From Tajuddin Abdullah

“Kangkong,” a Malay term derived from the Chinese word “kongxin cai”, meaning “hollow heart vegetable,” refers to the plant’s distinctive hollow stems.

In Malaysia, kangkong (water spinach) is a staple food, particularly in rural areas, easily cultivated in freshwater ponds and ditches.

It’s a versatile ingredient in Malay cuisine, commonly stir-fried with garlic, belacan, and chilli (sambal kangkong), used in soups, or eaten raw in salads. Its affordability and nutritional value make it a vital part of the traditional diet.

Kangkong as a mentor

In December 1977, as a young researcher with a diploma from Institut Teknologi Mara, I met Kangkong bin Mintol, an Orang Asli Jakun elder from Kampung Orang Asli Juaseh, near Labis, in Johor.

This encounter highlighted the importance of preserving indigenous knowledge. Kangkong, a repository of wisdom about the forest and traditional practices, underscored the value of intergenerational knowledge transfer and cultural respect.

The Orang Asli Jakun of Labis, near the Endau-Rompin rainforest, are among the earliest inhabitants of Peninsular Malaysia.

Traditionally nomadic, they relied on hunting, gathering and fishing, demonstrating a profound understanding of their environment.

Despite the encroachment of modernity and the loss of traditional forest lands, the Orang Asli strive to preserve their cultural heritage, maintaining traditional rituals and language.

University of Endau-Rompin Forest

Kangkong, my knowledge mentor, taught me invaluable skills for navigating the Endau-Rompin rainforest.

Kangkong, a graduate of the “University of Endau-Rompin Forest” as I fondly call it, taught me how to track wildlife, fish for local species and survive in the wild.

His teachings included identifying animal tracks, understanding wildlife behaviour and survival techniques.

Kangkong’s unconditional sharing of traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) was instrumental in my academic journey, laying the foundation for my career as a professor at Universiti Malaysia Sarawak and Universiti Malaysia Terengganu from 2008 to 2023.

Inspired by his mentorship, I authored 131 indexed articles out of 400 manuscripts, including 22 academic books, and won several awards.

The rise of ‘Professor Kangkong’

The term “Professor Kangkong” reflects a troubling trend in academia. They are individuals who, despite prestigious titles, lack intellectual depth and scholarly rigour.

These professors often have superficial knowledge and rely on tactics to inflate their reputations.

They may avoid publishing in high-impact journals, prefer coffee table books, and use social media for self-promotion rather than engaging in rigorous research.

Characteristics of ‘Professor Kangkong’

Intellectual incompetence: These individuals often lack deep, specialised knowledge, relying on shallow understandings from casual sources.

Failure to publish on a global stage: They avoid peer-reviewed articles in reputable journals, instead settling for low-impact publications or avoid publishing altogether.

Preference for superficial works: They produce visually appealing but content-light books, avoiding substantive academic contributions.

Social media reliance: They use social media for self-promotion, rather than presenting empirical data or conducting thorough research.

Misuse of interdisciplinary research: They jump into unrelated fields without proper expertise, diluting the quality of their work.

Avoidance of empirical data: They often skip rigorous data analysis, opting for anecdotal or speculative narratives.

Lack of focus: Instead of focussing on a specialised field to build a reputation as true experts, they position themselves as authorities in unrelated areas, leading to diluted knowledge and undermining their academic credibility.

Impact on academia

Diminished standards: The presence of “Professor Kangkong” undermines academic integrity and makes it harder to distinguish true scholars from superficial ones.

Erosion of public trust: Public perception of academia suffers when professors prioritise self-promotion over genuine scholarship.

Marginalisation of genuine scholars: True academics can be overshadowed by those adept at self-promotion, diverting attention from valuable research.

Impact on students: Incompetent academics send a damaging message to students, potentially leading to a decline in academic quality.

Reclaiming academic excellence

To combat the rise of “Professor Kangkong”, institutions must enforce rigorous standards for hiring and promotion, focussing on scholarly contributions rather than visibility.

Strengthening mentorship programmes and celebrating genuine academic achievements can help restore integrity.

The academic community must also reflect on and address pressures that drive superficial behaviour, fostering a culture that values deep knowledge and rigorous research.

Just as Kangkong bin Mintol shared his wisdom with a young researcher, we must ensure that the knowledge and contributions of exceptional Malaysian citizens and scholars are shared with the locals and the world.

That is why the humble kangkong should be left as sambal kangkong for our lunch and dinner, or for social media entertainment only.

Tajuddin Abdullah is a retired professor and a fellow of the Academy of Sciences Malaysia.

The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of FMT.