PENCINTA ALAM - Malaysian Nature Society

PENCINTA ALAM
NEWSLETTER OF THE MALAYSIAN NATURE SOCIETY
June 2011
www.mns.my
Linking Hornbills and Belum-Temengor Forest Complex!
Maye Yap
MNS initiated the Hornbill Volunteer Programme
(HVP) for several reasons:
o To create awareness about Belum-Temengor &
the plight of the 10 species of hornbills;
o To improve the knowledge and skills of volunteers
in monitoring & counting the Plainpouched
hornbills (PPHBs); and
o To generate a core group of experienced
volunteers, whom MNS could deploy to different
locations for simultaneous counts within the
Belum-Temengor Forest Complex.
Experiencing PPHB counts in Kampung Tebang
Some interesting facts to share with regard to
PPHBs:
1. Plain-pouched hornbills are not too shy of the
conservation team or the volunteers; in fact
these birds actually look down at the team as
they fly right above our heads!
2. Plain-pouched hornbills are circling around Kg
Tebang to do aerial feeding on mayflies.
3. Hundreds of Plain-pouched hornbills may land
on one tree to feed, preen, & they're noisy!
4. Some of these birds are not only preening themselves
but preen the ones next to them. It could
be an indication of pairing up or a parent preening
its offspring.
5. These birds have travelled a great distance to
come to Temengor to feed on fruiting trees.
6. These birds have been reported to be nesting in
Thailand, in December/January and then, once
breeding season is over, they take on a long
journey to head all the way down south to Belum
and then Temengor.
7. You can count up to 3,000 hornbills in two hours!
For visual experience, check out
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DFIjM8fwAnI&fe
ature=player_embedded
Community work, excursions & other activities
The Hornbill Volunteer Programme provides an
opportunity for volunteers to interact with the local
Jahai communities situated at Kg Tebang and Kg
Cuweh.
At Kg Tebang, most of the community work
revolves around planting tapioca, building bamboo
fences surrounding the tapioca plants, cleaning up
part of the village such as the beach, hall area and
the path up the hill. Another interesting activity
involves the utility raft made from bamboo.
At Kg Cuweh, volunteers help to dismantle the
village hall frame; collect and ‘pot’ herbs from
behind village; dug holes for village hall's pillars at
new site; collect lake water for herbal nursery; split
bamboo for hall flooring; lashed bamboo flooring.
Excursions and other activities include visiting
Sg Kiroi waterfall and Rafflesia cantleyi sites; jungle
trekking behind Kg Cuweh & Kg Tebang; Kg
Cuweh's herbal nursery & MNS field station visit;
bamboo raft demo & rafting; food gathering & fishing
with the Jahai community and collecting
bamboo for locally prepared meal.
The Hornbill Volunteer Programme 2011 is now
open for registration. For more details, email Jessie
at community@mns.org.my
Bird’s-eye view of Belum-Temengor.
Orang Asli settlement in Temengor.
1

MNS Annual General Meeting, Langkawi, 10 September 2011
Please select the package that you prefer:
Package Package Inclusive Minimum No. Member Non-Member
of Participants
Package 1
AGM & Langkawi Skybridge Tour & • 3N FL 10 RM750 RM850
Mangrove Tour
• 3B, 3L, 3D and 1T
9–12/9/11 (4D/3N)
Package 2
AGM & Langkawi Skybridge Tour & • 2N FL None RM605 RM705
Mangrove Tour
• 2B, 2L, 2D and 1T
9–11/9/11 (3D/2N)
Package 3
AGM (Relax) • 1N FL None RM260 RM360
10–11/9/11 (2D/1N) • 2B, 1L, 1D and 1T
Package 4
AGM Only • 1L and 1T None RM40 Members Only
10/9/11 (Day Trip)
Note: B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner, T = Tea. Accommodation: The Frangipani Langkawi (FL)
Important Note as below:
•• Accommodation is priced on twin share basis.
•• 10% discount for children (5–12 years old) sharing room with parents.
•• Price includes accommodation, transportation in Langkawi, meals, and tour package. Flight tickets to and from Langkawi on your own
expense.
2

(PLEASE FILL IN BLOCK LETTERS)
Member Details:
Name: ___________________________________________________ Title: ________________ Membership No. ______________
Address: _____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Tel No: (O) ____________(H/P) _____________ (Hse) _______________ Email: _____________________________________
Others participants’ details:
Name New I/C No. Phone No. Email
1.
2.
3.
I enclosed herewith Cheque/PO/MO No: ____________________ for RM___________________
PLEASE READ: I understand that this is non-refundable once a place has been booked for me. I confirm that I am participating in this
trip/event at my own request, and hereby release and discharge the Malaysian Nature Society (MNS) and their agents or other persons
authorized by MNS from all claims that I, my personal representatives and/or dependents may have for any injury (including injury resulting in
death) howsoever caused or sustained by me, for loss of and/or damage to me or my personal belongings suffered at any time during this
trip/event.
Signature: _______________________ Date: __________________
Cheques/PO/MO should be made payable to “MALAYSIAN NATURE SOCIETY” (Pls indicate name and package at the back of chq)
Please return this form by 31st July 2011 to Membership Officer at JKR 641, Jln Kelantan Bukit Persekutuan, 50480 KL.
3

(A) Package 1 & 2– AGM & Langkawi Skybridge Tour & Mangrove Tour
The Langkawi Skybridge Tour takes you on a cable car ride to the top of Gunung Matchincang. After the cable car, we drive to Kilim River Jetty,
an exploration of a lifetime takes you on an incredible journey to Langkawi’s wetlands – the mangrove. Discover the unique and pristine environment
of the mangrove. Wildlife is abundant. Monkeys, eagles and numerous other animals make the mangrove their home to maintain the delicate
balance of the ecosystem. Shrubs, herbs, and unmistakable strangling figs stretch their roots into the crevices on the steep surfaces of the
caves. Limestone caves in the midst of the mangrove stand before you along the coastline with breathtaking beauty. You will also explore how
mangroves become the perfect environment for the fish farm.
(B) Package 3 – AGM (Relax)
This secluded and eco-friendly resort is situated on a 400-metre stretch of soft golden sand along Pantai Tengah. It is the first resort in Langkawi
to implement Green practices to preserve the environment. To check out the surrounding views of this resort, logon to http://www.frangipanilangkawi.com/index.php/the-resort
Itinerary
Date Time Description
9/9/2011(FRI) 02:00 pm Check In (Package 1, 2)
06:00 pm Dinner
07:00 pm Night Walk
10/9/2011 (SAT) 08:00 am Breakfast
09:00 am Nature Walk by Frangipani Hotel
12:00 pm Lunch (Check in for package 3)
01:00 pm Registration
02:00 pm Commencement of AGM
04:00 pm Tea Break
04:30 pm Continuation of AGM
06:00 pm End
07:00 pm Gala Dinner
11/9/2011 (SUN) 08:00 am Breakfast
09:00 am Cable Car & Mangrove Tour** (check out for package 2)
12:00 pm Check out (package 3)
04:00 pm Back to hotel
07:00 pm Dinner
** Members who sign up for package 2, please check out after breakfast
12/9/2011 (MON) 08:00 am Breakfast
12:00 pm Check out (Package 1)
4

