Friday, March 21, 2008

Untung kalau di Kuching, dapat nangar belon engkabang


2008/03/21
There's more to RMAF than meets the eye
A Nuri helicopter from the Kuching airbase releases purple smoke as it flies just 60 metres above Sungai Sarawak with the new state legislative assembly building in the background. — NST picture by Nik Hariff Hassan
KUCHING: Explosions and low flying aircraft will mark the Royal Malaysian Air Force roadshow in Sarawak today.
One of the highlights of the roadshow will be the flight of two aircraft, a Sikorsky S-61A Nuri helicopter and a CN235-220M transport aircraft from No 7 Squadron at the Kuching airbase.The aircraft will fly a mere 60m above Sungai Sarawak at 3pm.The roadshow, from March 21-23, is the third after Alor Star and Kota KinabaluNo 15 Fighter Squadron pilot instructor Major John Shan, the co-ordinator of the roadshow, said the RMAF wanted to be seen as a multi-role defence organisation and not just people who fly aircraft.
"Most people would only know about RMAF flying jet-fighters and helicopters in the skies, but there are more things than just flying aircraft in the RMAF." At the roadshow, the public will have the opportunity to get to know the men from No 15 Squadron fighter training school in Butterworth and their F/A-18D Hornet aircraft, No 19 Squadron MiG-29N Fulcrum pilots based in Kuantan and also the RMAF special forces regiment (Paskau)."With all of the RMAF key assets here at the roadshow, the public will get a better picture of the air force," said Shan.The roadshow is part of the RMAF's 50th anniversary celebrations to be held on June 1. It will be launched by RMAF 2 Div commander Brigadier General Datuk Khairul Bakri Mustaffa.

Talent alone is not enough

We need channels and good quality competition for our players to compete and bench -mark, of course Sarawak is a vast state and the logistics network is lacking(unlike here) where any team can just get on a coach and play with different teams, in Sarawak, the transportation and accommodation costs takes up about 40%-50% of the budget, much more if the team would be playing aboard/overseas (across the South China Sea to west malaysia)... if i am not mistaken, even the Sarawak football team drove to Brunei in a coach/caravan once with the manager?? as the driver because of financial problems...
plus that with career development, after theses players played their hearts out for their state, team and family, what future do they have? those from families of secure background can survive la.. but what about from the low-income group? Tak kan nak harap manager support je....

Thursday, March 20th, 2008
Ensuring a full pool of talent
Mawan urges public and private sectors to continue supporting sports devt programmes
KUCHING: Sarawak’s pool of sports talent will never run dry provided both the public and private sectors are ready to continue supporting programmes aimed at developing potential athletes in the State.
Social Development and Urbanisation Minister Dato Sri William Mawan Ikom, who expressed this view, said the State government was very supportive of sports promotion and allocating sizeable budgets to improve the standards of the athletes.
He singled out Sarawak Lawn Tennis Association (SLTA) as an exemplary body that promoted sports and encouraged youths to excel in sports and studies.
“As minister in charge of sports, I assure SLTA of my continued support, and hope the private sector will also help to produce champions for the State,” he said at the welcoming party for the 11th Sarawak Chief Minister’s Cup ITF World Junior Tennis Championship 2008 Group 1 here on Tuesday night.
More than 100 players and officials from 27 countries such as the US, Great Britain, Russia and from Europe are involved in the tournament, rated the highest Grade 1 junior event by International Tennis Federation (ITF).
Mawan said SLTA should be commended for helping to promote Sarawak to the international tennis fraternity. He noted that hosting an international sports event could generate lucrative spin-offs for businesses such as hotels, food industries, handicraft and transportation.
“Sports tourism is becoming an important event throughout the world and Sarawak is no exception — through tennis, the State is well-publicised globally,” he added.
Meanwhile, SLTA president Patrick Liew said the association’s next aim was to host the ITF senior men’s and women’s competitions.
The Sarawak Chief Minister’s Cup, initially a Grade 5 event, has been upgraded to Grade 1, making Sarawak one of only four venues with such a grading in Asia. The others are Thailand, the Philippines and Japan.
Private sponsors for the event — Multi-Purpose Insurance Berhad (RM30,000), Lonpac Insurance Berhad (RM20,000), Logan Loss Adjusters Sdn Bhd (RM5,000), Jerneh Insurance Berhad (RM4,000) and Lea Sports Centre (balls and attires) were introduced at the function.

Tsunami or trickle???

