The venerable medicine man of Lambir BorneoPost Online | Borneo , Malaysia, Sarawak Daily News » thesundaypost - New 2 Borneo |
- The venerable medicine man of Lambir
- Soft comfort for all ages
- Long-lasting and stunning statement plant
- Remembering the Natural World
- Kuala Lawas – last frontier for dugong conservation
| The venerable medicine man of Lambir Posted: 31 May 2014 12:18 PM PDT by Chang Yi, reporters@theborneopost.com. Posted on June 1, 2014, Sunday CENTENARIAN Haji Suni Bijak is a traditional Malay medicine man who specialises in curing broken bones, eye ailments (jaundice), snake bites, heart problems and even budak nakal (hyperactive children). And he does all these with a brew, made from a special tree bark, obtained from the jungles, and concocted with traditional medicinal knowledge passed down the generations. Haji Suni said while he learned the ropes from his ancestors, they, in turn, learned their "healing skills" by watching a mother bird tending to an injured chick. The mother bird brought twigs and leaves to the nest and pecked on the twigs. It then mixed the pulp of the twig with its saliva and dressed the chick's wound. He said his ancestors kept a close watch on the chick and found it was able to hop about after a few days. With this kind of handed-down ethnobotanical knowledge and a keen mind to research on healing plants over the past 80 years, Haji Suni has amassed a great wealth of knowledge on traditional medicine. He pointed out that many jungle plants in Sarawak are known to his ancestors as "healing plants." "These plants can be used to cure many ailments. They can be plucked in the jungles right behind our kampungs," the venerable medicine man added. At 100 years and four months old, Haji Suni still runs a small stall, selling traditional Malay medicine at Tamu Kedaya in Lambir, Miri. A Malay traditional medicine practitioner since the Brooke days, he had trodden down many paths to Lutong, Miri and even Brunei during his younger days to help the sick. And along the way, this true barefoot doctor from Sarawak was always welcomed in the kampungs — and many of his patients awaited his return. Back then, Haji Suni was young and energetic and often went into the jungles to collect "medicinal" plants. His help was especially sought after during the Japanese Occupation. Those were times when people were scared to go to Miri. And to avoid the Japanese occupiers, Haji Suni had to venture deep into the jungles to prepare his medicine. On several occasions, he and his wife had saved people who were at death's door. Men and women — already given up for dead — were given some bark medicine and they recovered. Haji Suni himself went through the same experience. Once, he fainted and remained unconscious for sometime. The kampung people had started mourning for him but his wife remembered the special bark and immediately used it to prepare the medicine for him. Haji Suni came to after more than six hours later. This story is often heard and told by people who have come to know him. During the colonial days, the name of this self-taught traditional Malay medicine practitioner was well known to folks in Marudi, Bintulu and even Trusan. His home in Lambir was often full of patients. But he had to send them home after 11pm because in those bygone days, he had to give treatment under the flickers of kerosene lamps. He treated mostly broken limbs from accidents in the jungles and farms, and also snake bites which were quite common during those days. Haji Suni said life was fraught with dangers for the kampung folks who were mainly farmers, wood cutters and general workers. When they broke their legs or arms, they did not go to government clinics — which might take a day if they travelled, say, from Bekenu to Miri. They would rather look for Haji Suni who prescribed "the best traditional cure" for broken bones. One of the most popular cures he has been selling over the last 30 years is the bark for jaundice or yellow problem. Haji Suni demonstrated his cure by soaking a special leaf in water for several days. And the resultant liquid is his eye lotion. Although over 100 years old now, he doesn't need glasses — his eyesight is still very good and he has no problems reading. He said in this modern time, the government had brought a lot of progress to the people. And he is happy to see that with better transportation and greater wealth now, his patients are able to drive to his house in Lambir. Today, many parents also come to him to seek cures for budak nakal (hyperactive children) who do not listen to their parents or teachers. He claims to have a cure for that! Grandmothers buy the bark from him — and keep it even before their grandchildren are born. "They buy the bark in packets as a standby," he said. Haji Suni also has a bark to treat heart problems. By taking the medication — prepared by soaking the bark in boiled water in a bottle — four times a day, the condition can be alleviated. Many have come all the way from Sabah to use the bark for this particular problem. Some of his patients found they needn't have to go for surgery. A friend in