redgoldarawana

Sedekad Bersama Angin Perubahan Mukah (Part 2)

2011-11-14T17:08:00.016+08:00

TERENDAK - THE NEW IDENTITY OF MUKAH

Terendak is a Melanau conical sunhat, originally used by the fisherman and farmers which is still very popular among the community. Today, not only popular as souvenirs, it is now the identity of Mukah Town. A decade in Mukah, Gold Arawana revealed that almost every new building built in Mukah at least with a terandak doom. From the very simple structure of bus stop, to the most notable building of Menara Pehin and Recoda Building.. terendak appeared to be the new identity of Mukah. In fact, institutional buildings (e.g: Mukah Polytechnic), religious centers, and even sport facilities, terendak has shadow the original landmark of fish (a statue at Mukah Old Town to reflect Mukah as a fishing town) for the past a decade declared as a new administrative Division in Sarawak.

As an outsider, Gold Arawana predicts that architects will choose terendak for other notable projects such as UiTM Campus and Mukah New Airport in the future. It is obviously an example of good preservation of Melanau's culture. However, to many terendak in town will looked bored and no more a special attraction for Mukah. Perhaps, builders shall thinking of other traditional identity like jerunei so that it will survived the passage of time. Surpassing fish as a new landmark, the revival of terendak also mark a decade the wind of change "blowing" on Mukah to revive from a fishing village to a Smart City...

Current bird eye's view of Mukah Town, and an artist impression of Mukah as a Smart City (Credit Source: http://www.sarawakscore.com.)

Terendak shape built to beautify religious buildings in Mukah, Masjid Setia Raja, St. Peter & Paul Catholic Church, and even the commercial buildings.

A grandstand at Medan Setia Raja Mukah. It was built for celeration of TYT Birthday few years ago.

Mukah New Bus Terminal (Right) and planned-to-be New Mukah Wet Market

A guard house at Education Department.

New State Administrative Centre for Mukah. The 5-storeys building will be the administrative centre for RECODA, an agency to lead the development of Sarawak Corridor of Renewal Energy (SCORE)

Jabatan Agama Islam (JAIS) building.

A terandak doom at the best and historical secondary school in Mukah, SMK Three Rivers.

Sedekad Bersama Angin Perubahan Mukah (Part 1)

2011-11-14T01:24:00.010+08:00

BAOH ULU, DAERAH DALAT

Sedekad Yang Lalu

Pertama kali menjejakkan kaki di Baoh Ulu adalah sedekad yang lalu, di mana perjalanan yang hanya 25 km dari Jalan Sibu-Selangau mengambil masa hampir satu jam dan agak menakutkan. Jalan tanah yang di bina sebelum ini merupakan satu-satunya jalan darat yang menghubungkan kawasan ini dengan dunia luar. Hujan merupakan musuh utama, di mana jalan yang licin dan becak tidak memungkinkan kenderaan menggunakannya. Malah kereta pacuan 4 roda yang saya gunakan tidak dapat melalui kawasan yang dikelilingi oleh pergunungan dan gaung yang merbahaya kepada pemandu yang tidak berpengalaman. Difahamkan, kawasan Baoh Ulu dihuni oleh lebih 10 buah rumah panjang yang rata-ratanya berketurunan Dayak Iban. Seperti kebiasaan masyarakat Dayak, tanah merupakan harta termahal yang mampu mereka miliki dan rata-rata penduduk di sini adalah petani. Sebuah sekolah yang masih dari binaan kayu terletak di penghujung jalan ini dan memberikan pendidikan awal kepada golongan muda.

Dari kem pembalakan ke kem pertanian komersil

Sejarah pendudukan kaum Iban di kawasan ini tidak dapat saya pastikan. Bagai manapun, berdasarkan binaan salah sebuah rumah panjang yang ditemui dianggarkan bahawa pendudukan mereka adalah sebelum Sarawak menyertai Malaysia. Sungai yang terdekat adalah Sungai Baoh Chelum (Hitam) dan Sungai Baoh Burak (Putih), dan kebanyakkan rumah panjang adalah berdekatan dengan sungai-sungai ini. Industri pembalakan sudah lama meninggalkan kawasan ini, dan ini mungkin juga menjadi faktor perpindahan beberapa buah rumah panjang ke kawasan berdekatan dengan jalan raya untuk memudahkan pergerakan mereka.

Dengan kenaikan mendadak harga-harga komoditi getah dan kelapa sawit, penduduk dilihat giat mengusahakan tanaman-tanaman tersebut secara komersil. Berdasarkan saiz tanaman, getah mungkin sudah lama bertapak tetapi tanaman sawit merupakan tanaman yang dilihat mampu memberikan hasil yang lebih lumayan. Tanaman kontan seperti padi huma masih diusahakan, tetapi mungkin tidak secara besar-besaran seperti dahulu.

