Suwido Limin, Peatland Expert: Not Writing, Nearly Forgotten

In Suwido’s case, his expertise remains largely unrecorded. Doc. LLD.

PALANGKA RAYA - dayaktoday.com: Suwido Limin was a trailblazer in the field of peatland science, a pioneer who shaped the understanding of how to manage peatlands for both sustainability and productivity. 

Suwido was, without a doubt, the first prominent expert on tropical peatlands in Indonesia, well ahead of his time. 

When it came to the challenges of peatland management, particularly how to balance economic use with environmental preservation, Suwido Limin was the authority. Yet, despite his groundbreaking work, there is one critical aspect missing from his legacy: he didn’t write.

Why does it matter? It matters because writing is the key to leaving behind a lasting legacy, a record that can be passed on to future generations. 

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In Suwido’s case, his expertise remains largely unrecorded. His knowledge, insights, and methods are now only known through the recollections of others, but his original thoughts and innovations have largely faded away.

Suwido Limin: a peatland expert ahead of his time

At that time, Suwido was the Head of the UPT Centre for International Cooperation in Sustainable Management of Tropical Peatlands (CIMTROP) at the University of Palangka Raya.

But here’s the catch: Suwido Limin didn’t write! His expertise left almost no trace. It’s true what the old saying goes: verba volant, scripta manent—what is spoken passes, but what is written remains.

It’s a shame that Suwido Limin didn’t preserve his knowledge in writing.

What he did was extraordinary. So extraordinary, in fact, that it sparked widespread interest in peatland research. People began to pay attention to tropical forests and peatlands. Unfortunately, his contributions remain mostly undocumented.

Suwido’s students weren’t like Plato’s. Plato diligently recorded and wrote down the thoughts and sayings of his teacher, Socrates, the great philosopher of ancient Greece. Socrates is known for his unique philosophical approach, where he preferred to engage in oral discussions with his followers instead of writing books. Most of what we know of Socrates comes from the writings of his students, especially Plato.

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Experts must write. Why? Because writing is the way they leave a legacy and create an archive of knowledge. Without writing, knowledge fades with time. We must remember that without research and documentation, no legacy is left behind.

Today, professors and academics in Indonesia are required to research and publish. If there’s no research output, academic promotion benefits are withheld until they publish.

Experts and academics have an ethical responsibility to write and publish their research. It’s not just a legal obligation, but also a deontological principle: if something is good, it becomes a duty.

Writing and publishing matter. Why? Because many people tend to neglect or forget the importance of good deeds. The principle Verba volant, scripta manent reminds us of the importance of writing as a way to leave a lasting knowledge archive.

Dayak Literacy

Why must experts write? Because writing is how they leave behind a legacy and create an archive of knowledge. Without writing and basic literacy, knowledge will disappear over time. We need to remember that without research and documentation, no legacy will be left behind.

Suwido Limin is an inspiring example of an expert who has made significant contributions in his field—peatland science. His research highlighted the importance of protecting peatlands from damage caused by activities like palm oil plantations.

Suwido also showed great creativity in finding solutions to the issue of land fires, developing an efficient canal model to mitigate this problem. His expertise attracted attention both nationally and internationally.

In addition to his work in peatland science, Suwido was also a leader in his community, serving as the Vice Dewan Adat Dayak (DAD) -- Chairman of the Dayak Customary Council of Central Kalimantan. In his role as a cultural leader, he stood firm against organizations or individuals that did not respect tolerance and diversity. This shows that an expert’s role isn’t limited to research—it also encompasses social and cultural responsibility.

Suwido’s contributions have had a wide-reaching impact. His expertise earned him a place as a source of information in international media outlets like BBC International and The Washington Post. As Head of CIMTROP at the University of Palangka Raya, he played a key role in sparking global interest in tropical forest and peatland research.

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Suwido demonstrated that the work of an expert can have a far-reaching positive impact, extending beyond what might have been imagined. Sadly, the papers he presented were never published. There’s no record for future generations to learn from.

Suwido Limin exemplifies how one person can make a huge impact by combining their knowledge, skills, and commitment to advancing research and protecting both the environment and cultural values.

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It’s a shame, really. Suwido’s brilliance, his expertise, and his ideas passed away with him, without leaving any written trace.

This is where writing becomes crucial among intellectuals. If we don’t write, all our knowledge and expertise will evaporate. If only Suwido Limin, or at least his students, had written it down…

What if Suwido Limin had written and published?

The Dayak people have been an integral part of Indonesia’s history, playing a crucial role in shaping the culture and civilization of the region. Artefacts like the Batu Yupa (Yupa Inscription)  and Batu Ruyud inscriptions are valuable pieces of history that attest to the achievements and enduring culture of the Dayak people. These are important sources of knowledge about Dayak traditions, belief systems, and societal development that should never be forgotten. It’s essential to study and understand this heritage to honor and sustain Dayak culture.

Sadly, not all aspects of Dayak history, power, and expertise have been recorded. Take the first Indonesian peatland expert, a Dayak himself—Suwido Limin. He didn’t write or publish.

If only he had written and published. About his groundbreaking findings and unparalleled expertise. Surely, Suwido Limin’s legacy would be even greater, and he would be remembered, not just in life, but for generations to come.

What a loss. It’s truly a shame that Suwido Limin didn’t write, leaving no written legacy of his insights—scriptum—in the world.

History, unfortunately, doesn’t recognize the word “what if.”

-- Rangkaya Bada