Before the establishment of JHEOA, a Field Ethnographer was appointed in December 1939 as a Protector of Aborigines on behalf of the state of Perak. This appointment was done after the enforcement of the ‘Perak Aboriginal Tribes Enactment’ No. 3 in 1939. This enactment is an example of an existing law before the Second World War.
1953 - 1954
The Department of Aboriginal Affairs Malaysia (JHEOA) was established in the year 1953/54 under a new law that was named ‘Aboriginal Peoples” Ordinance No. 3, 1954. It was shaped to protect the aboriginals and their way of life from the sudden development of civilization and exploitation while preparing facilities for education and suitable development.
1948
When a state of emergency was announced in 1948, MPAJA, which was then changed to the Malaya Communist Party (PKM), formed a peaceful relationship with the rural aboriginals. Aware of the impending threat from the said development, the government began to take notice by forming an aboriginal relocation policy in areas far from the reach of communist influence. However, this step was not successful and the aboriginals formed a closer alliance with the PKM and took on an anti-government stance.
1949
In the year 1949, ‘Welfare Officer Aborigines’, a Federal post was selected to administer the Aborigines Welfare Office that was one of the sections under the Department of Community Welfare. This officer was then changed to ‘Protector of Aborigines’ or Advisor to the aborigines. This advisor was responsible to the Head of Secretary and the Secretary of State was then responsible to the High Commissioner of the Federal Tanah Melayu.
1951 - 1952
Through the years 1951-1952, with the introduction of a Membership System, the Aborigines Office was established separately from the Department of Community Welfare and placed in the Membership Portfolio as Domestic Affairs. During that time, this office at the Federal level had 11 employees and at the State level had one Protector in Pahang with several part-time Protectors in Perak and Kelantan.
1953
In the year 1953 a new policy was made where the government began to channel all administrative and protective matters to rural aborigines and made no more effort to bring them out of their rural living environment. Henceforth, the Aborigines Welfare Office began to expand.
1956
After the election in 1955, with the introduction of a Ministry System to replace the Membership Sistem, the Department of Aborigines Affairs was placed under the Ministry of Domestic Affairs. In December 1956, the Aborigines Department was changed into the Aborigines Museum, Archive and Research Department that was placed under the Ministry of Education. The post of Head of Department was changed from advisor to the aborigines to the Museum Director and Aborigines Advisor.
1961
It was only after 1961 when the government declared an administration policy for the aborigines. The goal of the said policy was to integrate the aborigines with the National communities. To achieve this policy, the Department of Aborigines Affairs began to plan and execute several socio-economic development programs so as the aboriginal communities are able to develop with other races and enjoy a better quality of living.
1964
In 1957, there were ‘Protectors’ and ‘Assistant Protectors’ in all states except Pulau Pinang, Melaka, Kedah, Perlis and Terengganu. In August 1959, the Department of Aborigines Affairs was relocated under the Ministry of Domestic Affairs. On May 16, 1964 the control on this department was taken over by the Ministry of Land and Minerals. The Head of Department at that time was the Aborigines Affairs Commissioner.
1970
A cabinet reshuffling on September 23, 1970 had placed the Department of Aborigines Affairs under th Ministry of Agriculture and Land. Another change in the cabinet on December 21, 1971 had placed the JHEOA under the Ministry of National and Rural Development and was administered by the Director-General who was assisted by six Directors on the state level. This department was responsible for administration, development and welfare of the aborigines in West Malaysia, especially in states with a large number of aborigines.
1974
Priority is also given to endeavors to develop the aborigines socio-economy and quality of living while uniting them with other communities in this country. On September 5, 1974, with the post-election cabinet restructuring, the Department of Aborigines Affairs was replaced under the Ministry of Domestic Affairs.
1990
On October 27, 1990, this Department was then transferred under the Ministry of National Unity and Community Development.
1994
Beginning January 1, 1994, this department was transferred under the control of the Ministry of Rural Development.
1995
In the restructuring of the ministries in 1995, this Department was transferred to the Ministry of National Unity and Community Development.
2001 Until present
Under the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development.