Of Snakes and Tiger
Peggy Tan
‘Our women don't go rowing boats into the
jungle or paddle down the rapids,’ grinned the
guide, as I balanced myself on the little wooden
boat and jumped down into the river to push the
boat. Well, I had to help the guide push the
flimsy boat laden with rucksacks, equipment,
tents and food. What made me spend four days
in the jungle – getting bitten by bloodthirsty
leeches, mosquitoes, wild boars' ticks and my
limbs punctured by sharp thorns?
Imagine sitting on a boat at night, listening
to the wild music of the crickets, cicadas and
gazing at a clear night with the stars above and
catching sight of glistening fireflies. No! This did
not happen on a river cruise in a town but in the
middle of a jungle in the wilderness of the Ulu
Muda forests in Kedah.
These forests are found in the very north of
West Malaysia and are continuous with the
forests of southern Thailand. The Penang MNS
members including Forest Ang, Jungle Leong,
Alastair, Sylvianne, Hooi and others drove up
to Baling, passing through Gulau, Gubir and
headed towards Lake Muda. The Ulu Muda
Forest Reserve was gazetted as a permanent
Forest Reserve in 1932 to protect the Muda
River water catchment area, which covers
some 980 square kilometres and forms part of
the Muda Irrigation Project. This project is
designed to channel water to the padi fields that
spread across almost 100,000 hectares of the
fertile Kedah and Perlis coastal plains. Sadly,
logging in Baling has destroyed much of the
flora and fauna in this forest.
Two years ago the river water was higher
and the little boats could move easily on the
Muda River. As a result of logging, a huge
amount of sand has been deposited, covering
the pebbles in the river. From the jetty, we took
a seven-hour boat ride to our campsite where
the water was clearer. All along the way we were
greeted by eagles, egrets and bee-eaters which
glide in the hot sky. The vegetation changes
from the lake to the river.
Watch out! Was it a crocodile swimming in
the lake? Luckily it was a huge monitor lizard
cooling itself in the muddy water of the lake.
Look! There was a wild boar drinking water at
the sandbank. Almost everywhere on the river
bank, we saw elephant tracks. The sides of the
bank were eroded, revealing patches of red
earth which had been trodden on by wild
animals. There was a bustle of activity on the
river bank. An egret flew down to catch a big,
reddish dragonfly. Crabs crawled hurriedly in the
mud, geckos darted around the hot sand.
Hundreds of butterflies in myriad colours
flapped their wings while sucking in the water
from the sand. 'Stop!' grunted the boatman as
he jumped down into the shallow water to push
his boat which had become stuck. We got down
to help him push the boat.
After seven hours under the fiery sun, we
reached our destination and set up our tents. I
jumped into the cool water but the strong
current pushed me over rocks. Ouch! My knees
were blue black! More scars and wounds on my
legs! That was how I always had dark spots, the
size of fifty-cent coins on my legs! The river is
definitely not the place for the beauty-conscious
and fair lady. I thanked my lucky stars and
gender when Hooi offered gallantly to cook for
me. After a hearty meal of warm, steamy rice
and canned fish, I was looking forward to
slumber when a loud shriek rang in the air.
A snake! It slithered under Alastair's ground
sheet. Look out! There was another one following
behind. That was it! The ladies ran all
around the tents and I had goose pimples.‘Can
we camp somewhere else?’ I shivered. ‘In pitch
darkness? No way,’ replied Forest Ang. He
trailed the snake and found a nest in a hole.
Somehow he caught it and relocated it across
the river the next morning. We identified it as a
Krait – it was a lovely black snake with white
bands across its slim body. The book we
brought along described it as a fast snake which
can be very aggressive if threatened or
agitated.
The next day we went trekking and suddenly
the group in front stopped in their tracks. 'Sshh!'
A loud growl was heard and my hair stood on
end. It was a tiger in the bushes metres away in
5

Branch Annual General Meetings
Branch Date Venue Time
Pahang 9/7/2011 (Sat) SMK St Thomas, Kuantan 2.30 pm (tentative)
Negeri Sembilan 17/7/2011 (Sun) Tiara Melaka Golf & Country 10 am
& Melaka
Club, Ayer Keroh
Selangor 30/7/2011 (Sat) Auditorium, Forest Research 2.30 pm
InstituteMalaysia (FRIM), Kepong
Kuching 30/7/2011 (Sat) Mango Tree (tentative) 2–5 pm
Sabah 30/7/2011 (Sat) Kota Kinabalu Wetland Centre 2 pm
the forest and we stood quietly together. The
loud roar of the boat's engine as it headed in our
direction must have scared the animal away. My
worry dissolved as the thought of seeing more
wild animals is remarkable. Money could not
buy such rare sights in the city and life can be
lived to the fullest by being adventurous. We
saw great hornbills, wild boars, snakes and
these memories will be stored in our hearts
always.
Computer Recycling
Collection Centre (Penang)
The MNS Nature Information Centre (NIC) is a
designated recycling collection centre for old
computers and computer parts by the Penang City
Council. Please send your unwanted computers and
parts to the NIC to be send for recycling by DOE
approved recycling establishment.
Contact Kanda at 013-4537992 for more
information or check out Penang Branch web pages
Selangor Branch AGM
Date: Saturday, 30 July 2010
Location: Auditorium, Forest Research Institute Msia, Kepong
Agenda
1. Table & adopt the minutes from the last AGM, i.e. 2010
2. Discuss any matters arising
3. Present & receive the Chairman 's report on the last year's
activities, and from the co-ordinators of each of the Special
Interest Groups.
4. Table & adopt the accounts for the year 31 May 2011
5. Elect the next branch committee & auditors for the coming
year
Other matters can be raised but notice should be given to the
Secretary in writing (including emails). Please include your
name, membership number & contact number. Confirmation
will be sent once your message is received.
For those who would like a copy of the minutes prior to the
AGM or the map, please contact the Secretary at pat_ganll@
hotmail.com (Mobile 012-207 4840). Alternatively, the minutes
are available on themalaysiannaturesociety yahoogroup.
Negeri Sembilan and Melaka
Branch Annual General Meeting
Date: 17 July 2011
Venue: Clubhouse Conference Room,
Tiara Melaka Golf & Country Club,
Ayer Keroh, Melaka
Programme
9:30 am Breakfast at the Golfer's Terrace at
the Clubhouse
(free for members, RM10 for non-members)
10:00 am Slide show of branch's activities
and interests
10:30 am AGM
If you would like to attend, please contact
Lim Ming Hui (012-2760327 or
limmel05@yahoo.com) or
Stephanie Bacon (012-2175590 or
cooltek@streamyx.com).
6