Miri, looking for a cure her gastric problems, was brought by an elderly aunt to see Haji Suni. As the Haji promised, her gastric problem was cleared in two weeks after using a solution, mixed with a special bark. At first, the patient drank the water four times a day and to her amazement, she already felt better after the first three days. Mindang (not her real name) is an Iban woman selling jungle vegetables next to Haji Suni's stall at the Tamu Kedaya. And she is keen to promote the Haji. "Haji Suni is a very kind man. If he charges people more than RM100, they are likely to pay because his cures are really good. People come from Sabah and Brunei. A few politicians have come to his house too. In fact, our Haji can become a millionaire if he wants to. But he is very humble and sincere. He only wants to cure people, not make money," she said. Haji Suni does not charge much — RM10 for a small packet of bark for two days' consumption or RM30 for heart ailments. "It's all right. I'm happy when people come back to thank me. My children and I have many acres of hilly land along the road — from Lambir to Marudi," he said. "Each truck of soil sold is already a lot of money for me and my family. And every month, we receive a large sum of money from the soil business. Money is there and I don't really want more. What I'm selling here is just for my wife and I as pocket money. I just want to help people." Haji Suni kept a Chinese newspaper cutting in his pocket which showed him signing a memorandum of understanding with the government and a private company for a joint venture on herbal research. He said the land had been given to the company for research on medicinal plants — and he is looking for more barks, leaves and herbs to promote Malay herbal medicine. His local knowledge of plants, herbs and cures will be a big help to the research company. A few YBs whom he has helped are backing the joint venture. Haji Suni said there is plenty of land where indigenous plants and herbs could be found. He will be at the Tamu Kedayan from 7.30am to 11.30am everyday. In the evenings, he will be at home in Lambir to receive his patients. "Anyone — from any race — is welcome," he said.   |
| Posted: 31 May 2014 12:15 PM PDT by Antonia Chiam, reporters@theborneopost.com. Posted on June 1, 2014, Sunday THERE is something comforting about holding a soft toy in one's hands, regardless of one's age. That could be reason why plushies are always a hit not only among children but also adults. You could not possibly go wrong when gifting a loved one with a plushie on any occasion. For soft toys maker John Francis, the beauty of making toys is the sense of satisfaction derived from customers' happiness. "What I love most about making toys is how little children react when they see cute toys I made and how parents surprise their little ones with my handmade plushies of their favourite television characters. "That's true job satisfaction. Also, I don't have to buy any toys for myself anymore because I can make them myself," he told thesundaypost. It may appear strange how a full-time analyst with a financial services company has developed an interest in making soft toys but it started three years ago when John wished to make his own collection so that he needn't have to spend too much buying them. "I started to like soft toys after my friends bought me a very interesting doll from Bangkok. It amazed me how simple it is, yet looks so interesting. I'm also collecting soft toys from IKEA which I think is my favourite collection. "These toys are not cheap and I always wish I can make my own so that I don't have to spend so much on my toy collection. "My sister used to make toys for her kids. I had the idea of selling them in bazaars. I did the marketting, posted in my Facebook and orders started coming in but my sister was too busy, so I had to learn how to sew and make toys on my own to fulfill customers' orders. "Before t hat first experience, I didn't know how to even stitch a simple button. What's good for business is a good hobby for me and soon without realising it, it became my personal interest," he recalled. John learned basic stitches from his sister and enhanced his skills through watching YouTube videos and viewing tutorials on the Internet. He also did his own research by visiting toy stores. "A needle, thread and a piece of clothes are all you need to make a soft toy. If you are a beginner, you might need to spare more than one needle in case you break it. You will also need to use different colour threads based on the colour of your materials. Most of these are affordable and easy to come by. "My typical workspace is usually in my bedroom but if there are too many orders, I will have to make use of the living room," he said. The 36-year-old makes a variety of soft toys, ranging from simple ones such as an ugly alien or monsters to some famous characters such as The Minions and characters from some iPhone games. He also makes simple pillows as well as three-dimensional toys like alphabet cubes for young children. However, he said he preferred not to keep ready-stock of toys because he wants