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.

Me first immediate Lady Boss

RM1.24m worth of govt properties lost
Morshidi (second left) presenting a certificate to a newly appointed security officer (Puan Sherrina Hussaini) while Bemee (left) looks on.
By Wilfred Pilo
KUCHING : Ten government departments in the state have reported a total loss of RM1.24 million worth of physical properties to thieves over the last seven years (2000-2007).This was disclosed by Deputy State Secretary Datuk Morshidi Ghani to reporters after presenting certificates to senior government officers appointed as department security personnel at Wisma Bapa Malaysia yesterday.“The State government has taken steps and precautionary measures to safeguard its assets by giving frequent and continuous security training to its officers responsible for the job.“Most government departments have their own security personnel and only certain agencies employ guards from private security firms.“The person in-charge of secuirty in a government department must ensure that all security matters are his responsibility even dealing with private security companies,” he said.On computer thefts, he said they were also widespread but the losses were only on the hardware.“The thieves want to make quick money so they do not bother with stealing the documents. So far there are no government documents reported stolen,” he said.Earlier, in his speech, Morshidi said insurance was not the last line of defence against thefts in government departments but strong security.He reminded government officers of Para 16 and 17 of the Security Instruction issued by the Federal Government which stated that the head of department was responsible for all security aspects in his /her department. “Even though the head of the department is responsible for all security aspects, he must still appoint senior officers of calibre as security officers in his department to be responsible in carrying out the security instructions,” he added.Morshidi hoped with the appointment of senior officers in each department as security officers, there would an improvement as far as security was concerned .He also urged those appointed as security officers to carry out their tasks seriously.Also present were the director of state security Datu Dr Hj Yusoff Nook and Kuching Port Authority Chairman Awang Bemee.

Security in Public Office is really lacking... but efforts are being done, can't imagine what goes on in schools and living quarters during the long holidays...

Btw, Puan Sherrina was my first lady boss, i learned a lot from her. Oh, i can still remember the first day reporting for duty... Walking into Resident's Office Kuching, no..no.. District Office Kuching and then walking up the stairs, the first person i met was Madam Aileen Sim(if you ever catch the 70's show, she looks like the mother...but more charming...

More choppers?... get me a ride pliz..

Six new choppers by 2010

By Peter Sibon, ET, 13/12/2007

KUCHING: Eurocopter Malaysia Sdn Bhd (ECM) will supply three more E135 helicopters to Hornbill Skyways by 2010, making the total number of helicopters acquired by the latter to six units.
ECM Senior Director (Quality, Flight Operations and Training), Syed Abdul Rahman Alhadad. disclosed this to Eastern Times after handing over the third unit to Hornbill Skyways at the latter’s hangar at the Kuching International Airport (KIA) here yesterday.
“We are proud to be associated with Hornbill Skyways’ contribution to the socio-economic development of Sarawak,” he said.
The third E135 unit, which arrived from Subang Airport here yesterday, was officially handed to Hornbill Skyways at the recent LIMA 2007.
On hand to receive the latest unit from ECM here yesterday was Hornbill Skyways’ Flight Operations Manager, Captain Haji Mohd Yusof Mohd Haniffa.
Before the official handing over ceremony, a trial flight was conducted by Hornbill Skyways’ Safety Pilot, Capt. Thomas Koh Ajap, assisted by ECM’s Test Pilot, Capt. Serge Tyran. On board were two journalists from Eastern Times, ECM’s Operations Executive Khastharina Sahari and Kuching City Consumers’ Association (KCCA) President Leonard Sabu.
The ten-minute flight from here to the Santubong Peninsular gave breath-taking and panoramic views of Kuching City.
The helicopter’s cruising speed of 135 knots made it very ideal for sight-seeing and other related activities.
Hornbill Skyways took delivery of the first E135 helicopter from ECM at the end of last year and the second one at the beginning of this year.
Each E135 helicopter comes with a price tag of RM16 million.
ECM was established in August 2002 for the express purpose of offering its operators in Malaysia a complete and effective range of technical support services.
To cater to customers in East Malaysia, Eurocopter Malaysia has created additional facilities in Miri and Kuching to ensure close proximity to its customers’ needs. New facilities were opened in Ipoh (Perak) at the end of 2006.
Eurocopter offers a wide range of civil and military aircraft ranging from the multipurpose light helicopter EC 120 B to the S 555 SN which is used by the Royal Malaysian Navy.


