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...)
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
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.
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.
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....
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Voted Irish Joke of 2006
John O'Reilly hoisted his beer and said, "Here's to spending the rest of me life between the legs of me wife!"
That won him the top prize at the pub for the best toast of the night!
He went home and told his wife, Mary, "I won the prize for the best toast of the night"
She said, "Aye, did ye now? And what was your toast?"
John said, "Here's to spending the rest of me life sitting in church beside me wife."
"Oh, that is very nice indeed, John!" Mary said.
The next day, Mary ran into one of John's drinking buddies on the street corner. The man chuckled leeringly and said, "John won the prize the other night at the pub with a toast about you, Mary."
She said, "Aye, he told me, and I was a bit surprised meself. You know, he's only been there twice in the last four years. Once he fell asleep, and the other time I had to pull him by the ears to make him come..."
That won him the top prize at the pub for the best toast of the night!
He went home and told his wife, Mary, "I won the prize for the best toast of the night"
She said, "Aye, did ye now? And what was your toast?"
John said, "Here's to spending the rest of me life sitting in church beside me wife."
"Oh, that is very nice indeed, John!" Mary said.
The next day, Mary ran into one of John's drinking buddies on the street corner. The man chuckled leeringly and said, "John won the prize the other night at the pub with a toast about you, Mary."
She said, "Aye, he told me, and I was a bit surprised meself. You know, he's only been there twice in the last four years. Once he fell asleep, and the other time I had to pull him by the ears to make him come..."
Surprise Visit...
Yesterday, all officers from my section were called in to the director's room, she informed us that someone important was coming to see us.
We were all very surprise as we didn't really know who was coming, so we discuss what to present/say later...
suddenly the security officer(lady) was knocking at the door asking all officers to come out...
so we lined up to greet the VIPs....
it was the contesting candidate with the former minister.... going around... having chit-chat... with the people in the area....
We were all very surprise as we didn't really know who was coming, so we discuss what to present/say later...
suddenly the security officer(lady) was knocking at the door asking all officers to come out...
so we lined up to greet the VIPs....
it was the contesting candidate with the former minister.... going around... having chit-chat... with the people in the area....
Sunday, February 24th, 2008 ,Borneo Post
Unchallenged contenders
By Raynore Mering
How many more will be elected unopposed today? Since 1969, only 27 candidates have made it to the ‘exclusive club’
THERE is a club that all aspiring elected representatives dream of joining but only a handful have gained entry out of the hundreds of candidates who saw action in parliamentary elections in the state.
To become a member of this club, there is only one requirement — win unopposed.
In the nine parliamentary elections in Sarawak since 1969, only 27 candidates had enjoyed the comforts of the club while others battled away.
Today is nomination day again and chances are good that there would be new members who will join the club.
The question is how many? More than the six in the 2004 parliamentary election perhaps?
To win uncontested on nomination day is to have a massive load taken off a candidate’s shoulders.
With his place assured in parliament, he keeps his dates on the campaign trail but mainly to thank his constituents.
And if he is a party candidate, he goes where he is needed to shore up support for the contending candidates from his party.
A candidate who has won uncontested may have won his battle but not his party’s war.
The first parliamentary election to have uncontested victories in Sarawak was in 1978 with Datuk Amar Stephen Yong in Padawan, Datuk Luhat Wan in Baram and Racha Umong in Bukit Mas.
Since then, there have been uncontested victories every time the parliamentary polls were held.
The year 1995 was a bumper year for candidates who won uncontested when eight in total were ushered into the club.
That year, the candidates who won unopposed were three times Datuk Amar Dr Sulaiman Daud (Petra Jaya), Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud (Kota Samarahan), Datuk Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar (Batang Lupar), Jawah Gerang (Lubok Antu), Datuk Douglas Uggah Embas (Betong), Datuk Abang Abu Bakar Abang Mustapha (Kuala Rajang), Tan Sri Law Hieng Ding (Sarikei) and Datuk Dr Leo Michael Toyad (Mukah).