them made from fresh ideas. "That's why I make them only when orders come in. Usually, my customers will provide me with the pictures or if they order for a famous character, then I will search for the suitable image from the Internet. For my own creation, I will draw the picture based on my own imagination." The most unusual toy he made — which is also quite special to him — was a toy of a boy in football jersey. It was a birthday present and the buyer sent him the birthday boy's photo to copy. It took him one week to complete the toy because he had to get the correct colour materials for the football jersey and also sketch the toy version of the boy. "It was challenging but the result was worth the effort," he enthused. Like any other artists, John spent hours thinking up creative ideas which, he said, was the most time-consuming part of the making process. From inspiration, he will need to consider many things such as the colours to use, the suitable materials and how to combine them all to make a toy. "After the imagining stage, I will pick up a pair of scissors and start cutting the material before stitching it and completing the design. "Since this is more like a hobby, I prefer completing a project while the ideas are still fresh. I will try to complete a project in a day or before I go to bed. I will only start a new project after finishing a current one," he said. He admitted sometimes he got mental blocks. Normally, he would inform his customers to pick up their toys after one week even though sometimes, he may finish making a toy in one night. "This is to allow for time in case I get mental blocks," he revealed. John believes one needs to be healthy and in a good mood to produce beautiful toys. Furthermore, most of his customers order toys for small children, so if he has the flu or cough, he will not stitch because of hygiene reason," he explained. For him, the number one challenge is getting the materials but that's not deterring him from continuing to make toys. "Materials tend to be limited in Kuching. Sometimes, I order materials through online suppliers and that means incurring operating costs as well as the risk of ordering the wrong materials because you can't feel and touch them before purchasing. "Other than that, my family and friends have been very supportive of my hobby. They are amazed with my works and give me their full support. "I hope I can produce more quality toys and open a booth that sells only toys. On a bigger scale, I wish to distribute my toys to shops and supermarkets in Kuching someday," he beamed. John is now working on white bunnies which were part of his Easter 2014 project but more orders came in for them even after the season. "Besides being busy with that, my other non-toy projects include trying to learn to make jewellery and accessories for men such as bracelets and necklaces. "Actually, toy-making can be very easy or very hard, depending on your interest. This is not an expensive hobby — all you need is interest and time. "Making toys helps me in many ways – apart from generating extra income. I find sewing therapeutic and the beautiful results will definitely make you feel good about yourself," he said. John's soft toys can be ordered online or purchased at seasonal flea market or bazaar events such as The Bloom Bazaar. He can be reached via email john_belen@hotmail.com or Whatsapp at 016-8616308. |
| Long-lasting and stunning statement plant Posted: 31 May 2014 12:09 PM PDT THIS plant is often known as urn plant or silver vase plant because its leaves form a vase-like shape. A beautiful bromeliad from Brazil, Aechmea fasciata is a great statement plant that has long-lasting striking flowering bracts and silvery striped leaves. During the recent Lunar New Year, many urn plants in full bloom were available for sale in Kuching, arousing the interest of gardeners and non-gardeners alike. As this is now also a time of celebration, perhaps the urn plant could add some colour to the festive season. Background These plants generally have wide strappy green leaves that look like they have a light coating of powder on them. The name Aechmea is derived from the Greek aichne meaning spear-like. Overlapping leaves form a natural watertight urn shape. In its natural setting of the rainforest, it grows on other plants. The plant is actually epiphytic, meaning it can survive on top of other plants and trees without the need for a root-based medium. This plant lives well with very little root sphere for establishment on the ground. The urn is filled with rainwater and this lasts for months during a drought. This shape also works as a trap for insects, twigs or leaf matter, which would be used as nutrients for the growth of the plant. This group of plants actually demands little in terms of nutrients from the soil medium. They will happily utilise decaying debris around their roots. Its coarse and hardy leaf structure with spiny edges makes it unpalatable to animals and pests. Most of us would know how the process of photosynthesis involves plants absorbing carbon dioxide and converting it into oxygen using the energy of sunlight. In