Tong Tana

Tong Tana is derived from the Penan language, meaning "in the forest." The Penan, a nomadic group from Sarawak, Borneo, are among the last remaining hunter-gatherer communities. Known for their practice of molong, they take only what is necessary from nature, embodying a sustainable relationship with their environment.

The pieces for the KL Biennale reflect a deep sense of longing for my homeland, where I was born and raised. This installation captures memories tied to history, disappearing cultures, and the evolution of new lifestyles. Tong Tana examines themes of conflict, displacement, marginalization, and urban progress through the lens of Malaysia’s indigenous peoples, informed by site visits and mass media narratives.

Video Documentaries – Voice of the Jungle
As a migrant living far from home, I often face questions about my identity and heritage. This curiosity inspired me to research my roots, the history of Malaysia, and the stories of its indigenous peoples. These explorations culminated in two video documentaries:

Ulu Baram, Sarawak (September 2019)
Photographer Fadza Ishak and I traveled to Miri, Sarawak, to meet Arthur Jojo of the Kenyah tribe, who runs Segah Selaan One Stop Homestay in Ulu Baram. Arthur served as our guide during our journey.
Sarawak, home to over 26 ethnic groups, is rich in diversity. The Orang Ulu (Upriver People) include the Penan, Kayan, Kenyah, Saban, Punan, and Kelabit. These groups traditionally live in longhouses and practice shifting cultivation and fishing. However, economic exploitation, including logging, plantations, dams, and oil and gas extraction since the 1970s, has eroded their land rights and displaced thousands. Despite legal protections, many indigenous communities now face debt and environmental devastation, threatening their way of life.

Pos Piah, Perak (January 2019)
With the help of my friend Shazni Bhai, an artist and activist, I visited the Temiar community in Pos Piah, deep in the rainforest of Sg. Siput, Perak.
The Temiar have lived in this area for approximately 8,000 years, practicing farming, hunting, and gathering. Although some access modern medicine, they largely rely on traditional practices. The rainforest, estimated to be 130 million years old, is threatened by palm oil production and logging, displacing indigenous communities. The Orang Asli, who constitute less than 1% of Malaysia’s population, continue to struggle for land rights as forests are cleared for economic gain.

Installation Elements

• Stamp Series: Inspired by colonial-era stamps featuring rainforest animals and indigenous peoples, these works reinterpret and manipulate the imagery to critique modern realities.
• Papercuttings and Lightboxes: Images of indigenous communities are transformed into papercuttings displayed in illuminated frames, symbolizing loss and the impact of modernization.
• Media Analysis: The installation critiques how mass media shapes public perception of indigenous issues, influencing thoughts, attitudes, and behaviors.

This body of work reflects on the erasure of indigenous histories, the destruction of natural environments, and the resilience of these communities in the face of modernization and marginalization.