For example, we had to deal with 3 full court sessions in March that required lots of research leading to evidential affidavits and legal submissions.

We were also involved in the first of a series of  trainings in community mapping for Orang Asli this month, and have been helping with the preliminary work and negotiations to provide electricity via mini-hydro projects for 3 Orang Asli villages in Selangor.

We also had to complete a video documentary on community-based natural resource management in March for indigenous communities in Malaysia.

There were also seminars and fora to participate in as well as to attend, both locally and overseas. Plus we had our own 'road-shows' or briefings to conduct in selected villages, at their request. Then there was the usual share of rites-of-passage ceremonies to attend such as weddings and funerals.

And when we came back from our most recent site visit in mid-April, this time from the Temiar area in Pos Pasik, Kelantan, the Hulu Selangor by-election was in progress and we have to divert almost all our resources there (see next article for more details on this by-election).

COAC is actively supporting the PKR candidate in this by-election. This is because we support the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) government in Selangor which in the last 2 years has brought more significant changes to the Orang Asli situation in the state than in the 50-plus years the BN government and its predecessor has been in power.

To see why we are willing to support the Pakatan Rakyat-led government in Selangor, read the PKR campaign leaflet prepared for the Orang Asli voters in the by-election by clicking here.

The pace at COAC is likely to remain the same for at least a couple of months. All of us are looking forward to a nice, long break sometime soon.

Photo-essay of some of COAC's involvements
this year: