Kudat is a district North of Sabah, promoted as a tourism destination in the past and indeed, it boasts the Tanjung Simpang Mangayau or Tip of Borneo, a must visit for visitors to this area.
There are many sites and sights that should be visited in this area. There are beaches where one can take a walk, take lots of photographs and watch the sunsets in the evening.
Kudat is also known for its coconut plantations that were planted by immigrants, Hakka Chinese from China. They planted vast coconut plantations, and they are still seen today. Oil Palm Plantation is however making its presence known.
For the natives the coconut tree is used for practical reasons and viewed as one of the most useful trees in their life for as long as the tree continues to thrive on their shores. This is because the coconut tree has many uses. The fronds can be made into attap roofs while the trunks can be cut and fashioned into floors on stilted homes — and even walls. The water is a thirst quencher with a pleasant taste and the young kernels are delicious as food. When a coconut mature, the white kernel can be scrapped and dry-fried into sweet additives for other foods like dry-fried sago or even ripe bananas. Or it can be squeezed for its milk or santan to be added to food to make it tastier. The husks can be made into brooms while the discarded shells can be used as “firewood” and many more.
For Ronnie Onginjan, a Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO) producer who hails from Kg Kimihang Kudat, the coconut has gone beyond its practical uses or mere additives to food. Producing VCO become his vocation as the curative compounds has granted him a lease in life in more ways than one.
Several years ago, at a relatively young age, he suffered high blood pressure and gout. He was constantly sick and moving around was painful. He had to use crutches and had no other thoughts but to get well. Unfortunately, he was hospitalised and was suspected to be suffering from kidney stones. A friend from Matunggong, Sopidi Modili, a VCO producer at that time visited him at the hospital and gave him a bottle of VCO as supplement. Since Ronnie was financially strapped at that time, he could not afford other products and so relied solely on the coconut oil. Within three months, he was on his feet and soon after his crutches were left unused.
He decided that since he had a coconut grove, he should embark on VCO production and commercialised it and in his own way, help others who suffer from the same ailment as he did.
It was not an easy task, he recalled, but he persevered. He collected coconuts from his eight-acre grove and when he needed more, he bought from other plantations. There were changes in his operational environment and other caveats that he surmounted.
Almost 12 years later, Ronnie is now standing proud on his achievements. He had helped others to discover the goodness of VCO. He had given away the precious oil to friends and family, and through it all, he had gained momentum in the market. He had his own brand, his own labels and identity.
His VCO had attracted attentions from the international community through contacts and tourism. He had played hosts to tourism and tour groups who mentioned his endeavours to other groups. He had received people to tour his factory, up to 300 at one time. His compound had been parked on by big tour buses. He had arrived. He had employees to help him.
Ronnie and his team, comprising his family, never let up. They worked relentlessly and without sitting back on their laurels. This led to a new deal and new packaging for export. He hoped that the enhanced product would be launched soon, this year.
Through his rise to success, Ronnie never ceased to be what he was and is; a humble man whose dedication to serve his community to the best of his ability stayed strong.
As for VCO, it is believed to be effective in bringing relief to people who snore as well as moisturising and beautifying the skin. It is also said to have anti-aging properties apart from helping to people attain ideal body weight; increase metabolism; reduce hunger, body fat, risk of heart attacks and high blood; protect against cancer; accelerate the replacement of dead cells as well as enhance fertility.
For those who wish to enjoy VCO as a health product, they could acquire it from Ronnie at his factory in Kg Kimihang or give them a call at 019 8019924, 019 8313868 or 088612029.-BNN
