Communication, Social Structure and Development in Rural Malaysia. A Study of Kampung Kuala Bera

The Ma' Betisek are a group of aborigines who live on the mangrove coastal area of Selangor in peninsular Malaysia. Dr Karim's study is mainly focused on the Ma' Betisek communities on Carey Island, off the west coast of Selangor and in particular threevillages - Sungei Sialang, Sungei Mata and Sungei Bumbun. Few changes have taken place in the lives of the Betisek people on the island since 1975. On the mainland, the Ma' Betisek are busy keeping pace with development and modem life. However,despite increasing deforestation and new urban influences on the island, the Carey Island communities continue to preservetheir naturistic ideas of how humans should live with plants and animals. Dr Karim's research focuses on this issue.

Dr Karim is Lecturer in Anthropology at the University of Penang, Malaysia.