Increase

Last Sunday worship service our attendance increased to 30. Newcomers were Kim, the wife of Jazz who was still in jail awaiting trial for alleged murder. Jaccnitta also came. Bayard and Geoffrey came with two new friends. Gary and Rene also came. Jojo's mother came.

clueless

still no clue as to what is happening to me? i don't have the answer. my heart cried out to God for help but God seemed to be so far away. That kind of feeling makes me so very afraid. the only thing i can do is to trust in Him.

what is happening?

LONG SELAAN LEASE 300-ACRE LAND TO COOPERATIVE FOR OIL PALM

The Baram Ulu Cooperative had secured a 300-acre piece of land at Sebatu for the purpose of oil palm plantation for its 1,000 members from nine longhouses in Kedaya Telang Usan.

Its chairman Belawan Apoi said the land belonging to Long Selaan had been leased to the cooperative for the commercial purpose of planting oil palm.

“The Long Selaan Land committee had duly signed an agreement with the cooperative as we see the venture will benefit a lot of people in Kedaya Telang Usan who are members of the cooperative,” said Belawan in an interview with the Borneo Post yesterday.

He said with the agreement and the objective of the cooperative to work on the land, he advised outsiders to keep off the land.

“The land has been reserved for the cooperative for commercial purpose via oil palm plantation. We do not welcome any interference from anybody not a member of the cooperative from exploiting the land for their own individual gain, ” said Belawan

SIBU-Gateway to political tsunami in Sarawak

MIRI: Two opposition leaders believed that the Sarawakians are ready for change and that the political tsunami that had swept the Peninsular Malaysia in the 2008 election had finally landed in Sarawak through Sibu.

“The victory to the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) through the DAP in Sibu is a sweet confirmation that the political tsunami had finally landed in Sarawak. Both the rural and the urban areas are hungry and waiting for political change,” said the president of Sarawak National Party (SNAP) Edwin Dundang.

“The people in Sibu have voted for change. I believe that the people of Miri will emulate the courage of the people in Sibu in the next state election in voting for change,” said the chairman of Democratic Action Party (DAP) Fong Pau Teck.

Both of them were interviewed by the Borneo Post for their comments on the Sibu by-election which was won by Wong Ho Leng of DAP by a 398-vote majority against Robert Lau of Barisan Nasional (BN).

Fong was of the opinion that the state election will not be held soon.

“Had BN won the Sibu by-election, the state election would be held this year to capitalise on their win. As it turned out, the state government will definitely delay the state election to next year. But this will not stop the political tsunami that had started in Sibu from sweeping through the whole of Sarawak in the coming state election,” said Fong, who had stood as opposition candidate in Miri on at least two occasions but lost.

Edwin attributed the win by newly formed opposition pact in the state (PR) to three factors.

The PR made the right choice of candidate in Wong Ho Leng. The second factor was the overwhelming support of the people who are ready for change. The third factor was the level of unity shown by the PR and the hardworking PR leaders that had campaigned through the width and length of the constituency.

“This victory is indeed historic because this is the first time that PR contested in any election and won. This win has a far-reaching significance toward the two-party system in Malaysia,” said Edwin.

“The victory by PR was a feat in itself. Sibu has been the stronghold of BN and in spite of the billions of ringgit worth of projects being poured into Sibu during the by-election, this is the first time the people reject ''money politics'' that the law cannot control,” he added.

Edwin said the win by the opposition in the Sibu by election signalled that people in Sarawak had awakened from their political slumber. ENDS.



“There is hope on the horizon for a political change” said Edwin. ENDS.

SARAWAK'S SELLING POINT IS ITS FRIENDLY PEOPLE

MIRI: Sarawak's strongest selling point in the tourism industry is its people, said the deputy chief minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri George Chan Hong Nam.

“We like others, have exciting tourist destinations to offer to the world, but nothing beats the friendliness and outstanding hospitality of Sarawakians. Sarawakians have generous smiles to give to visitors to Sarawak. We are by nature,friendly people and this is our biggest asset as far as tourism is concerned,” said Chan, who is also the minister of tourism and heritage.

He said this when officiating the opening ceremony of the international conference: Linking Culture, Nature and Community Through Ecotourism yesterday.

