A Study About the Economic Activities of Orang Seletar in Johor Bahru: Addressing Challenges in Fishing Practises Through Architectural Solutions

Authors

  • Muhammad Zahiruddin Mohd Salleh Institute of Postgraduate Studies (IPSis), Level 4, Bangunan Sarjana, Universiti Teknologi MARA, 40450 Shah Alam, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
  • Liyana Mahfuzah Mohd For Studies of Architecture, School of Architecture & Interior Architecture, Universiti Teknologi MARA Selangor Branch, Kampus, 42300 Bandar Puncak Alam, Selangor, Malaysia
  • Zalina Samadi Studies of Architecture, School of Architecture & Interior Architecture, Universiti Teknologi MARA Selangor Branch, Kampus, 42300 Bandar Puncak Alam, Selangor, Malaysia
  • Siti Hajar Mohd Shahrain Studies of Architecture, School of Architecture & Interior Architecture, College of Built Environment, Universiti Teknologi MARA Selangor Branch, Puncak Alam Kampus, 42300 Bandar Puncak Alam, Selangor, Malaysia.
  • Fatmah Adhilah Mustapha Kamal Arkitek Adhil Kamal, C-9-2, Melawati Corporate Centre, 53100 Taman Melawati, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.24191/bej.v22i2.5017

Keywords:

Orang Seletar, Economic activities, Fishing practices, Architectural spaces

Abstract

This research investigates the economic activities of the Orang Seletar, also known as Orang Laut, an indigenous community in Johor Bahru, Malaysia, focusing on their fishing practises and proposing architectural interventions to address the challenges faced by Seletar fishermen in the fishing ecosystem. As urbanisation and industrialisation reshape their environment, the Orang Seletar face increasing challenges in sustaining their traditional livelihoods. Despite the centrality of fishing to their economy, limited research addresses the spatial and architectural needs required to support these practises. The research objectives are to explore their fishing routines, understand the fishing ecosystem, and propose architectural solutions to address the challenges they face. Using a qualitative approach, the research involves document analysis, observations, and interviews with Seletar fishermen. Research findings include a comprehensive Orang Seletar socio-cultural context, a detailed understanding of their linear fishing ecosystem, the identification of key challenges such as inadequate facilities or disrupted access to resources, and the development of architectural solutions that align with their cultural and economic needs based on the benchmarks from global indigenous community strategy. This research is significant for bridging the gap between indigenous economic practises and architectural design, offering insights and practical recommendations for cultural sensitivity and sustainable spatial interventions that can improve the livelihoods of the Orang Seletar.

Author Biographies

  • Muhammad Zahiruddin Mohd Salleh, Institute of Postgraduate Studies (IPSis), Level 4, Bangunan Sarjana, Universiti Teknologi MARA, 40450 Shah Alam, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia

    Muhammad Zahiruddin bin Mohd Saleh is a post-graduate student at Institute of Postgraduate Studies (IPSis), Level 4, Bangunan Sarjana, Universiti Teknologi MARA, 40450 Shah Alam, Selangor Darul Ehsan, MALAYSIA. He can be reached at zahiruddinsalleh@gmail.com

  • Liyana Mahfuzah Mohd For, Studies of Architecture, School of Architecture & Interior Architecture, Universiti Teknologi MARA Selangor Branch, Kampus, 42300 Bandar Puncak Alam, Selangor, Malaysia

    Liyana Mahfuzah Mohd For is a lecturer at the Studies of Architecture, School of Architecture & Interior Architecture, College of Built Environment, Universiti Teknologi MARA Selangor Branch, Kampus, 42300 Bandar Puncak Alam, Selangor, Malaysia. She teaches both postgraduate and undergraduate students. She teaches both postgraduate and undergraduate students. She teaches both postgraduate and undergraduate students and can be reached via email at liyanamahfuzah@uitm.edu.my.

  • Zalina Samadi, Studies of Architecture, School of Architecture & Interior Architecture, Universiti Teknologi MARA Selangor Branch, Kampus, 42300 Bandar Puncak Alam, Selangor, Malaysia

    Zalina Samadi is a lecturer at the Studies of Architecture, School of Architecture & Interior Architecture, College of Built Environment, Universiti Teknologi MARA Selangor Branch, Kampus, 42300 Bandar Puncak Alam, Selangor, Malaysia. She teaches both postgraduate and undergraduate students. She teaches both postgraduate and undergraduate students and can be reached via email at zalin628@uitm.edu.my.

  • Siti Hajar Mohd Shahrain, Studies of Architecture, School of Architecture & Interior Architecture, College of Built Environment, Universiti Teknologi MARA Selangor Branch, Puncak Alam Kampus, 42300 Bandar Puncak Alam, Selangor, Malaysia.

    Siti Hajar Mohd Shahrain is a lecturer at the Studies of Architecture, School of Architecture & Interior Architecture, College of Built Environment, Universiti Teknologi MARA Selangor Branch, Kampus, 42300 Bandar Puncak Alam, Selangor, Malaysia. She teaches both postgraduate and undergraduate students. She teaches both postgraduate and undergraduate students. She teaches both postgraduate and undergraduate students and can be reached via email at hajarshahrain@uitm.edu.my.

  • Fatmah Adhilah Mustapha Kamal, Arkitek Adhil Kamal, C-9-2, Melawati Corporate Centre, 53100 Taman Melawati, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

    Fatmah Adhilah Mustapha Kamal received her Bachelor of Science in Architecture and Bachelor in Architecture at the International Islamic University Malaysia in 2010. is a professional architect and the principal at Arkitek Adhil Kamal, C-9-2, Melawati Corporate Centre, 53100 Taman Melawati, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, which she founded in 2021. and has extensive experience in various projects about conservation and construction. She can be reached through her email at arkitekadhilkamal@gmail.com

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Published

01-07-2025

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Vol. 22 No. 2 (2025): Built Environment Journal

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Copyright (c) 2025 Muhammad Zahiruddin Mohd Salleh, Liyana Mahfuzah Mohd For, Zalina Samadi, Siti Hajar Mohd Shahrain, Fatmah Adhilah Mustapha Kamal

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A Study About the Economic Activities of Orang Seletar in Johor Bahru: Addressing Challenges in Fishing Practises Through Architectural Solutions. (2025). Built Environment Journal, 22(2). https://doi.org/10.24191/bej.v22i2.5017

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