Friday, March 21st, 2008

Riot resigning from SUPP?
By Samuel Aubrey and Churchill Edward
Official confirmation not forthcoming but Dr Chan says no quit letter from MP and brushes aside news as mere rumour
KUCHING: Serian MP Datuk Richard Riot Jaem is said to be quitting the Sarawak United People's Party (SUPP).
Serian town was abuzz with news of his resignation but official confirmation was not forthcoming from anyone in his party, including the MP himself who has made himself incommunicado.
In an immediate reaction, SUPP president Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr George Chan denied that he had received any resignation letter from Riot, brushing aside the news as just a rumour.
"The party secretary-general and I have not received anything yet. I don't think it (rumour) is true. I have tried to contact him but to no avail," he said.
Riot's house in Kampung Pichin, which also acted as the operations room in the just concluded election, was closed while the pole that used to fly the SUPP flag at his office in Serian town had no flag on it.
Sources close to him, however, said Riot was in Singapore, and for whatever reason they were not revealing.
Talks, however, were rife that this state of incommunicado began after the announcement of the federal cabinet line-up on Tuesday.
The same sources said Riot knew he was not in the federal cabinet hours before the announcement, and that he had called for a meeting of local party leaders to have a measure of their sentiments to reconsider his position in the party upon his return to Kuching from Kuala Lumpur later that day.
The MP, it was said, not only talked about his frustration in not getting a cabinet post after serving as Serian MP for close to 20 years, but that the new cabinet had totally excluded the Bidayuh community.
Riot was unreachable even by his own party leaders, after he was said to have sent a resignation letter together with a few hundred supporters yesterday.
After the meeting that evening, Riot was said to have asked his men to collect SUPP membership cards from five sub-branches in Serian, namely Mongkos, Tebakang, Lanchang, Balai Ringin and Tebedu, to be surrendered to the party headquarters in Kuching.
"He was unhappy not only because he was not in the line-up but also because there was no representation from the Bidayuh community in the cabinet," said one particular source.
According to the source, Riot had on Wednesday handed over 300 membership cards (including that of the source) and a letter to the SUPP headquarters to notify that the MP and members were quitting the party en masse.
It is also learned that SUPP secretary general Senator Datuk Sim Kheng Hui along with other leaders were asked to go to Serian to talk things over with Riot and persuade him to retract.
"But he failed to meet Datuk Richard Riot because he was nowhere to be found," said the source.
A local party member in Tebakang Jimmy Choo said a group of people claiming to be Riot's men approached him on Wednesday morning requesting for his membership card.
"I was made to understand that they had gone to the residences of SUPP members in Serian asking for membership cards to be surrendered to the Hq," he said.
Dr Chan, when reached for his comments yesterday, said he had not received Riot's letter and the membership cards.
"As far as I am concerned these are just rumours. Nothing official. But we also hope they are not true," he said.
He nonetheless expected the Bidayuh community to be unhappy with the cabinet line-up now that they were no longer represented. The first and only Bidayuh in the last cabinet — Mas Gading MP Datuk Dr Tiki Lafe from Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP) — was dropped from the line-up.
"I knew right away that the Bidayuhs would be unhappy. More so when the Prime Minister dropped the only Bidayuh federal deputy minister Dr Tiki. But this has got nothing to do with SUPP. They (Bidayuhs) are unhappy because first of all, Dr Tiki was dropped and then Riot did not get it (appointment). Dawos also did not get it. But what can we do?" he argued.
To a question, he said Riot's name was among the four names submitted by the party to Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to consider.
"The Prime Minister did not appoint him (Riot) but then again that is his (Abdullah's) prerogative," he said. In the new cabinet line-up, SUPP has one full minister and two deputy ministers.
Datuk Peter Chin was retained as the Minister of Plantation Industries and Commodities, Datuk Robert Lau retained as Deputy Minister of Housing and Local Government while Datuk Yong Khoon Seng was made Deputy Minister of Works.
He said he could well understand Riot's frustration but would like the MP to stay calm as "SUPP will find more ways to allocate more posts to him and the Bidayuhs".
He revealed that even state BN backbone Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) failed in its bid to get another Bidayuh, Mambong MP Datuk James Dawos Mamit, appointed to the cabinet.
"Party members should not simply quit because of this. Even when we (SUPP) did not get another seat — Sibuti, we were also unhappy but we did not quit BN," he said.
SUPP central executive committee member Ranum Mina, who is Opar assemblyman, also denied hearing about Riot's purported resignation.
"No, I did hear anything like and nobody has informed me," he said. His party colleague Bengoh assemblyman Dr Jerip Susil also gave the same reply.
Riot has one of the best election records among candidates in parliamentary elections in Sarawak. His votes had increased in each election since he first entered the fray in 1990.
In the 1990 polls, Riot contested as an independent candidate in Serian in a straight fight against BN's William Aham. Riot polled 10,349 votes to win with a majority of 2,685 votes.
In the 1995 polls, Riot defended Serian on the BN ticket against four contenders. Nevertheless, he polled 12,116 votes to win with a majority of 7,554 votes.
Garnering 12,491 votes in the 1999 polls, Riot increased his winning majority by 8,451 votes in a three-cornered fight. In the following election, he again increased the vote majority to 9,695 votes after garnering 13,960 votes.
The March 8 polls saw Riot getting his best result. Challenged by Sarawak National Party's (SNAP) Sylvester Belayong Jayang, Riot garnered 15,793 votes to win with a majority of 13,427 votes — the third highest in the state.
Following BN's simple majority win helped by 30 seats from Sarawak, many expected an increased representation from the state, especially from among the minority Bumiputera communities — Bidayuh especially.
If Riot has indeed resigned from SUPP it will mean that the state BN is now left with 29 parliamentary seats and SUPP one less from six.

