I REFER to the presentation of the Merdeka Award (in the outstanding contribution to the people of Malaysia category) to Datuk Leslie Davidson (”They made it a better world” — NST, Nov 25).

Davidson’s contribution was prompted by the need to resolve the most vital limiting factor in oil-palm production in Sabah and Sarawak: poor pollination.

He chose not to believe his company’s research director, who held the established view that it was the wind, not insects, that brought about pollination in oil palms.

Malaysia’s recognition of Davidson’s breakthrough idea — pollination by using weevils — is most fitting, deserving and long overdue.

The award selection committee is to be commended for this very appropriate choice. Twenty-seven years have passed since the successful implementation of Davidson’s idea. Fortunately he is still around to receive this recognition.

Elaeidobius kamerunicus, the oil palm pollinating weevil, was introduced into Malaysia in 1981 from Lobe Estate in Cameroon.

The economic benefits brought about by this weevil were historic and unprecedented in any known case of an introduced exotic insect pollinator into a country.

After its introduction into Malaysia, the pollinator was released into other oil palm producing countries in Asia at little or no extra cost to the plantations.

In other words, all the oil palm producing countries in Asia benefited from Davidson’s idea. Isn’t it appropriate that these other countries should give due recognition to him as well?

I feel honoured to have been involved in the final phase of the project, the phytosanitary aspect of the pollinator’s entry into Malaysia.

It was one of the highlights of my career with the Agriculture Department.

DATIN KANG SIEW MING, Kuala Lumpur

Source: NST – December 2, 2008