Malaysia Day

Malaysia was supposed to be formed on 31st August 1963 but because of many reservations expressed by the Dayak leaders with regards to power sharing, a Commission was set up to find out what they were and to make recommendations to allay the fears expressed. The work needed took time and Sarawak and Sabah officially became Independent through the formation of Malaysia on September 16th.

Yet September 16th is not a public holiday as we are told to celebrate August 31st as our Independence Day, the same day as the Federation Of Malaya. August 31st was the Day TAR declared the words, “MERDEKA, MERDEKA, MERDEKA” when Sarawak was still under the British. Union Jack, our official flag then, was lowered 15th September 1963 and replaced by the Sarawak and Malaysia flags next day.

Yet it is only a day to remember but not celebrated. Even our State Government makes the second Saturday of September our official Governor’s Birthday. Can’t we in Sarawak recognize September 16th as the DAY we gained Independence from the British Empire by making it also the Governor’s Birthday, a sort of double celebration?

We should also remember that once we were under the Sultan of Brunei. However, James Brooke was given the “province of Sarawak” by the Sultan Of Brunei for helping to quell a rebellion at Berlidah. That was on the 24.09.1841. He was proclaimed as “RAJAH” on 1.8. 1842.

James Brooke first came to Kuching on 15.8.1839 only to confirm that there were problems in Kuching against the Sultan’s man in Kuching and that the “naked” natives in Sarawak Kanan wanted a “WHITE” man to become their Rajah in instead of Raja Muda Hashim. He returned later on 29.8.1840 ready to help quell the problematic rebellions by the respective groups and made a success of it to create the present State Of Sarawak.

Sarawak became an Indenpendent State since and cession of Sarawak to the British crown was only done after the Second World War on 1.7.1946 after being ruled by the White Rajahs 103 years and 11 months and became part of a British Colony.

We formed Malaysia together with British Colony of North Borneo(now called Sabah), Singapore and Federation Of Malaya in 1963. Singapore was kicked out later to become an Independent nation till to-day.

So what day should be a significant day for Sarawak Independence? Should we celebrate 16th September at all?

Source: Dates quoted from Sarawak Gov’t ALMANAC 2009.

Lead Poisoning

CNN had broadcast Lead LEAD Poisoning in three areas in China affecting hundreds of children.

I have the Universal Antidote which MAY help. Anyone knows how to try it on a few or all of them, please contact me. If it works, it will immediately work on a single dose, 100 ccs only.

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY

We wish everyone a Happy Independence Day.

Whatever it is to-day, we must be proud that our  destiny is in our own hands. What we have to-day is due to own ability to use the one vote we are given to determine what we should have for ourselves, our family and our children. We cannot blame others especially political leaders for our nation failures nor should we applaud them for what they have done, for it is their duty to deliver their election promises. It is our duty to make sure they keep their promises by being politically active.

We must brave enough to say “ENOUGH IS ENOUGH” and be active in the Party which can deliver better.

It is our duty also to ensure that the future will be better.

HAPPY MERDEKA DAY…..

Time to remember

True, I have not written any post  for a while now.

Now is the time to remember, “what goes up will come down”. Look at what is happening in Iran, thirty years ago they rejoiced in the streets to welcome a new era heralded by the late Ayatollah Khomeini, their Supreme Leader after the fall of their SHAH. Now they are fighting for a new era after thirty years of having a Supreme Leader. Innocents still have to die in the name of Iran as was before and also so many times before. Look around you there are many instances of good and bad times – time for growth followed time for death, time for enjoyment and time to cry, time for wealth and time for poverty. Only time can and will be humbled the Supreme, the Great or whatever as long that man forgets that there is time to wither and die and time to fall. Thus it is better to cherish every moment and every day rather than to mourn and groan.

Yet time alone will not be enough if you want change for the better to come in time for you, yourself, to enjoy the change you may dream of… So it is better to get one thing done at a time or day and cherish its accomplishment.

Our Prime Minister calls for 1Malaysia and then his Deputy calls for a Unity Government. Then lately, PM says BN can govern without a Unity Government. Believers will pray and said now we have a new agenda, yet nonbelievers are still hoping for the new agenda. Politics being politics, only the shrewd and cunning will win. But always remember, time will show that unless BN really change they will surely become the Opposition one blue day. When it happens, depends on how shrewd and cunning the PR group will be before the next General Election – or really how smart Najib is in using the System to rebuild credibility and strength for BN through the changes he promises.

