Extreme Rainfall Forecast
The results of this study showed that Borneo is expected to face a high-likelihood increase in extreme rainfall frequency within the central mountainous region experiencing the highest rise. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pce.2025.103959
Chinese Malay Mixed Marriages
The findings revealed that Chinese Muslim converts in Sarawak tended to preserve a stronger cultural vitality than Dayak Muslim converts. These two groups of converts exhibited varying levels of assimilation regarding the use of the local Malay language and the adoption of Malay/Muslim cultural practices. While Dayak Muslim converts seemed to lose a significant part of their cultural heritage upon conversion, Chinese Muslim converts maintained a positive outlook on their ethnocultural and ethnolinguistic identities. This challenges the perception that converting to Islam inevitably leads to becoming Malay and losing other cultural aspects. DOI: 10.24191/ijsms.v10i1.24218
Low-Cost Housing in Kuching
The findings reveal that 31.7% of respondents earn below RM2000 per month, while 29.6% have incomes between RM2000 and RM2999, positioning them in the lower income brackets. A substantial 78.3% of respondents reside in low-cost flats. Three-room units, constituting 43.7% of low-cost housing, are the most feasible option for affordability and space. The survey revealed widespread f laws: 95% of respondents struggle with limited living space, 63.3% struggle with shared amenities, 20% report inadequate safety features, and 13.3% have experienced maintenance issues. Most responders are residing a considerable distance from their workplaces and schools. Journal of Housing and the Built Environment https://doi.org/10.1007/s10901-025-10200-6
New Species
A new species of Leafhopper has been made known to science. S. bispinosus sp. nov., described from Sabah and Sarawak. Another new species, S. bruneiensis hails from Brunei. doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2025.989.2895
Borneo Banded Langur
Overall, the langurs allocated most of their time to resting (35.4%), feeding (32.3%), moving (16.2%), vocalizing (9.2%), and social activities like grooming and playing (6.9%). The seasonal variation was evident, with increased foraging and social activities during the dry season and a greater allocation of time to locomotion during the wet season. The study was carried out in Sarawak. doi: 10.3897/BDJ.13.e141783
Bats
This study provides valuable insights into the prevalence and diversity of bat Coronaviruses in northern and western Sarawak, highlighting bats as key reservoirs for zoonotic coronaviruses. This study represents the first report of Sarawak bat CoVs derived from rectal and faecal samples, addressing a significant knowledge gap. doi: 10.1002/jmv.70389
Kanayatin People
The Kanayatin are a group of about 366,000 people located in west Kalimatan. This research explores the intricate kinship of the Kanayatn Dayak, the relationships that signify respect, generational hierarchy, and familial roles. The objective is to describe descent and marriage-based relationships. DOI: 01.2160/Wyyw.29.01.2025.01
Owls
This essay describes the owls as omen birds throughout the archipelago. In Borneo, they are a harbinger of dying and death. Owls in Myths of Indonesia A small collection of personal attitudes towards owls. BG Marcot – Kauzbrief. 33 (37): 45-47., 2025
Berawan Sound Change
Berawan is a language spoken in north Sarawak Malaysia. The change from the earlier language pronunciation of *b>k is discussed. (*b represents an earlier sound like in the English “bat” but changed to K as in king which represents a later sound) Did the change occur in one step or a series of smaller ones? Robert Blust, the chief guru of Austronesian languages, supports the one-step approach. Rarities in Phonetics and Phonology Chapter 3. If you are REALLY into this you can read the next chapter 4 which argues Blust is wrong.
Petagas River Sabah
The Petagas River is located on the west coast of Sabah and is surrounded by many settlements. The local community treated it as a dead river because of the loss of fishing grounds and the uncontrolled discharge of human waste as indicated by the high ammonia concentration. In an effort to change things, shrimp farming was introduced into the river in 2012 and 2015. In 2017, it was revealed that river quality improved with fish and phytoplankton markedly improved. However, water quality has been undergoing degradation because of “direct rubbish dumping” and other human activities. DOI: 10.7916/nbda-2a50
New way, way overpriced book
I don’t know who in their right mind would rush out and purchase Brunei and the British in the Nineteenth Century: Of a seer-poet, an adventurer and the near extinction of an ancient Malay Sultanate by Ooi Keat Gin for the ridiculous and insane price of $165.00 coming in September. Although I would love to read it, I will wait until it appears on the affordable remainder of the bookshelves.
Centipedes
A discussion on the Mesoschendyla javanica centipede first discovered in 1907, collected in Sarawak in 1977 and now analyzed in 2025 presents 49 new specimens of which several are females. https://doi.org/10.3897/BDJ.13.e156917
Snails
One variety of snail was captured and compared from three different locations which included Bau, Padawan, and Siburan in Sarawak. The current study shows the shell shape and size of P. globosa varies among the three different limestone clusters. http://doi.org/10.46754/jssm.2025.05.004
Heat Waves
Data from 1960-2024 indicates that nighttime heat waves are experiencing a significant upward trend, whereas daytime heat waves do not show such a trend in Borneo. Coastal areas exhibit longer durations and a marked increase in nighttime heat waves. https://doi.org/10.5194/icuc12-185
Birds
This essay discusses birds from where they came from ie Australia, New Guinea or Borneo. It also shows the hot spots for the evolution of birds. It also features the Wallace Line. Some nice images. A very difficult read. However, figure two is kinda neat. From the center of the circle move outwards. The longer the black line the older the bird is evolutionary speaking. Ecology and Evolution, 2025; 15:e71471 https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.71471
Tarsiers
All groups of Tarsiers are at risk of extinction. This essay provides tips on feeding, producing offspring and keeping Tarsiers in zoos. Write the author for a copy. https://doi.org/10.1134/S2079086424601303
New Species
Three new species of Ogre Faced Spider have been named from Borneo. 10.11646/zootaxa.5637.2.5
New Species
Here we describe two new species of parasitic wasps namely, Wilkinsonellus carinatus Liu & Po laszek, sp. nov. from Brunei, Sarawak, and Seram; Wilkinsonellus paracorpustriacolor Liu & Polaszek, sp. nov. from Sarawak. 10.3897/zookeys.1240.153121
New Species
Two new species of Begonia were discovered during an expedition to Mount Bukit Raya, the highest peak in Kalimantan, Indonesian Borneo. https://doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.704.2.1
New Species
Three new species of fruit flies have been found in Borneo. doi.org/10.387/zookeys.1240.14876
Proboscis Monkeys
This article traces the trade-in of Proboscis monkeys over the past 25 years. There were 52 reports of the monkeys seized from South Kalimantan, reports from Sulawesi and Java but none from Malaysian Borneo or Brunei. https://doi.org/10.1007/s44338-025-00085-8