Kota bharu: The proposal to replace the name Rafflesia with a local term represents a symbolic effort to decolonise the national consciousness and reclaim Malaysia’s identity, but it requires careful consideration, said Universiti Malaysia Kelantan (UMK) Faculty of Earth Sciences Dean Associate Prof Dr Zulhazman Hamzah. He expressed that while the idea aspires to elevate local heritage predating Western colonisation and recognises indigenous communities familiar with the flower, it must be approached with caution.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the naming of Rafflesia dates back to 1818 when it was discovered in Bengkulu, Sumatra, by Sir Stamford Raffles and Dr Joseph Arnold, prior to being named by botanist Robert Brown in 1821. Zulhazman suggested that adopting a local name, such as bunga pakma or terms rooted in ethnic traditions, would acknowledge traditional knowledge.
The Rafflesia is known by various local names reflecting the country’s cultural diversity. The Kelantanese call it bunga Pokma, the Temiar in Lojing refer to it as bunga Malang, the Kadazan-Dusun as bunga Patma, and the southern Thai Malays as bunga Kekmo. In Thailand, it is known as Bua Put. Zulhazman emphasized that recognising these local names would preserve linguistic heritage and serve as an educational tool to understand pre-colonial history, biodiversity, and environmental conservation.
However, he warned that replacing Rafflesia with a local name could lead to significant challenges, particularly scientific and global confusion. The term has been used in international scientific literature for over 200 years, referring to a genus comprising more than 40 species across Southeast Asia. A national-level name change could create inconsistencies with the standard species nomenclature recognised globally.
He pointed out that issues of cost and practicality must be considered, as changes would impact textbooks, signage, tourism materials, and official government websites. Malaysia’s multiethnic makeup could also complicate matters, as selecting only one local name might lead to dissatisfaction among other communities.
As a compromise, Zulhazman proposed a dual-name approach, such as Rafflesia (Bunga Pakma), in official, tourism, and educational contexts. This would maintain scientific integrity while acknowledging cultural heritage. He stressed that prioritising research, education, and conservation of this unique flower is essential for Malaysia to emerge as a global leader in its protection, regardless of the name used.
Recently, the media reported that Machang MP Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal proposed renaming the Rafflesia in conjunction with the 68th National Day, during his intervention in the winding-up of the 13th Malaysia Plan by Acting Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Datuk Seri Johari Ghani.