In Sarawak some enjoy very good times still while many are still hurting. This Gawai could be merrier but some cannot even enjoy for one reason or another. It is very strange why for the first time after we launched the official Gawai for the State in 1988 after the Ming Court saga, Jabu was visibly absent at the National level Gawai celebrations. Rumors and speculations said that he is “sick” and needed a “by-pass”. Yet there is no official announcement. Is it time which is changing? Whatever it is, we should wish him well.

Yes, it is still time to celebrate Gawai. One village may still have their Annual festival this July as the date is yet to be confirmed. In Bau District, there were five villages that celebrated their Annual festival the traditional way, namely Kpg Grogo, Kpg Opar and Kpg Stass on the 30th May to 1st June followed by Kpg Serikin and Kpg Serasot a week or two later. In Lundu, Kpg Selampit ahd celebrated theirs with the help of the High Priest, High Priestess and two Priestesses from Kpg Grogo. During these Gawai celebrations, these were times to remember and share as visitors renewed their relationships and shared their successes and failures.

For the Bidayuhs, it is time to remember that 1908/09 padi is a Year OF KILOWONG. There were many complaints by farmers who found that their padi were harvested in many areas without any signs of the padi stalks on ground or within the farm area. A few even claimed that they saw momentarily “men in red” doing the harvesting. Upon checking with the elders, I was told that there is a year of the “KILOWONG” – the “unseen” doing the harvest to get their share. Yet there were farmers whose farms were spared. It is a year to remember and understand why the Bidayuh have to do various ceremonies during the farming season to ensure that they would be blessed with a very good harvest and a successful year.

2009 is also the fiftieth anniversary of  Dragon School, situate at 24th Mile of the old Kuching/Serian road. The pupils, as we were called then, of 1959 are celebrating the 50th Anniversary on July 4th. I am that old? Yeah indeed, it is time to get old and older. So as one grand colleague of mine always says, ” CONGRATULATIONS” every time we meet, I say “CONGRATULATIONS”. Why, because we are fortunate to live another beautiful day as every day in our pension years is a day of rejoice and blessing. Many of  my peers unfortunately cannot attend and I can say only to them, RIP unfortunately. Some choose not to attend. To them we say “CONGRATULATIONS” as you are still around to enjoy the good and bad times.

A big thank you to all who have sent me greetings. May God blesses you all always.

CONGRATULATIONS.

Embrace Diversity…..

My search for a topic relevant for our common survival ended when I read the following woods taken by O.E Bulter in her book, Parable Of The Sower from another book, Earthseed: The Books Of  The Living:

EMBRACE DIVERSITY,

UNITE  —

Or BE DIVIDED,

ROBBED,

RULED,

KILLED,

BY THOSE WHO SEE YOU AS PREY.

EMBRACE DIVERSITY

OR BE DESTROYED.

Malaysians and especially Sarawakians must think through this simple message in our quest to move up to the next level of development towards a real Parliamentary Democracy to safe guard our individual rights to reach our fullest potential, especially amongst those who cry for change for the better. The power of change lies from within as well as outside the individual, depends very much on our own character and motivation in life ….. However in order to invoke real change  around ourselves the power within is the important one.

Only we can sow the “proper seed”….

In Malaysia, BN has been able to govern since its formation in the early seventies as an effort to find a resolution to the racial divide which has heralded in the 1969 racial riots after that General election. It heralds in the New Economic Policy which recognizes the need to cater to the needs of the various races by reducing the economic gap between Bumiputra and non-bumiputra population. Winning Parties representing various racial and other interests have always been invited to join to form the Government by UMNO, the backbone of BN. PBS was accepted into BN after it toppled Berjaya, the BN partner during the election where even the PM promised to sink or swim with Berjaya during that State Election. Berjaya, however, was allowed to sink into a political oblivion… However PBS was kicked out later but because they still hold a considerable sway amongst the local voters, it has been taken back in to reduce politicking and also to ensure UMNO supremacy in Sabah.

However the need to unite amidst diversity was not accepted amongst the opposition parties especially between DAP and PAS until the last General election where the only “glue” was provided by the “de facto” PKR leader, Anwar Ibrahim. However that need was not accepted by PKR Sarawak State leader, Dominic Ng, who went on a three corner fight trying to wrest the Chinese majority seat from DAP in Sarawak. The unity amongst the main Opposition Parties in West Malaysia resulted in BN losing its two third Majority in Parliament for the first time in Malaysia history and losing four more States in West Malaysia.

