Latest news with #UniversitiMalaysiaSarawak
The Sun
9 hours ago
- Science
- The Sun
SFC, UNIMAS collect over 1,000 seeds of Kapur Empedu, an endangered tree species in Borneo
KUCHING: More than 1,000 seeds of Kapur Empedu, or its scientific name Dryobalanops fusca, an endangered tree species, have been collected through a joint initiative by the Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) and Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) recently. The success, achieved at the Samunsam Wildlife Sanctuary in Sematan, about 100 kilometres from here, is part of a crucial initiative to save this endemic Borneo species from extinction. 'This collection is hugely significant because it occurs during a rare flowering and fruiting event, where this cycle only occurs occasionally in Sarawak,' the SFC said in a statement posted on its Facebook page today. It added that the seeds would be used under the Rewilding Programme, a conservation initiative that will involve in-situ (conservation in natural areas) and ex-situ (conservation outside the original area) methods. 'The main goal is to sow, grow and replant these seeds in their original habitat,' he said. The SFC said Kapur Empedu is a large tree that can reach heights of up to 60 metres, dominating the canopy of dipterocarp forests in Sarawak and Kalimantan, and is vital to the forestry industry not only due to its high-value timber but also to the forest ecosystem. 'Its extraordinary height makes it a prime contributor to forest structure, providing habitat and protection to various wildlife species, such as birds and primates,' it added. Kapur Empedu is categorised as a critically endangered species in the International Union for Conservation of Nature List and the Sarawak Plant Red List. This reflects a major threat to the survival of this species in its original habitat, where illegal logging, forest fires and loss of habitat due to development are among its main foes. 'Kapur Empedu is an endemic species of Borneo, it can only be found on this island. In Sarawak, its presence is limited to the Lundu, Sematan and Telok Melano areas. These habitat areas are in dire need of protection to ensure its survival,' it added.
The Sun
9 hours ago
- Science
- The Sun
SFC, UNIMAS collect over 1,000 seeds of Kapur Empedu
KUCHING: More than 1,000 seeds of Kapur Empedu, or its scientific name Dryobalanops fusca, an endangered tree species, have been collected through a joint initiative by the Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) and Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) recently. The success, achieved at the Samunsam Wildlife Sanctuary in Sematan, about 100 kilometres from here, is part of a crucial initiative to save this endemic Borneo species from extinction. 'This collection is hugely significant because it occurs during a rare flowering and fruiting event, where this cycle only occurs occasionally in Sarawak,' the SFC said in a statement posted on its Facebook page today. It added that the seeds would be used under the Rewilding Programme, a conservation initiative that will involve in-situ (conservation in natural areas) and ex-situ (conservation outside the original area) methods. 'The main goal is to sow, grow and replant these seeds in their original habitat,' he said. The SFC said Kapur Empedu is a large tree that can reach heights of up to 60 metres, dominating the canopy of dipterocarp forests in Sarawak and Kalimantan, and is vital to the forestry industry not only due to its high-value timber but also to the forest ecosystem. 'Its extraordinary height makes it a prime contributor to forest structure, providing habitat and protection to various wildlife species, such as birds and primates,' it added. Kapur Empedu is categorised as a critically endangered species in the International Union for Conservation of Nature List and the Sarawak Plant Red List. This reflects a major threat to the survival of this species in its original habitat, where illegal logging, forest fires and loss of habitat due to development are among its main foes. 'Kapur Empedu is an endemic species of Borneo, it can only be found on this island. In Sarawak, its presence is limited to the Lundu, Sematan and Telok Melano areas. These habitat areas are in dire need of protection to ensure its survival,' it added.
The Sun
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Youth trio strive to keep the Orang Ulu's sape legacy alive
KUCHING: At the entrance of the Gawai Dayak 2025 open house, the delicate, resonant notes of the sape, a traditional lute-like string instrument of the Orang Ulu people, floated through the air. Yet it wasn't veteran hands behind the strings. It was three young musicians, determined to carry their ancestral culture into the future. Dressed in attire inspired by their Indigenous roots, the trio, members of the Kuching-based Anak Seni Sape Kuching Association (PUSAK), drew a steady crowd with their spirited performance of Det Diet Tapong Kitan, a traditional piece often played to welcome guests and accompany warrior dances such as Datun Julud or Ajai. 'I started learning the sape at 15 after being inspired by my cousin,' said Dexter Wong Kian Hao, 22, of Kayan-Chinese heritage. 'This song is deeply rooted in our culture. We don't want it to fade away.' For Martinus Njok Sebi, 23, of Kenyah-Iban descent, the sape is more than just music, it's identity. Having joined PUSAK in 2021, Martinus has performed regularly at cultural events across Sarawak. Now in his final year at Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, he hopes others his age will continue the tradition. 'As a sape player, I want to see more young people learning and passing on this tradition,' he said. The group's youngest member, 19-year-old Mohd Ikhmal Hakim from Belaga, began playing at age 10, having discovered it through social media platforms like YouTube and Facebook. Of mixed Malay, Iban and Sekapan heritage, Ikhmal now studies Early Childhood Education and shares his sape playing on TikTok to help spark wider interest. 'Social media has made it easier for people to discover the sape. I see more and more young people getting interested,' he said. The Gawai Dayak Open House, hosted by Orang Ulu leaders, drew around 3,000 visitors from across Sarawak's diverse communities. The event, which ran from 9 am to 2 pm, featured traditional performances and high-profile guests, including Yang di-Pertua Negeri of Sarawak Tun Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar and his wife Toh Puan Fauziah Mohd Sanusi. Also in attendance were the Premier of Sarawak Tan Sri Dr Abang Johari Tun Openg and his wife Puan Sri Juma'ani Tuanku Bujang, alongside members of the federal and state cabinets.
