Laporan Kajian Warisan Orang Kuala: Kajian Kes di Batu Pahat dan Pontian, Johor

This research report is an outcome of case studies at Orang Kuala settlements in Batu Pahat and Pontian, Johor. Aspects that have been studied are their historical background, essential elements that constituted their identity, their settlement’s environment and their cultural-arts. The major part of the data has been collected directly from their group opinion leaders through intensive interviews. The data prevail that most Orang Laut are from the Orang Duano tribe. Although the government has categorized them officially as Orang Asli, they insist to perceive themselves as one of the Malay tribes. The way of their livings have undergone changes by the course of times but the core elements of their identity, namely, the profession of Islam, Malay language and cultural heritages, are still persisted till today. It has been those elements that constitute them as a unique, distinctive identity which are similar to the Malayness, and differentiate them from other Orang Laut and the Orang Asli.