Miri's beloved hornbills Jimmy and Faridah live on in new book by local author

Borneo Post

23-05-2025

Jamila holding her new book which she published on her own.
MIRI (May 24): A heartfelt tale of love, loss and second chances comes to life in a new book written by local author Jamila Abdul Basha, celebrating the lives of Miri's beloved hornbills, Jimmy and Faridah.
Titled 'A Love Story: Jimmy and Faridah', the book tells the emotional story of the oriental pied hornbill pair whose bond, tragedy and legacy touched the hearts of many and helped inspire the creation of the Piasau Nature Reserve.
The story also introduces Juliet, Jimmy's new mate after Faridah's death, showing how life in the reserve continues to evolve with hope and resilience.
Jamila began her research in 2021, and finalised the book earlier this year.
Writing the book, she said, was not simply a matter of documenting facts; it required emotional immersion.
'When writing the book, I put myself in Jimmy's position to better convey the emotions of the story. These birds have feelings of joy and sadness. When Faridah died, Jimmy was greatly affected,' she said.
Her motivation to write the book stemmed from a desire to preserve the hornbills' story beyond oral retellings.
'If their story is not penned into words and kept in a book, it would be unfortunate for it would be lost forever, only passed on as a verbal story from one generation to another,' she added.
More than just a wildlife story, the book presents moral lessons through the lives of the birds, particularly Jimmy, whose loyalty, patience, and faithfulness reflect values often cherished in human families.
'Jimmy showed qualities that we may find lacking in our generation. I hope readers, especially children, will be inspired by the values embedded in this story,' Jamila said.
Cover of 'A Love Story: Jimmy and Faridah'.
In 2013, Faridah was tragically killed in a poaching incident, despite being part of a protected species under Sarawak's wildlife laws.
Locals mourned the loss, as did Jimmy, who showed clear signs of distress after her passing.
Over time, Jimmy found companionship again with Juliet, offering a powerful symbol of the enduring beauty of second chances and the natural cycle of life.
'This love story creates an environment of love, sadness and joy, which are emotions common among us humans too. It reflects a family's experience of grief and the hope of a second chance at love,' she said.
Beyond Sarawak, the story is already resonating with readers abroad.
Jamila had the honour of presenting the first copies of her book to Mayor of Baguio city Philippines Benjamin B Magalong and his wife, Arlene Magalong during their visit to the Piasau Nature Reserve Park office on Wednesday (May 21).
She also shared that the National Library of Malaysia had reached out to her regarding the book, and she has since sent five copies to the library to be kept in its collection for public access and preservation.
'A Love Story: Jimmy and Faridah' also marks Jamila's first book written entirely on her own.
Drawing from years of observation and emotional reflection, she said the experience of crafting the story was deeply personal and fulfilling.
The book includes personal reflections, photos, and historical background to help readers appreciate the hornbills' story and the reserve's creation.
She hopes the story of Jimmy, Faridah and Juliet will continue to inspire both locals and visitors.
'This book is a gift to our children and future generations. I believe their story will be recognised by bird lovers everywhere. Those who hear about Jimmy will want to visit and experience the beauty of life in this part of the world,' she concluded.
The book will be available after the launch, with further details on where to get copies to be announced. book Faridah hornbills Jamila Abdul Basha Jimmy love story miri