Year

Event

1953/54

The Department of Orang Asli Affairs (DOAA) Malaysia was established under the "Aboriginal Peoples Ordinance No. 3, 1954". This ordinance was passed by the Legislative Assembly to provide for the protection, well-being and advancement of the Orang Asli communities in West Malaysia against the encroachment and exploitation resulting from rapid growth beside providing educational and other development infrastructures compatible to their requirements.

1939

A Field Ethnographer was appointed to be the "Protector of Aborigines" for the state of Perak. The appointment was made after the enforcement of the "Perak Aboriginal Tribes Enactment, No. 3, of 1939". This Enactment was the first of its kind that was passed before the Second World War.

1949

The post of "Aborigines Welfare Officer" a Federal post was created to manage the Aborigines welfare office. This officer was placed under the Social Welfare Department and later assumed the office of "Protector of Aborigines" or Advisor of Orang Asli. As the Advisor, he is responsible to the Chief Secretary, State Secretary and the High Commissioner of the Federated Malay States.

1951-1952

The representative system of government under the Legislative Assembly, the office of Orang Asli Affairs was established separately from the Social Welfare Department and placed under the Home Affairs portfolio. A "Protector of Aborigines" was appointed in the state of Pahang and several other part time "Protectors of Aborigines" were also appointed in Perak and Kelantan.

1953

A new policy was introduced whereby the government started to channel all administrative and welfare assistance programmes of the Orang Asli in the interior to their villages and the policy of bringing them out from the jungle was disbanded. Following this decision the Orang Asli Welfare Office was further expanded.

1955

The introduction of the Ministry system replacing the old Representative system, the Department of Orang Asli was placed under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Home Affairs. In December 1956, the Department of Orang Asli was renamed as the Department of Museum, Archives and Orang Asli Research and was placed under the Ministry of Education. The title post of the Head of Department was then changed from Advisor of Orang Asli Affairs to that of Director of Museum and Advisor of Orang Asli Affairs.

1957

The post of "Protector" and "Assistant Protector" were established in all the states with the exception of Pulau Pinang, Melaka, Kedah, Perlis and Terengganu.

1959

The Department of Orang Asli was again placed under the Ministry of Home Affairs.

1961

The government declared a firm policy for the administration of the Orang Asli. The objective of this policy was the integration of the Orang Asli into the mainstream of the population. In order to achieve this objective the Department Of Orang Asli Affairs started to plan and implement socio-economic programmes for the Orang Asli so that they will share equal benefits with the other ethnic races in enjoying a better standard of living.

1964

The administration of the department was placed under the Ministry of Land and Mines. The Head of Department then assumed the office of the Commissioner of Orang Asli Affairs.

1971

Another cabinet reshuffle placed the DOAA under the Ministry of National and Rural Development and is administered under the Director General that is assisted by six Directors at the state level. This department is responsible for the administration, development and welfare of the Orang Asli in Peninsular Malaysia, specifically in states that have a substantial numbers of Orang Asli communities.

1990

The Department was moved to the Ministry of Rural Development.

1994

The Department was placed under the ambit of Ministry of National Unity and Social Development.