During the 2004 general election, several boats belonging to various government agencies arrived from 'civilisation' to the interior villages of Orang Asli in Royal Belum forest reserve in Hulu Perak.

The Orang Asli voters were then taken on a long ride back to the mainland for them to vote. The shortest ride from one such village to the nearest polling booth was about two hours and 30 minutes.

Days before the elections, several state leaders too had descended on some of the villages.