Meet Dr Nek Abd Rahman, Malaysia's very own 'Horse Whisperer - Horse Doctor' who has gained great fame in South-East Asia and also the world
In a recent international business forum in Kuala Lumpur, a tall gentleman was the limelight of the event with his witty and cheerful comments and how he spoke much on healthy living.
Many thought he was a foreigner and an advocate for his health products with his strong English accent. But as it turned out, the tall gentleman with his cowboy outfit was, in fact, a true blood Malaysian.
Meet Datuk Dr Nek Abd Rahman Saleh ... He goes by many names ... some call him the Malaysian cowboy, for many he is a 'Horse Doctor-Horse Whisperer' while others also know as a man who provides medicinal relieve for many health patients.
But it all comes down to one thing - his boundless love for horses and also the medicinal value of horses milk for all kind of diseases. Yes, some also call him the magic doctor.
Dr Nek and his family.
While he is famed for horse raring abilities and recognised in the field of equestrian by the British Horse Society, United Kingdom, the University of Ballarat, Australia and the Osman Gazi University, Turkey -- these days, Dr Nek is also famous for his medicinal products, Niemans Feramilch - a supplement product based on mares milk.
"This is a very special supplement. It is an effective alternatives against Cancer, Dengue, Leukemia, Allergies, Anaemia, Athritis, Asthma, and many other diseases," said a beaming Dr Nek.
And he also pointed out that the product has been certified after studies by top Malaysian scientists from University Malaysia, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Universiti Putra Malaysia and also Universitas Brawijaya Indonesia
In a scientific reading note: (" Pengambilan Niemans Feramilch secara berterusan didapati mampu mengawal dan mencegah sel-sel tubuh daripada rosak dan dijangkiti kanser, demikian menurut satu kajian. Di samping itu ia berupaya melambatkan proses penuaan, menghindarkan tekanan serta penyakit berkaitan darah seperti denggi, diabetes dan asma " - Prof Madya Dr. Rozita Rosli Timbalan Dekan (Penyelidikan dan Siswazah) Fakulti Perubatan dan Sains Kesihatan, UPM) -- it was confirmed that the product can help improve one's health from diseases.
But while the product itself is a major achievement for Dr Nek, what he felt more compelled to talk about was his love for horses and the love he felt when he is with them.
So much so, Dr Nek and his whole family rather stay away from the bustling city life and are now residing in their vegetable farm in Bukit Tinggi in Bentong, Pahang with their horses.
"Horses they are everything for me. They are very important to me because they have basically given me so much. They are all part of the family. I love every one of them," said 69-year-old Dr Nek, who retired as a senior police officer in 2011.
For the record, Dr Nek was born in 1956 in the State of Kelantan. He has been recognized in the field of equestrian by the British Horse Society, United Kingdom, the University of Ballarat, Australia and the Osman Gazi University, Turkey.
He chose to retire early from the PDRM at 55. His last position was as an Assistant Superintended of Police was at Bukit Aman Kuala Lumpur.
In line with his research with local and overseas universities, he also made efforts to /further his studies in medical law, project management and subsequently DBA-based equine business in the United Kingdom.
His medical product business has expanded not only related to health products but also in the fields of education, training and events. He has been invited several times as a speaker in South-East Asia especially at universities and has also been a guest of international horse conferences and symposia.
He has also written many journals on horse breeding and its medicinal products for international scientific research studies which was included in European and South-East Asian publications.
Known as Nek Man by his peers in the equestrian world, Dr Nek says his passion for everything cowboy and horses didn't emerge in his early years growing up in Kelantan.
It happened only 30 years ago, after a chance meeting with an Indonesian doctor who shared information about the properties of wild horse's milk. Fascinated by this new knowledge, Nek Man began his own research into horse milk, with the goal of starting a business.
Dr Nek and his wife Datin Norhayati A. Rahim. The couple have been married for more than 40 years. He even returned to university to study medical law, project management and later pursued an equine business programme in Britain.
'All of this was for the benefit of my business and interest. The more I learned, the more I fell in love with the equine world – and the more of a cowboy I became,' says Dr Nek.
He eventually became a prominent figure in the equine community in Malaysia and began representing the country on a global stage. One notable event was the Turkmen Horse Festival in Turkmenistan in 2013.
'That's when I was given the title Malaysian Cowboy by fellow participants from the United States,' says Dr Nek.
