To Solve Monkey Problems, Get to Understand Them First

Okay lah, since people are asking for the English translation, I asked my assistant, Microsoft Co-pilot to do the job for me. 

This is Vimala Raghawan, whom I met at a session organized by the Selangor & Federal Territory Gardening Society, focused on tree care, led by my friend and arborist, Nik Ikhmal Fathi.

Due to complaints from His Majesty the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Sultan Ibrahim, regarding scattered litter around Jalan Gallagher, SWCorp and Alam Flora today gave a briefing to the Minister of Housing and Local Government.

According to the Mayor of Kuala Lumpur, Datuk Seri Maimunah Mohd Shariff, the issue stems from monkeys rummaging through trash bins—even ones that are closed. But monkeys see, monkeys do. Remember the story of Pak Pandir and the monkeys?

Jalan Gallagher is a remote area without the bustle of city crowds. Following His Majesty’s instructions, Maimunah directed Alam Flora to clean the area.

🐒 The Monkey Problem

Because of the monkey issue, Vimala came forward.

I invited myself to meet Tuan Khalid and Maimunah, both of whom I had interviewed more than 10 years ago about their green initiatives when she was the President of Seberang Prai.

I also wanted to catch a glimpse of Sultan Ibrahim for the first time, even from afar.

I’m not one to “rub shoulders” with VIPs. I’ve known several ministers—Abdullah Badawi, Rafidah Aziz, Chua Jui Meng, Lim Ah Lek, Fong Chan Onn, Anifah Aman, Idris Jala, Paul Low, and more—but never once took a photo with them.

When informed that His Majesty and Maimunah wouldn’t be attending the site visit today, but the Minister would be, I asked for Tuan Khalid’s permission to invite Ms. Vimala and requested that she share some thoughts on solving the monkey issue.

Vimala took some time to explain her observations on monkey behavior.

Nga listened attentively and said he would text the Mayor of Kuala Lumpur so Vimala could help DBKL develop a solution to the monkey problem.

If her approach proves effective—like what was achieved in Pantai Hill Park—it seems logical and could be applied to many places where monkeys leave their habitat in search of food.

Knowing Vimala is helping residents in Bukit Gasing with the same issue, I also recommended to the Mayor of Petaling Jaya (soon to be Datuk Seri, perhaps, given his contributions), Tuan Haji Zahri Samingon, to support by providing manpower and supplying trees that can feed the monkeys. According to Vimala, once their food source is secure, the monkeys won’t disturb Bukit Gasing residents again.

Understanding monkeys takes time, experience, and observing their behavior—it's not something one learns from reading scientific journals alone. Personal experience and expert insights go hand in hand; like two hands clapping, one alone won't make a sound.

Two comments I received:

From the SWCorp CEO, Tuan Khalid

From Ms. Mahani of the Garden Society of Kuala Lumpur and Selangor

🌱 Simple Concept

Vimala is an advisor in Health, Safety and Environmental Affairs (HS&EA) and is also an activist with the Garden Society.

She conducted a study on monkeys encroaching on human dwellings. According to her, this is because their habitats have been disturbed and food is scarce, forcing them to leave their natural environment to find nourishment.

For primates, encountering humans and fast-moving vehicles causes significant stress.

The logical solution: restore their habitat by planting suitable trees in identified areas.

Once well-fed, monkeys will ignore humans offering food. Vimala once challenged her peers: “Try giving food to the monkeys in their trees and see if they come down to take only what’s meant for humans.”

I don’t know the outcome, but if Vimala shared this based on her experience, it’s likely the monkeys ignored offerings like bananas or peanuts from humans.

📄 Research Paper

While waiting for the next appointment, I asked Vimala to write a paper outlining her ideas—similar to my journal article on first mile/last mile solutions, which was shared with those who could execute them.

Before Sunway built the BRT system, I had shared it. Past and present Transport Ministers were also briefed. I tried to make the article go viral to become a catalyst for change. Our shuttle service started 20 years ago with a 15-year-old van. Now, I see they use 44-seater buses—meaning more students are using public transport.

During treatment at the National Cancer Institute 10 years ago, my efforts bore fruit. Putrajaya Hospital used their vans as shuttles just like what I initiated as a corporate communications director at a university.

I hope Vimala’s paper, paired with YouTube videos, will make it easier to share her ideas widely across the country and Southeast Asia. The monkey issue has persisted for years without viable solutions.

🤝 Working With NGOs

This is one example where I encourage collaboration between the government and activists to solve various challenges together.

NGO activists like Ms. Vimala bring passionate dedication to their work, which is rare among civil servants.

This joint effort is vital for national progress without attracting criticism from NGOs.

From my experience with many NGOs, only a few are politically driven. Most seek solutions to preserve what God has blessed us with—still here to be enjoyed by all.

If you have a monkey problem -- except the 'monkey' in the house -- you can message viimala@yahoo.com