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Local heroes assist endangered proboscis monkey cross the river on boat in Sarawak

A heartwarming video of two Sarawakians, Lawrence and Emrys, helping a proboscis monkey navigate a river in Sarikei, Sarawak, has gone viral.

Their friendly interaction in Iban, comforting the primate during the crossing, has captured widespread attention after their fishing trip.

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1 year ago

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SARAWAK, MALAYSIA: A heartwarming video of two individuals helping a proboscis monkey safely cross a river in Sarikei, Sarawak has taken the internet by storm, captivating viewers across various social media platforms.

In this viral clip, two local heroes, Lawrence and Emrys, can be seen engaging in a friendly conversation with the primate in the Iban language.

The video has garnered significant attention since its upload, following their fishing expedition.

As the footage unfolds, the pair can be heard asking the primate how it’s feeling about crossing the river on their boat, while reassuring it with words of comfort, “No need to worry, just relax. We haven’t reached the other side yet.”

Despite the monkey’s hesitant leaps from the boat, Lawrence and Emrys generously assist by allowing it to grip the boat’s oar, ensuring a safe return to the shore.

Throughout the 3-minute and 35-second video, the monkey’s intriguing behavior is captured, from sitting aboard the boat to intermittently leaping off and then climbing back on, repeating this amusing pattern.

Speaking to local media, Lawrence Joe recounted the encounter with enthusiasm, explaining that he and Emrys Akup spotted the proboscis monkey swimming in the river around 9 am on a Sunday (13 Aug) morning while en route to Nanga Selalang in Sarikei for a fishing trip.

Approaching the monkey with caution, they skillfully brought the boat closer, allowing the monkey to climb aboard and find a secure perch.

Despite initial astonishment, their compassion drove them to assist the primate in its river crossing, ensuring it reached the opposite bank safely.

After this kind gesture, they carried on to the river mouth where they typically engage in their casting fishing activities.

“Our compassion for the proboscis monkey compelled us to intervene, as we wished to prevent any potential mishap while it is swimming the river,” he explained.

“After we managed to help it crossed the river. we resumed our fishing activity.

Emrys also contributed his version of the events.

“We encountered the primate near Muara Selalang. It appeared to be attempting to swim across the river,” he recounted.

The humorous verbal interactions shared between the pair and the primate, along with their compassionate gesture, have deeply resonated with numerous individuals who watched the video.

The endearing verbal exchanges and their compassionate act have deeply touched countless viewers, resulting in a flood of comments and reactions online.

Many viewers praised the duo for their kindness, extending well-wishes for their health and future endeavors.

Some others commented on the proboscis monkey’s behaviour, saying that it is cute and impatient for jumping into the water many times.

A few others also said fortunately there are no crocodiles.

The video had garnered 233,700 views and 14,500 likes since its upload.

@emrysakup

♬ bunyi asal – Mr.N C😎 – Emrys Akup

Renowned for their inquisitive behavior and adept swimming abilities, proboscis monkeys are a protected species in Sarawak under the Wildlife Protection Ordinance of 1998.

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Civil Society

RSF condemns Malaysian court ruling against British journalist Clare Rewcastle Brown

Malaysia’s Federal Court rejected Clare Rewcastle Brown’s appeal against a defamation ruling, leaving her liable for damages over RM 435,000. RSF condemned the decision as an effort to silence the journalist, who is known for reporting on corruption scandals.

Published

4 hours ago

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19 September 2024

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Malaysia’s Federal Court has dismissed British journalist Clare Rewcastle Brown’s appeal against a defamation ruling, leaving her liable to pay damages exceeding RM 435,000 (US$103,325).

The defamation suit, which RSF (Reporters Without Borders) describes as part of a broader effort to silence journalists reporting on corruption, relates to a statement in Rewcastle Brown’s 2018 book, The Sarawak Report – The Inside Story of the 1MDB Expose.

The journalist has faced legal challenges ever since, including both civil and criminal cases.

Rewcastle Brown, known for exposing Malaysia’s 1MDB financial scandal, was accused of defaming the Sultanah of Terengganu, the wife of a senior political figure.

The defamation suit stems from a misidentification error in the book, which wrongly stated that the Sultanah, rather than the Sultan’s sister, was connected to a businessman involved in the scandal.

Rewcastle Brown quickly corrected the mistake and issued an apology in 2018. Her legal team has argued that the error does not constitute defamation or criminal libel.

The Sultanah had initially sought RM 100 million in general damages, but the court ultimately awarded a much smaller sum of RM 300,000 (US$71,230) in damages, along with RM 135,000 (US$32,095) in legal costs. Additional fees are expected.

The Federal Court’s decision on 10 September 2024 closes Rewcastle Brown’s legal avenues for appeal in the civil case.

Reporters Without Borders has condemned Malaysia’s handling of the case, asserting that it is intended to intimidate other journalists from reporting on corruption.

Fiona O’Brien, UK Bureau Director of RSF, commented: “This case should never have made it to court. The accusations of defamation are nonsensical. The underlying agenda appears to be to silence Rewcastle Brown and warn other Malaysian journalists away from reporting on corruption.”

In a separate criminal case, Rewcastle Brown was sentenced in absentia to two years in prison in February 2024. She continues to appeal the criminal charges but has faced significant challenges in defending herself. The British government has not commented publicly on her case.

RSF also noted that Malaysia, once ranked 73rd in the World Press Freedom Index, has dropped to 107th in 2024, amid rising political instability and a pattern of defamation suits against journalists.

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Crime

Islamic firm CEO among 19 arrested in Malaysia’s charity home abuse scandal

The CEO of Islamic firm Global Ikhwan Services and Business Holdings (GISBH) and his wife were among 19 arrested by Malaysian authorities on Thursday for alleged child abuse linked to their charity homes. Last week, police rescued 402 children from these homes. Investigations revealed a horrifying network of abuse, with at least 13 children allegedly sodomised or taught to sexually assault others.

Published

6 hours ago

on

19 September 2024

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MALAYSIA: In a major crackdown, Malaysian police have arrested several members of Global Ikhwan Services and Business Holdings (GISBH) top management, including CEO Nasiruddin Ali and his wife.

The arrests were made in a special operation conducted by Bukit Aman’s criminal investigation department at multiple locations.

As of 19 September, total of 19 people were detained, including the CEO’s two children and the child of former Al-Arqam leader Ashaari Muhammad.

Among those arrested are 12 men and seven women, aged between 30 and 65.

Inspector-General of Police Razarudin Husain confirmed the arrests and promised to provide updates soon.

The arrests come on the heels of a significant child sexual abuse scandal involving GISBH.

Last week, police rescued 402 children from 20 welfare homes linked to the organization in Selangor and Negeri Sembilan.

They also arrested 171 people, including an ustaz and a hostel warden.

The case sent shockwaves throughout the country as investigations revealed a horrifying network of child abuse.

At least 13 of the rescued children were allegedly sodomized or taught to sexually assault others.

GISBH initially denied operating the welfare homes and rejected the allegations of abuse.

However, Nasiruddin later admitted that cases of sodomy had occurred within the organization in the past, while denying any deviant teachings.

In a related development, three men linked to GISBH pleaded not guilty in a Seremban court to charges of sexually assaulting boys aged between nine and 11 at a religious school associated with the organisation.

The alleged assaults took place between 2022 and 2023 in Kuala Pilah, Negeri Sembilan.

Additionally, another man was charged in Putrajaya for allegedly threatening a woman to withdraw a police report against GISBH.

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