Selepas Sedekad

Lima tahun kebelakangan ini, Baoh Ulu dilihat menerima "hadiah" mendadak yang menyaksikan pembinaan kemudahan infrastruktur di kawasan ini. Sedia maklum, kemudahan jalan raya, elektrik dan air adalah mimpi indah yang diinginkan oleh penduduk di sini.

Jalan raya yang asalnya adalah jalan balak sepanjang 13 km dari persimpangan dijih-Selangau kini giat dinaiktaraf kepada jalan berturap pada Fasa ke-3 di bawah pakej NKRA yang kosnya dianggarkan tidak kurang dari RM 15 juta. Selain itu juga, pemasangan tiang-tiang elektrik di sepanjang jalan tersebut dilihat permulaan yang jelas tentang komitmen untuk memajukan kawasan ini. Bagai manapun, perancangan untuk penyambungan bekalan air bersih belum lagi menunjukkan tanda-tanda untuk dilaksanakan.

Yang lebih menakjubkan, kedai-kedai menjual peralatan elektrik dilihat mula dibuka di pekan Selangau, iaitu pekan yang terdekat dengan kawasan ini. Ini mungkin disebabkan faktor penyambungan bekalan elektrik dan juga penduduk yang dilihat sudah mempunyai mampumilik disebabkan oleh pengkomersilan pertanian di kawasan ini.

Sekiranya pada masa dahulu, hanya kereta pacuan 4 roda yang boleh digunakan, penduduk di kawasan ini dilihat sudah memiliki pelbagai jenis kenderaan. Pembinaan secara berperingkat untuk jalan-jalan masuk ke rumah-rumah panjang dilihat sebagai penyumbang utama kepada pertambahan ini. Sekiranya ini berlaku di seluruh negeri, setiap rumah dilihat akan memiliki sekurang-kurangnya sebuah kereta. Berdasarkan statistik pengangkutan penduduk luar bandar yang masih bergantung sepenuhnya kepada sungai, setiap pintu rumah sebenarnya memiliki sekurang-kurangnya sebuah perahu di mana kos penyelengaraannya adalah lebih mahal. Ini mungkin menjawab kepada persoalan bahawa kenderaan darat di Sarawak adalah kurang dari keseluruhan jumlah kenderaan per penduduk di seluruh negara.

Masih banyak yang diperlukan

Dari riak wajah penduduk yang ditemui, rata-rata tersenyum dan berharap agar pembangunan berterusan akan sampai kepada golongan sasaran. Selain pembangunan infrastruktur yang menjadi nadi kepada pembangunan di kawasan ini, program-program lain juga diterima oleh penduduk setempat. Contohnya adalah bantuan kemiskinan e-kasih dan bimbingan pertanian. Sesuai dengan angin perubahan yang melanda Mukah setelah diisytiharkan sebagai Bahagian pada tahun 2002, kawasan Baoh Ulu dilihat turut menerima faedah dan manfaat daripadanya.

Pembaikan dan naiktaraf jalan raya masih yang berterusan diperlukan terutamanya jalan raya utama yang akan menghubungkan kawasan ini dengan Jalan Sibu-Bintulu. Selain itu, pembinaan jalan-jalan masuk ke rumah-rumah panjang juga sangat-sangat diperlukan agar menjamin semua lapisan masyarakat di Sarawak dapat menikmati pembangunan yang menyeluruh. Pembinaan jalan raya dilihat akan membuka ruang pembinaan kepada infrastruktur-infrastruktur lain seperti bekalan air. Jaringan jalan raya yang baik juga dilihat sebagai jalan penyelesaian terbaik mengeluarkan mereka dari ruang kemiskinan dengan kemajuan pertanian dan pengangkutan hasil pertanian yang lebih baik. Di fahamkan jaringan-jaringan jalan raya yang akan menghubungkan kawasan Baoh Ulu ke Mukah sedang giat dirancang dan diharap akan dilaksanakan secepat mungkin.

Sekolah merupakan jalan terbaik untuk mengeluarkan penduduk dari kancah kemiskinan. Berbanding dengan sekolah-sekolah di bandar, sekolah-sekolah di luar bandar Sarawak dilihat sangat daif dan diragui jika mampu mendidik anak-anak di luar bandar seperti rakan-rakan mereka di bandar. Sesuai dengan peredaran zaman, sekolah dari binaan kayu dilihat tidak lagi sesuai digunakan. Ini berdasarkan kejadian kebakaran yang pernah menimpa asrama di SK Iban Union pada tahun 2002 yang mengorbankan nyawa. Tidak dinafikan bahawa terdapat anak-anak Baoh Ulu yang telah berjaya dalam akademik. Cuba kita bayangkan, sekiranya mereka diberikan kemudahan persekolahan yang lebih baik, mungkinkah kita akan menghasilkan lebih ramai cendekiawan?