Also present were the assistant minister of Infrastructure Development and Communication Datuk Lee Kim Shin, who is also the assistant minister of Social Development and Urbanisation; Pujut assemblyman Andy Chia, the Pro Vice Chancellor and Chief Executive Professor Ian Kerr, the director-general of Islamic Tourism Centre Zainuddin Abdul Wahab.

The inaugural international conference on the subject was jointly organised by the Curtin University of Technology Sarawak campus and the Islamic Tourism Centre.

Chan said the state government view ecotourism as very important for its relationship with conservation, sustainability and biological diversity.

“I agree wholeheartedly that local and indigenous community involvement is essential in ecotourism, as such communities-as inhabitants of the land and heirs to the local cultural heritage-should indeed have a stake and a major role to play,” said Chan.

“There are many examples of forward-thinking rural communities here in Sarawak that have embarked on ecotourism exploits on their won initiatives or with state support, established homestay programmes and building homestay dwellings so that tourists can experience life in their communities or learn more about their lifestyles and cultures,” added Chan.

More than 60 participants from 18 countries took part in the conference.

The keynote address was delivered by the deputy tourism minister Datuk Dr James Dawot Mamit.ENDS.

myy-bp-030410-lj-ecotourism-P1

Caption: ECOTOURISM THE LINK: Chan beating the gong to officially open the conference.Also seen from left are Chia, Lee, Kerr and Zainuddin.

8,000 Kenyahs in Belaga laid claim on ancestral land

BELAGA: About 8,000 Kenyahs from four longhouses in Belaga laid claim on their ancestral land through a resolution to the land and survey department with the hope of jointly developing their land for their future generations.

Initially, only two longhouses joint forces but later two other longhouses were included reflecting a strong sense of unity among the Kenyahs in Belaga to work together to get things done.

“We wish to develop our land in line with the Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE) projects like fish rearing, planting of coconuts, ecotourism, goat and cow rearing. We welcome interested parties who wish to develop our area, but they must discuss and sign any memorandum of understanding with the joint committee first,” said the secretary of the joint committee of Lebu Kulit, Uma Bakah, Uma Balui Ukap and Uma Lesong Dennis Hang Bilang.

The resolution was handed over to the Kapit Land and Survey department superintendent Alfian Bawi during a simple ceremony on 28 April 2010 at Uma Bakah Belaga.

Present were the deputy chairman Edin Anyie and several Kenyah community leaders from the four longhouses.

Through the joint committee, Dennis said the Kenyahs in Belaga can together with the other communities in the state enjoy the rapid pace of development that is now taking place.
“We can develop our land like the rest in the state if our claim to our ancestral land is recognised. Our ancestors were given the land during the Brooke rule in the early 1950s and we have the map to show the land that were given to our ancestors,” said Dennis.

“We want to seize every business opportunities once the Bakun Dam on like going into fish rearing and tourism,” he added. ENDS.



Caption: RESOLUTION FOR A BETTER FUTURE: Edin (centre) with the committee members showing the resolution before handing it over to the department for consideration.

KILLER RETURNS TO FACE JUDGEMENT

A man who escaped to Indonesia after killing a man had a change of heart and save enough money  to return and face possible death sentence.

He was driven by consuming guilt conscience that his buddy was charge for the killing of the old man, while he himself was free at home.

With no peace of mind, the man made a great effort to come back to face the law.

When he first received the news from his brother who was in Miri about the friend being charged for murder in June last year, he wanted to make the trip immediately. However, he had no money to renew his passport.

He had to wait for a few months until November last year to save enough money to renew his passport and came back to Miri, knowing fully well he could possibly be hanged.

When he came back to Miri, he chose to work at his former place with the hope that he would be caught by the police.

He was finally caught by the police on 23 January 2010, exactly a year after the incident.

However, in court yesterday, he faced alternative charge of culpable homicide not amounting to murder, an offence under Section 304(a) of the Penal Code which if liable to imprisonment sentence not exceeding 30 years.

He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 14 years jail.

According to the charge, he caused the death of one Jaffar bin Mohammad on 25 January 2009 at 12:30 until 1:30pm at the area of Tamu Ikan Kampung Batu Satu.