Wau.... any daily trip from Putrajaya to Kuching?

Document Traditional Knowledge

News
By Hazel Sujatha, Eastern Times, 12/12/07
KUCHING: Traditional knowledge can bring much benefit to the community and the country including through tourism when it is used by modern industries and R&D activities.
State Secretary and Sarawak Biodiversity Chairman, Datuk Amar Wilson Baya Dandot said this when launching the Traditional Knowledge Documentation Seminar at the Sarawak Biodiversity Centre near here, yesterday.
He pointed out that Sarawak was truly unique as it is located in one of the 12 mega diverse regions in the world and is blessed with some of the most unique, magnificent and rare plants and animals not found anywhere else.
“It is estimated that there are more than 8,000 species of flowering plants, 2,000 species of vertebrates, 10,000 species of invertebrates, 615 species of ferns and 4,500 species of fungi in the state. Currently, 1,500 plant species have been documented as medicinal plants. This shows that there is a huge potential among these species to be developed as herbal/medicinal plants,” Wilson said.
“With more than 30 indigenous communities in Sarawak, we have right in our doorstep, an abundance of Traditional Knowledge on how our communities have utilised all these plants for medicinal, cosmetics and general well being for generations,” he pointed out.
Traditional knowledge, he said had contributed to the development of modern agriculture, natural products and drug development as many of the products found in the market today were based on information derived from traditional knowledge.
The local indigenous communities have for generations learnt and handed down their knowledge on what varieties of crops to plant, when to sow and weed, which plants are poisonous and which can be used as medicine, how to cure diseases and at the same time, manage the environment in a sustainable and balanced manner.
Such traditional knowledge is often passed down from generation to generation orally and rarely in any form of formal documentation.
He said that traditional knowledge that had been retained by the indigenous communities was slowly disappearing.
Wilson also noted that many communities had started to document their respective traditional knowledge particularly to safeguard the valuable heritage and to ensure that their knowledge was rightly acknowledged if used in some way or another to produce a commercial or medical product.
He said that the first workshop on Traditional Knowledge Documentation which was jointly organised by SBC, Majlis Adat Istiadat and Biodiversity was held in November 2001. One of the outputs of the workshop was to appoint a Bidayuh community village to pioneer the pilot project and for on-site training.
Due to the success of these pilot projects and acceptance by the communities, the State Government amended the Sarawak Biodiversity Centre Ordinance in 2003 to include additional function for SBC.
With the amendment, SBC is to facilitate the documentation of the traditional uses of the State’s rich biodiversity by the local indigenous communities.
To date, Wilson said that SBC had started the Traditional Knowledge Documentation project among 12 indigenous communities in 28 locations throughout the State.
“From these 28 locations, they have documented over 2,000 plants with various uses such as to cure ailments and used for handicrafts,” he said.
He stressed that these knowledge must be documented before it was lost with the older people within the community.
He pointed out that currently, SBC was conducting R&D on selected plants that have been documented from the indigenous communities. They have identified essential oil plants which have anti-microbial properties. These plants could be developed as the active ingredient for healthcare products such as in hand wash, body shampoos and soaps.
He revealed that SBC was looking into collaboration with SIRIM and other organisations to conduct further R&D and to develop healthcare products from these essential oils.
With these potentials, our communities can have an immediate economic benefit through carrying out contract farming on plants which have been identified to have potential for further R&D work or products development, he said.
At the National level, Malaysian Intellectual Property Organization (MYIPO) is looking into protecting the country’s traditional knowledge.
He said that MYIPO has set up a committee to look into the drafting of the National Legislation to protect Traditional Knowledge. They are also looking into developing a Traditional Knowledge Digital Library.
MYIPO will organise a National Seminar on Traditional Knowledge in January 2008 to discuss matters pertaining to the development of the National Legislation and Traditional Knowledge Digital Library.
This seminar will be supported by the World Intellectual Property Organisation. As a member of the committee, SBC has strongly requested that opinions and suggestions of the indigenous communities be included when drafting the National Legislation.
SBC also requests assistance from MYIPO to fund a few representatives from the ethnic communities to participate in the National Seminar, he further added.
The objective of this seminar, he said was to learn how best to document the rich heritage of the indigenous communities to ensure that it is handed down to future generations.
He hoped that representatives from each community would take the initiative to start documenting traditional knowledge by using the systems which SBC had implemented within the communities.
This reinforces the urgent need for awareness and full participation from everyone within the communities to document their respective traditional knowledge as their heritage so that it will not be lost.
The workshop speakers included Dr Paul Quek from Biodiversity International, Universiti Sarawak Malaysia (Unimas) Head of the Plant science and Environmental Ecology Department, Associate Professor Dr Cheksum Tawan, Universiti Putera Malaysia lecturer, Sinsoon Jabu and a researcher Voon Boon Hoe.