In Sarawak, working in isolation and individually, only one seat, Kuching Bandar went to the Opposition. If only the Opposition parties worked together right from the beginning, BN could have lost at least six seats…. but divided, DAP lost Sarikei seat by 51 votes while PKR Independent lost its deposit in Sarikei!…  PKR lost Limbang by 676 votes in a two corner fight, and DAP lost Stampin by 3070 votes.

Furthermore domination of Sarawak politics by Taib in the last 28 years is due to his ability to unite the divided forces under BN banner under his battle cry of “politics of Development” publicly which in private could also mean “Development of (his)Politics” of dominance…. Destruction of SNAP through the formation of PBDS and later SPDP has paved the way for a total dominance as none of the existing parties in BN can go solo against PBB or BN and dislodged him from power. Furthermore the destruction of  PBDS through  the “instant formation” of PRS has further divided the contending Dayak power to remain subservient to the ruling power. The ability to use the divisive forces within BN and the political  “gamblers” was further demonstrated in the Batang Ai By-election, where BN won by a big majority, even though the local sentiment was against BN. The key was to unite the divisions through the power of money politics….

Now there are lots of talk about allegations of abuse of power, money politics, corruption, false promises, etc against the BN, but until the Opposition recognizes the need to embrace diversity and unite, BN will still has its day, no matter what…

In Sarawak, the continued division amongst the natives has allowed for total political dominance by Taib and his men since his return in 1981.

Until the natives can unite politically to seek a better future, a lot of unnecessary court cases regarding land and political pension will have to continue as both of these issues needed to be resolved by the Courts as appeals for real justice are being ignored for political convenience. Daniel and group had to bring their appeals for their rightful pension right o the Federal Court to have it resolved. They may even have to get another Court Order to get their rightful pensions.

Until we can unite amidst diversity, a lot of unnecessary woes will befall many as BN will use their might for purposes suitable for …..

Have a Happy Gawai season…

HAPPY EASTER HOLIDAYS

Have a Happy Easter weekend.

Because CHRIST came, died and WILL BE BACK AGAIN.

He came for a purpose but that purpose has been rejected even by the majority of HIS OWN CHOSEN people till to-day. His greatest teaching is for us “to love thy neighbor”. But how of many of us really DO?

Then FOR THE LOVE of the “CHOSEN people” and us, HE died ON THE CROSS for a purpose also – To cleanse our SINS, especially the original SIN – BUT how many try to avoid sinning?

In every Mass, believers will sing, “…. , HE WILL COME BACK AGAIN”. Sure, he will come back to collect every time one dies. But how many believers are ready to meet HIM without sins?

But what is your reaction now to my comments? Those who have condemned me will automatically condemn for a simple reason that it is that problematic human nature. The others may think about them and may let it pass or probe further…..

Whatever enjoy yourselves and have a BLESSED EASTER. LET JESUS CARRIES OUR YOKE….. as he had asked.

Najib, the Sixth PM

Despite all the negative speculations and heresay, Pak Lah, true to his word,  handed the post to Najib as promised and got his Tunship at the same time. So Najib was sworn in as the Sixth PM on Friday, April 3rd at 10.00 am at Astana Negara.

He then announced the release of 13 ISA detainees and the lifting of the six months suspension of Harakah(PAS newsletter) and Suara KeAdilan(PKR newsletter). Yesterday he made his “walkabouts” to three sites in Kuala Lumpur unannounced much to the pleasure and excitement for those who met him. He also has gone IT with his IMalaysia website and is on Flicker.

While his actions departed from his predecessors in the swiftness of its implementation, many skeptics have reservations whether he will continue to do all the things he promised in his maiden speech as PM. Just to-day in Sunday market, many still believe it is just for show. It is as if to say a new “BROOM SWEEPS WELL”.

His supporters in BN have said many things positive and hopeful. Jabu wants Batang Ai BN victory, as present for the new PM, though from what I heard quite an expensive present using taxpayers’ money. What if the 8006 voters decide to vote for PKR to win in two days time or give BN a smaller margin of victory than the 806 in 2006. A vote swing of less than 1% to PKR will make a bad day for BN.

Meanwhile PKR made another “Boo-boo” in Bukit Selambau. A promise of “NOT TO MISS” ceramah to all reporters turned out to be another election gimics of crossovers of  PPP members to PKR. Same in Sarawak, a crossover of PKR divisional Chairman was also announced. Only on the 7 April the verdict will be passed by the respective voters. After that, another day of paying for high prices for food and services for every Malaysians unless Najib can govern better than his predecessors or than expected .