According to the facts of the case, the accused Jepri Anggut and his friend by the name of Abdul bin Jahim went to meet Jaffar bin Mohammad (the deceased) at the area of Tamu Ikan, Kampung Tanjung Batu, Jalan Kuala Baram Miri to ask the deceased about one handphone and cash money amounting to RM1,200 belongs to the accused which were missing.

They went there using a motorcycle. When they arrived there, they saw the deceased was sewing a casting net inside a boat. Then, the accused went to approach the deceased and asked about the missing items. Abdul bin Jahirin remained on the motorcycle.

After that, there was a quarrel between the accused and the deceased pertaining to the missing items and later on the deceased alighted from the boat, pick up one piece of plastic pipe and walked toward the accused. Then the deceased hit the accused by using the plastic pipe but the accused managed to grab the plastic pipe from the deceased. During the fight, the accused managed to hit the deceased's head by using the helmet that he was holding. The accused also managed to hit the deceased's body and head by using the plastic pipe grabbed from the deceased. As a result, the deceased fell down on the ground.

After the deceased fell on the ground the accused saw a piece of wood and the accused took the piece of wood and hit the deceased's head several times while the deceased was lying on the ground. When the accused saw the deceased was motionless the accused ran away to Abdul who was sitting on the motorcycle and they left the scene using the motorcycle.

The body of the deceased was later found motionless by Saminan Matyasin at about 1:30pm. The body of the deceased was later brought to Miri Hospital by the police and a post mortem had been conducted by Dr Jamil bin Dolkadir. From the post mortem conducted, the cause of death was due to intercranial haemorrage with a large fracture of skull due to blunt head injury.

A representative of the Indonesian Embassy in Kuching, Monica Ari Wijayanti was in court to observe the court proceeding.

DIRTY COPS IN MIRI

Five policemen were arrested in Miri on suspicion of extortion  on Tuesday this week.

A foreigner made a police report against five policemen here Monday, alleging that he and a friend were extorted by the lawkeepers while they were waiting for their bus at the city centre.

A remand order of four days were placed upon the five suspects by the magistrate court yesterday.

The remand order was made by lower court registrar Dora Undau after allowing the request made by the investigating officer.

In the request, the investigating officer told the court on 19 April 2010, an Indonesian man made a police report at the Miri Central Police station.

In the report, the complainant alleged that at 11am on 4 April 2010 while waiting for bus with a friend at the bus stop infront of the Miri City Council, they were approached by five uniformed policemen.

               According to the complainant, the five policemen proceeded to demand the Indonesian men to show their travelling document.

Both of them showed their work permits to the policemen, but the policemen were not satisfied and told them the work permits were not documents for them to come out to walk about.

The policemen then directed the two Indonesian men to enter a car to bring them to the police station, where they were forced to pay a certain amount of money to the policemen in order for them to be released.

Both of them had given each RM200 to the policemen involved, besides 19 prepaid handphone cards worth RM10 each were seized from them by the policemen.

Acting on the information, at 4:05pm on 20 April, a team of policemen led by chief inspector Jeffrey Guhak arrested the suspects at the Miri Central Police station on suspicion of involvement in the case.

The court allowed  the remand application according to Section 117 of the Criminal Procedure Code to detain the suspects four day to facilitate police investigation.

The remand expired on 25 April 2010

Long Jawe at a crossroad

The Kenyahs Lebu Kulit of Long Jawe are at a crossroad of their history as a people, fighting for their rightful position in this land while defending their inheritance from encroachment by vested interests, said the secretary for action committee of Long Jawe Dennis Hang Bilang.

Long Jawe has a historic significance in the history of the country.

During the rule of the third Rajah Brooke on 1 April 1946, the ancestors of the Kenyah Lebu Kulit migrated from Long Jelarai in Indonesia to Tasak Aram in ulu Balui in Sarawak.

From there they were led by Nyipa Lawai, Pasan Abo and Pato Usat to move to Long Item. From Long Item they finally move to Long Jawe where Pasan Abo was appointed as the headman.

During the Indonesian Confrontation after Malaysia was formed in 1963, Long Jawe became a battleground when the British soldiers who were placed in the longhouse fought against invading Indonesian soldiers.

The people of Long Jawe were caught in the crossfire, their longhouse was fired upon with bullets and some of the able-bodied men of Long Jawe were conscripted as border scouts by the British army. A few men of Long Jawe were worth mentioning because they put their lives on the line fighting for the country, men like Liu Maling, Ubang Kasau, Along Tanyit and many more.

These men fought to defend the land they thought were their own.

It was the British that moved the people from Long Item to Long Jawe for military strategy- to defend the border, since Long Jawe was close to the border between Sarawak and Indonesia.

At first the Lebu Kulit refused to move but after being promised by the British that they would be given land, they relented but only on condition that a “surat tanah” be issued to them as proof.

At that time, there was no land and survey department, all administrative things were done through the district officer who at that time was assisted by a native officer.

On 15 June 1953, the Brooke government issued only a sketch map showing the boundary where the Lebu Kulit could settle freely.

During present day, the Kenyah Lebu Kulit were once again asked to move out of Long Jawe to make way for development vis-a-vis Bakun Dam.

While the Kenyah Lebu Kulit were resettled at Sungai Asap, albeit reluctantly, their ancestral land at Long Jawe were encroached upon.
“There were massive illegal logging being done on our land to extract timber such as meranti,” said Dennis.

According to him, they had brought the matter to court. ENDS.


Caption:
 ILLEGAL LOGGING: A group of young men from Long Jawe were dejected seeing what's happening to the forest where their ancestors roamed about.

TELANG USAN KOBERA

The Telang Usan cooperative body (KOBERA) was launched yesterday with the aim of reducing the rural poverty in the huge rural constituency.

“This is a historic moment for our people in Telang Usan for through this cooperative movement we hope to bring changes little by little to our rural community. We aim to bring socio-economic changes through our participation in this cooperative movement,” said the chairman of Telang Usan KOBERA Lihan Jok.

Lihan, who is also the Telang Usan assemblyman, said this during a simple launching prior to its inaugural annual general meeting at Dynasty Hotel yesterday.

Present were the Kayan community leader Penghulu Ajang Wan, the assistant director of Malaysian Cooperative Commission (SKM) Miri Lily Fauziah Adenan.

Lihan disclosed  that in a study conducted in 2004, Telang Usan constituency was among the five areas in the state having its population living below the poverty level.

During the meeting, Lihan, as the chairman, also announced the committee line up namely Jok Eng Jok (secretary), councillor Jaraw Brahim (treasurer), Alexander Lian (deputy chairman) and the following members of the board of directors Dorus Katan, Howard Wan, Garry Hashim, Mulin, Robin Udau.

Three persons namely Francis Ding, Erang Ngang and councillor Dennis Ngau Jok were appointed as the internal auditors.

Lihan said this is a good opportunity to serve the needy in our community.

“This is the best opportunity I can give you all to be partners with me to serve our people. You will be the agents of change for our community. The very fact that you were willing to cooperate and be united is a profit in itself already. I hope this spirit of unity will bring the cooperative movement in our constituency to greater heights in the future. The rise and fall of any cooperatives body in the country depend on those who lead and manage the cooperative,” said Lihan.

For this year, Lihan hoped to be able to register 300 members.

“Priority will be given to handicapped persons (OKU) and single mothers in the constituency. I wish to clarify that this is not a welfare body. Even though we are targetting these groups of people as members, this is not a welfare exercise where these people expect handouts. They must be active and productive to be members. For example, the handicapped persons are capable of doing things like handicrafts,” explained Lihan. 

family tragedy

MIRI: Hundreds of friends and relatives came to pay their last respects to four in a family that were killed in a car accident near Marudi two days ago.

Even before the bodies of Ding Wan, his wife Uyang Emang, son 15-year old Gabriel Issac and daughter 11-year old Jacqueline Usun arrived at their home in Taman Tunku crowds of mourners had gathered to wait for their arrival by road from Marudi.

Among those that came were former SIB Sarawak president Reverend Justin Wan, who happened to come from the same longhouse as the deceased, Baram Orang Ulu paramount chief Temenggong Pahang Ding, Long Panai headman Gilbert Ding.

Surviving eldest daughter Beatrice Ding had arrived from Kuala Lumpur earlier. She is taking Business Administration in a college in the capital city. She was seen being comforted by friends from her former school in Miri.

Surviving son, Patrick Wan rushed to Marudi when he heard the news of the tragedy. He is still studying in Form 5 in a secondary school in Miri.