order to resolve the problem of having a short supply of water, this plant has evolved to divide the process into two phases. At night when the air is cooler and less dry, the plant opens its stomata for carbon dioxide and during the day, they have a reserve of the gas to use for photosynthesis and close the stomata to avoid a loss of water. The most spectacular time of life for the urn plant is actually after a number of years when it produces its fascinating bracts. These long-lasting and stunning pink flowering bracts will appear above the leaves like a spiky crown. They may vary in shape and will become studded with tiny flowers that are mostly blue. Propagation Commercial propagation is actually by seeds in optimum conditions. This is not advisable for amateur gardeners. It is actually much easier to get offshoots from the base of a mother plant that has flowered and pot them in a loose mixture of peat and perlite for new plants. Otherwise wait till the flower bract dies back and cut off the bract at its base. Let new plantlets emerge from the mother plant. If not removed, the new plantlets can form a clump of plants. Growing tips Light – Indirect sunlight or moderate shade is preferable, but they can actually acclimate quickly and grow in rather bright areas. However, strong direct sunlight may cause scorching and browning of the otherwise very hardy leaves. Water – Keep water in the central cup formation of the leaves. Change the water to keep it fresh and prevent odour or the growth of bacteria. Do not over-water as soggy conditions at the base will cause rot. On the opposite end, if there is browning at the edges of the leaves, then you are not watering the plant enough. Soil – any soil mix would do as they are technically air plants that use the roots for support only. It is possible to treat them like orchids as they will survive on the branches of other plants. Fertiliser – Urn plants only need a liquid fertiliser applied sparingly during the growing season. For those who bought these plants during the Lunar New Year, it is time for you to use a spray of liquid fertiliser. Repotting – Mature urn plants should not be repotted. Smaller ones can be repotted once they are established. Remember the mature plant is heavy on top and needs good anchorage or would topple over. Urn plants are not complicated, even for beginners. The most important rules to follow are to the keep the central cup filled with fresh water. The plants like to be planted in smallish posts that have good drainage. For good anchorage, don't plant them too deep but use weights such as stones to hold the plant in place. Do send me an email if you have any questions or comments. Wishing all readers Selamat Gawai Dayak. Happy gardening. |
| Posted: 31 May 2014 12:06 PM PDT by Mary Margaret. Posted on June 1, 2014, Sunday Announcing My Garden Bird Watch IN this time of giving thanks for bountiful rice harvests around Sarawak and Sabah and as we greet and wish friends, colleagues and relatives 'Selamat Gawai' or 'Selamat Kaamatan', we should slow down. We should stop and think about the meanings of the words and celebration; and give thanks. To whom? We are celebrating the productivity of the land and the skills of the farmer or agriculturist. In our climate-controlled urban homes, generally far removed from the paddy fields, gardens and orchards, we might take the vast variety of food available in the markets or supermarkets for granted. We might forget that food does not grow pre-packed and pre-wrapped. Growing life-sustaining padi and other food crops is a science and an art. Knowledge of nutrient and moisture requirements, elevation and soil types is needed. The art of farming is in combining this knowledge and in using your sixth sense to 'predict' changes in weather and other conditions. It is knowing, but not knowing how. It is instinctive. The cycle of padi cultivation dictates the cycle of village and farming life. Without the sun, the Earth would be black and frozen. Plants, which use sunlight, carbon dioxide from the air and water, are the original food-making machines and are the bases for the complicated food webs that connect the countless ecological niches on Earth. Plants, in order to thrive, like us, require additional nutrients including nitrogen, phosphorus and a number of other minerals. However, if there is a drought, the seedlings will not thrive and they may even die. Earlier we asked whom do we thank? We are giving thanks to nature for the raw ingredients that keep the world, as we know it, revolving. We give thanks, for the miracle of growth. Tiny seeds can grow and flourish to produce an abundance of grains, fruits or vegetables. We give thanks for the clean air, water and soil. We give thanks that all are connected. We are giving thanks to the natural world and its bounty. Should we stop and reflect on the health of the natural world and Earth? Should we stop and reflect on the heating of the Earth, the tremendous storms and droughts that have swept around the globe, causing devastation in multiple ways and grief beyond what can be put into words? Should we stop