Food for thought

Soul-ly responsible
By Zabariah Matali
FAITH or religion is something one does not like to discuss unequivocally.
It is regarded as an individual sacred, transpersonal and spiritual commitment to the Higher Being — one's Creator.
Yet religion has been proven throughout history to be a major determinant in unifying people while on the other extreme a major source of discontentment and violence leading to blood-spattered, mindless killing and war.
History has proven this time and again.
According to the 2005 survey of Encyclopaedia Britannica, the vast majority of religious and spiritual adherents follow Christianity (about 33 per cent of world population), Islam (about 20 per cent), Hinduism (about 13 per cent), Chinese folk religion (about 7 per cent), and Buddhism (about 6 per cent).
Others include atheists and indigenous traditional religions.
Major religions in the world hold onto the principle of truth and justice, love and compassion, fairness and tolerance, responsibility and accountability and respect for life.
In fact, at the 1992 Parliament of the World's Religions, hundreds of representatives from most of the major religions developed an accord around key values they had in common — tolerance, non-violence, truthfulness, respect for life, equal rights, solidarity, a just economic order and partnership between men and women.
If truth be told, there are common threads in moral values of these major religions, where there is actually more agreement than differences.
Then why all these senseless intractable conflicts in the name of religion happen?
I believe that it is no coincidence that the two great religions in the world are commemorating their most significant date in history and in their belief system — Islam with the Birth of Prophet Muhammad and Christianity with the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ side by side, today and tomorrow.
Perhaps it is indeed divine intervention and that our Creator is telling us to stop and ponder the implication of the dates and the meaning of our actions, reactions and yes, inactions too.
The recently concluded 57-nation Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC) summit that proposed for an international high-level meeting to promote a "dialogue of civilisations between Islam and the Christian world" is indeed a major step that should be lauded and supported.
Religious communities and faith-based groups, perhaps more than any other groups, are capable of making peaceful and meaningful changes towards sustainability.
Faith and sustainability seems to be at odds with each other but upon closer examination, we will see that that is not so.
Religions contend with people's ultimate questions — Who are we? Why we are here? What are our relationship with others and our relationship with the rest of the world?
By helping people to grapple with these questions can lead to profound and, admittedly, profoundly difficult changes.
Religion has the power to appeal to the best and even the worst in us, as well as to encourage us to readdress our lives.
Perhaps this long week-end is a good time to soul-search ourselves, to find solace in the face of daunting challenges — both inner as well as outer conflicts; a time to reflect upon our values, our priorities and our jaundiced perceptions of others.
Indeed it is a time to search for Higher common ground, a time to heal, reconciliate and forgive.
Yes, a time to be soul-ly responsible not only to ourselves but more importantly to our Creator.

Zabariah Matali works with Angkatan Zaman Mansang (AZAM) Sarawak.

Thursday, March 20, 2008

SRB the new hero...

Sunday, September 16th, 2007
A regatta to remember By Dr Chung Tsung Ping
IT was a memorable event — the Sarawak River rippled with colours from boats of all sizes and shapes, while the Kuching Riverfront was filled with people from all walks of life.
Some knew their roles very well, some oblivious that they were part and parcel of an exciting event.
They all played a part as an important contributor to the Sarawak Regatta 2007. History has it that the regatta was held annually by the British since 1899 to encourage healthy competition among the communities.
The Sarawak Museum has documented the beginnings of the regatta and show how the communities have traditionally played a role at such an important event.
Preserving traditions, this year’s theme was aptly selected by the organisers as The Race for Peace. The 2007 regatta was also SRB’s first year as one of the main organisers working alongside key partners from the Kuching Resident’s office, the Marine Department, Fire and Rescue, and the City Councils to name a few.
This year’s regatta was also in a year where there was great knowledge sharing and exchange between the Marine Department and SRB in terms of the management of the event
Another first in this regatta was the Parade of the Oars. The oars symbolise the rules and regulations of the race and the commitment of the paddlers to respect these rules.
The honour was given to the Orang Ulu from Baram to present the oar to the Chief Minister of Sarawak. This is a commendable effort to keep Sarawak’s traditions alive and it is hoped that this Parade will be performed at future regattas.
To make this event successful, perfect coordination and teamwork was vital. Walkie-talkies were the main communication tools for the teams from SRB to coordinate with the other teams. It was a good opportunity to be able to watch and observe how teamwork came together consciously and unconsciously, especially by SRB personnel.
Each person and team knew their roles very well and automatically went into action to ensure that the job was done professionally and swiftly to keep the event running on time.
Even the Kuching Barrage under the care of Captain Goh played its role in ensuring that the river’s water levels were appropriate for the race.
At the grandstand, the ushers were in place to welcome the VIPs, including the event’s guest of honour, Chief Minister Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud and other guests for the launch and the Governor Tuan Yang Terutama Tun Datuk Patinggi Abang Muhammad Salahuddin for the closing ceremony.
On the sides, one could observe busy caterers preparing the food and refreshments for the guests, police personnel on hand to ensure the safety of the crowd, and ambulance personnel in line to help in the event of a health emergency.
As the crowd cheered and enjoyed the races and event, the race crew worked hard to keep the jet skis in place on the race platform, the marshals on their vehicles to ensure that the rules of the game were observed, the rescue teams all ready for the man overboard and the judges with their watchful eyes to ensure fairness as its first priority during the races.
While it was a scene of hustle and bustle at the grandstand and the riverfront, approximately 30 persons worked behind the scene at the starting line. The marshals coordinated with their colleagues in charge of announcing the races. I learned that the starting line was one of the most important sections of the event. SRB had allocated approximately 30 persons to man the starting line.
Marshal 1 played its role behind the starting line, ensuring that the starting rules were not flouted by the participants while Marshal 2 kept a watch at the front of the starting line.
The umpire boats took over at the 100 metre mark from the starting line, racing alongside the participants to make sure that the rules of the competition were adhered to.
The atmosphere at the starting line was full of eagerness and anticipation as each team waited for the sound of the starting gun to kick off the races.
Paddles were all ready, submerged in the water; participants hunched forward all raring to be the first team to leave the starting line. The community lined the banks of the river to watch the races, cheering for their favourite teams.
I was informed that many came from as far as Sebuyau, an hour away from Kuching, Limbang and Lawas. Some came with their mobile homes in the form of boats equipped with cooking utensils and washing facilities making them known as the ‘gypsies of Sarawak’.
Some took the opportunity to have picnics along the river banks bringing families together to witness this annual event. As the boats reached the finishing line, the judges were on their best to catch the photo finish to determine the winners of the individual races including the one to crown ‘Raja Sungai’ (‘King of the River’).
This event displayed the team spirit embedded in SRB — or as the SRB Controller puts it “great things small people can do”.
One of the five strategies of the UNDP-SRB SIWT project includes a component to strengthen the institutional and capacity of SRB as the rivers gain additional responsibilities in the masterplan, which will be developed through the project.
This show of large-scale event management by SRB has helped provide early signs of potential capacity to implement Sarawak’s Masterplan for its rivers.
It was definitely a sight to remember as I was in one of the two large boats, one carrying the Governor plying the Sarawak River at the height of its glory. The people of Kuching thronged and filled all corners of buildings located on the river to catch a glimpse of the colourful event.
The commitment by our development partners, SRB was praiseworthy as seen through their daily regime of morning briefings at 7.30am for the three days of the regatta followed by the evening sessions of post-mortem meetings. We definitely look forward to the next Sarawak regatta 2008 which could well have an Irish team participating.
The other event to look forward is the Baram Regatta due to be organised and held in October 2008. Kudos to SRB and partners for a successful Sarawak Regatta 2007.
Dr Chung Tsung Ping is an Assistant Resident Representative (Programme) with the United Nations Development Programme and Steven Selvaraj is a freelance photographer.

