School of Pharmacy
Monash University Malaysia

Co-designing sustainable water infrastructure with the Indigenous communities of Peninsular Malaysia

What are you researching?

My research aims to develop sustainable water infrastructures that resonate with the unique needs and traditions of the Indigenous Orang Asli communities of Peninsular Malaysia.

As a graduate research student who is a non-Indigenous person, I have embarked on a journey that seeks to bridge gaps, embrace inclusivity, and weave Indigenous Research Methods (ways of knowing, being and doing) into this pursuit.

The United Nations' recognition of safe drinking water and sanitation as a fundamental right for indigenous peoples stands as a beacon of hope. Yet, within the remote reaches of countless indigenous communities, a stark disparity in access to water, sanitation, and hygiene persists, amplifying the cycle of poverty and diminishing their quality of life. These communities grapple with health and social challenges stemming from poor water quality, inadequate sanitation infrastructure, and the burden of hygiene-related diseases, regardless of their country's development status (Maniam et al., 2021).

Today, the world is home to approximately 476 million indigenous people, representing 6.2% of the global population (United Nations, 2022). Shockingly, nearly 18.7% of them endure life in extremely poor conditions, with an overwhelming 33% of those dwelling in rural areas (United Nations, 2022). Within Peninsular Malaysia, the Indigenous population constitutes a mere 0.8% of the whole, their struggles echoing those worldwide.

A glimpse into the Malaysian landscape reveals a poignant tale. In 2019, a Special Rapporteur reported the lack of sustainable water services provided to Indigenous communities, a discord rooted in the incompatibility of these services with the communities' cultural values (Heller, 2019). Consequently, water supply facilities often lay idle, leaving the local communities dependent on fetching surface water and cobbling together makeshift, unsustainable gravity-fed water systems.

Beyond statistics lies the human toll of this crisis. The prevalence of childhood diarrhoea and malnutrition emerges as a haunting reality, intrinsically tied to inadequate sanitation, poor hygiene practices, and unsafe drinking water. The Orang Asli population, in particular, bears the weight of higher childhood malnutrition rates when compared to other rural Malaysian communities (Wong et al., 2015).

How is your PhD research creating real-world impact?

Unravelling the socio-technical factors:

The first step of this project centred on embracing the "ways of knowing." My research delved into the intricate web of socio-technical factors that influence water provision among Orang Asli communities. By immersing myself in the cultural context and understanding the challenges faced, I aimed to lay the groundwork for meaningful change. I collected government statistical data, visited a few Orang Asli villages to understand the context on the ground, interviewed local authorities, and conducted important grey literature reviews, including news articles and documentary photos on Orang Asli and water provision issues.

Co-designing water infrastructure:

Embracing the "ways of being," I ventured into the heart of an Indigenous community located at the edge of a reserved forest. With the villagers as my co-designers, we embarked on a journey of collaboration, empathy, and understanding. As part of the co-designing, I carried out a "Household water, sanitation and hygiene" survey where I visited about 32 households in the village and tested their drinking water quality. This survey is essential, as such data is often underreported in Malaysia.

I also designed a Water Education Programme and ran it over the course of 4 workshops with the local kids. The program focused on lessons on water sources, challenges, the importance of personal hygiene, and our responsibilities to protect waters. Together, we envisioned a sustainable water infrastructure that would not only meet their immediate needs but also safeguard the environment and preserve their traditional way of life.

From vision to speculation:

As the project unfolded, the once-linear vision began to morph into something more profound. Instead of merely identifying problems and devising solutions, I chose a more speculative approach. My thesis aimed to become a narrative of the entire process, shining a light on the intricacies and complexities involved in empowering a vulnerable community.

The role of the living laboratory:

Within the laboratory, I developed a membrane-based filtration technology for water purification without using chemicals, to respect local beliefs. Simultaneously, I explored the role of a "living laboratory" in designing a decentralised water infrastructure. This innovative approach allowed the community to take an active role in the research, ensuring that the solutions were not imposed upon them but rather arose from their unique needs and experiences. I did monthly river water quality monitoring for 12 months and collected 10-year rainfall and temperature data from the nearest weather station to understand how changes in the weather pattern might affect the designing of adaptable water infrastructure. The villagers are a perfect example of citizen scientists who collect qualitative data for me on the decentralised water infrastructure prototyping.

Navigating blurred lines:

As the project progressed, the lines between researcher and community, innovation and tradition, and certainty and ambiguity, blurred. The uncertainty, indeterminacy, and fuzziness that emerged were not seen as hindrances but rather as opportunities for growth and learning. Embracing the complexity of working with vulnerable communities, both spatially and non-spatially affected, became a hallmark of this research.

What do you hope will come of your research?

My journey in understanding sustainable water infrastructures in Peninsular Malaysian Indigenous communities has been nothing short of eye-opening. By co-designing solutions, and navigating the blurred lines of uncertainty, I have witnessed the power of research to instigate positive change and foster sustainable development.

This project stands as a testament to the potential of inclusive, participatory, and empathetic approaches in addressing pressing global challenges. As I continue to write the narrative of this transformative journey, I am filled with hope that the insights gained will resonate beyond academia, impacting policy, industry, and society at large. The path to sustainability may be intricate and uncertain, but it is one that we must collectively tread to ensure a better future for all.

Geetha was awarded a Monash PhD Global Mobility Grant in 2022, and undertook a 3-month placement with the Monash Sustainable Development Institute and Monash Art, Design and Architecture. Read more about her experience here.

She also participated in the 2023 Monash University Visualise Your Thesis competition, which challenges graduate research students to present their research as a 60-second audio-visual narrative. Watch her entry here.

References

Maniam, G., Poh, P. E., Htar, T. T., Poon, W. C., & Chuah, L. H. (2021). Water literacy in the Southeast Asian context: are we there yet? Water, 13(16). https://doi.org/10.3390/w13162311

United Nations. (2022). Indigenous peoples face growing challenges to access safe water. United Nations. Retrieved 4 September from https://www.ohchr.org/en/stories/2022/10/indigenous-peoples-face-growing-challenges-access-safe-water

Heller, L. (2019). Visit to Malaysia : report of the Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights to Safe Drinking Water and Sanitation. H. R. Council. https://digitallibrary.un.org/record/3823792?ln=en

Wong, C. Y., Zalilah, M. S., Chua, E. Y., Norhasmah, S., Chin, Y. S., & Nur'Asyura, A. S. (2015). Double-burden of malnutrition among the indigenous peoples (Orang Asli) of Peninsular Malaysia. BMC Public Health, 15(680), 1-9. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-015-2058-x