The pastor of SIB Kayan Taman Tunku where the family worship pastor Wan Ajeng said both the late Ding Wan and his wife were active in church work.

“Both of them served as deacons in the church and they were always eager to share their testimony in the church,” said pastor Wan Ajeng.

Most church members described the family as an exemplary family, having the compassion to help others in need.

“This family is a good family. It is such a tragedy. Both of the children that died with the parents are good in their studies, what a loss,” said Wan Jau.

The family were on their way to their longhouse Long Panai in Tutoh-Apoh. Long Panai was only recently accessible by road, and the family were eager to visit their home in the longhouse when they were involved in a self-accident before they could reach Marudi. ENDS.

myy-bp-180210-lj-dingwan-P1

Caption: FAMILY PHOTO IN HAPPIER TIME: From left: patrick, Uyang (mother), Jacqueline, Gabriel, Ding (father), Beatrice.

PENAN HUSBAND MISSING MYSTERY

A Penan woman whose husband went missing mysteriously three months ago still believed her husband is still alive and well even though the authorities had ceased their search and rescue operation.

Thirty-year old Usun Malin from Ba'a Puak in Tutoh said the last time she saw her husband 33-year old Emang Moyong was on 2 November last year at Kilometre 6 Petronas camp near Lapok while having lunch there with her husband and her three brothers Nyagong, Bawing and Selapan.

According to Usun, the husband and her siblings were brought to the camp purportedly to do filming on the Penan's way of hunting monkeys with blowpipe at Loagan Bunut by a local man known to them.

Usun, a mother of two children 8-year old Maria and 6-year old Mathew held the local man responsible for the disappearance of her husband by explaining the actual circumstances of her husband's disappearance.

According to her, the man never came to see the family after the incident.

“I have heard a lot of rumours regarding the mysterious disappearance of my husband. Some said he deliberately ran away, others said he had gone home and others said he was having affairs somewhere. I reject all such rumour,” said Usun.

She told this to the Borneo Post yesterday.

Meanwhile 37-year old Selapan the last man with Emang before his disappearance related that the group should have return to Ba'a tribe on 2 November.

"We arrived at Long Lama approximately 10.30 am and need to buy some essential goods . Suddenly the local man decided to return to camp 6, giving the reason of wanting to do filming at Loagan Bunut, " said Selapan.

According Selapan, the local man brought him and Emang while leaving three other Penan men behind after lunch at the camp. The local man brought them to Loagan Bunut.

"I saw two 4WD vehicles following us from behind which I thought were the film crew. But there was no filming instead the local man drove around for a while before he brought us to the Loagan Bunut hill," said Selapan.

Selapan alleged the local man then forced them to sign a document the content of which they did not know. They refused to sign the document.

"He forced us to sign the document and when we refused he forced us out of the vehicle but we refused to leave. Frustrated the man himself went out without saying anything, "

When the man did not return, both of them came out of the vehicle.

"At that time we saw 10 men from the vehicles that had been following us approached. They looked as if they wanted to frighten us, "

It was at this juncture that Emang ran into the jungle and never to be seen again.

"I tried to run after Emang but it was getting dark by the time," said Selapan.

The next day he continue tracking Emang in the jungle but his effort was futile and he returned to the camp.

Meanwhile, the Long Lama police chief Sergeant Wahid Abdullah, when contacted yesterday confirmed receiving a missing person report on November 7

"A search and rescue operation involving 14 officers was launched twice one in November and another one in December which lasted a total of three weeks," he disclosed.

"However, during the three week operation we cannot locate the missing person Emang Moyong," he added.

Asked whether the police still continue its search and rescue operation, he said the case had been closed since the previous operation were unsuccessful.

"The more we look, the more distant he fled. Hence we decided to close this case. We have been trying to do our best to find Emang, " he said.

Meanwhile, the headman of Long Sayan (another Penan longhouse) Ajang Kiew when met revealed a search and rescue committee involving 5 Penan longhouses had been set up to continue searching for Emang in the jungle.

"We viewed this incident seriously. We want the local man to come forward to explain exactly what had happened," said Ajang. ENDS.

myy-bp-290110-lj-lost

Caption: STILL WAITING: Usun with her two children hoping for a miracle.

