Orchid journal launched to honour two renowned major contributors
KOTA KINABALU: The 23rd issue of the Malesian Orchid Journal (MOJ) was launched yesterday, in a heart-warming ceremony that also served as tribute to two of the renowned journal's major contributors, Peter O'Byrne and Jeffrey Wood.
Peter, who had had published 21 single-authored papers and 36 multi-authored papers in the MOJ, passed away on August 11, last year; Jeffrey, who was the first-ever chief editor for the MOJ, passed away 175 days later.
“Taxonomists are rare breed. As we gather for the launching of the 23rd issue of the Malesian Orchid Journal, we recall the contributions of the two of the very best taxonomists we have had for addressing the spectacular diversity of orchids in Borneo.
“Unfortunately, we lost both of them within five months,” said Tan Jiew Hoe, the Board Director of Gardens By The Bay Singapore, who was the guest of honour for the ceremony.
In his speech, he said that he was happy to have been able to support the publications of the fine scientists.
“With their demise, we now have a rather serious setback in that the orchids of South East Asia, which require dedicated specialist attention, now see a vastly reduced taxonomic effort.
“Their deaths have left a nearvacuum now in the study of Bornean orchids,” he lamented.
Datuk CL Chan, the managing director of the Natural History Publications (Borneo), said that it was sad to note that the current MOJ contained six obituaries, dedicated to honour the lives of Peter and Jeffrey.
The MOJ was first conceptualised in 2004 during one of Chan's visits to the Herbarium, at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Chan said that Peter was highly motivated and productive orchid specialist with a superb knowledge about the orchid flora of Borneo, the Malay Peninsular and New Guinea.
“Without Peter's high-quality taxonomic contributions, the MOJ wouldn'thave reached the very high standard that the botanical world recognises,” he said.
Meanwhile, according to Tan, Jeffrey's ‘steady hand' was the one that brought the journal to greater heights, along with the talented prowess of Chan in laying out the journal and printed page.
Chan also spoke on the future of the Malesian Orchid Journal following the passing of Peter and Jeffrey.
“There had been rumours about the demise of the Malesian Orchid Journal itself. Certainly, the loss of two major contributors doesn't help. In addition, commercially our journal is not exactly a goldmine.
“People nowadays expect to get everything for free on the Internet, which is not always a fair expectation. Someone has to foot the bill,” said Chan.
He said that the 23rd issue of the MOJ would soon mark a transition, from a magnificent twice-yearly journal to an annual publication from the year 2020.
The ceremony also saw the family members and friends of Peter and Jeffrey share their stories about their loved ones.