摘要：The quality of life of Malaysian ab origines (Orang Asli) are often perceived as rela tively low. Such is the normal impression obtained when basic need variables such as electricity and water supplies and accessibility by roads are used to measure their quality of life. Although these are useful wellbeing in dicators this paper is of the opinion that a more holistic perspective would do a b etter jo b of gaugin g the a borigines' quality of life. A new index called the Weighted Quality Life Index for Orang Asli (IKHOAw) is proposed which is a composite index comprising eigh t quality of life sub-indices. Th is set o f indicators is deemed more reliable as all possible variables pertainin g to the quality of life are not treated separately. Given its holistic nature, the new IKHOAw is expected to be more realistic in cap turing poverty grouse among the a borigines. By using this index, the study fou nd that in almost a ll respects the Malaysian aborigines' quality o f life was very satisfactory; it is only less so with respect to electricity and water supplies, housing and motorised vehicle o wnership
关键词：holistic approach; quality of life index; Orang Asli; the Weighted Quality of Life Index for Orang Asli