Dive in to Earth Day 2011,
Tioman Island
Article by Eda Izanie Ahmad Kamil
Photos by Ilyas Sapiyan and Eda Izanie
Ahmad Kamil
When Hui Min said she needed volunteers for the
‘Dive in to the Earth Day 2011’ programme (23–26
April), I did not hesitate to join. I wanted to meet new
friends and also get first-hand experience educating
schoolchildren about our environment. But, boy! I
got more than that by the end of the trip!
I carpooled with Hui Min, Phoon and Fiona. We
spent a night at Mersing and met the rest of the participants
– Jeff, Carol, Wan Yeng, Teik Gee, Owen
and Cheng Tuan at Mersing Jetty the next morning.
The ferry ride took us another 2 hours to reach
Tioman. My reaction when I saw Panuba for the first
time was ‘wow!’.
Later that afternoon, while the others geared up
for their first dive, Hui Min, Phoon, Fiona, Ilyas and
I headed to SK Tekek to conduct a half-day programme
for the kids. Hui Min asked me to become
the MC for the event! I've never MC-ed in my life before!
I was nervous at the beginning and finally
gained confidence as the kids were responsive and
did not disappoint me one bit! The programme kickstarted
with a talk on ‘Hutan Hujan Tropika’ by Ilyas.
Later, a drawing competition themed ‘Haiwan dan
Persekitarannya’, an environment-themed game,
tea break and a beach clean-up.
I've been contemplating taking up the
Advanced Diving course for a while now and
finally signed up. I was assigned to Juergen Koch
and got to choose 3 specialty dives and 2 compulsory
dives (deep dive and navigation dive). I did 3
dives on the first day, including a night dive. Juergen
made sure that I was comfortable with the dive
site before taking me to my first night dive. He even
tested me on finding my own way back beneath the
bubbles. The next day was the anticipated deep
dive. I finally got to dive with the rest of the crew. We
went to Soyak wreck. It was nerve-wrecking as we
descended. It took a while before I could see the
bottom. After 2 days and 5 dives, I'm now a
certified Advanced Open Water Diver!
One of the most memorable dives that we did
was the unintentional ‘search and rescue’ dive at the
Marine Park.The visibility was bad. After a while, we
realised that we had lost 3 divers. Juergen finally
decided to ascend and abandon the dive. So, lesson
learnt in this dive: (1) always follow the divemaster,
(2) if you get lost, ascend and abandon the dive. But
in our case, since our tanks weren't even half empty
and Juergen is an experienced divemaster, we descended
again as soon as Juergen saw the bubbles
of the missing divers underwater. We communicated
through sound, by tapping on the tanks and the diving
slates! We finally found them and continued the
‘search and rescue’ dive and found a man with an
umbrella underwater!
On the last night at Panuba, we had a BBQ. Hui
Min did a great job preparing the food. Chicken, fish,
potato and corn (I never knew Carrefour's corn was
so yummy!).
We did another 2 dives the next day before heading
back to KL. We reached KL around 10.30 pm. It
was a great trip! Yes, I did meet new friends. Best of
all is that we share the same interest – diving, nature
and photography! Thanks to Hui Min for organizing
such a great event! Hope to see you guys again
soon!
7

Love adventures?
Enjoy peace of mind… for you and your
family by writing your will today!
Do you know that all our Assets including bank accounts will be frozen
upon Death? With OR Without a WILL!! How do you “unlock” them? A
Grant of Probate or Letter of Administration from the High Court. This
process applies to both Muslims and Non-Muslims.
If you pass on without having a VALID WILL … this is what happens…
1. Your Family
• Your spouse and children will face cash flow problems because
all your bank accounts, including joint accounts, will be frozen.
• Your children's welfare may not be taken care of by the people of
your choice.
2. The Legal Process
• Delay in distribution due to the legal administrative process
(2–6 years).
• 2 guarantors / sureties required (amount equal to or more than
the deceased's estate).
• Much more costly, resulting in financial burden to your family.
3. Your Asset Distribution (as per Distribution Act 1958 amended in
1997 or Distribution under Faraid)
• The law will decide on the distribution of your estate such as
houses, businesses, bank accounts, shares, etc.
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No. 24, Jalan 76/26,
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Tel/Fax - (603) 6275 4913
Website: http://www.mymountaingoal.com
E-mail: goalus@mymountaingoal.com
Everest Base Camp via Gokyo Lake Trek, 27/09/2011–14/10/2011
Experience the culture of the Sherpas en route to Khumbu village. Enjoy a climb to the scintillating
Kalapattar (5545 m /18,190 ft), one of the most spectacular vantage points in the Everest
region. Explore enchanting views of Everest, Pumori, Ama Dablam, Nuptse, Lhotse,
Makalu and many other towering peaks. Two free training trips will provided.
Further info:www.mymountaingoal.com/everestkalapattar.htm
Mt Rinjani (3726 m) Trip, 17/08/11–21/08/11 (5D/4N)
LOVE YOUR FAMILY, WRITE YOUR WILL TODAY AND ENJOY PEACE
OF MIND wherever you may be … Travelling, Trekking, Caving, Mountain
Climbing, Diving, Biking, Camping, etc.
Why leave it to chance … for more information, please call …
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Making Your Wishes Come True
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Mt. Rinjani is the second highest volcanic peak in Indonesia, part of the celebrated 'Ring of
Fire'. The dramatic landscape has been created over millions of year of cone-building, violent
explosions, and erosion. Forested slopes rising directly from the sea create their own weather
pattern and act as water-collectors for the whole of Lombok.
One free training trip will provided for the Mount Rinjani trip.
Further information: please sign in:- http://www.mymountaingoal.com/RinjaniRegion.htm
10