Duit lagi...

Sunday, March 16th, 2008
Cash problems may derail youth league By Martin Yee
KUCHING: Football Association of Sarawak (FAS) appears stuck in a dilemma on two fronts.
While its Sarawak TM Super League team are suffering from a lack of talents, its youth development committee is facing a shortage of funds to organise the inaugural Under-16 league scheduled for April.
The committee needs about RM50,000, including about RM9,000 to pay the referees, but FAS, with financial woes of its own, is hardly in the position to help the organisers.
As FAS, given its shrunken coffers, will be concentrating on the Super League, the development committee, entrusted with building up a base of talents for the future, is left in a lurch.
“We cannot cancel the league just because we have no money. To do so will be a big blow to football development in the State. The future of the game here depends on efforts to spot and develop talents among the schools.
“We hope some form of help will be forthcoming soon otherwise we may find ourselves in a lose-lose situation. On one hand, the Sarawak senior team are bereft of quality players while on the other, the committee is unable to carry out development due to lack of funds,” said Daud Dato Aba, head of the development committee.
However, he is still hopeful FAS will extend some financial help to the organisers, saying the loans can be ‘in bits and pieces’ and not necessarily the full amount.
Daud said what was special about this youth league was that for the first time, an elaborate development programme, involving 10 schools, had been drawn up.
“These schools are chosen because they all have their own fields and we can play home and away over a longer period.
“Footballers need 20 to 25 games to sustain their development and this league is a standard one that provides for sustained competition.”
He said what was also interesting about the league was that there would be no draws as penalty shoot-outs would be used to decide the outright winner.
Penalty kicks were useful in sharpening shooting accuracy under pressure and helping build self-confidence and a winning mentality, he added.
“Moreover, matches will be played in three sessions with two half-times instead of the normal two halves and one break. This will allow the coaches to rectify mistakes and promote good football among the young players.”
Daud said FAM technical director Robert Alberts would also conduct a conditioning and fitness course for school coaches involved in the league to ensure all coaches in Malaysia have a uniform programme to build up young players.
The committee has also asked Sarawak coach Kunju Jamaludeen to help draw up the weekly training schedules for the coaches to standardise the development programme.
Meanwhile, the State U-19 youth team, under FAS’ youth development committee, played three matches in the national U-19 league – drawing 1-1 at home against Perak, winning 3-1 away to Kuala Muda Naza and losing 1-5 to Kedah.
They will entertain Penang at Sarawak Stadium today at 4.15pm.

Federal Ministers from Sarawak

March 18, 2008 23:22 PM
KUCHING, March 18 (Bernama) -- The appointment of Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) senior vice-president Datuk Douglas Uggah Embas, 53, as the new Minister of Natural Resources and Environment is seen as a positive reflection of the Dayak community in Sarawak.The six-term Betong MP is one of two ministers from Sarawak appointed to the new Cabinet announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi today.Prior to his new Cabinet appointment, he was the Deputy Transport Minister, a post he had held since June 24, 2003.An Iban from Spaoh in the PBB stronghold of Betong, he represented the Pesaka wing of the state Barisan Nasional (BN) dominant party, which was the result of a merger between Parti Pesaka and Parti Bumiputera in 1973.A former bank officer, Uggah holds a Bachelor in Economics (Honours) degree from Universiti Malaya, after receiving his secondary education at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan St Luke in Sri Aman.The father of four ventured into politics when he was appointed political secretary to the Sarawak Chief Minister from 1977 to 1986, and as a second-term MP, he was made Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister's Department after he successfully contested in the October 1990 general election.Sarawak United People's Party (SUPP) organising secretary Datuk Peter Chin Fah Kui, who is also the fifth-term Miri MP, retains his previous portfolio as Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister.He was first appointed to the post on March 30, 2004 after the general election that year.A lawyer, who obtained his Barrister-at-Law from Gray's Inn, London in 1971, he also served as chairman of the Housing Complaints Monitoring Committee, set up to look into problems faced by purchasers and developers in the country.Chin was Miri Municipal Council chairman from 1984 to 1987 before being appointed the Welfare Ministry's Parliamentary Secretary (1986), Science, Technology and Environment Deputy Minister (1990), and Housing and Local Government Deputy Minister (1995-1999).Married to Datin Ruby Wee Hui Kiang, the couple has three children.

