Orang Asli Menraq Patrol Unit get international award for conservation efforts

Menraq Patrol Unit members (from left) Ardi Kembong, Safian Latif, Fahmi Jali, Sufian Raman and Talib Mat Razi.

PETALING JAYA: The team leaders of the Orang Asli Menraq Patrol Unit has won the IUCN WCPA International Ranger Award 2023 for their conservation efforts in the Royal Belum State Park.

This is the first time that a Malaysian team has won this award, which is in its third year and is held in conjunction with World Ranger Day on July 31.

Formed by the Perak State Parks Corporation with NGO partner Rimau, the Menraq is a team of community patrollers comprising the Jahai Orang Asli working within the Royal Belum State Park.

It was formed with the main aim of mobilising the local community to provide additional resources for protecting the Royal Belum landscape against poachers to ensure protection for the critically endangered Malayan tiger.

The Menraq team, which received US$10,000 (RM45,495) to support their efforts and a custom uniform patch to signify their achievement, is being awarded for exemplary achievement in community-led conservation of tigers.

The team's win was announced during an online ceremony held at around 8.30pm local time on Wednesday.

A total of 114 nominations were received from 52 countries this year, which saw nine awards being presented.

Expressing his pride over the achievement, Sultan of Perak Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah extended his congratulations and deepest appreciation to every member of the Menraq Patrol Unit.

"I am very proud of this achievement and would like to extend my congratulations and deepest appreciation to every member of the Menraq Patrol Unit who has worked tirelessly in patrolling and protecting Royal Belum State Park with utmost dedication.

"I hope that this success will serve as a catalyst to inspire the Jahai indigenous community to continue their efforts in safeguarding the Malayan tiger, ensuring that this highly valuable national treasure will not disappear from our nation," he said.

Hosted by the IUCN (the International Union for Conservation of Nature) and the IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas, these awards are intended to improve the rangers’ capabilities, raise awareness about the critical role they play in conservation efforts, and help share their unique stories and perspectives.

It is held in collaboration with the International Ranger Federation, Re:wild, Conservation Allies, Universal Ranger Support Alliance, IUCN US and WWF Tigers Alive Initiative.

Menraq team leader Ardi Kembong said they hoped that with the award, other Orang Asli communities would also join in the fight to protect the tigers.

"We are here to keep the area safe from poachers – we want to ensure that the Malayan tiger and other animals can live safely for our future generations. We are very proud to be able to protect the forest in Royal Belum," he said.

Perak State Parks Corporation director Shah Redza said they were immensely proud to witness the Menraq Patrol Unit being honoured this year.

“The IUCN World Ranger Award serves as a tribute to the remarkable work undertaken by park rangers worldwide, who serve as guardians of our precious ecosystems and biodiversity," he said.

Rimau president Lara Ariffin said the award recognised the team’s dedication and hard work.

"The Menraq team has shown amazing growth and overcome many challenges. Rimau is very proud of their contribution towards tiger conservation in Royal Belum," she said, paying her tribute to the sponsors of the Menraq unit - Yayasan Hasanah, Yayasan Sime Darby, Billplz, KLK and others.

"This collaboration underscores the importance of collective action in protecting our natural heritage and ensuring the survival of endangered species," she said, acknowledging the support from Wildlife and National Parks Department, NGO group Pelindung, WWF-Malaysia and US-based conservation group Panthera in training the team.

Rohit Singh, Asia Representative, International Ranger Federation and Director of Protected and Conserved Area Management and Governance, said he hoped that the award would encourage other tiger sites in South East Asia to improve protection in partnership with Indigenous People and local communities.