and reflect on the latest news that the ice shelf in the Antarctic has reached the point of no return and is quite likely to melt? In this time of giving thanks to nature and the miracles of nature, we should think about the inheritance we are handing on to the future. What type of world do you want for your children and their children? Malaysia Nature Society Established in 1940, the Malaysian Nature Society is the oldest scientific and non-governmental organisation in Malaysia. Our mission is to promote the study, appreciation conservation and protection of Malaysia's nature heritage. Our 5,000-strong membership, spread across 12 branches nationwide, come from all walks of life, bound by a comment interest in nature. For further information on membership or our activities in Kuching contact us at mnskuchinggmail.com. For information on our activities in Miri contact Musa Musbah (sammua@yahoo.com). You can also visit |
| Kuala Lawas – last frontier for dugong conservation Posted: 31 May 2014 12:05 PM PDT by Rintos Mail, reporters@theborneopost.com. Posted on June 1, 2014, Sunday THEY are believed to have been at the origin of mermaid legends when spotted swimming from a distance. Now the remaining populations of this seemingly clumsy sea mammal called dugong, commonly known as sea cow, are at serious risk of extinction. Many countries throughout the world are making every effort to protect this elusive marine mammal, associated with legends of women with fish tails. Sarawak too is moving into the same direction – to save the species. Historically, dugongs were common in shallow coastal waters of East Malaysia and hunted, particularly in the old days. Today, their occurrences are rather occasional. The protected waters and plentiful seagrass meadows are perfect for the dugong. The ungainly sirenian feeds almost exclusively on seagrass although now and then, it does snack on molluscs and crustaceans. As it feeds, it stirs up plumes of sand, leaving meandering trails that can be seen from the air. The dugong is listed as one of the totally protected species in Sarawak under the Wild Life Protection Ordinance 1998. Today, this large marine herbivore can still be found in Sarawak waters, especially in Kuala Lawas, assures Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC). Its deputy general manager (Protected Areas and Biodiversity Conservation Division) Oswald Braken Tisen said the state government was committed to ensure the continued existence of the dugong in the area for posterity. And in response to the government's commitment, he added, SFC, in collaboration with a few higher learning institutions and international organisations, had taken some proactive actions to protect and conserve the seabed off Kuala Lawas, one of the feeding grounds for dugongs and turtles. In fact, Braken pointed out, seagrass and dugong conservation in Kuala Lawas was initiated by the Forest Department back in 1994 after it monitored the movement of turtles. Together with students from Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), a marine mammal survey was carried in 1999. "The dugong was first spotted in Kuala Lawas in 2000. Before the study, we thought it had become completely extinct as there were no reports of sightings. "The last dugong death was recorded in Sarawak during the Japanese occupation," he said. In 2004, together with UMS students, SFC conducted a multi-discipline wild life expedition in Kuala Lawas to find out what the state had in the area. Arising from that expedition, SFC requested for federal funding, and in 2007, conducted a boat and aerial survey along the state's coastal waters and managed to record more than 10 individual dugongs and other marine mammals in Kuala Lawas. Braken said the SFC-endorsed boat survey in 2008-9 by Dr Nicholas Pilcher observed over 30 individual dugongs off Kuala Lawas and in Brunei Bay. In 2011, to enhance the seagrass and dugong conservation in Kuala Lawas, SFC organised the Southeast Asia regional workshop on the dugong in Lawas, funded by the UN Environment Programme and Convention on Migratory Species (UNEP/CMS). The objective was to come up with recommendations on the distribution of dugongs, their habitats and risks from fisheries in the region – at the same time establishing collaborations on conservation and research programmes with renowned institutions. From the workshop, Malaysia requested for funding from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) to support the conservation of marine biodiversity and ecosystem in the country. "The latest information I have is that the GEF has approved in principle some funds for Malaysia to enhance conservation of the dugong and seagrass in its waters, including in Kuala Lawas," Braken revealed. He said efforts to conserve the seagrass and dugong conservation in the area did not stop there, adding that SFC and Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) last year. The MOU will provide a framework for both parties to enhance research and conservation measures through the exchange of technical information, joint cooperative studies and research, as well