World's first gibbon born in captivity in Sabah to be released into the wild
KOTA KINABALU: The world's possibly first gibbon born in captivity will be released into the wild with its parents once it reaches 6 months of age.
'"Nabalu' was born on May 8 to Candyman and Manis, a pair of gibbons rescued and rehabilitated at the Borneo Gibbon Rehabilitation Project (Borneo GReP) in Kampung Kiau Bersatu, Kota Belud. The centre was established in 2022.
Gibbon experts said a successful "rewilding" must meet all release criteria outlined in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Best Practice Guidelines for the Rehabilitation and Translocation of Gibbons.
Gibbon Conservation Society founder and president Mariani Ramli, a Sabahan primatologist, said Nabalu and its parents will be released as a family once the baby is over 6 months old.
"With Nabalu's birth, both Manis and Candyman have demonstrated their readiness for rewilding."
She said the release site must be agreed upon by all stakeholders, including the Tourism, Culture and Environment Ministry, Sabah Wildlife Department and Gibbon Conservation Society.
The honour of naming the newborn gibbon was given to Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Christina Liew by the Gibbon Conservation Society.
"The birth on May 8 is a historic milestone for this endangered species in captivity at the rehabilitation centre. I chose the name 'Nabalu', which means Spirit of the Mountain, for this baby gibbon," said Liew.
She added that the ministry, through the Sabah Wildlife Department, supports the Gibbon Conservation Society's gibbon conservation, rehabilitation and rewilding efforts.
Liew congratulated Mariani for gaining international recognition for her gibbon conservation work in Malaysia.
Mariani was recently appointed the only Malaysian World Female Ranger Ambassador for Resilience for 2024 and 2025.
"With your passion and relentless dedication, you (Mariani) have made Sabah and Malaysia proud through your leadership in gibbon conservation.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
![[Watch] Rare Colourised Footage Shows Japanese Surrender In Kuala Lumpur 1945](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.therakyatpost.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2025%2F08%2FUntitled4-4.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
![[Watch] Rare Colourised Footage Shows Japanese Surrender In Kuala Lumpur 1945](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fall-logos-bucket.s3.amazonaws.com%2Ftherakyatpost.com.png&w=48&q=75){kind=small}
Rakyat Post
3 hours ago
- Rakyat Post
[Watch] Rare Colourised Footage Shows Japanese Surrender In Kuala Lumpur 1945
Subscribe to our FREE A remarkable piece of Malaysian history – rare, colourised footage – captured the moment Japanese forces surrendered in Kuala Lumpur 80 years ago, marking the end of World War II in Malaya. The restored footage, originally housed in the British National Archives, shows the dramatic surrender ceremony in September 1945 that took place outside the Sultan Sulaiman Building in Kuala Lumpur. This local ceremony followed Japan's formal surrender to the Allies on 15 August 1945 – exactly 80 years ago today – when The colourisation process has breathed new life into these black-and-white historical records, allowing viewers to witness this pivotal moment as if they were there. British 34th Indian Division Commander The footage captures him inspecting battle-weary Allied troops and visiting newly liberated prisoner-of-war camps, where the eyes of freed captives reflected both the trauma of war and the relief of liberation. The Weight of Surrender Perhaps the most powerful moment captured is the symbolic laying down of arms. Japanese military officers systematically place their ceremonial katana swords on the ground – hundreds of gleaming blades creating a striking carpet of defeat. This profound visual represents not just military surrender, but the end of Japan's brutal three-and-a-half-year occupation of Malaya. The footage then shifts to Kuala Lumpur airport, where abandoned Japanese fighter aircraft sit in silent testimony to the war's end. Scattered around them lie the remnants of occupation: helmets, bugles, communication devices, and mountains of confiscated weapons and ammunition. British and Indian officers methodically catalogue these war trophies before loading the surrendered swords onto trucks. From Invaders to Beloved Destination Today's Malaysia-Japan relationship presents a striking contrast to this dark chapter of history. Modern Malaysians regard Japan as one of their top holiday destinations, flocking to experience its culture, cuisine, and hospitality. Japanese brands, anime, and technology are deeply woven into Malaysian daily life. Yet this footage serves as a crucial reminder that the same nation once invaded Malaysian shores as brutal occupiers. During the early stages of the This support would later make them particular targets when Japan occupied Malaya. During the three-and-a-half-year occupation from 1942 to 1945, Japanese forces were known for their Learning from History This historical documentation is not meant to foster hatred, but to preserve memory. Understanding our past—both the darkness and the light—helps ensure that such brutalities are never repeated. The remarkable transformation of Japan from a wartime aggressor to a peaceful ally demonstrates how nations can change and evolve, offering hope for reconciliation and growth. The colourised footage has struck a deep chord with Malaysians, garnering over 354,000 views on social media. The vivid colours help bridge the gap between past and present, making this distant historical event feel immediate and real for modern audiences who might otherwise view wartime history as abstract or irrelevant. For those moved by this historical footage, there's an opportunity to experience this era through live performance. Tomorrow evening (16 August) at 7:30 PM, the Wisma KTC Hall in Kuala Lumpur will present '日据烽火 · 南侨机工马来亚篇' (Under the Fire of Occupation – The Nanyang Volunteer Mechanics' Malaya Chapter), a 90-minute Chinese-language theatrical production. Share your thoughts with us via TRP's . Get more stories like this to your inbox by signing up for our newsletter.
