Latest news with #Bajau
Borneo Post
2 days ago
- Politics
- Borneo Post
Clarity sought on 'Sabah native' definition to protect indigenous rights
Henrynus Amin KOTA KINABALU (June 8): Parti Kerjasama Anak Negeri (Anak Negeri) has called for a clearer definition or a more precise list of 'Sabah native' races, similar to what exists for Sarawak, in order to bring clarity and remove any doubt and ambiguity. This call aims to remove existing ambiguities and protect the rights and heritage of genuine indigenous communities in Sabah. Anak Negeri President Datuk Henrynus @ Rinus Amin also wants to add a clause no native certificates are valid without an 'appropriate declaration made by Sabah Native Court.' Henrynus said he also wants a clause that specifically states if evidence emerges that a citizenship and/or a native certificate was obtained fraudulently, the issuing authority (such as the Native Court in Sabah) has the legal basis to revoke it, and those involved in the fraud may face further legal repercussions. Anak Negeri is championing the rights of genuine native communities to protect their ancestral land from encroachment by individuals it deems 'bogus natives.' There's an urgent need to resolve this issue because foreigners, who are reportedly posing as Malaysian citizens and natives with fraudulently obtained identity cards, are illegally occupying native or customary land across Sabah 'We're getting troubling reports about customary native land being occupied by newcomers with dubious identity in several districts of Sabah, including Ranau, Keningau, Sook, Nabawan, Tongod, Beluran, Pitas, Sipitang, Lahad Datu and Kalabakan. 'These reports indicate that newcomers with questionable citizenship are allegedly purchasing or occupying these lands and creating new settlements,' said Henrynus in a statement on Sunday. He also expressed concerns about shifting demographics resulting from the existence of new land owners in Sabah claiming to be natives. He said there are allegations that thousands of acres of land have been granted to 'dubious natives' (individuals of questionable native status) in several districts of Sabah. These individuals are reportedly establishing new settlements and villages, and then registering as voters, which critics argue is fundamentally altering the political demographics of these areas. Claims have been highlighted that as many as 500,000 individuals in Sabah may have obtained Malaysian identity cards (MyKad) through questionable means. This issue is particularly concerning given the reported shifts in ethnic demographics. Currently, the Kadazandusun population now stands at only 19% of the total, and the Bajau at 14%. In contrast, the Malay population, which was previously negligible, has reportedly surged to 9%. The question being raised is the origin of this new Malay population. If they are not from Peninsular Malaysia, the conclusion drawn is that they are individuals from neighboring Indonesia who are allegedly masquerading as Malays to obtain identity cards and subsequently claim rights to native land, said Henrynus. The party is also particularly concerned about coastal squatter settlements near major towns, which it alleges are populated by individuals of questionable citizenship claiming native status and seeking state recognition for their villages. Henrynus said in Sabah, the primary enactment that defines 'natives of Sabah' is the Interpretation (Definition of Native) Ordinance 1952 (Sabah Cap 64). Unlike Sarawak, which lists specific indigenous races, he said the Federal Constitution for Sabah refers to 'a person of a race indigenous to Sabah,' again deferring to the Interpretation (Definition of Native) Ordinance 1952. He said the status of Kadazandusun, Murut and Sungai or collectively Momogun is not clearly defined in Interpretation (Definition of Native) Ordinance 1952. 'This lack of a precise list casts doubt on the validity and relevance of the existing definition,' said Henrynus who launched Parti Anak Negeri Village Committee at Kampung Kinaundusan (N36 Kundasang) Ranau recently. But amendment to the definition of 'native' in Sabah has been a long-standing and complex issue which no state government was willing to take on. He said the issue was deemed not a priority and thus relegated to the political backyard by the current state administration. He said he is not sure what is being done by the GRS State Government, but questioned why Kadazandusun assemblymen from Star, PBS, and UPKO who were outspoken on the issue during election, are seen as largely oblivious to the facts, and remain muted after the election. 'Have they forgotten their roots?' he asked. The Interpretation (Definition of Native) Ordinance 1952 provides a legal framework for who is considered a native in Sabah. There are several criteria, including: 1. Persons both of whose parents are or were members of a people indigenous to Sabah. 2. Persons ordinarily resident in Sabah and live as a member of a native community, with at least one parent or ancestor being a native within the meaning of the first point. 3. Persons ordinarily resident in Sabah who are members of certain other indigenous peoples (e.g., from Sarawak, Brunei, Indonesia, or the Sulu group of islands in the Philippine Archipelago) and have lived as and been a member of a native community for a continuous period, among other requirements.