Announcements
1. Countdown to MENGO Green Hunt 2011! 25 DAYS TO GO
Date: Saturday, 25 June – Sunday, 26 June 2011
Type of Activity: Walk n Hunt via public transportation in Kuala
Lumpur
Registration Fee: RM200 per team of 3 persons
PRIZES TOBE WON
1st placing: RM3,000.00 worth cash / Vouchers / Hampers / Gifts
2nd placing: RM2,000.00 worth cash / Vouchers / Hampers / Gifts
3rd placing: RM1,000.00 worth cash / Vouchers / Hampers / Gifts
4th placing: RM500.00 worth cash / Vouchers / Hampers / Gifts
5th placing: RM200.00 worth cash / Vouchers / Hampers / Gifts
6th–10th placing: Consolation prizes of Vouchers / Hampers / Gifts
worth RM100
10 Lucky Draws: Consolation prizes of Vouchers / Hampers / Gifts
worth RM 50
For more details, contact Awang at MENGO at awang@mengo.org
2. ENSEARCH National Photography Competition 2011
Categories: Nature: In Your Backyard, Habitat Loss, Habitat Gained
and People & Places
For prizes and submission details, logon to www.ensearch.org
Closing date: 31 August 2011
PRIZES TOBE WON
1st placing: RM5,000.00
2nd placing: RM3,000.00
3rd placing: RM2,000.00
Consolation and Special Awards are up for grabs as well!!
11

Calendar of Activities
All events, times and venues are correct at time of printing. For latest updates, contact your favourite Special Interest Group or check the MNS
website regularly. Booking priority will be given to the organising branch’s members unless stated otherwise.
June
5 (Sunday)
Talk: Medicinal Plants of Asia: Drugs for
Tomorrow?
Speaker: Assoc. Prof. Dr Christophe Wiart
Time: 10 am
Venue: MNS HQ Auditorium
Many a time we hear how cutting down our rainforest
is likened to burning down the library
without reading the books in it. Our highly diversified
rainforests may well hold the cure to many
of the world's illnesses, yet we are destroying
them without studying them.
Do not miss this rare talk where you get to
meet and listen to one of the leading authorities
in the field of medicinal plants of Asia. He will
share with you just some of the most amazing
medicinal plants that he and his teams have uncovered
in our very own rainforest. Be ready to
see our forest from a totally different view and
why it should be preserved at all costs!
Speaker profile: Dr Christophe Wiart has been
studying the medicinal plants of India, Southeast
Asia and China for the last 16 years. He
has collected, identified and classified several
hundred species of medicinal plants and he is
regarded as the most prominent authority in the
field of Asian ethnopharmacology, chemotaxonomy
and ethnobotany.
Please contact Ilyas Sapiyan at 012 6175870
(isapiyan@hotmail.com) to register for this talk.
11 (Saturday)
Day Trip to Gua Anak Tempurung
Everyone is familiar with Gua Tempurung in
Perak, but little is known of its smaller sibling
nearby. Despite its size and a mere length of 0.9
km, few can argue the beauty and charm that
this pristine cave can offer.
Gua Anak Tempurung, last surveyed in
2001, is a river cave with 10 entrances and
various levels of passages. Carved through time
by water, you will be able to see glistening white
marble along the passages. Majestic formations
and sparkling calcite crystals can be seen along
the single river passage. Try looking out for catfishes,
shrimps and other peculiar inhabitants of
this unique cave.
On the way to the caves, you will see a quarrying
site and the makeshift road adjacent to the
hill. The road is littered with debris deposited by
the trucks that transport the spoils of the
quarrying sites. The landscape is ever changing
with erosion and widening of the access roads.
See for yourself the beauty of a cave system
and consider the critical need for conservation
of caves in the Kinta Valley.
The second part of the day trip will bring you
to a very special organic farm founded and managed
by Mr and Mrs Ng. Here at Green Wish
Vegi Garden, participants will have a chance to
savour some of the organic produce and learn
about using organic compost as fertilizer via a
demonstration. Participants will then visit a
All events, times and venues are correct at time of
printing. For latest updates, contact your favourite
SIG, check the MNS website regularly or join the
eGroup by sending an e-mail to: mnselangor-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
nearby Orang Asli village where the main feature
is a unique bamboo house.
Thereafter, participants will proceed to visit
Lata Kinjang waterfalls, which is visible from the
northbound North-South Highway. One of the
tallest falls in Peninsular Malaysia, its rapid
cascades and breathtaking scenery will be a
refreshing conclusion to this day trip.
7:00 am Meeting-point and registration at
Mcdonalds, Centerpoint, Bandar Utama
7:30 am Depart to Gua Anak Tempurung,
northbound North-South Highway,
exit at Gopeng
9:00 am Arrival at trail, briefing
9:30 am Caving at Gua Anak Tempurung
12:30 pm Depart to Green Wish Vegi Farm
1:00 pm Lunch
2:00 pm Farm tour & composting demonstration
3:00 pm Visit Orang Asli village
3:30 pm Visit Lata Kinjang Waterfall
Essentials: Torchlight, helmet (construction,
bicycle, caving), change of clothes, water and
light snacks
12