Pembangunan Luar Bandar Tiada Penghujung

Buat masa ini, Gold Arawana percaya bahawa pembangunan berterusan telah dirancang untuk semua kawasan luar bandar. Di Baoh Ulu, perubahan amat ketara disaksikan sendiri oleh Gold Arawana selama sedekad mengenalinya. Bagai manapun, angin perubahan tidak akan berjaya dengan sendirinya tanpa usaha sama dari penduduk setempat. Bagi penduduk di luar bandar, tanah yang terbentang luas adalah pintu kepada keluar dari ruang kemiskinan. Dengan bantuan kerajaan yang memerintah, pemodenan pertanian dan galakan persekolahan adalah satu-satunya cara untuk keluar dari kepompong kemiskinan. Gold Arawana masih teringat dengat ucapan Yang Berhormat Datuk Hajah Fatimah Abdullah yang juga ADUN bagi Dalat termasuk kawasan Baoh Ulu di salah sebuah rumah panjang, "Berikan mereka kail, jangan beri mereka ikan. Agar mereka nanti mampu berdikari sendiri." Beliau merujuk kepada pendidikan anak-anak. Semoga angin perubahan Mukah akan sentiasa dirasai di Baoh Ulu. Tahniah kepada penduduk-penduduk di Baoh Ulu dan agensi-agensi kerajaan/swasta yang terlibat.

Kut Canal - Unsung Hero of Dalat

2011-11-12T20:22:00.004+08:00

Built in 1870, this man made canal is connecting Batang Oya and Batang Igan for travelers shortcut to Dalat Town. On his hey-day, Kut Canal was the main transport of Melanau Town of Dalat to Sibu. Today, it is still on his pride to serve the settlements on the region. It is even still one of water intake for the kampongs nearby.

By completion of roads and Jambatan Temenggong Mat Win (a bridge crossing Batang Oya to connect kampongs apposite of Dalat Town), Kut Canal no more a choice for transportation mode. However, it shall not lost its respect to the local as an unsung hero of Dalat. Even though it is now getting narrower and shallower, Kut Canal is still there and ever-ready to serve the peoples.

Speech on "I Have A Dream"

2011-09-30T22:32:00.007+08:00

redgoldarawana ON THE MOST UNFORGETTABLE SPEECH - 'I HAVE A DREAM' BY MARTIN LUTHER KING...

In my trial to look for most unforgettable speech, I found this and try to understand its deep meaning... As I keep trying to understand, I preserved my salutation to his speech that has changed the world on my redgoldarawana blog, with billion of hopes that we will live in a better world.. Interesting and fantastic that his speech was made few weeks before the formation of my beloved, the one and only country, Malaysia.

Martin Luther King (Photo credit photo: Wikipedia)

On 28 August, 1963, Martin Luther King delivered his magnificent "I have a dream speech" on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington. Below is the full text of his speech. (Credit Source: news.bbc.co.uk)

I am happy to join with you today in what will go down in history as the greatest demonstration for freedom in the history of our nation.

Five score years ago, a great American, in whose symbolic shadow we stand, signed the Emancipation Proclamation. This momentous decree came as a great beacon light of hope to millions of Negro slaves who had been seared in the flames of withering injustice. It came as a joyous daybreak to end the long night of captivity.

But 100 years later, we must face the tragic fact that the Negro is still not free. One hundred years later, the life of the Negro is still sadly crippled by the manacles of segregation and the chains of discrimination. One hundred years later, the Negro lives on a lonely island of poverty in the midst of a vast ocean of material prosperity. One hundred years later, the Negro is still languishing in the corners of American society and finds himself an exile in his own land.

And so we've come here today to dramatize an appalling condition. In a sense we've come to our nation's capital to cash a cheque. When the architects of our republic wrote the magnificent words of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, they were signing a promissory note to which every American was to fall heir. This note was a promise that all men would be guaranteed the inalienable rights of "Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness."

It is obvious today that America has defaulted on this promissory note insofar as her citizens of colour are concerned. Instead of honouring this sacred obligation, America has given the Negro people a bad cheque which has come back marked "insufficient funds." But we refuse to believe that the bank of justice is bankrupt. We refuse to believe that there are insufficient funds in the great vaults of opportunity of this nation. So we've come to cash this cheque - a cheque that will give us upon demand the riches of freedom and the security of justice.

Sweltering summer... of discontent

We have also come to this hallowed spot to remind America of the fierce urgency of now. This is no time to engage in the luxury of cooling off or to take the tranquilizing drug of gradualism. Now is the time to rise from the dark and desolate valley of segregation to the sunlit path of racial justice. Now is the time to lift our nation from the quicksands of racial injustice to the solid rock of brotherhood. Now is the time to make justice a reality for all of God's children.

It would be fatal for the nation to overlook the urgency of the moment. This sweltering summer of the Negro's legitimate discontent will not pass until there is an invigorating autumn of freedom and equality. 1963 is not an end, but a beginning. Those who hope that the Negro needed to blow off steam and will now be content will have a rude awakening if the nation returns to business as usual.