Daily Express
4 days ago
- Business
- Daily Express
Royal Sabah Turf Club cup races celebrate the festive spirit
Published on: Saturday, June 07, 2025 Published on: Sat, Jun 07, 2025 Text Size: Ewon (centre, right) poses with the winner of the Harvest Festival Mile Cup. Kota Kinabalu: Royal Sabah Turf Club (RSTC) successfully organised the Harvest Festival Mile Cup and Sprint Cup at the Tambalang Racecourse in Tuaran on June 1. The event was celebrated in a lively atmosphere, full of sportsmanship and excitement. Advertisement Among the distinguished guests were Minister of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Datuk Ewon Benedick and Datuk Wong Thien Fook. To mark the occasion, RSTC carried out a symbolic welcoming ceremony, featuring five horses ridden by Bajau riders, known as 'Oriental Cowboys'. This gesture was meant to honour the guests and showcase Sabah's rich cultural heritage. David's Sling secured victory in the 1,600-metre Harvest Festival Mile Cup, while Easylights was crowned champion of the 1,200-metre Sprint Cup. Ewon personally presented the trophies to the Mile Cup winners, adding a special touch to the event, while Wong presented prizes to the winners of the Sprint race. Apart from the races, there was also a Malaysia Madani product promotion, allowing spectators to enjoy shopping while watching the exhilarating competitions. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Free Malaysia Today
7 days ago
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
Kaamatan festival boosts business for Sabah seamstress
Norhayati Ajirul has to extend her business hours during Kaamatan to cater to demand for her traditional clothing. (Bernama pic) KOTA KINABALU : Kaamatan, Sabah's biggest ethnic celebration held throughout this month, is a profitable season for local seamstress Norhayati Ajirul. Although her shop is modest in size, its reputation rests on the quality of her craftsmanship. Her neat stitching, precise tailoring, and intricate bead embroidery – showcased in her traditional attire from various Sabahan tribes – continue to draw customers eager for both ready-made and custom items. Norhayati, a Bajau from Kudat, said demand for traditional clothing spikes significantly during the festive season. She works alongside five employees to fulfil the flood of orders. 'Orders for traditional clothes come in all year round, but when Kaamatan arrives, they multiply. Alhamdulillah, even our ready-made clothes sell out. We have regular customers and even local wholesalers who rely on us,' the 52-year-old told Bernama. As such, Norhayati has to adjust her business hours during the festival month. 'Normally, we open from morning until evening. But during Kaamatan, we start as early as 7am and close at 9pm. 'A week or two before the height of Kaamatan, it's non-stop, with no time for breaks.' Her team can complete as many as five traditional outfits a day, each garment taking between two and five hours, depending on the complexity of the design. Prices for each outfit depend on the size and design, with children's traditional clothing selling at RM100 to RM150 apiece, and adult outfits from RM500 to over RM2,000. 'This brings me joy' Norhayati said her interest in the uniqueness of Sabah's ethnic traditional wear led her to venture into the trade. Before running her own tailoring business, she gained experience as a salesperson and seamstress at another tailor shop. Norhayati with her daughter Anisa Baqeera, who helps to draw younger customers by promoting their outfits on social media. (Bernama pic) The mother of four picked up her skills independently without attending formal sewing courses. She also drew inspiration from local newspapers that featured pageant contestants showcasing traditional attire from their respective districts. 'There are various challenges in producing traditional clothes, especially with the embroidery and beadwork. You have to know the correct placement, how to assemble each district's attire, and understand the unique patterns. 'I sew every day, but I never feel tired or bored because this work brings me joy,' she said, adding that she hopes to expand her business in the future. Meanwhile, Norhayati's youngest child, Anisa Baqeera, plays an important role in modernising the business by promoting their traditional outfits on social media. 'We want to attract more customers, especially those of the young generation. Social media is the best way to do it,' the 22-year-old said. For customer Mohd Nazllie Zainul, a journalist, businesses involved in producing traditional clothing do more than just generate income for their proprietors. 'They play a crucial role in preserving and celebrating Sabah's ethnic arts and culture, while attracting the interest of both domestic and international tourists,' he said. Food trader Farradiah Awang Bahari, 44, shared that she purchased ethnic attire from the boutique for her son, who is celebrating Kaamatan at his school. 'I believe it's important to expose children to our culture from an early age, so they can experience and appreciate its beauty,' she said.