Can he for instance reduce the costs of politics which have sapped our economy and lowers the buying power of the RINNGIT? Will he be able to convince Bank Negara to get the right Monetary policy and modernising our banking procedures and policies to be competitive with just Singapore? Will he revives the “ONE CENT” coin? For him to succeed, he has to reduce corruption legally as well as the legal “commissions” which are parked overseas?

There are many more issues which have to be dealt with including  race and religion. One concerned Malay told me this morning, “Can he stay away from Tun Mahathir?” Another question, “Will he be more dicisve than Pak Lah?”

Whatever he does will be closely watch. Any misstep, his political rivals will jump on his back immediately. His actions will be critical for all Malaysians as well as his longevity as PM.

Meanwhile we should give him the benefit of the doubts, because whether we like it or not he is PM of Malaysia and the “BUCK STOPS AT HIS DESK”.

“So that I may serve”

The above phrase was drummed up in our high school days at Dragon School fifty years ago to the young boys and girls coming from all over Sarawak from Tanjong Datu to Limbang representing all races and religion present in Sarawak at the time. At every school assembly in the morning we would be reminded of our obligations and the need for good behavior. We lived together like brothers and sisters. For two, three or five years we lived and learned together. Those were the classes of 1959, whether we were in Transition classes, Form I or Form IV.

Not only were students, but we were also the “gardeners, the sweepers or football field makers”. Yes, we learned and worked together. It was the good of times. It was also the time for opportunities to learn and work together.

When we finished Form III or V, almost everyone got employed as long as they applied for the right jobs, irrespective of whether they failed to get through to Form IV or Form Six. After sitting for Higher School Certificate at Upper Form Six at Tanjong Lobang School, we were offered jobs almost immediately. I was offered three different jobs from three separate Departmental heads and I opted to be a temporary Teacher. I then chose Serian Secondary School for my posting before I went to Canada for Medicine on a Colombo Plan Scholarship.

Yes, those were the good times. Most of us ended up with good careers and made our marks as heads of various Departments as Directors and so on. Nelson Liap Kudu and myself shifted to politics. Others like Julaihi, late Hillary Nyambau, Frankie Jurem, Putit, Sepuan made it to head their respective Departments, just to name a few. Our “Elvis”, Wilfred Amin remained as non recording artist. Sulong, our frankster (watch out), is now a Federal Judge.

Behind it all, it is the school motto which still influences what I had done, is and will be doing. That five little words can mean a lot if taken seriously to heart. It can mean even serving oneself although it may be considered by many “to be selfish”. However the inability to serve oneself render ourselves useless to the others. Once we have helped ourselves, then we can be of service to the others. As long as we don’t serve ourselves by or through deceit and guile but only through dedication and hard work, it should be acceptable. Otherwise nothing good will ever come out in the end.

This year, 2009, will be our Fiftieh Anniversary for the first batch of Form I, IV and two Transition Classes of 1959. There will be a “get-together” dinner in July. We will be able to meet again but for those who have gone “home” – may they rest in peace. How many I am not certain but I know a few only.

To all my friends, let us celebrate our 50th Anniversary and to my fellow Dragonians, “So that I may serve”. Happy Anniversary.

Politics- your future

My brother just told me of a story about how one of my uncle introduced “A political party to them” in the early sixties. He said in Bidayuh, “I bring to you a fishing gear, (sokoup), to fish and dirty your bathing place.” When one uses a “SOKUOP” to fish, one needs to clear all the stones and sand in that track of water so that not only the dirt goes into the fishing gear but the fish and shrimps which happen to be there as well. Anyway, the water downstream will be dirtied. Thus the Bidayuh expression of “Oku toban sokuop ngan dah bikalan ingan koluh” which was used by my uncle. Sure enough, many politicians and political parties only “dirty” the minds of their followers and confused the voters.

It aptly described politics as played by most politicians all over the world. Yet politics need not be dirty if  the voters want it to be clean. Politics and how it is conducted determined whether the “milk”, which is money collected through taxation, etc  from the cow or cows(taxpayers) are being distributed and used. Wonder whether all of you are aware of how capitalism, socialism and other forms of Government are described in terms of the cows and their milk and its use and distribution. Politics is about dirtying the mind of the people to follow the leader either without questions or no questions asked. It can mean either you as you are told by the “GREAT LEADER” or you suffer the consequences. Wonder whether Aldous Huxley’s “animal Farm” is fully practised in most Third World countries including Malaysia. It was supposed to be a satire about Communism but is there any difference from what is happening in Sarawak, I wonder.