The Star
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
Malaysian doctor dazzles in songket on Cannes red carpet
KUALA LUMPUR: Former Miss Earth Malaysia 2021, Dr Nisha Thayananthan, was among the few Malaysians who attended the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, walking the red carpet on May 22 in an outfit themed around the heritage of the Sarawak Melanau community. Her black and gold songket ensemble, adorned with 999 Swarovski stones, was inspired by the traditional burial poles of the Melanau people. Dr Nisha, making her third appearance at the prestigious event in France, is currently serving as a plastic surgery resident in Dublin, Ireland. "By wearing this songket outfit, I was able to showcase the richness of the culture of our indigenous community to the world. Not many know the Melanau community. I have spoken to many here about the dress; they are inspired, and some would love to have the fabric to design other outfits. "It's important to bring Malaysia's traditions to the world's attention. I'm proud to be the first woman to wear songket at the Cannes Film Festival red carpet," she told Bernama. Dr Nisha, who obtained her medical degree from Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, said her dress was designed by Malaysian designer Rozie Khan, with the creation process taking nearly a year. Every detail symbolised the subtlety of Melanau culture. "This exquisite and elegant ball gown is inspired by the Melanau's traditional tiang nisa or jerunai (burial pole), which symbolised the authority of the Melanau nobility in ancient times. "Adorned with golden thread motifs replicating the traditional jerunai carvings, as well as 999 Swarovski crystals, this gown embodies the highest rank (Pangkat 9) in Melanau society," she said. According to Dr Nisha, showcasing Malaysian heritage on the international stage is not merely a matter of fashion but serves as a form of cultural diplomacy. Speaking in the context of Malaysia's Asean chairmanship this year, she said the nation can play a significant role in promoting cultural exchange, collaboration, and innovation in creative industries. "By nurturing our creative industries, we can strengthen relationships within Asean and globally, fostering greater understanding, appreciation, and cooperation among member states," she added. – Bernama
The Sun
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Malaysian doctor dazzles in ‘songket' at Cannes red carpet event
KUALA LUMPUR: Former Miss Earth Malaysia 2021 Dr Nisha Thayananthan, who was among the few Malaysians who attended the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, walked the red carpet on May 22 wearing an outfit themed around the heritage of the Sarawak Melanau community. Her black and gold songket ensemble adorned with 999 Swarovski stones was inspired by the traditional burial poles of the Melanau people. Dr Nisha, who was making her third appearance at the prestigious event in France, is currently serving as a plastic surgery resident in Dublin, Ireland. 'By wearing this songket outfit, I was able to showcase the richness of the culture of our indigenous community to the world, not many know the Melanau community. I have spoken to many here about the dress, they are inspired and some would love to have the fabric to design other outfits. 'It's important to bring Malaysia's traditions to the world's attention. I'm proud to be the first woman to wear songket at the Cannes Film Festival red carpet,' she told Bernama. Dr Nisha, who obtained her medical degree from Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, said her dress was designed by Malaysian designer Rozie Khan, adding that the process of creating it took nearly a year, with every detail symbolising the subtlety of Melanau culture. 'This exquisite and elegant ball gown is inspired by the Melanau's traditional tiang nisa or jerunai (burial pole), which symbolised the authority of the Melanau nobility in ancient times. 'Adorned with golden thread motifs replicating the traditional jerunai carvings, as well as 999 Swarovski crystals, this gown embodies the highest rank (Pangkat 9) in Melanau society,' she said. According to Dr Nisha, showcasing Malaysian heritage on the international stage is not merely a matter of fashion but serves as a form of cultural diplomacy. Speaking in the context of Malaysia's ASEAN chairmanship this year, she said the nation can play a significant role in promoting cultural exchange, collaboration and innovation in creative industries. 'By nurturing our creative industries, we can strengthen relationships within ASEAN and globally, fostering greater understanding, appreciation and cooperation among member states,' she added.