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
South Korean Haenyeo Divers' Extreme Lifestyle Is Shaping Their Genetics
Often likened to mermaids in media reports and popular culture, South Korea's famed Haenyeo ('sea women') spend much of the day underwater, diving without scuba gear to collect abalone, octopus, kelp and other prized seafood. Admired both culturally and scientifically, they have been plunging into the frigid waters of Jeju Island since as early as 503 C.E. Now, for the first time, a study has found both genetic adaptations and training effects that are unique to these women and could explain how the Haenyeo withstand the intense physical stresses that come with continuous diving. The findings, published in Cell Reports, zero in on specific genetic features of the Haenyeo that allow the bodies of these divers to more efficiently control blood pressure, for example. The researchers hope closer investigations into such genetic traits could inform future approaches to certain disorders or illnesses in the general population. 'The Haenyeo are really like superhumans,' says Melissa A. Ilardo, senior author of the study and an evolutionary geneticist at the University of Utah. 'You cannot watch the Haenyeo dive and not think these women have superpowers.' [Sign up for Today in Science, a free daily newsletter] It's easy to see the Haenyeo as enigmatic. For centuries, they have conspicuously maintained their own culture and style. They sport unique broad-rimmed sun visors and tattooed eyebrows, and their skin is tanned and weathered by a lifetime of wind and saltwater. After Haenyeo divers age past their diving years, they still stick close to the sea and work along the shoreline, often tying a cushion to their backside to rest on as they lay kelp out to dry. They have kept their tradition afloat through Japan's decades-long occupation of the Korean Peninsula, massacres under dictatorships and relentless industrial development. And the new study suggests that there might even be a ring of scientific truth to 'superpower' analogy. 'Given that [the Haenyeo] have this unique culture, unique language—all these things that are so different—it seems obvious that there would be some genetic differences,' Ilardo says. 'But that wasn't something that had ever been investigated.' Ilardo, who studies genetics of medically resilient humans around the world at her aptly named Superhuman Lab, had previously examined the physiology of a diving people called the Bajau in Southeast Asia. Her team found the Bajau had an extra large spleens that could store additional oxygenated blood for lengthy dives. 'If one group of divers had evolved to dive, then maybe others have as well,' Ilardo says. The Haenyeo—with their long diving history—stood out to the crew at the Superhuman Lab as another population that could have developed diving advantages. 'What's interesting about studying populations who have lived in a particular environment for many, many generations is that if there's been a selective pressure in that environment, you can look at their genomes and start to pull out regions that appear to be essential for their survival,' explains Tatum Simonson, a geneticist at the University of California, San Diego, who was not involved in the new study. Those essential genetic irregularities are 'probably linked to some aspect of physiology that has been beneficial over time in that environment.' For the new study on the Haenyeo, the Superhuman Lab collaborated with physiologists from South Korea to simulate the effects of submersion on the divers themselves, compared with non-Haenyeo Jeju residents and mainland South Koreans. Participants laid on their stomach with their head over a bowl of cold water, periodically plunging their face under while the researchers measured how their reflexive submersion responses changed their heart rate and blood pressure. The participants were all from the same country, yet they showed striking differences in these changes. Ilardo thinks that could be a direct result of natural selection. For example, 'sleep apnea—which is kind of like unintentional diving in your sleep [in that it reduces oxygen availability]—increases the risk of hypertensive disorders during pregnancy,' she explains, adding that these can include preeclampsia (a pregnancy complication that can dangerously raise blood pressure). The Haenyeo are known to continue diving while pregnant, she notes. 