Latest news with #Temiar
New Straits Times
4 days ago
- New Straits Times
Life goes on for Syahira two years after husband's death in tiger attack
GUA MUSANG: Nearly two years after her husband was killed by a tiger at Pos Pasik, an Orang Asli woman has managed to get on with her life with her two daughters, thanks to the assistance from the Social Security Organisation (Perkeso). Twenty-two-year-old Syahira Hamid of Kampung Sugi, Pos Pasik, said that the tragic incident occurred when her husband, Pisie Amud, 25, went out to hunt for food in the jungle. "Life has to go on. " I have now come to terms with fate and am striving to raise our two daughters - Nur Haura, 2, and Finka, 4 - as best as possible. "I'm not working, but we can continue with our lives as a result of the roughly RM900 monthly aid from Perkeso, thanks to the contributions of my late husband's job as a Community Ranger with the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan)," she told reporters at Pos Pasik here. However, Syahira, from the Temiar tribe, admitted that she hasn't been able to visit his grave as she is still emotionally distressed. Pisie's grandfather, 59-year-old Aznan Siam described Syahira as a strong and patient woman for single-handedly raising her two young children. However, even he has yet to get over the tragic incident that befell his grandson, particularly since he was among the volunteers who found his remains. "To this day, I can still picture the tiger's claw marks on Pisie's head and body. He also lost his left foot as a result of the attack. "We found his motorcycle and his blowpipe equipment. "There were also tiger footprints at the scene. Since then, the villagers daren't enter the jungle alone," he said. On Oct 3, 2023, Pisie Amud was reported to have been mauled to death by a tiger while out hunting on his own in the oil palm plantation near his village.
The Sun
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Sun
JAKOA brings gov't services to remote Orang Asli settlements in Nenggiri
GUA MUSANG: The Department of Orang Asli Development (JAKOA), together with various government agencies, has launched an outreach expedition to deliver essential services to three remote Orang Asli settlements in the Nenggiri state constituency under the Mesra Rakyat (People-Friendly) programme. JAKOA director-general Datuk Sapiah Mohd Nor said the programme involved strategic collaboration with several government agencies. They include the Social Welfare Department, National Registration Department (NRD), Ministry of Health, National Anti-Drugs Agency, Gua Musang Court, South Kelantan Development Authority and the Nenggiri state assemblyman's service centre. She said the collaboration aimed to facilitate direct access to government services for the Orang Asli, without requiring them to endure long and difficult journeys to town, with Pos Simpor, Pos Pasik and Kuala Wook selected as the destinations for the two-day expedition, which began yesterday. 'This initiative is the result of coordination among various agencies under the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development,' she told reporters during the programme at Pos Pasik, here today. Meanwhile, Nenggiri assemblyman Mohd Azmawi Fikri Abdul Ghani said the initiative received overwhelming support from local residents, who took advantage of the chance to engage directly with various government agencies present. The most popular service was the NRD counter, which received about 140 applications for identity card replacements, 10 late birth registration applications, and 145 applications for MyKid. 'A total of 138 advisory services were also provided to residents regarding documentation and citizenship rights,' he said. Meanwhile, for Zulaina Alim, 30, a Temiar woman living in Pos Pasik, the programme marked a turning point in her life when she finally managed to register the birth of her child, who is now 12 years old. She said her child was born at the Kuala Betis resettlement scheme health clinic, but she had to return to her village, more than 70 kilometres away from Gua Musang shortly after giving birth, causing the registration to be delayed for more than a decade. 'I came today solely to apply for the birth certificate and Alhamdulillah, the process went smoothly. My child will finally have a birth certificate,' she said.
