Any renaming of flora and fauna must follow proper scientific protocols and cannot be done arbitrarily, says Sarawak’s deputy natural resources and urban development minister, Len Talif Salleh.
He said naming new species requires rigorous research and adherence to internationally recognised standards, The Borneo Post reported.
“When naming a new species, whether plant or animal, there are established protocols and records.
“We cannot simply rename or regenerate names without following the rules,” he was quoted as saying after an event in Kuching today.
The naming of plants and animals is guided by the International Code of Nomenclature, and the Zoological Nomenclature. Once a species’ name is published and recognised, it cannot be changed without strong scientific justification.
Len Talif was commenting on Machang MP Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal’s proposal to rename the Rafflesia in an effort to do away with the legacy of Stamford Raffles.
The Rafflesia, one of the world’s largest flowers, is also found in Indonesia, Thailand and the Philippines. Known for its foul odour, it is often called the “corpse flower”.
In Malaysia, several species of the Rafflesia can be found in Sabah and Sarawak, where they play a critical role in the rainforest ecosystem.
Len Talif also said that both Sarawak and Sabah have extensive biodiversity records that must be properly documented before any naming decisions are made.
“If we want to give a new name, we must study the matter carefully within the right context,” he said.