Cost: RM70 (members),
RM140 (non-members)
– payment can be made via the following acct:
Ng Sue Lynn (Maybank 112232271709)
– once you have made the payment, please
e-mail Sue Lynn at s_lynn80@hotmail.com
Please note that RM120 includes 1 year membership(RM70)
with the Malaysian Nature Society.You
will be required to fill a membership form
during the trip.
Transport is based on carpooling.
Please contact Chin Su Hung (012-212
0468/chinsuhung@gmail.com) or Nick Hoo
(012-3122803/nick@erfidcontrol.com) for more
details!
* This trip is suitable for both beginners and
experienced cavers
12 (Sunday)
MNS Photogroup: Bukit Tabur Far East
Bukit Tabur Far East sits between the East Peak
and Extreme Peak, all located along the East
Ridge of the Klang Gates Quartz Ridge in
Taman Melawati. The Far East peak is
perhaps the least-treaded peak and yet is the
easiest to hike up, with a total trekking time of
less than an hour. At the top, one can absorb
the breathtaking views of the East Peak with the
entire West Ridge as the backdrop, the awesome
dam and the Extreme Peak with its grand,
vertical rock wall. Another close-within wonder
of this small peak is its lush, uniformly spreaded
moss carpet. Strategically positioned, this peak
together with the trail leading to it offers one of
the best sites for landscape and nature photography.
Meeting Time: 7.30 am
Meeting Venue: BHP petrol station at Taman
Melawati car park area
(behind the petrol station)
GPS Coordinates: N3.2113462; E101.7519379
To register, please (i) email to Jimmy Chew
at jcstar@gmail.com or Horng Yih at
horngyih@yahoo. com; or (ii) sms/text Jimmy at
016 365 6670 or Horng Yih at 012 673 0646;
Please enclose your membership number and
expiry date along in your registration.
At the meeting venue, we shall convoy to the
location to begin the hike. The driving distance
to hike location is about 2 km. For those who
wish to carpool from meeting venue, you may
leave your car at the BHP car park; please
secure your car with additional locks, if any. A
convoy brief will be provided to drivers.
Things to wear/bring: Proper hiking shoes
(slippers/sandals are not allowed), gloves especially
when climbing over rocks and pulling the
rope, mosquito repellent, at least 1.5 litres of
water (ideally 2–3 litres as you will dehydrate
faster under searing heat towards the later
morning), extra change of clothes – please bring
into the driver's car (especially when carpooling)
and camera!
The risk level of Bukit Tabur Far East is 5 out
of 5 so please exercise care during the hike. A
hiking brief will be provided at the trailhead.
A token sum of RM10.00 made up of MNS
Photo SIG fund (RM5) and MNS insurance coverage
(RM5) will be collected from each participant.
A receipt will be provided to you for
safekeeping.
18 (Saturday)
BIRD GROUP GET-TOGETHER
(Selangor Branch)
Time: 2 pm
Venue: MNS HQ Auditorium
BIRDS bring people together
Mark your calendar now and find out what's
been 'happening' on the Bird Scene with Birds,
Birding and BIRDERS. Celebrate with Bird
Group to see what has been accomplished over
the year.
It's also a great time to come chat amongst
friends, make new friends, and even get elected
on the Committee ('new blood' definitely welcome!)
Naturally, a makan kecil and drinks will
be provided, so come one, come all and make
a definite date with your birding buddies.
18 (Saturday)
Nature Guides AGM-cum-get-together
(Selangor Branch)
If you love the great outdoors and are looking
for more exciting adventures, come and find out
all about this small, merry group of naturelovers
who have made many interesting things
happen over the last few years. This is also a
time for us to renew friendships, share experiences
and chart a way forward to protect and
conserve our constantly threatened environment.
All welcome. Bring your family and friends.
The basic BBQ will be provided. Just bring a
small portion of food/fruits/drinks to share, and
we'll all have a great evening together.
For more information and directions to the
venue (in Setapak area, near Taman Melati
13

LRT station), contact Pasu (pasupathy_jyaraj@
yahoo.com) or sms 019-3199770.
Time: AGM – 5.00 pm–6.00 pm
BBQ/Potluck – 6.00 pm–9.00 pm
Venue: 10 Jalan Ibukota 8
(Off Jalan Ibukota Kiri)
Taman Ibukota
Jalan Gombak
53100 Kuala Lumpur
19 (Sunday)
Trip to Genting Tea Estate, Genting Sempah,
Pahang
A brief introductory talk at 11.00 am will be
followed by a walk around the orchard (sensible
shoes recommended), arriving back at the
house in time for lunch. Soft drinks will be provided.
Bring your own picnic lunch and enjoy the
lush, verdant serenity at the lawn. After lunch,
Dato' Henry Barlow will give a talk on his extensive
collection of moths and butterflies.
This trip is suitable for a family outing for
children of 8 years and above. Carpooling is
recommended as parking space is limited.
For registration and enquiries, please
contact Nancy Ng (Nature Guide SIG) at
ngeansee@yahoo.com or call her at 016-2025
224 from Mon-Fri from 9.30 am–4.30pm.
To register, please provide the following data:-
1) Full name
2) MNS membership no. and expiry date
3) Email address and hp. no.
Please note that Family membership covers the
immediate family only-includes children below
18 years. If you are bringing your children,
please provide their ages and dates of birth.
Meeting point: outside McDonald's at the R&R
car park at Genting Sempah at 9.15 am.
Book early as places are limited.
21 (Tuesday)
Selangor Bird Group Indoor Talk
The Northern Arizona Birding Year
by Mr Terence Ronald Blows
Time: 8 pm
Venue: MNS HQ Auditorium
Arizona is one of the best places to bird in North
America with over 550 species recorded in the
state and a big twitch year record of 401. As well
as resident birds, some species come to
Arizona for the winter while neo-tropical species
migrate through in spring and autumn or stay to
breed in the summer. Five sites have been designated
as Global Important Bird Areas and the
state hosts three Nature Festivals in winter and
spring. Good birding is to be had all year round.
Many volunteer opportunities exist for birders
ranging from the counting of garden birds in
the winter (Project Feederwatch and the Great
Backyard Bird Count) to the famous Christmas
Bird Counts, regarded as the world's first example
of citizen science. For those with greater
expertise, May's North American Migration
Count and the Grand Canyon Raptor Migration
Project in September and October give other
opportunities for birders to take part in collecting
data on the state's birds.
Admission is FOC. All are welcome (including
non-members). Contact: Lim Wai Kong (012
3935189, http://us.mc597.mail.yahoo.com/mc/
compose?to=drwklim@yahoo.com
22 (Wednesday)
MNS Photogroup Evening Talk and Sharing
Session
Speakers: 1) Wong Horng Yih (Beginners
Photography–Controlling Depth)
2) Andy Paul (Photography of Wildlife
and Indigenous Community)
Time: 8:00 pm
Venue: MNS HQ auditorium
The Photo Group will be organising
a series of talks on basic photography
skills throughout the year.
The fourth talk of the series will
explore one of the three major internal
components that contribute
exposure value, i.e. the aperture and
how it affects your photographs. Mr Wong
Horng Yih will share with us his experience in
this area of photography.
Andy Paul spent his childhood years
happily immersed in an idyllic kampung environment.
Among his friends at the time were
the Temuan Orang Asal, from whom he learnt
not only to respect wildlife and the environment
but he has bonded with the lives of those
he meets in the depths of the forests.
Today Andy immortalises his friends in
print, showcases their natural heritage in
photos and shares their world with anyone will-
Don’t Leave Home without It
All members are required to show their membership
cards to participate in any of the Branch’s
activities. New members who haven't received their
cards will be required to show their membership
payment receipts.
Lost your card? Contact Wee Chin at HQ.
14