'If diving is increasing [a Haenyeo diver's] risk of preeclampsia, that could take out an entire generation,' Ilardo says. But the Haenyeo aren't known to have a particularly high risk of hypertensive pregnancy disorders, and they have obviously birthed many generations of babies. Ilardo's research suggests it's likely that a gene allowing for better regulation of blood pressure has been passed down through the years. Interestingly, the team found that all Jeju residents—even those without a Haenyeo family member—had a similar genetic variation that suppressed a reflexive blood pressure increase when diving. This suggests that the variation may have naturally spread throughout the island. It would also support Jeju's surprisingly low stroke death rate, which is around 24.3 per 100,000 for not just the Haenyeo but all of the island's residents—lower than the mainland city of Seoul's rate of 25.7 per 100,000 and the U.S.'s rate of 37 per 100,000. But Ilardo notes that some physiological differences, such as heartbeat changes, were unique to the Haenyeo. During the face-dunking experiment, Haenyeo participants' heart rates slowed by 50 percent more, on average, compared with nondiver Jeju residents. This helps their bodies manage oxygen circulation through their bodies during a long dive, letting them 'spend that resource as frugally as possible,' Ilardo says. She adds that this acquired trait could also develop in nondiver individuals who are not from Jeju Island. While the study did not test participants' cold tolerance, that is something the Superhuman Lab is planning to investigate in future work with the Haenyeo. Researchers can learn vital lessons about human evolution from such unique adaptations, says Ben Trumble, an Arizona State University biologist who specializes in human biology and was not involved in the new study. Cataloging the lifestyle and genes of special populations such as the Haenyeo could inform research into areas such as precision medicine, which requires a specialized understanding of how certain genetic variations translate into physiological traits, Trumble explains. 'We're absolutely allowed to plagiarize from natural selection' in approaching health care, he says. 'How natural selection solves a particular problem with a particular gene can give us clues for developing new drugs to treat some of the problems that people have in our society today.' Studies such as Ilardo's take the 'first step' toward medical applications, Trumble says, although he and Simonson believe any actual drugs that could emerge from such research will probably take longer to develop. In any case, Ilardo says, being able to pinpoint the genetic cause behind certain populations' remarkable abilities could offer remarkable solutions in medical genetics. 'I was just blown away by how amazing [the Haenyeo] are, how strong they are and how they balance that with this kindness and sensitivity and femininity,' Ilardo says. 'I think by focusing on what makes the population special and unique..., it brings a health focus instead of a disease focus [to medical genetics research]. And it's certainly a much more fun way to do the science.'
Scientific American
02-06-2025
- Science
- Scientific American
These ‘Real-Life Mermaid' Divers Have Remarkable Underwater Abilities—and Genetics
Often likened to mermaids in media reports and popular culture, South Korea's famed Haenyeo ('sea women') spend much of the day underwater, diving without scuba gear to collect abalone, octopus, kelp and other prized seafood. Admired both culturally and scientifically, they have been plunging into the frigid waters of Jeju Island since as early as 503 C.E. Now, for the first time, a study has found both genetic adaptations and training effects that are unique to these women and could explain how the Haenyeo withstand the intense physical stresses that come with continuous diving. The findings, published in Cell Reports, zero in on specific genetic features of the Haenyeo that allow the bodies of these divers to more efficiently control blood pressure, for example. The researchers hope closer investigations into such genetic traits could inform future approaches to certain disorders or illnesses in the general population. 'The Haenyeo are really like superhumans,' says Melissa A. Ilardo, senior author of the study and an evolutionary geneticist at the University of Utah. 'You cannot watch the Haenyeo dive and not think these women have superpowers.' On supporting science journalism subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today. It's easy to see the Haenyeo as enigmatic. For centuries, they have conspicuously maintained their own culture and style. They sport unique broad-rimmed sun visors and tattooed eyebrows, and their skin is tanned and weathered by a lifetime of wind and saltwater. After Haenyeo divers age past their diving years, they still stick close to the sea and work along the shoreline, often tying a cushion to their backside to rest on as they lay kelp out to dry. They have kept their tradition afloat through Japan's decades-long occupation of the Korean Peninsula, massacres under dictatorships and relentless industrial development. And the new study suggests that there might even be a ring of scientific truth to 'superpower' analogy. 'Given that [the Haenyeo ] have this unique culture, unique language—all these things that are so different—it seems obvious that there would be some genetic differences,' Ilardo says. 'But that wasn't something that had ever been investigated.' Ilardo, who studies genetics of medically resilient humans around the world at her aptly named Superhuman Lab, had previously examined the physiology of a diving people called the Bajau in Southeast Asia. Her team found the Bajau had an extra large spleens that could store additional oxygenated blood for lengthy dives. 