Development at the Margins: Livelihood and Sustainability of Communities at Malaysia - Indonesia Borders

Abstract

Small communities living on the margin of development generally face a myriad of issues and challenges. Paradoxically, although livelihood is a major concern for these communities, their integration into the mainstream of development seems a remote and endless problem. This article, therefore, has three objectives. Firstly, it discusses the socio-economic dynamics of the Sarawak-Kalimantan border communities whose villages are obscured from the mainstream of development. Lately, villages and small townships along this border had caught the attention of the media, ** Corresponding author Sociologija i prostor, 51 (2013) 197 (3): 547-562 548S o c i o l o g i j a i p r o s t o r politicians, planners and researchers. This was the consequent result of media highlights on Malaysia-Indonesia border disputes and cultural issues, which were further expanded to encompass matters relating to national security and economic interests of both countries. However, the socio-economic plights of these border communities were seldom articulated. Secondly, based on case studies conducted between 2009 and 2010, this paper focuses on issues of livelihood and sustainability of these border communities, particularly the Bidayuh ethnic living in Serikin (Sarawak) and JagoiBabang (West Kalimantan). The studies especially focused on the participation of these villagers in the socio-economic spheres within the border areas, and also assessed to what extent the livelihoods of these villagers were influenced and affected by such dynamics. Lastly, by exploring the possible theoretical explanation of the unique social phenomenon taking place at the margin of development in Malaysia, this article examines the embedded cultural and social affiliations which help sustain the tradition of economic exchange between communities on both sides of the borders.

Border Security Crisis in Malaysia and its Impact on the National Economy

“…Trade activities carried out on the Malaysia-Indonesia border apart from being driven by economic factors, it is also due to socio-cultural factors , where according to Hsia (2019), the history of trade and family drives the occurrence of goods smuggling activities among border communities as well as the relationship between border communities based on their past stories, kinship, beliefs, cultural symbols and dialects, recreated and strengthened, which evolve along with market dynamics (Sulehan et al, 2013). From economic factors, Amar et al ( 2020) stated that the main purpose of visitors coming to Serikin (Sarawak) which borders Jagoi Babang (Indonesia) once a month is to shop where only five items are frequently purchased by visitors in Serikin such as clothes, vegetables, food, electrical appliances, and handicrafts.…”

“…In addition, the lack of a formal structure to regulate economic and social interaction in the Serikin bazaar is also able to attract traders from West Kalimantan to take market transaction opportunities at this border. Private ownership of space at the border has also allowed houses and landowners to use their property as an economic resource to facilitate activities in Serikin (Sulehan et al, 2013).…”

Marongge Pellet Ritual: A Socio-Economic Phenomenon in Sumedang Indonesia

“…This research can contribute to understanding how religious movements impact socioeconomic phenomena like the Marongge Pellet Ritual within the Indonesian context. Moreover,(Junaenah et al, 2014) examine the livelihood and sustainability of communities at the Malaysia-Indonesia borders, offering insights into economic exchangesand social affiliations. This study can provide a comparative perspective on how socioeconomic phenomena manifest in border regions, potentially offering parallels to the socioeconomic dynamics surrounding the Marongge Pellet Ritual.…”