Apa dah jadi?

Saturday, March 22nd, 2008
Serian MP not quitting: Yap
By Churchill Edward
Riot told Dr Chan he will meet PM to reassure him of his loyalty to BN, says SUPP publicity and information secretary
SERIAN: Serian Member of Parliament Datuk Richard Riot Jaem is to make an appointment to see Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to quash rumours that he was quitting the Barisan Nasional (BN).
Riot was still incommunicado yesterday even though Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) insisted that party president Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr George Chan had contacted him (Riot).
Riot is SUPP central working committee member.
As of yesterday, efforts by newsmen to contact Riot through the telephone failed.
It now appears that only Dr Chan has managed to contact him (Riot) after rumours about him were splashed in several newspapers and on the Internet yesterday.
SUPP publicity and information secretary Datuk Alfred Yap told a packed press conference here that Dr Chan had spoken to Riot yesterday.
And at 2pm Dr Chan relayed Riot’s statement to him (Yap), Yap said.
“Our president Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr George Chan has spoken to YB Datuk Richard Riot, BN MP for Serian over the phone today.
“YB Datuk Richard felt upset over the rumours as reported in the newspapers,” Yap said, reading a press statement yesterday.
“YB Datuk Richard Riot wishes to clarify and state categorically he is loyal to BN and fully supports the leadership of YAB Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, the Prime Minister,” the statement said.
Yap said Riot received a strong mandate from voters following his success in garnering a majority of 13,427 votes in the just concluded election.
He would continue to serve as an MP and therefore would continue to bring development to Serian, he added.
SUPP, particularly Dr Chan, had called upon party members and supporters of BN in Serian to remain calm and not to listen to rumours.
Yap said they were also urged to stand solidly behind the BN government under the leadership of Abdullah.
He said the press conference was held to clear the air over the controversies.
Asked on the origin of the rumours, Yap said: “You (reporters) ask me and (now) I am asking you (back).”
He said Riot was in Kuala Lumpur to spend some time off and that was why he was incommunicado.
When asked if the issues or controversies surrounding Riot had now been settled, Yap said: “No issue, actually.”
He was also asked if there was any truth to the rumours that some of Riot’s close aides had gone around collecting SUPP membership cards from those who wished to quit the party.
Yap replied that it was not an instruction from the party but just an act of some frustrated members.
He also assured members of the media that SUPP would again contact Riot to ask him to make a personal statement to quash the rumours.
Yap said it would also be likely that SUPP might be asking the Prime Minister to consider appointing Riot to fill one of the two deputy ministerial posts rejected by two MPs recently.
However, he said the matter was still the prerogative of the prime minister, adding that the other BN parties might also want the posts — Deputy Foreign Minister and Deputy Transport Minister.
On another issue, Yap said Dayak members in SUPP were not marginalised.
He said they had even recommended Riot for a post in the federal administration after two previous parliamentary elections.
“But there is nothing the party could do because such appointment is the prerogative of the prime minister,” he said.
The party then recommended him to be appointed as chairman of government agencies like the Sarawak Rivers Board and Pepper Marketing Board, he said.
Quite recently it has been widely speculated that Riot and some of his supporters were unhappy when none of the three MPs of Bidayuh origin made it to the new federal cabinet.
Mas Gading MP Datuk Dr Tiki Lafe, who is Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party vice president, was dropped while Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) supreme council member Datuk Dr James Dawos Mamit was also not appointed by the prime minister.
Riot who was said to have been hoping for at least a parliamentary secretary’s post, did not get it because Abdullah had scrapped the post.
SUPP deputy secretary general Francis Harden Hollis, central working committee member Ranum Mina and SUPP Serian branch deputy chairman Chang Thun Hou were among those present at the press conference.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Some corrections to the Sarawak Rangers entry here. Firstly, the Sarawak Rangers were formed in 1862 under the 1st Rajah Sir James Brooke. The first commandant was William Henry Rodway, who took command on Oct. 2, 1862. Secondly, Rodway was not a British officer, rather he had been a member of the Torquay Volunteers, which was a home defense volunteer force.
When Rodway took charge of the Sarawak Rangers, they were a group of about 24 men, mostly undisciplined and untrained. He was only in command of the rangers for about a year before he was transferred to Mukah.
Rodway returned to Kuching in 1872 and once again he was given command of the Sarawak Rangers. This time around, he was able to devote time to recruiting and training the rangers and it was during this time that he also supervised the building of Fort Margherita, which was the rangers' homebase.
When Rodway retired in 1883, the Sarawak Rangers, was a disciplined, uniformed force, numbering 131.
The Sarawak Rangers continued to exist until 1932 when they were absorbed into the Sarawak Constabulary. They were reformed into the Sarawak Rangers in 1941; captured and disbanded by the Japanese in 1942; in 1953, Iban trackers, who were former members of the Sarawak Rangers were employed by the British military to fight in Malaya.
Sources for this information: The Rajah's officers 1841-1946 (W. Barry-Smith), Administrators and their serive (Naimah Talib), Sarawak Gazette and Rodway Family Archives
--Eve8camp 18:10, 2 February 2007 (UTC)
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talk:Sarawak_Rangers"