as, industrial technology transfer in the field of endangered marine species. Braken said SFC had decided to work closely with UMT because the latter is known for its marine conservation work. He hoped from such collaboration, UMT would become a platform for other agencies to participate in the conservation of seagrass and dugong in the whole area off Kuala Lawas and in Brunei Bay. "The dugong does not belong to us alone. During low seagrass season in Kuala Lawas, it may be feeding somewhere in Brunei or the Philippines and therefore, every country in the region should play its part in conserving seagrass. "On our (SFC) part, we have worked with other member countries to protect our seagrass meadows. "But even with protection, others will still kill them – not just the seagrass but also the dugong. So it's our hope Kuala Lawas will be gazetted as a totally protected area." Braken said recommendations had been made to the State Forest Department to gazette Kuala Lawas as a national park. "It's also important the water source going to the seagrass meadows in Kuala lawas is protected as sedimentation poses a threat to them." He pointed out that protecting the seagrass meadows, the dugong's main source of food, is essential because without adequate sustenance, the dugong will not breed normally. He noted that the seagrass beds are also nurseries for fish, turtles and other marine life. SFC had organised a few wild life awareness programmes in Lawas and in 2012 had recruited over 30 wild life rangers. "Today, many people, including the wild life rangers, have become the ambassadors to promote our seagrass and dugong conservation in Kuala Lawas," Braken said. Although not a targetted species now since local fishermen know it's protected by law, by-catch is still the number one issue. It is believed rising pollution, coastal developments, river traffic, bad fishing practices and hunting have contributed to a decline in the fortunes of the dugong — both in Sarawak waters and around the world. Dugongs are particularly vulnerable to boat strikes as they come to the surface to breathe, putting them directly in the path of watercraft. Boats travelling at speed or in shallow waters over seagrass beds or coral reefs pose the greatest threat. Dugongs are also under threat from diminishing food sources. Seagrass meadows are being detrimentally affected by pollution (pollutants can include herbicide runoff, sewage, detergents, heavy metals, hypersaline water from desalination plants, and other waste products), algal blooms, high boat traffic and turbid waters. Today, dugongs need to rely on smaller seagrass meadows for food and habitat. When the seagrass habitat becomes unsuitable for foraging, dugong populations are displaced and the mammals face greater threat. Other direct threats include incidental mortality in gill fishing nets and shark meshing. The dugong has a long rotund body and a tail or fluke for propulsion. Adult dugongs can reach lengths of more than three metres and weigh up to 420kg. Dugongs have relatively poor eyesight, so they rely on the sensitive bristles covering the upper lip of their large snouts to find seagrass. The dugongs have been hunted for thousands of years for meat and oil. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) lists the dugong as a species vulnerable to extinction while the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species limits or bans the trade of derived products. How about that connection with mermaids? The word dugong derives from the tagalog term dugong which was, in turn, adopted from the Malay word duyung – both meaning lady of the sea. Other common local names include sea cow, sea pig and sea camel (Wikipedia). Another assumption is that when swimming, the dugong, which has a streamlined body, use its whale-like fluked tail and front flippers to glide forward in slow graceful movements and this probably caused early sailors to liken the species to mermaids. Biologists also note that female dugongs have large teats at the base of their flippers. According to the website of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), any threat to this huge migratory herbivorous mammal should be of critical concern to the billions of people who rely on the oceans for their livelihoods. "If the dugong, a key indicator species, is declining, then the coastal environment that provides protein in the form of fish, and income in terms of tourism, is also being degraded," it states. Dugongs may live for 70 years or more and are slow breeders. The female does not begin breeding until 10-17 years old and only calves once every three to five years, providing seagrass and other conditions are suitable. This slow breeding rate means dugongs are particularly susceptible to factors that threaten their survival. Dugongs feed almost exclusively on seagrass, a flowering plant found in shallow water areas. An adult will eat about 30kg each day. As dugong feeds, whole plants are uprooted leaving tell-tale tracks behind. They will also feed on macro-invertebrates such as sea squirts. |
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