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In 2003, the Bar Council National Legal Aid Committee (“NLAC”) initiated National Law Awareness Week (“NLAW”) with the aim of increasing law awareness among the general public and to make practical recommendations about what needed to be done.  This event is the culmination of the monthly law awareness programmes conducted by the Legal Aid Centre(s) of each state bar.

The launch of NLAW is hosted annually by a particular state bar alongside its Legal Aid Centre.  It was Perak’s turn to host the event this year and, at the NLAC Chairperson’s request, the venue was to be an Orang Asli village, to break away from the norm of holding it in urban areas.   With its many years of experience working with Orang Asli communities, Perak Legal Aid Centre (“PLAC”) selected Kampung Ulu Geroh, in the interior part of Gopeng, whose inhabitants are from the Semai tribe. 

With the theme of “Legal Aid – Back to Community”, NLAW 2011 aimed to inform and empower rural and marginalised communities on their basic human rights, and to enhance their legal and general knowledge.  

Among the hundreds of participants who converged in Kampung Ulu Geroh in the morning of 2 Oct 2011 for the launch were Ragunath Kesavan (Chairperson of NLAC), Mad Diah Endut (Chairman of Perak Bar Committee and Perak Legal Aid Centre), YB Chang Lih Kang (State Assemblyman for the district of Teja, Perak), Ngah Sidin (Tok Batin of Ulu Geroh), members of Perak Bar Committee and PLAC Committee, Bar Council staff, pupils in chambers, officers from Jabatan Bantuan Guaman, members of non-governmental organisations (“NGOs”) and an estimated 500-odd Orang Asli villagers.

In his opening address, the Tok Batin expressed his gratitude to NLAC for having chosen his village for the launch despite the lack of basic amenities such as good roads and proper bridges.  Subsequently, Mad Diah Endut gave an overview of the functions of Perak Legal Aid Centre and explained the aims and objectives of the event.  Ragunath Kesavan then highlighted the plight of Orang Asli communities, before launching NLAW 2011.  Certificates of Appreciation were later presented to all participating NGOs, while souvenirs and tokens were presented to Ragunath Kesavan and YB Chang Lih Kang, respectively.  To add gaiety and colour to the event, the Orang Asli cultural troupe entertained the guests with sewang dances, music, games and a display of prowess at using the blow-pipe.

 

Many participating organisations set up booths to provide information and services and to display products, including Perak Medical Practitioners Society, Sri Satya Sai Baba Association, Jabatan Kesihatan Perak, Amnesty International, Buddies Society of Perak, Ipoh City Watch and an Orang Asli handicrafts unit.  The villagers took advantage of the many facilities offered, with the medical team garnering the majority of visitors.  Throughout the event, guests were treated to fine food and refreshments, and obtained important legal and general advice from the NGOs present.

 

Many guests who were first-timers to the event were awed by the journey on the lorries that had transported them to the venue.  They were mesmerised by the cascading waterfalls, the hills and lush jungle surroundings.  It was a good opportunity to discover more about the way of life in a Semai village and learn of the hardships and challenges faced by the community on a daily basis.

On the whole, the event was a huge success.  The organisers express their gratitude and thanks to all Perak Bar and PLAC Committee members, pupils in chambers, NGOs and members of the Jawatankuasa Kemajuan dan Keselamatan Kampung of Kampung Ulu Geroh for working together tirelessly to pull off NLAW 2011.