Profile of Federal Ministers From Sarawak

March 18, 2008 23:22 PM
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KUCHING, March 18 (Bernama) -- The appointment of Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) senior vice-president Datuk Douglas Uggah Embas, 53, as the new Minister of Natural Resources and Environment is seen as a positive reflection of the Dayak community in Sarawak.The six-term Betong MP is one of two ministers from Sarawak appointed to the new Cabinet announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi today.Prior to his new Cabinet appointment, he was the Deputy Transport Minister, a post he had held since June 24, 2003.An Iban from Spaoh in the PBB stronghold of Betong, he represented the Pesaka wing of the state Barisan Nasional (BN) dominant party, which was the result of a merger between Parti Pesaka and Parti Bumiputera in 1973.A former bank officer, Uggah holds a Bachelor in Economics (Honours) degree from Universiti Malaya, after receiving his secondary education at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan St Luke in Sri Aman.The father of four ventured into politics when he was appointed political secretary to the Sarawak Chief Minister from 1977 to 1986, and as a second-term MP, he was made Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister's Department after he successfully contested in the October 1990 general election.Sarawak United People's Party (SUPP) organising secretary Datuk Peter Chin Fah Kui, who is also the fifth-term Miri MP, retains his previous portfolio as Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister.He was first appointed to the post on March 30, 2004 after the general election that year.A lawyer, who obtained his Barrister-at-Law from Gray's Inn, London in 1971, he also served as chairman of the Housing Complaints Monitoring Committee, set up to look into problems faced by purchasers and developers in the country.Chin was Miri Municipal Council chairman from 1984 to 1987 before being appointed the Welfare Ministry's Parliamentary Secretary (1986), Science, Technology and Environment Deputy Minister (1990), and Housing and Local Government Deputy Minister (1995-1999).Married to Datin Ruby Wee Hui Kiang, the couple has three children.

Well said.....

Thursday, March 20th, 2008
Cabinet presence no guarantee for growth By Zora Chan
I perform for the people, that’s why Santubong has progressed: Junaidi
KUCHING: More representation in the Malaysian cabinet does not guarantee greater development and growth in Sarawak.
But sincerity, hard work and determination of every elected representative do, said Santubong Member of Parliament Datuk Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar yesterday.
“Development has nothing to do with more cabinet appointments,” he told reporters here when asked if the new cabinet line-up featuring more Sarawakians augured well for development in the state.
Junaidi was quick to point out that those who had served in the cabinet before had been slow in delivering what the people wanted like the upgrading of village roads, drainage and irrigation systems and schools.
He said although he had served Santubong for only three-and- a-half years in the last term much had been achieved because he was close to the grassroots leaders and voters, and was very persistent in his requests for more development funds from the government.
“I’ve performed but not for the election. My focus has always been on the service to the people and the people including community leaders are happy with me.
“If you are really concerned about the people and appreciate the people, you don’t have to worry about election. Election will come by itself and you will be rewarded by your voters,” he added.
He said he would not change his style of serving the people despite post-election analysis pointing that development no longer guaranteed a vote from the people, adding that most of his constituents demanded more physical development
As such, Junaidi urged ministers and their deputies to go to the ground more often to know the real situation and needs of the people.
Citing an example, he said if the Education Minister failed to know the conditions of schools throughout the country within six months from now, the latter would not be suitable to be a minister.
“As a minister, you don’t just sit on the chair. You have to go to the ground and check on schools to see what they lack,” he added.
He added that it was pointless to talk about ICT usage if a school had yet to have electricity.
The MP said he was confident that the new cabinet line-up would be able to do the job well although many of the ministers and deputy ministers were new faces and some first term MPs.
“I think they will do quite alright given that they are just dealing with internal affairs, but for those required to liaise with other countries, they need to be knowledgeable.
“I believe after serving in their respective ministries for a year they can catch up with the job,” he added.
Earlier, Junaidi accompanied by community leaders from Kampung Bintawa Hulu, Bintawa Hilir and Bintawa Tengah visited a completed road project in the area.
He said the RM1.438 million-project started in 2006 and completed sometime in 2007 and would be continued in stages within the next five years.
The whole road project covers a distance of nine kilometres, and the fund for it came from the Rural and Regional Development Ministry.
About 80 per cent of the dilapidated plankwalks in the area had been replaced with tar-sealed roads in, he said, adding that those replaced served as main roads in the villages not lanes to individual houses.

Sudah upgrade punya....


The tools seized from the suspect.
By Charles Janum, ET, 20/3/2008
KUCHING: A suspect in his 30’s was caught while two of his accomplices were still at large in an attempted break in into a shop house at Market Street at around 12.45 am yesterday.A member of the public who stayed nearby noticed a suspicious-looking vehicle and three suspects loitering suspiciously around a shop. He immediately rang the police for assistance.A suspect, who hailed from Surabaya, was caught after the police rushed to the scene in two MPVs but his two accomplices managed to escape.The suspect was driving a black Proton Savvy and he did not attempt to run or fight back when police surrounded the place. However, his two other accomplices managed to run away in the dark. Police found several items from the suspect including four cut padlocks believed to be from the targeted grocery store. Inside the car were three units of walkie-talkie, several housebreaking tools such as wire-cutter, iron-cutter, pliers, a crowbar and two plastic bags, a parang and 2 sets of Bunson burners. The burners were believed to be used for burning iron to soften it before cutting it. It was believed that this was not the first time the suspects committed such a crime as they were well prepared. The suspect who caught was believed to be jobless and was staying with his wife at Matang. By 2.45 am he still refused to reveal the whereabouts of his accomplices.With such paraphernalia at their disposal, the group was believed to be a professional one. Police are still investigating the matter.

With these robbers upgrading their tools, our law-enforcement officers should also be given training and better equipment to deal with this new development..

Good Show!!!


The SK Saint Anne champion team.
By Michael Chiew
SARIKEI: SK Saint Anne emerged the champion in the English Language Art Song championship competition which ended at the school’s Catholic stadium on Wednesday.SK Methodist Anglo-Chinese and SK Kwang Chien came in second and third respectively.An officer from Sarikei Education Edpartment Tan Wou Chiong handed over the prizes to the respective winners during the closing cum award presentation ceremony.A Senior Assistant of SK Saint Anne Chua Tua Lee was among the dignitaries present at the function.

Don't forget Sarawak's talent....

MWHA to embark on plan to qualify for Junior World Cup
KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Women’s Hockey Association (MWHA) will embark on a special programme next month to try and qualify for the Junior World Cup next year.
To achieve the dream, the MWHA have agreed to host the Junior Asia Cup from Dec 1-8 at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil.
The winners of the tournament will gain an automatic berth to the Junior World Cup while the second- and third-placed teams will get to play in the qualifiers.
The Malaysians have not featured in the Junior World Cup or the qualifiers before but there is a feeling that they stand a good chance with the current crop of players.
MWHA secretary S. Shamala said the junior players were currently training with the seniors and that nine of them were part of the national team.
“We have a very good set of players but so far the programme has been run on an ad hoc basis,” she said.
“Next month we hope to start off the programme on a full-time basis and the target is the Junior Asia Cup in December.
“We will name a full-time coach for the team next week and the programme will take off after the Olympic qualifiers next month,” added Shamala.
The women’s Junior World Cup will be held in Boston, United States, from Aug 4-16 next year. The qualifying tournaments will he held in the early part of the year.
Among the teams expected to play in the Junior Asia Cup are South Korea, China, Japan, India, Singapore, Hong Kong and Malaysia.
Currently the senior team are preparing for the Olympic qualifiers, which will be held in Canada from April 26-May 4.
The teams who will be competing in the meet are hosts Canada, South Korea, Ireland, Italy and Uruguay. Only the winner will gain a berth to Beijing.
Shamala said that the team were expected to leave for Canada on April 14 and the final squad of 18 would be named on April 10.
She added that junior players who do not make the final squad would continue with their training here.

Sarawak used to dominate the Sukma hockey sence and have new players that should be given chances and channels to showcase their ability..

New EPU Minister


Thursday March 20, 2008
New EPU head a true professional, say bankers and ex-colleagues
By YAP LENG KUEN and ELAINE ANG
PETALING JAYA: Seasoned banker turned minister Datuk Amirsham Aziz’s primary challenge would be to help rebuild competitiveness for Malaysia after having successfully done that for its flagship bank.
“His skill is in cost efficiency and building a framework of financial discipline. If the leaders are serious about transparency and cost efficiency, he is the right man for the job. He must be given the support to use that skill,” said Datuk Mohd Hussein, former deputy president and chief financial officer of Maybank and Amirsham’s colleague for 30 years.
Amirsham, Malayan Banking Bhd’s outgoing president and CEO, will head the EPU.

Amirsham: Steered Maybank out of the Asian financial crisis relatively unscathed.“He is conscious of social responsibilities,” added Mohd Hussein. “He balances that with his role as custodian of public money and has been tenacious in enforcing that culture.”
Spencer Lee, head of consumer banking at Maybank and Amirsham’s former colleague, said: “He encourages people to give their views and can see the bigger picture. He can withstand tremendous pressure. I have never seen him raise his voice. He’ll make a point and tell us to move on.”
Prior to joining Maybank, Amirsham served with Hanafiah Raslan Mohamad, a public accountant firm for four years.
His credentials have been exemplary since he became the bank’s managing director in 1994 and subsequently president and CEO in 2002, having started his career there in 1977.
He steered Maybank out of the Asian financial crisis in 1997/98 relatively unscathed.
Agil Natt, CEO of the International Centre for Education in Islamic Finance (INCEIF), said Amirsham was fair and would not compromise when he believes in something. “He will articulate why he believes in it and most of the time, we realise that he makes the right decisions based on his experience.”
“With him, it is not a one-man show. He listens to views that are contrary to his,” said Agil who has worked with Amirsham for more than 10 years and retired recently as deputy president.
Affin Bank CEO Datuk Seri Hamidy Hafiz said: “He is very disciplined in his thought processes. Those who come to see him must put on reality rather than showmanship.”
Some analysts, however, think banking is very different from what Amirsham is required to do now.
One of his major tasks would be to expedite the implementation of the Ninth Malaysia Plan (9MP) and the economic corridors.
In addition, players in the building materials sector foresee continued rising costs of steel and cement to hinder the rolling out of the 9MP projects.

Pictures around the apartment











Double 3

Roasted sting-X (dalam tin foil la)
Yummy..yummy

Edmund and Eloice helping to cut the cake


Itu dia!!









Muncungnya mulut!!!




Celebrated my double 33 birthday with my familiy and sister's friend

Tuesday, March 18, 2008

What to do?

Sorry, can’t do anything, flood victims told
By Wellesly B Ongie ,Borneo Post, 14 March 2008

MARUDI: The folk of Rumah Nanga Lait and other Iban and Berawan longhouses along Sungai Tinjar hit by flood since Wednesday morning were allegedly told that nothing could be done to help them.
A Baram disaster relief committee member, SAO *******, at Baram District Office told the headman of Rumah Nanga Lait, R**** ****, that one of the reasons was the district welfare officer was recently transferred to Lubok Antu.
To make matters worse, the Baram disaster relief chairman is on holiday, he said.
R****, who reported the flood to the relief committee on Wednesday evening, said most of the longhouses along Sungai Tinjar were badly hit by the flood with the water just about reaching the floors.
The floor of his own longhouse is six feet above the ground and when he left for this town the water was five feet high and rising.
Also hit were Long Teru Health Clinic, Rumah Long Teru, Nanga Ajoi, Nanga Majang, and Lubok Mulong.

What to do if things like this happens?
I was faced with this situation during the floods way back in 2004.
A lady called the Operations Room and asked for help as the water was raising... it was around 2.00am, I called up the Police and 911 to go and investigate.. the lady called back in half an hour and said she is still waiting, her words were "...have pity on me, i have a baby with me...and my old parents" I managed to calmed her down but until now i never knew what happened after that... i knew that there were no reports of casualty...( i was expecteing the worse..) that is why we have to have a clear mind and conscious mental preparation during flood duties...)

Monday, March 17, 2008

Lanang Road

By Othman Ishak
SIBU: The people of Sibu, especially motorists who ply daily along Jalan Lanang, hoped that the authorities concerned here would upgrade the affected stretches of Jalan Lanang dual carriage way (from Jalan Lanang heading towards the town section), because flooding again caused great inconvenience to the motorists yesterday.A housewife residing along Jalan Lanang who only wished to be known as Madam Wong, 45, used to send her daughter on a motorcycle for a tuition class in town said, “We (the rakyat) do understand that any upgrading of road projects would be carried out phase by phase. However, as one of the many motorists who ply along Jalan Lanang dual carriage way everyday, I earnestly hope that the authorities concerned here will place priority in upgrading certain stretches of Jalan Lanang dual carriage way, particularly that from Jalan Lanang heading towards town section, which normally is seriously affected whenever there is flooding.”“As I only have a motorcycle as a means of transportation to send my daughter to tuition class, I am very concerned about our safety when riding across flood water.” she added. Another motorist working with a local firm in Lanang, Fatimah Amin, 27, had the same view. “We (the rakyat) believe that the authorities concerned here must urgently upgrade the affected stretches of Jalan Lanang dual carriage way due to flooding,” she said.“We really hope that the authorities concerned here will do something as soon as possible for the safety and convenience of all road users especially at night time,” she added.“We also experienced that during flooding, the street lights along Jalan Lanang will be switched off for safety reasons. Hence, due to darkness, the situation becomes even more risky to motorists, especially those using motor bikes.” A labourer residing at Jalan Lanang, Gregory ak Jus, 35 years old, also appealed to the authorities concerned to take corrective measures immediately to solve the problem at Jalan Lanang dual carriageway. He said he found it “very hard to ride or drive our vehicles through the flooded roads”. Furthermore, for those staying along the flooded dual carriage way at Jalan Lanang, they had to park their vehicles temporarily on higher ground somewhere near Jalan Aman roundabout and thus causing unnecessary obstructions to other road users as well.

Kapit on Flood Alert

Kapit on flood alert
The high water level at Kapit-Sibu express wharf yesterday morning.
By Famas, ET,16.3.2008
KAPIT: Continuous heavy rain throughout the division over the last few days has caused the water level of the mighty Rajang River to rise since Friday. Yesterday morning the water level rose by several feet, causing concern in the flood prone areas in the division.For the community in Kapit, high water level and flood are nothing to worry much about as they are normal scenarios they experience each year. On the average, they experienced at least two or three floods a year, especially along the banks of the Rajang River, Baleh River and their tributaries. The last major flood recorded in the division was in late December last year when the water level rose some 50 feet above sea level and the section of Jalan Kubu at the Kapit waterfront was inundated.However, a spokesman from the Kapit Resident’s Office advised the people here to exercise extra care, especially boat commuters and the residents of Kampung Beletih and Kampung Baru at the mouth of the Kapit River.For safety and preventive measures, longboats should be equipped with life jackets, long ropes and long poles. Parents are advised not to let their children play in the flood water.The torrential rain over the past one week had resulted in the water level of Rajang River and its tributaries, including Baleh River, Pelagus, Merit River, Pila River (in Kapit) and Belaga River, to rise over 20 feet.In Kapit district, there are some 350 longhouses which are mostly situated along river banks and in the absence of roads, the residents use river as their mode of transport.
No report of damages so far
The flood prone areas in the district are Kampung Muhibbah Beletih, Kampung Baru, Rumah John and Rumah Jenggong along Sungai Sesibau, Rumah Gani along Jalan Bukit Goram, Rumah Untam, Karangan Ara, Baleh, Rumah Bubut, Nanga Ibau, Kapit District Council Native Resthouses 1 and 2. During previous floods, the areas were inundated by water of between one foot and four feet deep.Meanwhile, SK Lepong Baleh at Jalan Lepong Baleh, about 25 minutes’ drive from here, had been flooded since Thursday morning.The Kapit District Disaster Relief Committee is on the alert but so far, has not received any report of damages due to high water level.In Song district, it was reported that the water level at Katibas River had risen tremendously and had overflowed its banks, inundating express wharf and several longhouses along the river. The floods on 28 December, 2007 left trails of devastation, washing away jetties, waiting sheds and village clinics of various longhouses, inundating several schools including SK Lubok Bedil and SMK Katibas and longhouses including Rumah Jarop Nga Sepadi, Rumag Cecelia Bunsu Nanga Kebiaw, Rumag Bundak Nanga Miaw, Rumah Abo at Nanga Tekalit and several government barracks at Jalan Takan.

Tuesday, March 4, 2008

Dreams..

Last sunday night, had a dream about my father -in-law, the next morning, I asked my missus to call home, sure enough, he had a small accident involving his motorcycle, luckily nothing bad, just a broken headlamp....