

The collection’s first day cover is 30sen each while the set with stamps are priced at RM2.40.

Pos Malaysia’s head of stamp and philately unit Yasmin Ramli said the collection was a way to introduce and improve people’s knowledge on the lifestyle of the orang asli.

Unique: The 80 sen Senoi tribe stamps depict the tribe’s woodcarving skills.

“The orang asli make up a significant part of Malaysia’s diverse society and culture.

“This is the first time we are coming out with such a collection.

“We have printed limited number for each design,” she said.

Yasmin said stamp collectors could join the Standing Order Deposit Account (Soda) so they could receive stamps and other philatelic products without having to queue up.

Customers can also enjoy Online Philately at www.posonline.com.my to open a Soda account, top up and check their balance as well as update personal details.

For further information, visit www.pos.com.my or visit the nearest post office or the Stamp & Philatelic Division at 1st floor, Pos Malaysia Headquarters, Dayabumi Complex, Kuala Lumpur. Tel: 03-2274 1122 ext 6830 or email filateli@pos.com.my.