ing to see and listen. A Penan elder strengthened
his resolve, telling him, ‘take our lives and
our world, put it in that black thing you carry
around your neck [his camera], take it back to
your world and show it to your people … tell
them our story’.
Andy's photographs have appeared in a
multitude of publications – from nature and
travel magazines and periodicals, newspapers
and books to billboards, calendars and postcards,
not forget our very own Malaysian Naturalist.
Come and join, and learn from the peers
and experts who will show us how photography
skill can be improved and how photography
could be mightier than the pen and sword.
The talk is open to all MNS members.
25 (Saturday)
Uncovering the Hidden Diversity of
Amphibians and Reptiles in Peninsular
Malaysia and its Islands: Conservation and
the Future of Malaysia's Natural Heritage
Speaker: Prof Lee Grismer
Time: 2 pm
Venue: MNS HQ Auditorium
The speaker is a world-renowned herpetologist
and a Professor of Biology at La Sierra University
in Riverside, California. He has been working
in Peninsular Malaysia since 1996 and has
published over 100 papers on its herpetofauna.
His team has discovered and described more
new species of lizards (36) in the last six years
than have been discovered and described in
the previous 100 years. They have also
described a number of new snakes and frogs.
He will be showing up with two new books,
one on the Seribuat Archipelago and the other:
The Lizards of Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore
and their associated Archipelagos: Distribution,
Natural History, and Conservation". This
latter has over 700 pages including nearly 400
colour photographs.
Please contact Ilyas Sapiyan at 012 617
5870 (isapiyan@hotmail.com) to register for this
free talk.
July
1–4 (Fri–Mon)
Explore Tioman by Sea & Land
MNS Marine SIG and the Nature Guides are
organising a joint 4D/3N trip to Tioman Island,
promising an unforgettable experience for
naturalists and city slickers alike. Over a 4-day
period, you will stay at Juara Mutiara Resort,
enjoy 2 days of snorkelling, a morning trek to
look for the famed Rafflesia, and a trek to a
lovely waterfall. Besides that, the ‘night life’
enthusiast will find the night spotting walk exciting
indeed. What are you trying to spot at night?
Well, we hope to see a mousedeer or two.
What's included in the package?
4D/3N triple-sharing accommodation with aircon,
Tioman round trip ferry ride, return land
transport (Tekek–Juara–Tekek), all meals
(breakfast + lunch + dinner + BBQ dinner), 2
days of snorkelling, 3 jungle walks, a visit to the
Marine Park building area, a visit to Tekek
(where you can do your duty-free shopping).
Tekek School KPA Programme
Each time the Marine SIG organises a trip to
Tioman, a programme is conducted for the
Kelab Pencinta Alam at Tekek Primary School.
Your trip payment will help to sponsor this
programme, which includes a talk/slide show,
some arts & crafts fun, a beach clean-up, and a
tea break.
Price: RM460 for members, RM530 for nonmembers
(includes 1-year MNS membership).
To book your place, please pay a deposit of
RM100 by 1 June 2011.
For more information about this trip, and to register,
please contact Khor Hui Min (017-881
7714, khor.hm@gmail.com). Places are limited,
so book your spot soon!
8–10 (Friday after work–Sunday)
Rainbow Waterfall, Sungai Lembing
Have you ever witnessed a rainbow magically
appearing in front of a spectacular waterfall?
The Nature Guides SIG is organizing an
adventure to Rainbow Falls in Sungai Lembing,
a quaint little town 42 km from Kuantan,
Pahang. Very few people know that during its
heyday, Sungai Lembing could boast of having
the largest subterranean mine in the world.
Today the town is in decline, although it was
once the richest town in Pahang, known as the
El Dorado of the East.
Come and commune with nature over a
weekend. You can watch the sunrise on top of
Panorama Hill if you are an early riser. The Sungai
Pandan Waterfalls, Sungai Lembing Museum,
Crystal Museum, mining tunnels,
hotsprings and the amazing Rainbow Falls continue
to add appeal to this once prosperous tinmining
town.
15