I uploaded this piece of news because i feel sad that nearly all the traditional knowledge of the local community would be lost forever if nothing is being down to document them. Kudos to those involved, I regretted that i didn't spend time with my late grandfather. He was a very hardworking farmer, quiet but kindhearted.

God bless your soul, tepu'

Babi Hutan...@ Wild Boar....

Bearded Wild Boar

Not so wild boar of Bako....

General Characteristics

Body Length:100-165 cm / 3.3-5.5 ft. Shoulder Height: 72-85 cm / 2.4-2.8 ft. Tail Length: 20-30 cm / 8-12 in. Weight: 150 kg / 333 lb.
The sparsely haired hide is dark brown to grey in colouration. Thin, yellowish whiskers on the side of the face over the bridge of the nose form the "beard" after which this pig is named. On the long face are two pairs of warts, the front pair usually covered by the beard. The body of the bearded pig is the slenderest found among pigs, and is supported by thin legs. Unique among the family, the tail has a two-rowed tuft, much like an elephant's.

Bearded pigs are defined under three subspecies Susbarbatus barbatus, resident to the island of Borneo(Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei) Sus barbatus ahoenobarbus(Philippines) and S. barbatus oi, found only onthe Indonesian island of Sumatra. On Sumatra, oneother pig species is present, the wild or common boar(S. scrofa)

Wild boar reportedly kills Malaysian
June 14, 2006
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia --A wild boar possibly enraged by an injury attacked and killed a worker at a rubber plantation in southern Malaysia, a newspaper reported Thursday.
The victim, was spraying pesticide with a fellow contractor on Wednesday when the boar emerged from a forested area at the plantation near Bahau town, some 50 miles south of Kuala Lumpur, The Star newspaper reported.
The 220-pound boar mowed down the victim and gored him in the chest and stomach.
Wildlife officials later tracked the boar to a nearby river bank, where it was shot and killed.
Malaysian rangers typically shoot wild animals that attack humans, but make attempts to move them back into nature reserves if they simply wander into populated areas.
© Copyright 2006 The New York Times Company

Compare it to this

Hunters use dogs to track down wild game--usually the babi hutan (wild boars). Often, a hunter will go out alone with a single dog. The dog catches the scent of a boar and starts barking. When the dog catches up with the boar, the boar will turn on the dog and stand there to defend itself. Meanwhile, the native hunter catches up and will either attack the boar with his spear; or more often, the boar will attack the hunter... but i guess the boar will end being carried back to the longhouse....

THE LOINCLOTH OF BORNEO

Step 1 (This is one of the variants of putting on the sirat)
Step 2 ( Nowadays the person would wear a black cycling pants)
Step 3 (The Iban sirat would be red, and Orang Ulu would be black with some colours/stripes at the end)

Step 4
Step 5
Step 6
Step 7 (Not as easy as it looks)

THE LOINCLOTH OF BORNEO
Otto Steinmayer, Universiti Malaya
Drawings by Augustine Anggat Ganjing
In Memoriam Augustine Anggat anak Ganjing, died 14 February 2007, Kuching

Please log in to http://sarawakdotcom.blogspot.com/

The sirat...the forgotten item of sarawak.. at least to me, wore it a few times for traditional events, dances and for my traditional wedding photo

Maybe some famous guys should wear it and make it a trend... like the sarong,
People here scared if i say i want to wear my traditional dress... sirat.. tutup aurat..
Ba...ba...baa oooooooo...

Datuk By Merit

Posted By rajlira On 30th September 2007 @ 10:00 In TheSundayPost

SOME years ago, a very senior officer from a Sarawak statutory body attended a top level board meeting in Kuala Lumpur and found himself in the awkward position of being the only person without an honorific title in attendance.

The other officers from the Peninsula at the meeting were puzzled that although more senior than most of them in professional ranking, the Sarawak officer was still their junior in social status.

They could not comprehend why an officer holding such a senior position had not yet been awarded at least the title ‘Datuk’ by his State government since it is the norm in all the other states for officers of his rank to be conferred one.

The Federal minister, chairing the meeting, remarked: “Itu lah Sarawak kedekut sangat beri anugerah (that’s why lah, Sarawak is so stingy in giving awards).”

The Sarawak officer who requested anonymity said experience had shown that Sarawak is very strict in conferring State titles to safeguard the institution for awarding such titles.

The Federal minister was right about Sarawak’s miserly policy on title conferment. Indeed, it is the most “careful” State in this regard as proven by the honours list given out on the birthday of the Yang di-Pertua Negeri every year.

This year, there was no recipient of the award Datuk Patinggi Bintang Kenyalang (DP) which carries the title ‘Datuk Patinggi’.

Only one person, State secretary Datuk Wilson Baya Dandot, received the Datuk Amar Bintang Kenyalang (DA) with the appellation ‘Datuk Amar’.

Two persons — Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan and PFM Capital Sdn Bhd chairman Tan Sri Arshad Ayub — received the Panglima Negara Bintang Kenyalang (PNBS) carrying the title ‘Dato Sri’ while the Panglima Gemilang Bintang Kenyalang (PGBK) which carries the title ‘Datuk’ was conferred on only four people.

The Darjah Bakti Sarawak (DJBS) with the title ‘Datu’ for only those in the government service, was given to two recipients while nine outstanding citizens from the private sector were conferred the Panglima Setia Bintang Sarawak (PSBS) with the title ‘Dato’.

The DJBS and PSBS recipients are the new Datuks, meaning this year, only 11 people were added to the titled elite of the State.

Despite the small number of new Datuks, 2007 is considered a ‘bumper’ year of Datuks in the State as in past years, even fewer people were awarded this title.

Last year for example only three received the DJBS and two, the PSBS.

Comparatively, Negeri Sembilan, a much smaller State than Sarawak, created 53 new Datuks this year through the conferment of the Darjah Datuk Setia Negeri Sembilan (DSNS) on 27 people and the honouring of another 26 with the Darjah Datuk Paduka Tuanku Ja’afar. Both carry the title ‘Datuk’.

In 2006, Penang created 66 new Datuks with the conferment of the Darjah Pangkuan Negri (DSPN). The practice in these two states generally reflects the generous allocations of Datukship each year in Peninsular Malaysia on the birthdays of their rulers.

For many, the title ‘Datuk’ is associated with wealth, power and prestige and its bearers are usually of high social standings.

While it is true that those having risen high enough in life to be honoured with such prestigious titles, would usually be in some position of power and are financially established, it is service to the State and nation — not power and wealth — that is the main criterion for the bestowal of these titles.

Those nominated for Federal or State awards should be someone who has rendered exceptional service to the nation or State in their profession, field of expertise or for their contributions to society through welfare, voluntary, social or religious organisations.

The awards are also conferred for long and exemplary service with the government or acts of gallantry.

The prestige that comes with the awards places heavy responsibilities on the recipients, requiring them to conduct themselves socially in a manner befitting the sanctity of the awards, and recipients risk having their titles annulled or cancelled if they failed to do so.

However, not all Datuks have been exemplary; some have been convicted of crimes while others embroiled in scandals, resulting in their titles being annulled to ensure that the integrity of the institution of such awards remains unblemished.

In 2003, the Sultan of Selangor removed four Datuks while in 2004, six Datuks, who were on trial, had their titles “suspended.”

The palace issued a statement through the State Secretary that the titles would automatically be withdrawn if the Datuks were convicted, or restored if acquitted.

The Sultan of Pahang also revoked the titles of two Datuks in 2004.

The number of Datuks stripped of their titles and the involvement of some in scandals or controversies have led to calls for more stringent vetting and a limit to their number.

Former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, responding to the question of “problematic” Datuks, said the number of titles given out in Malaysia was a major factor in this issue.

He stated in one of his interviews: “Personally, I feel if you want to give value to anything, it must be limited … if you produce a million Ferrari cars, nobody will care about buying a Ferrari.”

The prerogative of conferring titles lies with the rulers or the Heads of State of each state and though there is a general rule on criteria, the level of scrutiny varies with each state.

Sarawak has arguably set the most stringent standard and every year, only a small number of people are admitted to the select group whose services to the State are recognised with the bestowal of titles on them.

A source from the Unit Perhubungan Awam dan Korporat (Protocol Unit) of the Chief Minister’s Department revealed that only 736 people in the State can be conferred titles at any one time.

The unit director, Bakrie Zaini, pointed out that the figure showed only 0.033 per cent of the total population could be appointed to the Most Esteemed Order of the State.

“The name Darjah Utama or Most Esteemed Order speaks for itself. Only people who have made extraordinary contributions to the State can be admitted into this illustrious and esteemed group.

“The small number of people in the State allowed to hold titles at any one time means that selection has to be very stringent … which enhances their prestige,” he said.

He added that his unit was in the process of compiling a new book on State awards to update present available information and would hold an exhibition on the medals and ceremonial regalia vis-à-vis the awards as part of the Civil Service Day celebration next month.

While Johor is the first state to institute its own awards in 1886, the titles of Sarawak date back to the days the State was part of the Brunei Empire when it was the practice for the Sultan to appoint governors and administrators to run his far-flung regions.

Before the arrival of the white Rajahs, Sarawak was confined to the region around the Sarawak River stretching to Tanjung Datu, geographically furthest away from the seat of administration of the Brunei throne.

The difficulty of looking after such a vast area forced the Sultan to appoint four Datus — three to look after specific areas of administration and one in charge overall.

The Datu Patinggi was the overall chief while security and order was under the Datu Temenggong. The Datu Bandar, as the title suggested, was in charge of the civil administration and the religious affairs was under the Datu Imam.

When James Brooke established his Raj, he continued the tradition and conferred the title Datu on the Malay leaders who presided over native courts as Native Officers (NO) or Senior Native Officers and the title remained recognised under colonial rule.

With the formation of Malaysia and the abolition of the post of Native Officers, the different grades of Datuk or Datu became appellations of the top awards, bestowed by the Head of State, and do not carry any administrative power.

Candidates must first fill the necessary forms and submit them to a selection committee, which, after scrutiny, will forward their recommendations to the Chief Minister for final vetting before the list is submitted for approval by the Yang di-Pertua Negeri.

Seven awards carry titles, and the qualification for appointment of the awards as stated in the Statutes of the 40th Anniversary Independence Commemorative Medal of Sarawak 2003, signed by Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Datuk Patinggi Abang Muhammad Salahuddin, is as follows:

“The persons to be appointed to the Grades of the Most Esteemed Order shall be persons, male or female, as have rendered or shall hereafter render meritorious services to the State of Sarawak.”

The highest order is Satria Bintang Sarawak (SBS)which carries the title ‘Pehin Sri’ conferred only on Heads of State in Malaysia and other eminent personalities who have rendered exceptional service to the State and nation.

The number of persons conferred with this title shall not exceed nine at any one time.

The other six awards are Datuk Patinggi Bintang Kenyalang (DP), Datuk Patinggi; Datuk Amar Bintang Kenyalang (DA), Datuk Amar; Panglima Negara Bintang Kenyalang (PNBS), Dato Sri; Panglima Gemilang Bintang Kenyalang (PGBK), Datuk; Darjah Jasa Bakti Sarawak (DJBS), Datu and Panglima Setia Bintang Sarawak (PSBS), Dato.

While the debate on the number of Datuks in the nation simmers amidst growing concern over the erosion of the prestige of the title caused by the misdemeanors of some of the holders, Sarawak continues to stand firm in safeguarding the sanctity of this time-honoured institution by enforcing strict scrutiny on the candidates for these awards.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Article printed from The Borneo Post Online: http://www.theborneopost.com

New copters for company

2007/12/05 (NST)

HORNBILL Skyways Sdn Bhd took delivery of its third EC135 P2 helicopter from Eurocopter Malaysia Sdn Bhd yesterday.

Hornbill Skyways executive chairman Aidan Wing said the helicopters were part of an upgrading programme.

"Safety is our main priority. That is why we want the new helicopters (to replace the current Bell 206 Jet Rangers)," he said after receiving the helicopter from Eurocopter Malaysia president and chief executive officer Pierre Nardelli at Lima '07.

Hornbill Skyways Sdn Bhd is Sarawak's largest aircraft operator.

He said there was a dire need to serve and strengthen rural air services in areas like Miri, Mulu, Kota Kinabalu, Bintulu, the Limbang division and the interiors of Sarawak.

Wing said the company was happy with the helicopters and had ordered another unit which would be delivered next August.

New DUN Complex

source: RC Heng

Sarawak proud of AirAsia

KUCHING: AirAsia's phenomenal growth has gained it yet another admirer -- Sarawak Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud.

"Frankly speaking, I had found it hard to believe when the group CEO Datuk Tony (Fernandes) first told me that he wanted to buy 150 aircraft and that he wanted to develop Kuching into an international hub for low-cost travel."But today, he has delivered on that promise in just slightly more than a year and I'm very happy for this achievement. Sarawak benefits from his talent and strong drive," Taib said at the launch of the inaugural AirAsia Kuching-Macau flight at the Kuching International Airport yesterday.Also present at the launch were state Minister for Urban Development and Tourism Datuk Seri Wong Soon Koh, AirAsia X chairman Datuk Seri Kalimullah Hassan and AirAsia deputy group CEO Datuk Kamarudin Meraun.At a press conference later, Fernandes said the Kuching-Macau route was only the beginning as AirAsia had definite plans for at least three new international routes from Kuching in the next six to eight months.
"We will be introducing the Kuching-Jakarta route in the near future while the Kuching-Singapore route is awaiting approval from the government. "The Kuching-Perth route will follow suit, maybe within the next eight months."We need bigger aircraft for the Kuching-Perth route and, as it is, the world is short of aircraft. We are lucky to have placed our orders early and expect to have some new aircraft within a couple of months," he said.Fernandes explained that AirAsia was keen to fly to Singapore from Kuching to provide the necessary air connectivity for AirAsia X's flights from Brisbane and London.AirAsia, he said, would also be focused on developing the China market by introducing more flights to Macau and other destinations."The response from Macau is way beyond our expectations and we can only hope for greater frequency and a higher volume of passengers. Macau is an important gateway to China and we will certainly expand this route."Sarawak is an important hub for us. We started with just two flights a week five years ago and now we are doing about 200 flights a week. "In the next five years, we expect to do about 560 flights a week."

Nama Berita sidak Main Bol Sarawak?

Just as i was reading the news about England getting a second chance to qualify for the Euro championship, i just managed(managed mind you) to read the result of Sarawak getting thrashed by Police 1-4, what to expect, Sarawak news not so hot here mah...

well, at least bukan 5-0 kan....

Home near by...

Central Friday November 16, 2007
A touch of Borneo in the city
By YIP YOKE TENG
teng@thestar.com.my
In the wilderness of Borneo, warriors return from hunting excursions to the Baruk, or headhunter’s house in the Bidayuh language, to celebrate their victory, exchange stories of bravery and obtain information about other tribes.
In cosmopolitan Kuala Lumpur, urbanites can do just that, the modern way, at Borneo Baruk Club.

Striking: The black and white totem poles grab the attention of visitors.Conceptualised by a Sarawakian architect, the brown building at Jalan Kia Peng is an entertainment multiplex encompassing the facilities of Borneo Bar, BreadKick bakery and Rafflesia Restaurant.
It makes heads turn with its exterior replicating a longhouse with striking totem poles in black and white motifs as well as a uniquely structured Baruk house featuring a round rooftop and multiple pillars arranged in a circle.
According to spokesman Gaik Lee, the club positions itself as a catalyst for Borneo culture in the Peninsular. The concept was conceived three years ago when the owner attended a Gawai party in Sarawak.
“Extremely peaceful, awesome and lovely were some of the adjectives the owners used to describe Borneo. The two states were discovered long before Malaya was established but they still awe visitors till today. They have great potential and there is so much more to be explored.
“Borneo has one of the richest cultures in the world. We are making use of this location in the Golden Triangle to bring the culture closer to West Malaysia.
“We built a long house although it was rather costly due to the high ceiling because it is one of the most beautiful buildings we have come across,” she said.
While the interior is stylish, the club has a touch of Borneo at every corner.

Traditional: The longhouse-inspired building that houses the club.The modern decor is fused with ethnic motifs and woven works. A rainforest complete with flora and fauna adorns a corner with the sandstone of the Mulu Caves, inhabited by bats and spiders, decorates the seating area.
A host of antiques and ornaments from the owner’s personal collections are juxtaposed against posh couches and elegant chandeliers. The most interesting of all is a 100-year-old kayak suspended from the ceiling.
“The building and its concept came about after much research. We want to promote Borneo culture within an exciting and happening atmosphere without the place looking like a museum,” she added.

Fusion: The club fuses the modern and the traditional in an interesting way.Lee also gave special mention to the uniquely designed toilets characterised by bulky wooden bolts and imported accessories from Vileroy & Botch and Alape.
“The owner hopes to put Malaysia on the map overseas. This is the first club that adopts the Sabah and Sarawak concept and we hope there will soon be such spots in other parts of the world,” she added.
Borneo Baruk Club is located at No 1, Jalan Kia Peng, Kuala Lumpur.

Going to Macau, anyone?

Kuching poised to become tourism hub
Minister of Urban Development & Tourism, Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh (third left) presenting goody bags to passengers boarding AirAsia’s inaugural Kuching-Macau flight. Looking on are DCA regional director, Huang Tiong Poh (left), Malaysia Airports Bhd’s senior manager, Mohd Suhaimi Mubin (second left), MGTO marketing manager, Ho Yoke Ping (fourth left), and AirAsia’s station manager, Shammugamnathan Suppiah (fifth left). PHOTO: JOHN CHAN
By Gerald Chung
KUCHING: Over 180 passengers were on AirAsia’s inaugural flight from Kuching to Macau yesterday. The flight took off from Kuching International Airport at 3.40 pm and was expected to arrive at Macau by 7.25pm. The passengers were treated to a pleasant surprise on their departure, with each of them getting a goody bag containing souvenirs and tourist information on Macau from Macau Government Tourism Office (MGTO).Beginning yesterday, AirAsia introduced its new thrice weekly flight from Kuching to Macau.The introduction of the direct flight from Kuching to Macau by AirAsia will make Kuching an important hub for tourism in East Malaysia. According to the MGTO’s representative in Malaysia, Kuching is an important hub in East Malaysia because it is a growing market for tourism, and with this new international connection, it will further position itself in tourism market.Besides bringing more Malaysians to visit Macau, AirAsia will also increase the capacity of air access to Malaysia for residents of Macau, Hong Kong and Southern China.This new service will further strengthen Macau as a significant destination in the region and also as the gateway to Southern China.In tandem with the increased air access between Malaysia and Macau, Macau expects to receive around 400,000 Malaysians in 2007, which is a 100% increase from 2006. For the whole of 2006, Macau received 202, 821 Malaysia tourists.MGTO is a government body which plays the vital role to promote tourism in Macau and co-ordinates related activities and services with the local tourism industry players.Its functions include assisting in the formulation and implementation of local tourism policies and issuing tourism related licences in keeping with Macau development strategy. MGTO will continue to devote itself to promote Macau as a tourism, gaming, entertainment, meeting, exhibitions and event destination through its network of 17 representatives around the world.In conjunction with AirAsia’s inaugural international flight to Macau from Kuching, MGTO has lined up a series of promotional activities to attract more Malaysians to visit Macau.

Crime Busters

Major towns identified as crime-prone areas
By Roger Francis, ET

KUCHING: Four major towns, Kuching, Miri, Sibu and Bintulu have been identified as crime prone areas which contributed to the increase in crime index rate in the State this year compared to last year, Inspector General of Police (IGP) told reporters after attending a police parade and closed-door briefing at Badarudin Police Headquarters here yesterday.“Athough the crime index rate has increased, the overall crime situation is still under control.“Motorcycle theft and house- breaking cases contributed the most to the number of property crime in the state especially in the major towns,” he said.Musa said as long as police concentrated on these four towns, the crime rate would definitely go down because other districts recorded low crime rates.

