Electric Cars
The new capital of Indonesia in Borneo will permit only electric cars. It is understood that home charging will take a longer period than charging in charging stations There is no conclusive effect of this factor on the customer’s purchase of electric cars because of this difference. doi.org/10.1051/e3sconf/202342903009

Rafflesia on the brink of Extinction
We estimate that 60% of Rafflesia species face a severe risk of extinction. Moreover, we predict that at least 67% of known habitats fall outside protected areas. Alarmingly, recent observations suggest that plants are still being eradicated before they are even known to science. DOI: 10.1002/ppp3.10431

New Book
Transforming Borneo: From Land Exploitation to Sustainable Development, Chun Sheng Goh and Lesley Potter, ISEAS Publishing, Singapore, 2023 Pp. 358. ISBN 978 9815 0116

Coffee Tourism in Sarawak
Coffee production in Sarawak has been facing numerous challenges, such as low productivity, limited market access, lack of professional assistance, and poor production quality. Coffee tourism offers an alternative source of income for local farmers and creates opportunities to improve coffee quality and promote sustainable production practices. DOI: 10.47263/JRTM.03-02-02

Ngaju and Food Taboos
The Ngaju are a subset of the Dyaks located in Central Kalimantan along the Kapuas River. Food taboos among pregnant women include unripe pineapple (Ananas comosus), durian (Durio zibethinus), chempedak (Artocarpus integer), and jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus). Fish taboos include gourami, catfish(lele) and tapah. This is because of the risk of miscarriage. Because they positively impact health, the preferred foods are those that are advised to be eaten. Milk, almond, egg, banana, papaya, fish with scaly skin, meat, carrot, banana’s heart, star gooseberry’s leave/katuk, lemon basil/kemangi, red fern, and spinach were the recommended foods for pregnant women. DOI: https://doi.org/10.36685/phi.v9i3.715

Dipterocarps
The dominance of some tropical forests by Dipterocarps has yet to be explained. A hypothesis that states an association with a fungus could be the reason has been proposed. DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tplants.2023.08.015

Malaysian Plover
The Malaysian plover lays its eggs directly on coastal beaches. An incubation period of four weeks plus a 7-8 weeks period before the babies can fly, leaves the Plover endangered because of sea rise due to global warming. Malaysian Bird Report September 2023

Christianity
The story of Oceanic Asian Christianity in Brunei, Indonesia, the Philippines and Taiwan reveals various common patterns. These include colonial powers, the death judgment and the final destination of the soul and political engagement. Uncovering the Pearl, Chapter 10

Forest Restoration
Little is known about the long-lasting effects of active forest restoration. We evaluated the effects of such management on adult trees and seedlings of actively restored forests in comparable areas where forests regenerated naturally. Our findings suggest that active forest restoration promoted the recovery of adult tree species diversity and in particular promoted rare species. The research was carried out in Sabah. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2023.121414

Pontianak
Using the folklore approach, this article traces the origin of the name Pontianak from the shelling of the port by the founder to get rid of the ghost to where his realm could be established. Malay language.DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.8381682

Melanau
The results illustrate the Melanau community still practices the social status of the people in their society. The results clearly state that the Melanau community still maintains and practices the social status of the “pikul race”.https://www.jrtdd.com/index.php/journal/article/view/1496

Pantu Iban
Despite still engaging in subsistence agriculture, the Iban in Pantu are increasingly embracing commercial and non-agricultural pursuits. However, there is insufficient investment in rural infrastructure, including transportation networks and market facilities, which limits market access and opportunities to earn extra income. Journal for Re Attach Therapy and Developmental Diversities eISSN: 2589-7799 2023 August; 6 (9s2): 790-800

Beetle
A beetle, Ch. bryanti sp. nov. and Ch. sarawakense sp. nov., both from Malaysia (Sarawak), are described. doi.org/10.3161/00034541ANZ2023.73.3.004

 

Orchids
The seeds of three species of orchids from Borneo were analyzed in this study. These seeds are tiny and had to be studied under the light microscope. /doi.org/10.3390/d15020195

New Species
A new species of the Araceae plant has been made known to the Western world. Found in Kalimantan tengah, it is one of the largest and most diverse groups of plants in Borneo. Aroideana Vol 46 No 2, 2023

Marbled Slender Litter Frog
A scientist discovered the remains of a critically endangered Marbled Slender Litter Frog near Pajamet Hill in west Kalimantan. The distribution was thought to be only to the confines of S. Sarawak. doi.org/10.17161/randa.v30i1.19835

Skutch Hypothesis
Tropical birds build nests. The nest are preyed upon by other animals such as snakes. Most of the predation occurs in the daylight. Therefore, birds have evolved a strategy where less activity around the nest means the nest will not be noticed by the predators. The birds will sit on the nest quietly unless it is necessary to obtain food to feed the fledglings. The behavior of birds has evolved over the eons. The research was conducted at Kinabalu Park, Sabah. Visual predators and diurnal nest predation provide support for the Skutch Hypothesis American Ornithological Society 2023.

Military History of the Communists in Sarawak
An article about the communists in Sarawak from 1962-1966 by Christopher Tuck has appeared in the Journal of Military History, Oct 2023, Vol. 87 Issue 4, p1056-1089. 34p. 1 Map. I have a copy. Just ask.

New Species Moths
Seven new species of moths from the genus Gelechiid found in Sabah have been made known to science. https://doi.org/10.25221/fee.486.2

Geothermal Energy
What to do when you’ve pumped out all the oil? This project focused on the Baram basin located in the northern part of Sarawak. The findings indicate that there is significant geothermal potential. However, the challenge is it worth it for investors. https://doi.org/10.2118/215201-MSare

Sea Grass
This study was conducted at Punang-Sari-River estuary, Lawas, Sarawak (Malaysian Borneo)The research investigated the small animals living in the mangrove swamps next to the seaweed beds. Journal of Sustainability Science and Management Volume 18 Number 9, September 2023: 58-81

New Species
Two new species of Ooia (Araceae) from Sabah, Malaysia, Ooia sayapensis Kartini and Ooia ulusenagangensis Kartini are described as new species. Both are distinguished from the only current Sabahan species.

New Species
Two new species of Burttianthus are described from Sarawak: B. rejangicus from the Rejang and Balleh rivers of the western Rejang Basin, and B. solus from the Similajau Basin, Bintulu. DOI: 10.36253/jopt-15209

Sangku
A sangku is a bowl used by the Dyaks in Kalimantan for ritual purposes. It is made of brass, shaped like a bowl on top, with a cylindrical leg. The Sangku is used by the Kaharingan people of the Dayak tribe in the Basarah ceremony. doi.org/10.2991/978-2-38476-118-0_144

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