Minister Suggests Renaming Rafflesia, But It Already Has Local Names
Minister Suggests Renaming Rafflesia To Break Colonial Ties
The Rafflesia, the world’s largest flower, has long been a symbol of Malaysia’s biodiversity. However, during a Dewan Rakyat session on 19 August, Machang MP Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal suggested renaming the flower to remove its colonial association.
He argued that the flower was named after Sir Stamford Raffles, a British colonial administrator, and questioned why Malaysia should continue honouring him.
“Rafflesia is named after Stamford Raffles, someone who colonised us, someone who is unethical, and we gave our flower his name. Perhaps we can decide to name it something else? We can even name it Anwar Ibrahim,” he joked.
The Flower Already Has Traditional Malay Names
Despite the proposal, many Malaysians highlighted that the Rafflesia has had local names long before colonial times.
In Bahasa Melayu, the flower is commonly called Pakma, derived from the Sanskrit word padma meaning “lotus”. It is also known as Patma and Ambai-ambai. Another popular nickname is Bunga Bangkai or “corpse flower”, which refers to its infamous smell that resembles rotting meat.
Interestingly, that pungent odour serves a purpose — attracting flies and other insects to help pollinate the rare plant.
Cultural and Medicinal Role of Rafflesia
Beyond its size and smell, the Rafflesia holds cultural significance, particularly among the Orang Asli communities. Traditional practices believe certain parts of the flower, including its roots, have healing properties for women after childbirth.
However, modern science has yet to prove these claims, and researchers remain cautious about attributing medical benefits to the endangered flower.
Rafflesia Is Critically Endangered
One of the biggest challenges surrounding Rafflesia is its fragile and mysterious life cycle. The flower can take up to nine months for a bud to bloom, but once it opens, it only lasts between five to seven days before decaying.
A 2023 University of Oxford study warned that all 42 known species of Rafflesia are under threat. According to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) criteria:
- 25 species are critically endangered
- 15 species are endangered
- 2 species are vulnerable
This has sparked global conservation efforts, with scientists pushing for stronger protection to ensure the survival of this unique species.
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