The Sun
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Sun
JAKOA brings gov't aid to remote Orang Asli in Nenggiri
GUA MUSANG: The Department of Orang Asli Development (JAKOA), together with various government agencies, has launched an outreach expedition to deliver essential services to three remote Orang Asli settlements in the Nenggiri state constituency under the Mesra Rakyat (People-Friendly) programme. JAKOA director-general Datuk Sapiah Mohd Nor said the programme involved strategic collaboration with several government agencies. They include the Social Welfare Department, National Registration Department (NRD), Ministry of Health, National Anti-Drugs Agency, Gua Musang Court, South Kelantan Development Authority and the Nenggiri state assemblyman's service centre. She said the collaboration aimed to facilitate direct access to government services for the Orang Asli, without requiring them to endure long and difficult journeys to town, with Pos Simpor, Pos Pasik and Kuala Wook selected as the destinations for the two-day expedition, which began yesterday. 'This initiative is the result of coordination among various agencies under the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development,' she told reporters during the programme at Pos Pasik, here today. Meanwhile, Nenggiri assemblyman Mohd Azmawi Fikri Abdul Ghani said the initiative received overwhelming support from local residents, who took advantage of the chance to engage directly with various government agencies present. The most popular service was the NRD counter, which received about 140 applications for identity card replacements, 10 late birth registration applications, and 145 applications for MyKid. 'A total of 138 advisory services were also provided to residents regarding documentation and citizenship rights,' he said. Meanwhile, for Zulaina Alim, 30, a Temiar woman living in Pos Pasik, the programme marked a turning point in her life when she finally managed to register the birth of her child, who is now 12 years old. She said her child was born at the Kuala Betis resettlement scheme health clinic, but she had to return to her village, more than 70 kilometres away from Gua Musang shortly after giving birth, causing the registration to be delayed for more than a decade. 'I came today solely to apply for the birth certificate and Alhamdulillah, the process went smoothly. My child will finally have a birth certificate,' she said.
The Star
4 days ago
- Health
- The Star
Orang Asli Development Dept brings essential services to remote villages
GUA MUSANG: The Orang Asli Development Department (Jakoa), together with various government agencies, has launched an outreach expedition to deliver essential services to three remote Orang Asli settlements in the Nenggiri state constituency under the Mesra Rakyat programme. Jakoa director-general Datuk Sapiah Mohd Nor said the programme brings together the Social Welfare Department, National Registration Department (NRD), Health Ministry, National Anti-Drugs Agency, Gua Musang Court, South Kelantan Development Authority and the Nenggiri state assemblyman's service centre to help the villages. She said the collaboration aimed to facilitate direct access to government services for the Orang Asli, without requiring them to endure long and difficult journeys to town, with Pos Simpor, Pos Pasik and Kuala Wook selected as the destinations for the two-day expedition, which began Saturday (May 31). "This initiative is the result of coordination among various agencies under the Rural and Regional Development Ministry," she told reporters during the programme at Pos Pasik, here Sunday. Meanwhile, Nenggiri assemblyman Mohd Azmawi Fikri Abdul Ghani said the initiative received overwhelming support from local residents, who took advantage of the chance to engage directly with various government agencies present. The most popular service was the NRD counter, which received about 140 applications for identity card replacements, 10 late birth registration applications, and 145 applications for MyKid. "A total of 138 advisory services were also provided to residents regarding documentation and citizenship rights," he said. Meanwhile, for Zulaina Alim, 30, a Temiar woman living in Pos Pasik, the programme marked a turning point in her life when she finally managed to register the birth of her child, who is now 12 years old. She said her child was born at the Kuala Betis resettlement scheme health clinic, but she had to return to her village, more than 70km away from Gua Musang shortly after giving birth, causing the registration to be delayed for more than a decade. "I came today solely to apply for the birth certificate and the process went smoothly. My child will finally have a birth certificate," she said. - Bernama
Free Malaysia Today
27-05-2025
- Health
- Free Malaysia Today
Rafflesia and Orang Asli: beliefs, conservation, heritage