Fitness level: Easy (this trip is suitable for
children under 10)
Cost per person: RM250 (adult/child) – covers
accommodation, 4WD/lorry, guide fees and
selected meals and all activities. Car-pooling
charges are to be paid directly to the drivers.
Accommodation: Country View Inn (sharing or
per room basis for family). First pay first served
basis – places are limited.
A pre-trip briefing will be held at 11 am on
3 July (Sunday),at MNS HQ, Jalan Kelantan. A
direction map will be provided to participants.
Contact: John Chan at chankokaik@gmail.com
or call 016 3569 169.
17 (Sunday)
MNS Photogroup
Ulu Bendol Recreational Forest
A photography outing for the photogroup members
to explore the Ulu Bendol Forest hiking
along the Batang Terachi River to the first rest
stop, approximately a 1.5-km hike in – total hike
in and out, 3 km. Participants will meet at the
meeting venue to have a final registration and
convoy to the Ulu Bendol Recreation Forest.
Ulu Bendol forest is located about 20 km
from Kuala Pilah and is currently developed by
the Negeri Sembilan State for eco-tourism as a
recreational forest. From the online sources, the
forest is estimated to be about 130 million years
old and has a clear river through the forest. A
favourite amongst locals, the entrance is a
recreational area where families picnic and
enjoy a cool river dip.
Duration of Trail: approx 4 hours
Length of Trail: approx 3 km in and out
Time: 7 am
Meeting Venue: Seremban R&R on the PLUS
heading SOUTH
Venue: Hutan Lipur Ulu Bendul,
Negeri Sembilan
Things to Bring:
– Camera, macro lenses, tripod, monopod,
raincoat just in case the weather turns wet,
– Preferably shoes that do well in muddy and
wet terrain – waterproof being a plus point
for those who want to wade into the river
– Drinking water – recommend about 1–1.5
litre depending on the weather
– Mosquito repellent for those prone to insect
bites
– Packed lunch if you want to picnic at the rest
stop; food is only available at the entrance of the
forest.
To register, please email/sms to Horng Yih,
horngyih@yahoo.com (012 673 0646) or Tovee
toveewan@gmail.com (0123887498). Please
enclose your membership number and expiry
date as well as email and phone contact.
17 (Sunday)
Malaysia's first Pesta Kelip-kelip heading to
Kg Dew, Perak
From Ratu Kelip-kelip
As the newly ‘crowned’ Ratu Kelip-kelip, it gives
me great pleasure to invite all of you to attend
the inaugural Pesta Kelip-kelip (Firefly Festival)
at Kg. Dew, Perak.
This event is organized with the objective of
highlighting the local attractions ecotourism
products of Kg Dew, Perak, especially with
regard to its special colony of synchronous fireflies.
Bring your families, children and friends
along and enjoy other activities such as the
wonderful landscape of Kg. Dew, enjoy great
local food (udang galah special & nira nipah),
visit the nearby charcoal kiln, visit the MNS
booth and also be part of Malaysia's first but
modest Firefly Festival.
Mark your blackberries & calendars and
come visit, Sunday, 17 July 2011 from 4.30 pm
till 9.30 pm. Join me to experience Kg Dew's
nature wonders…………..
For more details, MNS will be uploading the information
in the website, facebook and the
newsletter. Keen to know more, email Eileen at
policy@mns.org.my
Drive safe and see you all soon!
September
10 (Saturday)
MNS 64th Annual General Meeting
Hosted by Langkawi Branch at Frangipani
Langkawi. Please see pp. 2–4 ‘AGM BOOKING
FORM 2011’ for AGM packages and itinerary.
For further enquiries,
contact Leong Wee Chin at 03-22879422 or
email: membership@mns.org.my
24–26 (Sat–Mon)
Trip to Chenderoh Lake, Perak
The Nature Guides SIG is organizing a 3D/2N
trip to Chenderoh Lake in Northern Perak. Constructed
in the 1920s by flooding the upper
reaches of Sg Perak, the Chenderoh Dam is
the site of Malaysia's oldest hydro-electric
power station.
16

This trip creates an opportunity for us to
explore the unique surroundings and ecosystem
of this lake. The local guide will share his
interesting experiences and vast knowledge
with us.There have been sightings of wild water
buffaloes and even elephants. If the water level
permits, we will be able to feast our eyes on
beautiful lotus flowers that bloom profusely. We
will also get to learn about the variety of herbal
and medicinal plants found here and how the
cottage industries related to this particular
environment help the community to thrive.
As this is also an area steeped in history
and archeological findings, we will discover
amazing facts about our past at the nearby
museum, including the ‘Perak Man’.
Our programme includes:-
a) guided boat rides around the lake
b) learning about herbal and medicinal plants
c) a visit to the waterfall
d) a visit to local cottage industries ('perkasam'
and 'labu sayung')
e) a visit to the Lenggong Archeological
Museum
The cost per person for MNS members is
RM290.00 (adults) and RM230.00 (children
6–12 years of age). Non-members pay an extra
RM 70.00 (for 1 year's MNS membership). The
price covers accommodation in restored traditional
Malay houses, boat rides, local guide fees
and some meals.
This trip is suitable for families with children.
Transportation is by carpooling, with the expenses
to be borne by the passengers and
payable directly to the drivers.
As this trip is limited to only 16 persons,
please register and pay the fees early. The date
for the pre-trip briefing will be announced later.
To book a place, kindly email Keong at 'contactkeong@gmail.com'
or call 012-511 3690.
E-copy
Help the environment and opt to download the
newsletter from the Selangor Branch website
(www.mns.org.my) or the Selangor Branch e-group:
groups.yahoo.com/group/
To open the pdf file, you’ll need a pdf reader, such as
Adobe Reader (downloadable for free at
www.adobe.com).
Johor
Kedah
Langkawi
Moderator:
Miri
Pahang
Moderator:
Penang
Moderator:
Perak
Moderator:
Selangor
Moderator:
MNS Yahoo Groups
mnsjohor.blogspot.com
kedahmns@yahoogroups.com
mnslangkawi@yahoogroups.com
Wendy Chin / Irshad / Sri Sari
mnsmiri.blogspot.com
mnspahang@yahoogroups.com
Chu Seng Poong
mnspenang@yahoogroups.com
Kanda Kumar
mnsperak@yahoogroups.com
Dr Chan Kai Soon
malaysiannaturesociety@
yahoogroups.com
Bernie Chin / Iska
Pencinta Alam is a monthly newsletter made possible by dedicated volunteers and contributors from
the Malaysian Nature Society. Accuracy is the contributor’s responsibility. The Editor reserves the
right to editt for length and content.
Submissions: Articles including the author and photographers’ names (max. 500 words), advertisements,
digital images (100 dpi & no larger than 640 x 480 pixels & separately from article), etc. must
reach the Editor by the 13th of each month (unless noted otherwise) via the following e-mail address:
tapir2005@gmail.com.
Advertising rates:
Classifieds: RM5 per column inch; Quarter page ad: RM30; Half page ad: RM60.
All payments must be made to ‘Malaysian Nature Society Selangor Branch’. Please bank in cash or
cheque to Maybank MBB account no 014150307352. After banking in, please scan the slip and e-mail
it to Bernadette Chin at: berniechin118@yahoo.com or fax her at 03-51928191 (Attention: Bernie Finance).
Discount rate for ads paid in advance:
Editors
3 adverts paid in advance – 5% off published rate; Iska Hashim 03-20732355 (o)
6 adverts paid in advance – 10% off published rate; Khor Hui Min 017-8817714
9 adverts paid in advance –15% off published rate; Kay Lyons 03-79814271
12 adverts paid in advance – 20% off published rate.
17

