Temiar Jungle: A Malayan Journey

In the 1950s John Slimming has the job title ‘Assistant Protector of Aborigines', for the Malayan Government. This book was published in 1959. The aborigines in question are one of the three distinct groups in Malaya (this is, of course pre-Malaysia, so Malaya consists of mainland Malaysia between Singapore and Thailand). The three groups are Senoi, Negritos, Jakun. The Senoi are further divided geographically into Semai-Senoi and the Temiar-Senoi. Slimming is one of the Assistant Protectors who acts for the Temiar-Senoi (referred to simply as the Temiar in this book) who are found in the Kelantan State, more particularly the higher valleys feeding the Kalantan River.

The government's interest in the Temiar is primarily to do with the concern that they may be supporting the Chinese communists, who had recently been driven back in the counter insurgency known as ‘The Emergency'. The communists impose them selves on the aborigines for food and occasional shelter, but at the same time spread propaganda about the British and Malays. They do however, treat the Temiar with a level of respect, so as not to put them off side. The Temiar therefore struggle to be loyal to both parties.

A large part of this book is the author sharing his thoughts on the way the Temiar are considered by the Malays. It is largely lamenting the fact the Malays will not make an effort to afford the Temiar their pride by treated them better, and that this pushes them towards the Chinese communists.
P162: (My bracketed text)

In Kuala Lumpur people regard Krai (a small town near the Temiar lands) as being away in the back of beyond and yet Krai is a long way from the mouth of the Betis (the Betis River) and the Temiar areas. If only people knew more about the Temiar and took more interest in them it would be easier to help the aborigines take their place in Malayan society. To enumerate all the problems and the obstructions in the way of Temiar advancement is to do no more than list instances of unkind treatment by other races and this only leads to friction and unpleasantness. Any progress which is too rapid merely undermines the Temiar's faith in his own structure of society and destroys his pride in his own way of life.

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