The Rafflesia holds deep cultural meaning for local Orang Asli communities, especially the Temiar and Jahai tribes, who believe the flower possesses a spirit and serves as an indicator of the forest ecosystem's health. (Bernama pic) KOTA BHARU : Known as the 'corpse flower' owing to its foul smell that resembles rotting flesh, the Rafflesia is found only in Southeast Asia. This unique plant has no leaves, stems, or roots of its own – instead, it lives as a parasitic organism, attaching itself to the roots of other plants to extract nutrients from its host. As of October 2020, there are over 40 species of Rafflesia, all of which are found in peninsular Malaysia, Borneo (including Sabah and Sarawak), and the Philippines. In the peninsula, nine species have been identified: of them, three are found in Kelantan. Beyond scientific characteristics, the Rafflesia holds deep cultural meaning for local Orang Asli communities, especially the Temiar and Jahai tribes, who believe the flower possesses a spirit and serves as an indicator of the forest ecosystem's health. 'Before entering a Rafflesia habitat, some Orang Asli groups perform rituals or seek permission from forest spirits to ensure the harmony of nature is not disturbed,' explained Rusli Angah, a tour guide from the Temiar tribe. The flower is also seen as a sign of environmental change. According to Orang Asli beliefs, a sudden abundance of blooming Rafflesia may signal prolonged rainy seasons or significant ecological shifts. From the perspective of traditional medicine, the Rafflesia plays an important role in the health practices of the Orang Asli community. Certain parts of the flower, including its roots, are believed to have medicinal properties, particularly in treating women after childbirth. According to Rusli, 43, a decoction made from the flower is used to help accelerate uterine contraction and restore a mother's energy. He added that the use of the flower in traditional medicine extends to treating fevers and boosting the immune system. 'Although there is no scientific research confirming its effectiveness, long-standing beliefs and generational experience have made Rafflesia a part of the Orang Asli's traditional healing practices,' he said. Zulhazman Hamzah, a researcher from Universiti Malaysia Kelantan, says the primary threat to Rafflesia in peninsular Malaysia is the lack of clear tourism guidelines in its natural habitats. (Bernama pic) Still, the community's use of Rafflesia is very controlled and guided by the belief that overexploitation could bring harm. They believe that harvesting the flower without good reason or in excessive amounts can upset the natural balance and bring misfortune to their community. Orang Asli and conservation Beyond their role as traditional users, the Orang Asli also play a key part in conserving the Rafflesia's natural habitat. As the original inhabitants of the forest, they are the first line of defence in detecting threats to the flower, such as illegal logging, land encroachment, and unregulated tourism. Rusli said the Orang Asli play a vital role as natural ecological monitors, significantly supporting efforts by the authorities and researchers to protect the Rafflesia from extinction. They often provide early information about new budding sites and potential threats to the flower's natural environment. The Rafflesia bud takes six to nine months to grow before it matures and blooms, lasting approximately five to seven days before dying and decaying. In the context of ecotourism, the Orang Asli serve as guides and caretakers of conservation sites, offering them both a livelihood and a role in environmental preservation. However, Rusli noted that various challenges currently threaten the survival of Rafflesia, including poorly managed tourism activities. 'Stepping near budding sites or picking the flower before it blooms can seriously disrupt its reproductive process,' he said, adding that without concrete measures, Rafflesia may face extinction in Malaysia – which would also mean the Orang Asli risk losing a part of their cultural heritage. 'Therefore, conservation efforts must be a shared responsibility to ensure the survival of this unique flora and the preservation of our cultural heritage.' Tourism threats Meanwhile, Zulhazman Hamzah, dean of the Faculty of Earth Sciences at Universiti Malaysia Kelantan, said the primary threat to Rafflesia in peninsular Malaysia is not land use itself, but the lack of clear tourism guidelines in its natural habitats. 'For example, in ecotourism areas like Lojing in Kelantan, tourists often do not receive proper briefings on Rafflesia survival and conservation – specifically, what they should or should not do during their visit. 'As a result, visitors frequently touch or get too close to the blooming flowers, disrupting the pollination process carried out by forest flies,' he said. He added that close human presence can compact and damage the soil, potentially harming the underground host plant that supports the Rafflesia. Tourists also often step on newly emerging buds by accident. In efforts to preserve the Rafflesia's natural habitats, the Kelantan government has gazetted several areas as protected zones. (Bernama pic) 'Another threat comes from land clearing for large-scale agriculture and infrastructure development. Forest clearing for logging, agriculture and infrastructure doesn't directly target Rafflesia habitats, but the resulting landscape changes and soil erosion can disrupt the ecosystem, hinder growth, and threaten the species' survival,' he told Bernama. According to Zulhaznan, Rafflesia flowers in Kelantan can be found in several locations. In addition to Lojing, it has been spotted in Gunung Setong, Kuala Betus, and Taman Negara Kuala Koh. He noted that efforts have been made to ensure the species' survival, including tissue culture and root transplantation techniques. However, most have yet to yield significant success. 'Root transplants have seen some success in Sabah and Bogor, Indonesia, but challenges remain. If Rafflesia were to be widely propagated, its unique value might be diminished.' 'In efforts to preserve the Rafflesia's natural habitats, the state government has gazetted several areas as protected zones,' he added. He said this initiative would not only protect the species but also provide economic benefits to local communities, including the Orang Asli, who can generate income through tourism activities.