Take “Batang Ai” byelection for instance, it is rumoured that PRS submitted only one name for the candidate to be considered on Saturday but a different person and name came out to-day as the candidate for BN yet it was introduced as the “perfect candidate” by SUPP President. What is going on in that BN meeting on Saturday? It was a good thing that Masing as a “very good” team player didn’t not announced the name of his party’s sole nomination before the BN meeting. It is wondered who is the “REAL” President of PRS. But that is Sarawak BN politics and how it is to be played.

Anyway it will not make an iota as to who wins Batang Ai, except the twelve million gained as announced finally for the tarsealing of the Batang Ai road, as it will not change the real dynamics of Sarawak politics. It will only be a winning for the winner alone plus the projects given during and before the by-election to the constituency by BN. However, whoever the winner may be, he will end up to be the loser in the long run. For the winner, it will continue to be a hopeless pursuit because one way or another he will be just another new player amongst a team of extremely experienced players. For the loser, he only has to pack  his bag and go into a political oblivion.

The only importance of the results of Batang Ai by-election is its function as the political barometer for BN Sarawak politics and for PKR in a Dayak majority area. BN, being the incumbent, cannot afford to lose the seat. If it does, they have  to say “goodbye” to its incumbency. If PKR loses despite having all the issues on their side, they will have to reconsider its approaches and place in Sarawak politics. Thus both sides have to put their “PERFECT” candidate to fight the BATTLE ROYAL between them.

Yet it is important for the future of Sarawak and your own future.

Politics – Essence of Life

My very friend, Audie, has asked me to write on this very controversial topic of Politics.

He remarked, “Politics is beautiful.” commenting on the Perak political saga between BN and PR power struggle there. Both sides of course win their sides of the argument as one other friend of mine remarked that the only winner in this game will be all the lawyers who will be handling the cases in court irrespective of whoever wins in the end. It will be a costly political game paid for by all the Taxpayers, eventually. The loser will be Malaysians as there will no work achieved as both sides will continue on politicking on others expenses.

I however told him that politics is not beautiful but it is an essence to life. It can be turned to  ugly with the dirt flying around by politicians who want to reap the harvest at the peoples’ expenses, especially where dirty is the name of the game. Nations will only develop to the level of the dirt around. Singapore is economically but though politically sterile better than Malaysia because their politicians are paid well and told not to be involved in Business. In other countries where politicians are required to fend for themselves are worse off economically than Malaysia.

Politics is the lifeline of any nation. Communist Russia fell because of the political system which eventually choked Communist Russia to death economically. When I was there with Tun Mahathir in 1987, I knew then that system will bring down Russia. We, as guest of honor, were well taken care off  – good food etc but when I roamed around the Departmental stores around the Kremlin area in our off hours there were not much stock on the shelves – Bau shop houses had more. When we were brought officially to their  Tourist stores, their workers were more interested in chatting amongst themselves than trying to sell their products. In fact one African- like customer was given a good dressing down by one of the Sales person. Understandably that even if they were to work hard they would get the same allowances or housing, so why worked hard?

China without Mr Deng Zhou Peng would still have the third world economy and not the present economic growth. USA with eight years of Bush and conservative approaches is presently in a very bad depression, with two wars to fight and two nuclear to be nations on the horizon. Even Britain is having trouble as well.

Barren Land due logging in the upper reaches

Looking closely around the world, politics matters in the well-being of every nation on earth. Switzerland who quietly mind their own business has the wealth from all over the world entrusted to their banks. Possibly every third World political leaders may have accounts there. The Swiss Francs is the only currency which appreciates in value. Worse is Zimbabwe which have to print notes in the million of  Z dollars where as a Zimbabwean Billionaire you may find it difficult to live well.

Dying river - now full sand and gravel from the logging upstream in the late eigthies

Dead Pool- now gravel pit

My pictures say it all even to this river and its surrounding areas.

Politics is indeed an essence for life. Look after it well, the citizens will benefit. Leave it to the dirty politicians and characters who even have to take  pictures of  “Eli in the nude” under dubious circumstances, it may look “beautiful” to my friend, Malaysia will lose in the end.

In Malaysia, according to many of my well meaning friends, who have been telling me that “one has to be dirty to get up”, playing with dirt will serve one’s purpose to serve oneself, but will be all right for our young nation in the long run? Can a father continue to rob his sons in impunity and expect his sons to do well in future? No, I am too old to steal from my children.

Malaysia is only peaceful to the present level for three and three reasons ONLY;

(1) small population with vast resources including Oil and gas,

(2) ISA and

(3) OSA!

BN is in power still with the above three plus a weak and divided Opposition who are at loggerhead over the “HUDUD” law issue.