Kenyalang terbang tinggi

Wings of Borneo’ launched in London
Tengku Adnan (centre) with (from left) Gracie, Masidi, Dr Amin and Sheikh Jamaludin at the launching of ‘Wings of Borneo.’
By Magdalene Rogers
KUCHING: The Wings of Borneo travel package was launched at the World Travel Mart (WTM) in London on November 12. Aiming at attracting more tourists from United Kingdom and Europe to Borneo, the travel package was launched by Minister of Tourism, Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor at the Malaysian pavilion at the travel mart. The four-day event ended yesterdayThe auspicious occasion was witnessed by Sabah Minister of Tourism and Environment, Datuk Masidi Manjun, Chief Executive Officer of Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) Gracie Geikie, Chief Executive Officer of Brunei Tourism, Sheikh Jamaludin Sheikh Mohamed and Managing Director of MASWings, Dr Amin Khan.STB’s public relations officer here, Letitia Samuel, said the Wings of Borneo was a collaborative effort of STB, Sabah Tourism Board, Brunei Tourism and MASWings Sdn Bhd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Malaysia Airlines, and it aimed at boosting the tourism industry in Borneo.She disclosed that the travel package would offer travellers exciting and easy ways to explore and tour places of interests in Sarawak, Sabah and Brunei. Three different packages had been drawn up under this package, each catering for the different interests of travellers, she added“Designed with themes, travellers have the choice of Naturally Borneo, Treasure Borneo and Mystical Borneo. Each package is for a 15-day tour offering glimpses of the rich culture, adventure and nature attractions in Sarawak, Sabah and Brunei,” she said.“The packages also include visiting the UNESCO World Heritage sites of Gunung Mulu and Gunung Kinabalu. With starting price of USD171 for airfare only, travellers have the flexibility to begin their tour from any of the three cities in Borneo. With such flexibility, travellers could also customise their travel itineraries to their convenience,” she added.For the more adventurous, there are also two exciting travel passes for a 14-day tour each. Called the Borneo Pass 5 and Borneo Pass 7, each pass allows travellers to visit any of the cities and towns in Sarawak and Sabah.With the pass, travellers can opt to start their tour either from Kuching, Sibu, Miri, Kota Kinabalu, Labuan, Sandakan or Tawau and Borneo Pass 5 allows travellers to travel to any of the five sectors while Borneo Pass 7 is for all the seven sectors. All the flights for both passes are on MASWings. MASWings operates a total of 451 weekly flights and serves 21 destinations in Sarawak and Sabah. For booking, logon to http://www.maswings.com.my/ or call Malaysia Airlines Call Centre at +603 78433000 (outside Malaysia) or 1 300 88 3000 (within Malaysia). Bookings can also be made at any Malaysia Airlines ticket offices and travel agencies.

Bujang Sarawak

Crocs and PDRM begin showdown
By Charles Janum, ET

KUCHING: The Super League 2007/2008 season match between the Crocs and PDRM will be heating up this Sunday at Sarawak Stadium. “It would not be a family affair match but more like a revenge match between the State players and PDRM,” FAS President Hj. Khaider Hj. Zaidell told reporters at the Masja building during the FAS meeting with the Ministry of Sosial and Urbanisation Dato’ Sri William Mawan Ikom, yesterday.Khaider said the Super League match which hopes to draw more public attention could at least win the hearts of local football fans. The PDRM team, who are sponsored by Captain Gulzar, a former strong influence in the Crocs team, will be against the latter in this season opener.“We hope members of the public would come and watch this highly anticipated match between two strong teams and give their support,” said Khaider, adding that Sarawak now have two players who are import players - a midfielder who is a Japanese player, Sasa Yusuke and Jose Luiz from Brazil as striker - to bring more attraction to the home crowd.Sarawak are in need of more imported players in order to strengthen their defence. With such imported players Sarawak are expected to be more prepared to face the challenge this coming season. The first match for the season this Sunday will be a test on their performance in the eyes of the football fans.