There will be neither rest nor tranquillity in America until the Negro is granted his citizenship rights. The whirlwinds of revolt will continue to shake the foundations of our nation until the bright day of justice emerges.

But there is something that I must say to my people, who stand on the warm threshold which leads into the palace of justice: in the process of gaining our rightful place we must not be guilty of wrongful deeds. Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred. We must forever conduct our struggle on the high plane of dignity and discipline. We must not allow our creative protest to degenerate into physical violence. Again and again we must rise to the majestic heights of meeting physical force with soul force.

The marvellous new militancy which has engulfed the Negro community must not lead us to distrust of all white people, for many of our white brothers, as evidenced by their presence here today, have come to realize that their destiny is tied up with our destiny. They have come to realise that their freedom is inextricably bound to our freedom. We cannot walk alone. And as we walk, we must make the pledge that we shall march ahead. We cannot turn back.

Trials and tribulations

There are those who are asking the devotees of civil rights: "When will you be satisfied?" We can never be satisfied as long as the Negro is the victim of the unspeakable horrors of police brutality. We can never be satisfied as long as our bodies, heavy with the fatigue of travel, cannot gain lodging in the motels of the highways and the hotels of the cities. We cannot be satisfied as long as the Negro's basic mobility is from a smaller ghetto to a larger one. We can never be satisfied as long as our children are stripped of their selfhood and robbed of their dignity by signs stating "For Whites Only". We cannot be satisfied and we will not be satisfied as long as a Negro in Mississippi cannot vote and a Negro in New York believes he has nothing for which to vote. No, no, we are not satisfied, and we will not be satisfied until justice rolls down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream.

I am not unmindful that some of you have come here out of great trials and tribulations. Some of you have come fresh from narrow jail cells. Some of you have come from areas where your quest for freedom left you battered by the storms of persecution and staggered by the winds of police brutality. You have been the veterans of creative suffering. Continue to work with the faith that unearned suffering is redemptive.

Go back to Mississippi, go back to Alabama, go back to Georgia, go back to Louisiana, go back to the slums and ghettos of our northern cities, knowing that somehow this situation can and will be changed.

Let us not wallow in the valley of despair. I say to you today, my friends, that in spite of the difficulties and frustrations of the moment, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream.

The dream

I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed - we hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal.

I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave-owners will be able to sit down together at a table of brotherhood.

I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a desert state, sweltering with the heat of injustice and oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.

I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the colour of their skin but by the content of their character.

I have a dream today!

I have a dream that one day, down in Alabama, with its vicious racists, with its governor having his lips dripping with the words of interposition and nullification; one day right there in Alabama little black boys and little black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers.

I have a dream today!

I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight, and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together.

This is our hope. This is the faith that I will go back to the South with. With this faith we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope.

With this faith we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood. With this faith we will be able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together, to go to jail together, to stand up for freedom together, knowing that we will be free one day.

This will be the day, this will be the day when all of God's children will be able to sing with a new meaning: "My country, 'tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing. Land where my fathers died, land of the pilgrim's pride, from every mountainside, let freedom ring." And if America is to be a great nation, this must become true.

And so let freedom ring from the prodigious hilltops of New Hampshire.
Let freedom ring from the mighty mountains of New York.
Let freedom ring from the heightening Alleghenies of Pennsylvania!
Let freedom ring from the snow-capped Rockies of Colorado.
Let freedom ring from the curvaceous peaks of California.
But not only that.
Let freedom ring from Stone Mountain of Georgia.
Let freedom ring from Lookout Mountain of Tennessee.
Let freedom ring from every hill and every molehill of Mississippi, from every mountainside, let freedom ring!

And when this happens, when we allow freedom to ring, when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God's children, black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual: "Free at last! Free at last! thank God Almighty, we are free at last!"

Full bibliography of Martin Luther King can be read HERE or HERE.

Mukah - Destinasi Pelancongan Bagi Kaki Pancing..

2011-07-04T17:10:00.010+08:00

Pengalaman Pertama Memancing di laut dalam merupakan pengalaman yang baru bagi Gold Arawana. Bagai manapun, bagi mereka yang memang meminati aktiviti lasak ini, memancing di perairan laut dalam Mukah adalah suatu pengalaman yang sukar untuk dilepaskan. Pengalaman pertama memancing di laut dalam memang sedikit menakutkan. Apalagi di kelilingi oleh laut yang seolah-olah tiada penghujungnya. Apabila tiba waktu malam pula, tiada apa yang kelihatan kecuali sekiranya ada bulan dan bintang di langit. Ketika inilah, biasanya rasa-rasa mual akan menyerang. Bagi yang berpengalaman, ubat bukanlah satu kemestian, tetapi bagi Gold Arawana, pengalaman memancing tidak akan dapat dinikmati sekiranya diserang "mabuk percuma" yang disumbangkan oleh laut yang bergelora.

