Bushcraft in Malaysia

Bushcraft in Malaysia...experts and bluffs!

I first heard of Bushcraft in Malaysia during my active years in Malaysian Nature Society (MNS). Pak Abu was a committee member and actively organizing trips and events. From day hikes to jungle survival courses, Pak Abu had a keen eye and interest on things 'Bushcraft'. Back then, videos of Ray Mear's bushcraft helped fuel all the bushcraft rage. 

Bushcraft experts in Malaysia

Bushcraft and a cutting tool goes hand in hand

You are gonna be sorely disappointed if you are looking for bushcraft experts in Malaysia. Almost all that I have read, seen (on social media) or met in Malaysia, I would say most are just people trying to hitch a free ride on the bushcraft bandwagon. Not sure about in other countries, Malaysians like to claim to be 'experts (locals call them 'otai'). Learn how to start fire with a bow drill and walaaaah....a bushcraft expert! You would see them offering bushcraft courses in no time. I am amazed how they can be so thick skinned to make the claim 'bushcraft expert'.

Personally, the true bushcraft experts in Malaysia are the indigenous people of the land. What I wanted to learn about the jungle or anything bushcraft related to it has always come from an orang asal. They live their life close to the jungle and it is only natural that they have the knowledge and skill to survive and live as comfortably as they can in the jungle. They probably have one parang, no tents, no fancy 7 strand paracord and no titanium cookset but they can teach you a whole lot more if you are willing to observe and learn. 

Jungle bushcraft teacher in Malaysia

Raman Bah Tuin- 2014

If I had to suggest a jungle bushcraft teacher in Malaysia, I would probably start with Raman Bah Tuin. Strictly because he is the only one I know personally that understands what it is you want to try to learn. I have known him for many years. I have organised many 'jungle trips' with him during OGM days. The trips weren't strictly bushcraft courses. They were mainly overnights camping (and eating) trips with some learning aspects of jungle skills built in. You can contact Raman at 011-56663915 directly.

There's probably plenty more orang asal that knows more than Raman, but getting them to 'teach' is always the challenge. Bushcraft knowledge is part and parcel of their daily life. It is what they do from sunrise to sunset. Your best chance to learn is to observe and ask questions. Oh...and take plenty of notes.