Raja Permaisuri Agong Launches Book on Malaysia Traditions of Ramuan

Kuala Lumpur, 9 September 2009 – Seri Paduka Baginda Raja Permaisuri Agong Tuanku Nur Zahirah officially launched Health & Beauty from the Rainforest – Malaysian Traditions of Ramuan, a comprehensive journal on the health and beauty traditions of the various cultural groups in Malaysia at a gala event held at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel recently.

Health & Beauty from the Rainforest – Malaysian Traditions of Ramuan is a national interest project initiated by Biotropics Malaysia Berhad to generate further awareness on the diverse traditions of the different cultural groups in the country.

It features an exhaustive collection of the traditional treatments and concoctions, healing methods, beauty secrets and herbal medications and preparations as practiced by the various cultures in the country – Malay, Chinese, Indian, and the indigenous people of the country over the centuries.

Biotropics was incorporated as a wholly owned subsidiary of Khazanah Nasional Berhad in 2007 as part of the latter’s initiative in furthering the nation’s agro-based and agricultural sectors in the country.

To this effect, Biotropics’ key objective is to promote the rich biodiversity and traditions of Malaysia to the rest of the world, and subsequently, enhance the herbal industry development in the country towards making it a global player in this growing industry.

Also invited as special guests of honour at the event was former Prime Minister YABhg Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

The launch event was also attended by around 350 specially invited guests, which included royalties, dignitaries, senior government officials, business associates as well as members of the media.

In keeping with the tropical rainforest theme, the event featured a number of natural elements throughout the night. Guests arrived to the soothing music of the angklung – a music instruments made with bamboo and wood. They were also treated to a choice of fresh pegaga juice and a special concoction made with ginger, pandan, and lemongrass. Guests were also treated to a specially created pre-dinner cocktail, ulam spring roll based on the former first lady YABhg Tun Jeanne Abdullah’s recipe.

Guests were also able to enjoy a number of activity booths at the Foyer of the Mandarin Oriental Grand Ballroom, which included a Royal Terengganu Songket counter by Yayasan Tuanku Nur Zahirah. They were also able to purchase at a special price the Health & Beauty from the Rainforest – Malaysian Traditions of Ramuan book which was on display.

Guests were then ushered to the ballroom which featured an impressive tropical rainforest backdrop and stage. To cap it off, the dinner menu, from the appetiser to desserts, featured specially created herb-infused dishes using a variety of ulam (herbs) inspired by the many ramuan ingredients in the book.

“Malaysia has inherited a unique confluence of different herbal traditional practices derived from Malay, Chinese, Indian and indigenous cultures. The use of herbs and botanicals has been a vital part of Malaysian traditions and healthcare for generations,” said Mohd Rafik Shah Mohamad, Chairman of Biotropics Malaysia Berhad.

“It is this plethora of traditional knowledge and therapeutic ingredients that is called Ramuan. This is what we have discovered from our research of the Malaysian health and beauty traditions, thus, the publication of Health and Beauty from the Rainforest – Malaysian Traditions of Ramuan.”

The speech was followed by the official launch of the book by Seri Paduka Baginda Raja Permaisuri Agong Tuanku Nur Zahirah, accompanied by YABhg Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and YABhg Tun Jeanne Abdullah. This was followed by the dinner presentation were guests were introduced to the specially created herb-infused ramuan dishes.

This was then followed by an introduction of the Health and Beauty from the Rainforest – Malaysian Traditions of Ramuan by the book’s Editor-in-Chief,Professor Gerard Bodeker together with Emeritus Professor Dato’ Dr Hood Salleh, one of the editors of the book.

The eventful night then continued with a Ramuan Art performance featuring top local designer Faizol Abdullah of Jendela KL, who featured his collection of nature-inspired songket designs. His show was followed by another top local designer Edric Ong, featuring his collection of eco-friendly fashion designs using materials and prints made from natural resources such as fruit dyes, leaves, and others. The fashion shows was converged with traditional silat, Indian dance and Chinese martial arts.

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