New Straits Times
a day ago
- New Straits Times
Character education starts at home
LETTERS: Recent reports about bullying, disciplinary cases, and troubling attitudes among Malaysian teenagers have become alarmingly common. While public debate often focuses on improving school facilities or updating curricula, we should instead look at a more fundamental truth: the moral compass of our young generation. This element should actually start at home. Across all faiths, education is seen not as a phase, but a lifelong journey. Education is a continuous pursuit of knowledge that shapes both mind and character. Parents are the first teachers and the ones most responsible for shaping children's character). Without this foundation, even the most advanced education system will fail to produce individuals who are just, compassionate, and responsible. But unhealthy trends and moral decline including bad behaviour, crude language, and disrespect are sadly creeping into our schools and communities. Too often, parents assume that teachers will 'handle' the moral upbringing of their children. While educators play a vital role, their influence is limited by time, resources, and the competing demands of teaching multiple subjects. A teacher may meet a student for a few hours a day; a parent, however, shapes the home environment every single day. When that environment is nurturing and firm in moral discipline, children learn to stand against peer pressure, reject bullying, and uphold respect for others. If a child witnesses honesty, humility, and patience at home, these traits become their default behaviour. On the other hand, if they see anger, gossip or disrespect within the family, no amount of school discipline will undo that early 'training'. In addressing current problems such as bullying and attitude issues, parents must take a proactive stance. This includes monitoring their children's friendships, setting clear boundaries for social media use, and having open conversations about peer influence and moral courage. Equally important is encouraging acts of kindness and community service so that children learn the joy of contributing positively to society. The current challenges will be solved when families reclaim their role as the first and most important educators.
Focus Malaysia
2 days ago
- Focus Malaysia
Speaking English as an ‘Anak Merdeka': Not Westernised, just globalised
EVERY time I speak English in public, I feel eyes on me. Some admire. Some judge. Some smile. Others sneer. When I speak it fluently, confidently, without fumbling, the assumption often follows: 'She must think she's more Western than Malaysian.' As a language lecturer with over 15 years of experience and a TikTok content creator under the name Awin Rzk, I often teach my followers how to speak English with a British flair, for fun, for style, for confidence. But some netizens are quick to attack. 'Lupa daratan', they say. 'Tak hargai Bahasa Melayu'. What they fail to see is that I am not promoting arrogance, nor am I dismissing our national language. I am sharing knowledge. I am educating. I am empowering. My content, both online and in the classroom, is born from love. Love for my students, my country, and the belief that Malaysians deserve to be articulate in any room they walk into, whether at home or abroad. That assumption, though quietly harboured, is far too common in our society. And this Merdeka, I feel compelled to speak. Not just as a content creator. Not just as a lecturer. But as a proud 'anak Malaysia'. We are not Westernised for speaking English. We are globalised. And we are free. Independence was never just about driving out foreign powers. It was about reclaiming our right to choose. The right to chart our own path. The right to learn any language, access any knowledge, and express ourselves without fear or shame. So why, after all these years of nationhood, are we still policing how Malaysians speak? Why is fluency in English still met with suspicion, as if it is a sign of betrayal? I do not teach English because I want Malaysians to abandon their roots. I teach it because I want them to rise. I want them to speak at international forums, to publish in global journals, to lead in multinational companies. I want them to sit at the world's table, not quietly in the corner, but with presence, poise, and power. Our students are brilliant. But I have seen too many of them shrink during job interviews or international conferences not because they lacked intelligence, but because they lacked confidence in their English. And sometimes, it is not even their fault. It is ours. We made them believe that being too fluent was showing off. That choosing English meant forgetting where they came from. We told them to be proud of being Malaysian, but only if they spoke a certain way. Let me be clear: Bahasa Melayu is our national language, and it is sacred. It holds our soul and our history. But loving one language does not mean we must reject another. Speaking English does not dilute your patriotism. It expands your ability to be heard. We are a nation born of many cultures. We speak Malay, Chinese dialects, Tamil, Iban, Kadazan, English, and more. That is not a weakness. In fact, it reflects the very essence of who we are. It shows how truly Malaysian we are diverse, adaptable, and united in our differences. This Merdeka, I raise the Jalur Gemilang as I do every year. I sing 'Negaraku' with my hand on my heart. And I continue teaching English with purpose. Not to Westernise my students, but to equip them with the tools to thrive beyond borders while staying rooted in who they are. That is what it means to be truly Merdeka. To speak without shame. To learn without limits. To grow without fear of being misunderstood. So no, I am not Westernised. I am Malaysian. I am a language lecturer with years of experience and a digital educator who teaches out of love for this country. I believe our young Malaysians should never feel they have to choose between fluency and patriotism. Let them speak with confidence. Let them dream in many languages. Let them rise in every room they enter. Because the world is listening. And it is time Malaysia speaks clearly, proudly, and without shame. ‒ Aug 13, 2025 Shazlin Razak is the English Language Lecturer at the Centre for Foundation Studies in Science (PASUM), Universiti Malaya. The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia. Main image: Unsplash/Putra Mahirudin
