Sabah and Sarawak
51. The Constitution of Malaysia recognizes the status of indigenous peoples in Sabah and Sarawak and has from the beginning granted them a certain degree of protection and autonomy. The active involvement of indigenous peoples in the management of parks and reserves as well as the representation and integration of arts, crafts, traditional costumes and performances in museums, tourism-related products and the national arts academy’s curriculum are positive features. However, more must be done to preserve diverse mother tongues, to include indigenous peoples’ histories in school curricula and to increase the representation of indigenous peoples in the bodies focused on their issues and rights in all parts of Malaysia.