'Since then, wherever I go, I'm introduced as the Malaysian Cowboy,' he adds.
In a more formal capacity, Dr Nek serves as the president of the Asean Horse Society, the patron of Persatuan Aktiviti Kuda Kelantan, an advisor to the Thailand-American Cowboy Association, and a committee member of the Indonesian Thoroughbred Association.
In 1996, Dr Nek founded and established a company, Setia Brothers Sdn Bhd with a specific purpose that is to lead the equine related business specifically in the Biotechnology based on the horses' milk.
Due to high commitment in the government sector, he entrusted the business to be headed by his wife. In order to ensure that the product is valuable, researches was also conducted not only to rely on the testimony of the customers but to serve as an assurance of the safety of the product.
The first research collaboration was established with Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) in finding the reaction response to various types of cancer. Consequently, another research collaboration was conducted with Universiti Malaya (UM) for tropical diseases caused by mosquito-borne viruses.
This was followed by another research collaboration with Universitas (University) Brawijaya, Indonesia that focused on studies related to skin diseases. The collaboration with Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), was focused on Diabetes Mellitus Type 2, and the collaboration with Avanticell Science Scotland in the study of prostate cancer.
There are other agencies and organisations that helped conducted further research including IMR, JPVM and others.
"After being satisfied with the studies and researches conducted, finally a product under the brand 'Niemans Feramilch' was released for Malaysian and international market. The thing that is most proud of is that, this study is the first study and the first success of a horse-based dairy product to help 'CML' and 'ALL' blood cancer patients in the alternative (supplements) forms of medication," said Dr Nek.
Dr Nek, from all his research, said he has found the milk from female horses are best from Papua (Irian Jaya) because they are fed grass which come from volcano hills in the island.
"These are the best and from all my studies the milk from this land (Papua), the Irian Jaya wild horses, are the best for my products and I'm very thankful this product has helped many people from their pains and also lead a better and healthy lifestyle," said Dr Nek.
"I have many friends from the island, who are now helping me, taking care of the horses and also sending the milk products. But business apart, it is my love of horses that has brought me this far. They are simply wonderful beings that were created by god and I'm happy I can just communicate with them so easily and it has been a big turning point in my career and life."
Naturally, Dr Nek's strong passion for horses and the cowboy lifestyle has spread to his small family as the family members also help our Dr Nek with his medical product business.
Married to Datin Norhayati A. Rahim for more than 40 years, his business now is also run by his son Nek Ahmad Maheer and his wife Nora Shahida. Maheer and Nora have three children - Nek Ariana Balqis, Nek Aryan Muhriz and Nek Armel Medina.
When Dr Nek started his business, and because he was still in the police force, and to avoid a conflict of interest, Norhayati rose to the challenge and managed the business.
Not only did she have to learn the trade – including dabbling in accounts and marketing – but she also had to learn about horses – riding them, caring for them, understanding their diet, providing a conducive living space and managing their accessories.
"I owe my wife so much. My wonderful soul mate and best friend. She has always been a rock for me. But these days, both the oldies are taking a break from the rigorous workload. My son and his wife are now taking more participation in the business as me and my wife need a bit more rest these days," said the smiling Dr Nek.
"I'm also very happy that my son is also like me when it comes to horses. And my grandchildren too. And it is a big blessing that my daughter-in-law just love horses too," said Dr Nek.
As for his decision to move away from the city, Dr Nek said it was a decision that was supported by all the members of the family.
"When I expressed his desire to move to Bukit Tinggi, the surprising thing was everyone in my family was very happy,' said Dr Nek. 'They all just love the cowboy lifestyle and I'm so happy here, living with my horses and also the nature.
'This place (Bukit Tinggi) is peaceful and laidback, it's like going back to real nature. Here, we get to teach our grandchildren not to be afraid to play with dirt and puddles, and not to get hooked on gadgets,' added Dr Nek.
"The more I learned, the more I fell in love with the equine world – and the more of a cowboy I became. And while my products help people to be more healthier, I'm just humbled that I can help people improve my life and also how horses has improved mine."
So there you go, our very own 'Malaysian Cowboy' who once served the country with distinguish valour as a police officer and now serving people by helping them to lead a healthier lifestyle and at the same time, telling all the importance of horses to the community of humans.
Hats off to our Dr Nek, Malaysia's very own 'Horse Doctor-Horse Whisperer' and may he continue to help people to a better state of life.
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