MNS HQ
JKR 541, Jalan Kelantan,
Bukit Persekutuan, 50480 Kuala Lumpur
(just before the Seri Perdana turn-off on
Jalan Mahameru)
M–F 9 am–5:30 pm
T: 03-22879422 F: 03-22878773
mns@mns.org.my www.mns.my
Membership: Leong Wee Chin
Branch Committee Members
JOHOR BRANCH
c/o Prof. Madya Dr Maketab Mohamed,
90, Jalan Pulai 50, Taman Pulai Utama,
83100 Johor Bahru
www.mnsj.org.my
Chairman Prof Madya Dr. Maketab
Mohamed 019-7355000,
maketab_mohamed@yahoo.com
Vice Chair Vincent Chow 019-7557755
vkkchow@yahoo.com
Secretary Zalinah Sarpan 013-7722229
Zalinah.sarpan@my.lafarge.com
KEDAH BRANCH
5, Belakang Hospital, 09300 Kuala Ketil,
Kedah; kedahmns@yahoogroups.com
Chairman Kalaimani a/l Supramaniam
019-4733505, maniria@yahoo.com
Vice Chair Nordiana binti Zainordin
012-5377914; nz1808@yahoo.com
Secretary N Ravintharan a/l Narayanan
013-5056603; jovialravi@yahoo.com
KELANTAN BRANCH
204, Jln Sultan Yahya Petra,15150 Kota
Bharu, Kelantan. shown@tm.net.my
Chairman Tan Kee Leong, Michael
012-9661228, mike1958@streamyx.com
Vice Chair Mohd Razali bin Che Ali
017-9386015; calmoraz@yahoo.com
Secretary Wong Mei Lin 019-9109073;
meklawa@gmail.com
LANGKAWI BRANCH
mnslangkawi@yahoogroups.com
Chairman Eric R. Sinnaya 019-4499142
morahols@streamyx.com
Vice Chair Teoh Cheng Kung 013-
4881013; wildlifeplanet@gmail.com
Secretary Zuraidah Zainal Abidun
017-5600384 hajahzuraidah@yahoo.com
NEGERI SEMBILAN/ MELAKA
BRANCH
c/o Cooltek, 350 Jalan Woodland,
Tiara Melaka Golf & Country Club,
Ayer Keroh, 75450 Melaka
Chairman Lim Ming Hui
012-2760327, limmel05@yahoo.com
Vice Chair Kok Chow Hioong
013-2929418, kchioong@live.com
Secretary Stephanie Bacon
012-2175590, cooltek@streamyx.com
PAHANG BRANCH
F-4-4, Jalan Padang Golf,
25050 Kuantan. mnspahang@yahoo.com
Chairman Datin Narimah bt Daud
012-7205383, dnarimah@yahoo.com
Vice Chair Noor Jehan Abu Bakar 019-
9525588, versed_anggerik@yahoo.com
Secretary Chow Mee Foong 019-9515169
chowmeefoong@yahoo.com
PENANG BRANCH
Nature Information Centre (NIC),
673-B Jalan Kebun Bunga,
10350 Penang. 04-2273673
Open Mon–Sat, 7.30–11.30 am (please
phone before visiting)
http://www.geocities.com/mnspenang/
Chairman Tan Choo Eng 019-4484344
chooengtan@yahoo.com
Vice Chair James Ooi Teik Kok
016-4362347
Secretary Ang Wai Sheng 012-5138319
terence_ang01@yahoo.com
PERAK BRANCH
8, Jln Virgo, Star Park, 31400 Ipoh
mnsperak@gmail.com
Blog: mnsperak@yahoogroups.com
Chairman Leow Kon Fah 019-5634598,
leow_kingfisher@yahoo.com
Vice Chair Lee Ping Kong
016-5655682, lpk682@yahoo.com
Secretary Tham Yim Fong
012-5220268, georgi8tham@yahoo.com
SABAH BRANCH
P O Box 12377, 88826 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah
mns_sabah@yahoo.com.sg
Chairman Anna Wong
016-8318339, anna888@ums.edu.my
Vice Chair Omar Abdul Kadir
019-8110125, omar_kadir51@yahoo.com
Secretary Maria Joy Rowan
019-5348772, mariajoyrowan@yahoo.co.uk
SARAWAK (KUCHING) BRANCH
mnskuching@gmail.com
Chairman Cheong Ah Kwan 019-8349499
kwan_indutek@hotmail.com
Vice Chair Yeo Siew Teck 012-8876160
yeosiewteck@gmail.com
Secretary Sunita Sara Gill 012-4370050
sunitashamsul@gmail.com
SARAWAK (MIRI) BRANCH
mnsmiri@yahoo.com;
Blog: mnsmiri.blogspot.com
Chairman Faye Osman 012-3202301
faye.osman@yahoo.com
Vice Chair Anura Dason 012-8783217
anura.dason@shell.com
Secretary Puteri Shariza Megat Khalid
012-4604609 teraphoenix@yahoo.com
SELANGOR BRANCH
c/o MNS HQ address
www.mns.org.my/selangor
mns.selangor@gmail.com
E-group: malaysiannaturesociety@yahoo
groups.com
Chairman Gary Phong 013-3836288
garyphong@netscape.net
Vice Chair Wong Ee Lynn 013-2286812
wongeelynn@yahoo.com
Secretary Gan Li Li 012-2074840
pat_ganll@hotmail.com
TERENGGANU BRANCH
1926 Bukit Kubang Jambu,
20050 Kuala Terengganu
mnsterengganu@gmail.com
Chairman Hj Wan Md Adnan Wan Ismail
017-9861926 mnsterengganu@gmail.com
Vice Chair Anuar Abdullah McAfee
012-9481771, anuar@ms.kusza.edu.my
Secretary Dr Chong Ju Lian 013-3055190
julianchong78@gmail.com
Branch Committee
Members and Branch
Special Interest
Groups
A complete directory of
Branch Committee Members
and Branch Special
Interest Groups (SIGs)
can be downloaded at
www.mns.org.my
18