The two elections with the second highest number of unopposed candidates were in 1982 and in 2004 with six candidates each.
In the last parliamentary election, the unopposed victors were Taib (Kota Samarahan), Datuk Rohani Abdul Karim (Batang Lupar), Datuk Wahab Dolah (Kuala Rajang), Alexander Nanta Linggi (Kapit), Datuk Peter Chin (Miri) and Henry Sum Agong (Bukit Mas).
Taib, the Chief Minister and the state Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman, and Dr Sulaiman are the only two parliamentarians to have won unopposed three times in Sarawak.
Taib won uncontested in 1982, 1995 and 2004, while Dr Sulaiman experienced it in 1982, 1986 and 1995.
What makes the club even more exclusive must be that all who have passed through its gates are from the BN and a majority of them are from the state coalition’s backbone, Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), of which Taib is president.
But candidates who win uncontested are not without their critics.
“It’s a win by default. In sports term, a walk-over. They haven’t proven that they have the support of the people,” said a critic.
However, in a country that practises democracy, which is a little hard to swallow and luck has nothing do with it too.
The fact that many of those who win unopposed are political heavyweights and that some of them can win without breaking a sweat in more than one election must mean something.
Surely, their performance and popularity among constituents as well as the political situation of the day would have played on the minds of their opponents as they decided right up to the time the nomination centres opened whether or not they should join the race.
So maybe when a candidate wins uncontested, his opponents had come to the conclusion that their cause might not be worth the trouble and that they would rather not lose time or money — there’s a lot one can do with an election deposit of RM10,000.
After 11am today, the contenders in all 31 parliamentary seats in Sarawak should be known but how many will go on to join the club of unopposed winners is still anybody’s guess.
Some political observers reckoned that there could be more uncontested wins this election.
“My feeling is that because the election is held in a little of a hurry, some parties may be unprepared and I doubt if the independent candidates have enough time to search for funding,” said a senior politician.
He believed that while it was almost certain that all urban seats would be contested, there would be some rural seats that could go unopposed to the BN.
When told that land seemed to be an issue in the urban areas, he replied: “Land will be a minor political issue. By and large, I think it would go quite smoothly for BN. I think there could be more uncontested seats.” Another politician, however, disagreed as he believed that there were enough prevailing issues now to encourage people to make their stand during the polls.
On top of that, he expected the opposition parties to contest in more seats, even fighting each other in some seats.
All opposition parties in Sarawak, including the Sarawak National Party (SNAP) and the State Reform Party (STAR), are expected to contest in the coming election.
“I won’t be surprised if there is no uncontested win this election with the exception of maybe one or two seats. A lot has happened since the 2004 election in the state and country as a whole,” he said.
Baring any slip-ups by the BN candidates that could disqualify them from the race today, it is very unlikely that the opposition members will ever get to throw their feet up in the exclusive club of unopposed victors.
The possibility is even more remote if they are independent candidates, who are permanent fixtures in every parliamentary election.
A total of 163 independent candidates have entered the fray since 1969. And if the club for the unopposed is exclusive, the club for successful independent candidates would be even harder to enter though not as many politicians dream of joining them.
Unchallenged contenders
By Raynore Mering
How many more will be elected unopposed today? Since 1969, only 27 candidates have made it to the ‘exclusive club’
THERE is a club that all aspiring elected representatives dream of joining but only a handful have gained entry out of the hundreds of candidates who saw action in parliamentary elections in the state.
To become a member of this club, there is only one requirement — win unopposed.
In the nine parliamentary elections in Sarawak since 1969, only 27 candidates had enjoyed the comforts of the club while others battled away.
Today is nomination day again and chances are good that there would be new members who will join the club.
The question is how many? More than the six in the 2004 parliamentary election perhaps?
To win uncontested on nomination day is to have a massive load taken off a candidate’s shoulders.
With his place assured in parliament, he keeps his dates on the campaign trail but mainly to thank his constituents.
And if he is a party candidate, he goes where he is needed to shore up support for the contending candidates from his party.
A candidate who has won uncontested may have won his battle but not his party’s war.
The first parliamentary election to have uncontested victories in Sarawak was in 1978 with Datuk Amar Stephen Yong in Padawan, Datuk Luhat Wan in Baram and Racha Umong in Bukit Mas.
Since then, there have been uncontested victories every time the parliamentary polls were held.
The year 1995 was a bumper year for candidates who won uncontested when eight in total were ushered into the club.
That year, the candidates who won unopposed were three times Datuk Amar Dr Sulaiman Daud (Petra Jaya), Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud (Kota Samarahan), Datuk Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar (Batang Lupar), Jawah Gerang (Lubok Antu), Datuk Douglas Uggah Embas (Betong), Datuk Abang Abu Bakar Abang Mustapha (Kuala Rajang), Tan Sri Law Hieng Ding (Sarikei) and Datuk Dr Leo Michael Toyad (Mukah).
The two elections with the second highest number of unopposed candidates were in 1982 and in 2004 with six candidates each.
In the last parliamentary election, the unopposed victors were Taib (Kota Samarahan), Datuk Rohani Abdul Karim (Batang Lupar), Datuk Wahab Dolah (Kuala Rajang), Alexander Nanta Linggi (Kapit), Datuk Peter Chin (Miri) and Henry Sum Agong (Bukit Mas).
Taib, the Chief Minister and the state Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman, and Dr Sulaiman are the only two parliamentarians to have won unopposed three times in Sarawak.
Taib won uncontested in 1982, 1995 and 2004, while Dr Sulaiman experienced it in 1982, 1986 and 1995.
What makes the club even more exclusive must be that all who have passed through its gates are from the BN and a majority of them are from the state coalition’s backbone, Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), of which Taib is president.
But candidates who win uncontested are not without their critics.
“It’s a win by default. In sports term, a walk-over. They haven’t proven that they have the support of the people,” said a critic.
However, in a country that practises democracy, which is a little hard to swallow and luck has nothing do with it too.
The fact that many of those who win unopposed are political heavyweights and that some of them can win without breaking a sweat in more than one election must mean something.
Surely, their performance and popularity among constituents as well as the political situation of the day would have played on the minds of their opponents as they decided right up to the time the nomination centres opened whether or not they should join the race.
So maybe when a candidate wins uncontested, his opponents had come to the conclusion that their cause might not be worth the trouble and that they would rather not lose time or money — there’s a lot one can do with an election deposit of RM10,000.
After 11am today, the contenders in all 31 parliamentary seats in Sarawak should be known but how many will go on to join the club of unopposed winners is still anybody’s guess.
Some political observers reckoned that there could be more uncontested wins this election.
“My feeling is that because the election is held in a little of a hurry, some parties may be unprepared and I doubt if the independent candidates have enough time to search for funding,” said a senior politician.
He believed that while it was almost certain that all urban seats would be contested, there would be some rural seats that could go unopposed to the BN.
When told that land seemed to be an issue in the urban areas, he replied: “Land will be a minor political issue. By and large, I think it would go quite smoothly for BN. I think there could be more uncontested seats.” Another politician, however, disagreed as he believed that there were enough prevailing issues now to encourage people to make their stand during the polls.
On top of that, he expected the opposition parties to contest in more seats, even fighting each other in some seats.
All opposition parties in Sarawak, including the Sarawak National Party (SNAP) and the State Reform Party (STAR), are expected to contest in the coming election.
“I won’t be surprised if there is no uncontested win this election with the exception of maybe one or two seats. A lot has happened since the 2004 election in the state and country as a whole,” he said.
Baring any slip-ups by the BN candidates that could disqualify them from the race today, it is very unlikely that the opposition members will ever get to throw their feet up in the exclusive club of unopposed victors.
The possibility is even more remote if they are independent candidates, who are permanent fixtures in every parliamentary election.
A total of 163 independent candidates have entered the fray since 1969. And if the club for the unopposed is exclusive, the club for successful independent candidates would be even harder to enter though not as many politicians dream of joining them.
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