The Dynamics of External Power and the Response of the Temiar Indigenous Community in Gua Musang, Kelantan: An Ethnographic Study

Traditional leadership remains central to the Temiar Indigenous community in Kelantan, serving as a cornerstone for preserving customs, ancestral land and social harmony. Yet, modernization and external development pressures have raised serious concerns about the institution’s survival. This study questions whether current development policies genuinely reflect Indigenous voices and sociocultural structures or whether they attempt to fit these communities into unfamiliar frameworks. Through a qualitative ethnographic approach, the research draws on focused interviews and observations of community headmen to explore how traditional leadership is adapting or struggling iin this changing landscape. Thematic analysis highlights key issues: the evolving role of leadership, internal conflicts, the strategies adopted by leaders and the foundational demands of the Orang Asli. A major finding is the lack of reciprocal dialogue between local leadership structures and development agencies, which has deepened the disconnect and eroded grassroots authority. The study underscores the need for policymakers, NGOs and development practitioners to recognize and reintegrate traditional institutions into a more inclusive rural development framework. Empowering traditional leadership could provide a vital bridge between Indigenous values and national development goals.