'If one group of divers had evolved to dive, then maybe others have as well,' Ilardo says. The Haenyeo —with their long diving history—stood out to the crew at the Superhuman Lab as another population that could have developed diving advantages. 'What's interesting about studying populations who have lived in a particular environment for many, many generations is that if there's been a selective pressure in that environment, you can look at their genomes and start to pull out regions that appear to be essential for their survival,' explains Tatum Simonson, a geneticist at the University of California, San Diego, who was not involved in the new study. Those essential genetic irregularities are 'probably linked to some aspect of physiology that has been beneficial over time in that environment.' For the new study on the Haenyeo, the Superhuman Lab collaborated with physiologists from South Korea to simulate the effects of submersion on the divers themselves, compared with non- Haenyeo Jeju residents and mainland South Koreans. Participants laid on their stomach with their head over a bowl of cold water, periodically plunging their face under while the researchers measured how their reflexive submersion responses changed their heart rate and blood pressure. The participants were all from the same country, yet they showed striking differences in these changes. Ilardo thinks that could be a direct result of natural selection. For example, 'sleep apnea—which is kind of like unintentional diving in your sleep [in that it reduces oxygen availability]—increases the risk of hypertensive disorders during pregnancy,' she explains, adding that these can include preeclampsia (a pregnancy complication that can dangerously raise blood pressure). The Haenyeo are known to continue diving while pregnant, she notes. 'If diving is increasing [a Haenyeo diver's] risk of preeclampsia, that could take out an entire generation,' Ilardo says. But the Haenyeo aren't known to have a particularly high risk of hypertensive pregnancy disorders, and they have obviously birthed many generations of babies. Ilardo's research suggests it's likely that a gene allowing for better regulation of blood pressure has been passed down through the years. Interestingly, the team found that all Jeju residents—even those without a Haenyeo family member—had a similar genetic variation that suppressed a reflexive blood pressure increase when diving. This suggests that the variation may have naturally spread throughout the island. It would also support Jeju's surprisingly low stroke death rate, which is around 24.3 per 100,000 for not just the Haenyeo but all of the island's residents—lower than the mainland city of Seoul's rate of 25.7 per 100,000 and the U.S.'s rate of 37 per 100,000. But Ilardo notes that some physiological differences, such as heartbeat changes, were unique to the Haenyeo. During the face-dunking experiment, Haenyeo participants' heart rates slowed by 50 percent more, on average, compared with nondiver Jeju residents. This helps their bodies manage oxygen circulation through their bodies during a long dive, letting them 'spend that resource as frugally as possible,' Ilardo says. She adds that this acquired trait could also develop in nondiver individuals who are not from Jeju Island. While the study did not test participants' cold tolerance, that is something the Superhuman Lab is planning to investigate in future work with the Haenyeo. Researchers can learn vital lessons about human evolution from such unique adaptations, says Ben Trumble, an Arizona State University biologist who specializes in human biology and was not involved in the new study. Cataloging the lifestyle and genes of special populations such as the Haenyeo could inform research into areas such as precision medicine, which requires a specialized understanding of how certain genetic variations translate into physiological traits, Trumble explains. 'We're absolutely allowed to plagiarize from natural selection' in approaching health care, he says. 'How natural selection solves a particular problem with a particular gene can give us clues for developing new drugs to treat some of the problems that people have in our society today.' Studies such as Ilardo's take the 'first step' toward medical applications, Trumble says, although he and Simonson believe any actual drugs that could emerge from such research will probably take longer to develop. In any case, Ilardo says, being able to pinpoint the genetic cause behind certain populations' remarkable abilities could offer remarkable solutions in medical genetics. 'I was just blown away by how amazing [the Haenyeo ] are, how strong they are and how they balance that with this kindness and sensitivity and femininity,' Ilardo says. 'I think by focusing on what makes the population special and unique..., it brings a health focus instead of a disease focus [to medical genetics research]. And it's certainly a much more fun way to do the science.'