ENROL IN CURTIN

MIRI: Students keen to further their studies at tertiary level may want to consider Curtin University of Technology Sarawak campus in Miri.

To help them decide if it is indeed the university for them, Curtin Sarawak is showcasing its academic programmes and academic calendar for the year, its campus facilities and more at its ‘Curtin Information Day’ events in Bintulu, Sibu and Kuching between 29 and 31 January 2010.

Senior lecturers and staff of the university will give talks on selected programmes, accreditation of courses, entry requirements, career prospects in various disciplines, as well as scholarships and study loans.

In addition, students of its school of foundation & continuing studies, school of engineering & science and school of business will be on hand to promote their fields of study and share their experiences of student life at the university.

SPM, STPM, UEC school-leavers and diploma holders in particular are encouraged to attend the events and bring along their transcripts for free assessments of eligibility.

Attractive door gifts will be presented to the first 30 walk-ins at each location.

The first event will be held from 6 pm to 9 pm at the ParkCity Everly Hotel in Bintulu on 29 January 2010.

The next stop will be Tanahmas Hotel in Sibu on 30 January 2010, where there will be two sessions (1 pm to 4 pm and 6 pm to 9 pm).

The final event will be from 1 pm to 4 pm at the Hotel Grand Margherita, Kuching on 31 January 2010.

A similar event, which received considerable response from both school-leavers and working adults, was held at Bintang Megamall in Miri last Sunday.

Curtin Sarawak is situated on a sprawling 300-acre campus in Senadin about 20 kilometres from Miri City and currently has close to 3,000 students from some 40 different countries.

It is a popular choice for its international outlook, innovative courses, world-class teaching facilities, flexible study options, applied and practical subjects, use of advanced technology, partnerships with industry and government, conducive campus location, experienced academics and staff, and active community engagement.

Most significantly, it is the lower cost of studying and living in Miri compared to undergoing tertiary studies in Australia, coupled with the fact that the academic programmes at Curtin Sarawak are identical to those offered at its parent Bentley Campus in Perth, Western Australia, that attracts students to the university.

Curtin Sarawak offers a wide variety of high-quality courses, including foundation courses in commerce, arts, engineering and science; diploma courses in process plant technology, occupational safety and health, and business; undergraduate courses in arts, commerce, engineering and science; and postgraduate studies in project management, business, engineering and science. In addition, it offers pre-university and intensive English Language courses.

Curtin Sarawak’s teaching staff drawn from a number of countries besides Australia and Malaysia are frequently recognised for their teaching excellence, often at international level. They keep up with the latest development in subject areas and integrate the newest advancements in educational technology into their classes.

Indeed, Curtin Sarawak emphasises the need for staff and students to remain at the very forefront of technological and educational progress, so that when its graduates step out into the industry, they are equipped with the most up-to-date information and skills relevant to their new careers.

For further information on the upcoming Curtin Information Day events, contact Michael Kong of Curtin Sarawak’s Marketing Department at 085-443939 or 013-8018656, or log on to the university’s website at www.curtin.edu.my. ENDS.

myy-bp-270110-lj-enrol

CAPTION: BE PART OF A VIBRANT UNIVERSITY CLOSE TO HOME: Students from countries around the world made Curtin Sarawak their first choice.

Lemeting kenyahs extend well-wishes to Borneo Post reporter

MIRI: The Lemeting Kenyahs extended aid to one of its own recently the Borneo Post reporter Lucas Jalong Bato who fell sick while covering the blood donation by the group before last Christmas at the Miri Blood Bank.

Led by its branch chairman the Lemeting branch of the Kenyah National Association (PKKS) Michael Sabang with a few committee members visited Lucas at his home recently to extend well-wishes from members of the branch.

“We sympathised with Lucas and felt it was our social obligation to help in any way we can as he fell sick while covering our activity last year. So we pass the hat among our members as a token of our appreciation and sympathy,” said Michael.

“Although the amount may not be much it is the hearts that give that matter. This is the tradition of our people that we need to preserve among us even though we no longer live in longhouses that is to care for one another,” he added.

Lucas, a veteran reporter with the Borneo Post for over a decade was admitted to hospital and was diagnosed to suffer from benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV).  ENDS.

 Caption: KEEPING THE TRADITION ALIVE: Michael (second left) presenting the donation to Lucas as other committee members look on.