Industri Memancing di MukahMukah, sebuah bandar pesisir yang asalnya merupakan perkampungan nelayan dari suku kaum Melanau memang terkenal sekian lamanya sebagai pengeluar produk makanan laut. Ini terbukti dengan kehadiran pengunjung dari Sibu dan Sarikei yang membeli ikan dan hasil-hasil laut terutamanya pada hujung minggu.

Perahu yang disewakan biasanya dari Gred "A" iaitu yang hanya dibenarkan untuk beroperasi sejauh 30 Batu Nautika (Gold Arawana) kurang pasti dengan polisi ini. Bagai manapun, perahu buatan dari kayu tropika ini biasanya mampu membawa lebih dari 10 orang pemancing. Sewa yang dikenakan adalah sebanyak RM1,800.00 untuk memancing selama satu hari/satu malam. Ini tidak termasuk umpan dan makanan.

Gold Arawana difahamkan, masa yang paling sesuai adalah dari bulan April hingga Oktober iaitu selepas Pesta Kaul dijalankan yang merupakan perayaan tahunan oleh kaum Melanau.

Potensi Pelancongan

Potensi yang ditawarkan adalah sangat lumayan. Itulah gambaran awal yang dapat Gold Arawana gambarkan di sini. Tempahan biasanya perlu dibuat seminggu atau kadang-kadang jauh lebih awal kerana pemancing-pemancing bukan sahaja dari kawasan terdekat, malah terdapat kaki pancing sejauh Kuching, Miri dan juga rakan-rakan dari Semenanjung Malaysia. Hari minggu dan cuti umum adalah kemuncak bagi aktiviti memancing di Mukah.

Oleh yang demikian, aktiviti memancing di Mukah dilihat dan terbukti mampu menarik ramai pengunjung ke Mukah di samping menambahkan pendapatan nelayan-nelayan di sini.

Spesis ikan

Gold Arawana kurang pasti dengan spesis-spesis yang boleh didapati. Tetapi, ikan merah dan kerapu adalah antara ikan-ikan yang biasa diperolehi. Terdapat juga spesis lain yang Gold Arawana tidak kenali, tetapi menurut kaki-kaki pancing spesis "ikan mahal" sememangnya tidak akan mengecewakan pemancing. Tidak hairanlah, setiap kaki pancing yang pernah memancing di Mukah akan cuba sedaya upaya untuk datang kembali ke Mukah.

Pengalaman Yang Tidak Akan Dilupakan

Gold Arawana berkesempatan bertanyakan kepada kawan-kawan kaki pancing, adakah berbaloi untuk mengikuti aktiviti ini. Ya... sekiranya dikira dengan RM yang dikeluarkan dan keletihan yang penat lelah diperolehi, memang tidak berbaloi. Tetapi, jika dikira dengan pengalaman yang diperolehi, RM bukanlah ukuran...

Jadi, kepada kaki-kaki pancing, jangan dilepaskan peluang ini.. Welcome to Mukah....

NOTA TAMBAHAN: MUKAH DIHUBUNGI DENGAN PENGANGKUTAN UDARA DARI KUCHING & MIRI, DAN PERJALANAN DARAT DARI KUCHING MENGAMBIL MASA DALAM 8 JAM PERJALANAN.

River and Life (Batang Mukah)

2011-06-23T23:40:00.011+08:00

As part of my mission to "An Honor to Serve", I'm given an honor to accompany a group of officers from Sarawak Ministry of Tourism to Tasik Kenyana. A journey take about one hour along Batang Mukah is a second trip for me. Batang Mukah is the earliest settlement for Melanau tribe apart from other places like Dalat, Matu, Daro, Balingian, and Belawai. They dominate the downstreamof the river, and Dayak Iban longhouses dominate the upperstream. Other towns along the river is Penakub and Selangau which is situated right at the Pan Borneo so-called highway junction to Mukah. Other articles related to Batang Mukah can be read HERE (Beauties of Mukah River), also visit HERE, HERE, HERE (Tasik Kenyana).

View on the estuary of Batang Mukah. On the left is Mukah Wet Market and on the right is Taman Tanjung Pedada, where the "Pedada" (local name given to a type of swamp tree) forest are preserved.

Mukah Wet Market: Mukah popular for its fresh seafood. Some says that the price is much more expensive compare to Sibu or Kuching. Either it is worth to buy is on the judgement of the customers. "Umai" is one of the "hot" sale here..

Mukah Wet Market for vegetables, where plenty of choices of jungle products can be found here. "Siet" is the most popular item to buy...

Batang Mukah: The earliest mode of transportation on its younger age. The settlements along the riverbank are the best evidence that Batang Mukah is the course for the birth of Mukah Town. Nowadays, Mukah is the fastest developed town in Sarawak. In his heyday, Batang Mukah is an unsung hero for the only mode of transportation and other needs for the peoples live along the river.

Pedada dominate the first 15 minutes by speed boat than follow by commercial crops like rumbia, palm oil plantations and rubber trees...

A local fisherman still use his traditional way of fishing... some of them still very much rely on river to transport mulung(sago logs) as it is much cheaper than through land transport..

The famous landmark of Mukah... Mukah Bridge

A tug boat... the tug everything: logs, coal, sand, etc...

Coal mining is one of the most "hot" business in Mukah for recent years. Apart supplying for his own, Mukah Coal Plant, Mukah is the coal supplier for Kuching Sejingkat Coal Plant. With the development of few major hydro dam in the centre part of Sarawak as part of renewal energy, shall government considered to stop the operation of coal mine? Interesting question to know..

Batang Mukah is not only for human being, it is shared together by thousand of floras and faunas. Egrets are one of the seasonal visitor to this river...

Swiftlet is another growing industries in Mukah for recent years. There are maybe at least 50 swiftlets on the riverbank.

One of a rural school in Mukah. Nowadays, they nomore considered as rural school as they are already connected by roads...

Ladies or men, adult and their childrens are historically train to have a strong relationship with the river....

The two scenarios: Above photo showing a lady wash her clothes on the riverbank. A normal daily schedule I believe have been there since their first settlement here for centuries. A photo below showing rubbishes and waste from logging, sago & plantation industries which totally damaging the natural beauties of Batang Mukah.

Only in Mukah: A modern factory processing the rumbia (sago log).. As river is the cheapest way of transportation, the factory mostly built along the riverbank. The wastage and river pollution? I might not the right person to comment!

Mukah Old Town. Like other cities in this world, Mukah town is slowly developed into a bigger town, and the leaders' vision to make Mukah as a Smart City for central region is in the making. As a smart city, the leaders also shall think of maintaining Batang Mukah as close to its natural beauties. This will be the best appreaciation to him, as the best aliby on observing the transformation of Mukah from a fisherman village to the Smart City.

Sekitar Malam Perpaduan Gawai Dayak Mukah 2011..

2011-06-21T23:57:00.036+08:00

Diadakan sebagai acara tahunan oleh Persatuan Kebangsaan Dayak Sarawak (SDNU) dan Persatuan Kebangsaan Dayak Bidayuh (DBNA), Malam Perpaduan Gawai Dayak Mukah pada tahun ini diadakan pada 14 Mei, 2011 di Kingwood Resort. Perayaan terbesar di Sarawak ini disertai oleh lebih 1200 orang di mana ini merupakan had maksimum untuk Dewan Ballroom Kingwood Resort. Tetamu kehormat adalah Timbalan Ketua Menteri Sarawak, YB Tan Sri Datuk Patinggi Dr Alfred Jabu Ak Numpang. Laporan berkaitan boleh di baca di SINI, SINI dan SINI.

Upacara Miring...

Meja VVIP: Pegawai Daerah Dalat (En Yussipnosh Balo), Gold Arawana, YB Tan Sri Datuk Patinggi Dr. Alfred Jabu, YB Datuk Dr Stephen Rundi, Timbalan Residen Mukah (En Junaidi Mohidin), Jurutera Bahagian JKR Mukah (En Hipani Hj Alwi)

Tarian kebudayaan Dayak Iban dengan diiringi oleh "taboh" Iban. Dayak Bidayuh dan Dayah Orang Ulu turut mengadakan persembahan kebudayaan.

Cantik Menawan: Salah seorang peserta Pertandingan Kumang memperagakan pakaian Etnik Dayak Bidayuh

Semuanya Cantik: 10 orang gadis-gadis Dayak Mukah yang menyertai Pertandingan Kumang memperagakan pakaian masing-masing

Antara aksi-aksi kumang-kumang yang bertanding

Gagah.... Salah seorang peserta Pertandingan Keling memperagakan aksi kepahlawanan beliau

Pahlawan-pahlawan Dayak Mukah yang menyertai Pertandingan Keling

Tuan Residen Mukah (Hj Saudi), YB Datuk Stephen, YB Tan Sri Datuk Patinggi Dr Alfred Jabu, Gold Arawana

Majlis penyampaian hadiah kepada Keling Gawai Mukah 2011. Beliau membawa pulang hadiah wang tunai RM800, piala, hamper, sijil penghargaan serta penginapan dua hari satu malam di Mukah Kingwood Resort

Majlis penyampaian hadiah kepada Kumang Gawai Mukah 2011 - Beliau membawa pulang hadiah-hadiah berupa wang tunai RM1,000.00, selendang, mahkota, rantai, piala serta penginapan dua hari satu malam di Mukah Kingwood Resort

Pemahkotaan dan pemakaian selendang kepada Kumang Gawai Mukah 2011

Para pemenang Pertandingan Kumang dan Keling bergambar bersama dif-dif Kehormat

Ngirup Ai Pengayu... antara tradisi yang dilakukan oleh Dayak Iban.. bagai manapun, acara minum tuak/atau air minuman lain yang tidak beralkohol bagi mereka yang beragama Islam turut disertai oleh pelbagai kaum yang bersama-sama meraikan gawai Mukah.

Bergambar bersama artis jemputan yang juga bekas celebriti Akademi Fantasia (AF), Claudia Geres (gaun putih). Penyanyi terkenal Dayak Iban, zjames Ruai turut diundang untuk mengadakan persembahan

Hebat:Kumpulan D'Sago mempersembahkan lagu-lagu Gawai yang merancakkan acara majlis

Gold Arawana Junior turut bergembira dengan gaya tersendiri..

Gold Arawana mengambil kesempatan ini mengucapkan ribuan terima kasih kepada semua yang menjayakan Malam Perpaduan Gawai Dayak Mukah 2011. Tiada sumbangan anda, maka kuranglah seri Gawai kita. Bersatu Teguh, Bercerai Kita Roboh. Salam Segulai Sejalai...

Dayak Salako - The Lost and Found Tribe in Sarawak (Part 6)

2011-06-12T11:02:00.009+08:00

Gold Arawana on Gawe Adat Ba'taah

"Gawe Adat Ba'taah" is a celebration of blessing to a new born baby. For this gawe held in Kg Siru on 11.05.2011 was for a mix Salako-Iban young parent to their nine-months son. The Gawe is considered small celebration with the offering of seven (7) cocks. For bigger celebration, a pig is offered. Others like "tumpik", "po'ek", "bontokng" are also prepared in medium size depending on the expectation of guests. As their religion is Christian, salutation to this young parent on the celebration, as they still maintain the Dayak Salako culture on blessing their son. On Gold Arawana point of view as a believer of Jesus Christ too, you are on the right way...

THE NEW GENERATION OF DAYAK SALAKO

The first photo is showing Ketua Kampung (Kampong Chief), Nek Akang Lani on his offering. The far view (not very clear) is Nek Usu Jimi, one of the eldest man in Siru.

The second photo, is one of the young generation man, Utoh@Miya who has the clear potential of continue the traditional celebration of Gawe in Salako culture.

Traditional Cock Fighting (Sabung Manok)

2011-06-08T21:03:00.032+08:00

For the very first time in my life, I enjoyed my experience on cock-fighting. In Sarawak, cock fighting is considered legal as long as they get police permits especially during Gawai season. For the photos below, it was taken during a "Gawai Antu" celebration at a longhouse at Ulu Kanowit. For Dayak Iban of this longhouse community, cockfighting and other gambling activities are allowed only for special gawai celebrations.

THE CONTENDERS

Some of the cock fighters are captured on my camera. Of course I cannot captured all, as there are too many. This remind me to Gladiator during Rome empire. However, so pity to the cocks, some of them might having their last meal...

THE SPECTATORS

As expected, most of the spectators are male. None are underage, and only few ladies. They are coming all the way from nearest longhouses, bringing their own gladiators...

COCK-GLADIATORS IN ACTION

The action start with negotiating the bet, including preparation of their cock-gladiators with a sharp cock-fighting knife known by the locals as "taji"...

THE FIGHTING OF THE TOURNAMENT

The only thing that can stop them is heavy rain weather. Fortunately, the most expensive betting was done right before the mother nature shown her anger. The gladiators are fighting to their last breath but the result was decided result draw. Both gladiators was dead on the spot...

THE WINNERS AND THE LOSERS

For the cock-fighters, they still can smiled even though they lose their gladiators. As a sportsmanship spirit, there must be a winner and losers. No point for arguments. For the cock-gladiators, lose means he lose his life. For the winners, he has no prize to proud of. Or even, his master is not promising that he will be given a special treatment for his life survival. Most of them will end their life on the frying pan...

SOMETHING TO REMEMBER

From a chick becoming to the cock-gladiator, the cock being given special food and train to be a fighter. This is similar to the gladiators during Rome empire. For modern world, some of us being fighting to each other due to power and money. Those who well prepared for it, knows how to survive and strong back-bone will be the winner... For human, the "taji" means money.

Tradition here means that cock-fighting is not a must for Dayak Iban community, anyway the cock-fighting activities has been recognized as a culture for Iban community for centuries on special gawai occasions. Compare to the modern cock-fighting in other countries, this activities is not mainly for betting, fun and spirit of sportsmanship is a major encouragement.

Travel by Air Asia- Miri to Kuching...

2011-06-07T15:27:00.028+08:00

Flying by Air Asia Airbus from Miri Airport, a second largest city of Sarawak to Kuching International Airport, Borneo's Largest City was a new experience for me. The 30 photos below will no need my further explanation as they will be the best story-teller for my journey...

DEPARTURE

Miri Airport. The largest Airport in Northern Sarawak which links the rural areas to the Oil City. On far view is an ATR plane which connect the city to other Division in Sarawak as well as Sabah and Brunei. A smaller plane known as twin-otter connect the city to rural stolport as well as Mukah Division.

