Status of human capital in ensuring sustainable livelihood among the Che Wong and Jahut: A comparative analysis

A comparative study on the status of human capital was conducted in an effort to address the issue of vulnerability and slow population growth among Che Wong and Jahut aboriginal communities. Information was collected through structured questionnaires, semi-structured interviews, and field observation techniques. The human capital status analysed here was divided into four types of assets, namely, demographic, education and skills, health status and employment. In terms of demographic assets, Che Wong faced a higher risk of death, limited opportunity in marriage at later age, higher risks of underaged marriage, and the widespread practice of traditional family planning. This situation was not helpful in increasing the size of Che Wong population over the Jahut. Concerning education and skills assets, Che Wong were academically less qualifed, lacked literacy , and had not acquired much skills training. Consequently, they were often prevented from enjoying better career development opportunities as compared to the Jahut. In terms of health status assets, Che Wong faced more health threats related to physical disability and inadequate food intake. By contrast, the Jahut faced more health problems associated with more modern lifestyle and in common with those chronic diseases experienced in the wider Malaysian society. In relation to employment assets status, the Che Wong experienced higher incidence of unemployment and lack of job security than the Jahut. Finally, the composite analysis proved that lack of competence among the Che Wong in education and job skills had put them in a more vulnerable position in comparison to the Jahut.