The modern Miri Airport is located about half an hour driving from the City Centre. Offshore flights for Shell is one of their major customer.

AIR VIEW

About five to ten minutes after departs, scatered private houses, longhouses and small farms can be seen nearby the airport. From my view, most of them still connected by unpaved road. There is noway to fly above Miri City as it is laid towards northern coastal area.

Open burning for a small scale farmer in Sarawak considered normal.

About fifteen minutes later, the land looks belong to plantation. Plantations can be seen for another fortyfive minutes before I can see the beautiful Damai Beach, in Kuching Divison

Clear boundary. Coastal area belong to the small-scale farmers, and rural areas belong to plantations.

As we fly higher, clear view of scattered settlements. That is the common excuse on the difficulties for government to serve them with basic facilities.

THE CLOUDS

Half of the journey, my camera only captured on the natural white carpets. To my eyes, they are too beautiful....

On some areas, the view still can be seen but too small to capture.

Extreme plantations on the hilly areas can be seen clearly... I dont have any ide on the actual location, but I strongly believed it is somewhere at Bintulu Division.

Thicker & Bigger Clouds... Ready for turbulence... Fuhhhh...

Another clear boundary between the plantations and small-scale farmers' land

For all Air Asia flights, "lelongan" on air is normal...

COASTAL TOWN OF SARAWAK

From Bintulu to Mukah area, we have the chance to fly above the South China Sea. The ships and gas platforms are too small to be seen on the photo.

Mukah Town. As it is growing bigger, Mukah can easily spot through its small airport and famous Mukah Polytechnic.

BATANG RAJANG

Batang Rajang, the longest river in Malaysia...

Estuary of Batang Rajang, the famous and development of Tanjung Manis as new industrial areas for Sarawak can be seen here.

Damai & Santubong; one of the famous beautiful beaches for Sarawak.

Most of the coastal area of Sarawak is surrounded by swamp. The natural artist is paving her own story on the swamp beach.

SUNGAI SARAWAK

We are ready to land...

Again, we were served with another view on scattered settlements. This time I believe is in Samarahan Divison..

The Northern part of Kuching City can be seen here. Settlements can be seen along the Sungai Sarawak...

On far view is Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK). There is rumours that Borneo's tallest building to be name as Kuching Tower will be build next to it...

ARRIVAL

On the right, near view is 1st Silicon, one of the biggest electronic factory in Kuching.

Kuching City, the largest City in Borneo island.

Newly developed housing estate near to the airport... Some says that housing sales in Kuching are too expensive...

The near view are Stutong Resettlement Scheme, and the far view are modern housing estate.

Newly completed Stutong-Kuching Airport Link Road....

Finally, we safely landed at Kuching International Airport. On Far view is Fire Fly plane, another alternative that connect the Peninsular Malaysia with Sabah and Sarawak.....

Malam Amal Kebudayaan Dayak

2011-06-07T14:14:00.008+08:00

Kad undangan yang menarik, berharga Rp250/RM90.. Bagai manapun, sumbangan adalah terpulang kepada budi bicara dan keikhlasan penyumbang.

Kad undangan dengan gambar-gambar kebudayaan masyarakat Dayak di Kalimantan Barat.

Menarik perhatian Gold Arawana adalah moto yang digunakan iaitu "Adil Ka'Talino, Ba'curamin Ka'saruga, Basengat Ka'Jubata"

Usaha yang sangat murni diusahakan oleh badan kebudayaan Kalimantan Barat dalam mengetengahkan tradisi dan budaya masyarakat Dayak.

Gold Arawana sangat tertarik dengan moto mereka yang berbunyi,"ADIL KA'TALINO, BACURAMIN KA'SARUGA, BASENGAT KA'JUBATA". Saya kurang arif tentang etnik Dayak di Indonesia, tetapi moto tersebut menyerupai Bahasa Dayak Bidayuh Salako di Sarawak.

Sayangnya, Gold Arawana tidak berkesempatan untuk mengikuti rombongan SDNU ke Indonesia bagi Malam Amal tersebut, bagaimanapun jutaan terima kasih di atas usaha Saudara Anthony Banyan yang mengumpulkan sumbangan melalui KAD UNDANGAN di atas dan menjadi salah seorang delegasi Dayak Sarawak ke majlis tersebut. Berita tentang lawatan tersebut boleh dilawati di Blog Saudara Anthony Banyan di SINI.

Gold Arawana Swims to Betong...

2011-05-28T18:10:00.006+08:00

Gold Arawana bersama 20 orang rombongan mewakili pelbagai kaum Dayak dari Mukah memeriahkan sambutan Gawai Dayak Bahagian Betong di Dewan Datuk Stephen Kalong Ningkan pada 20 Mei, 2011. Dayak Bidayuh diberikan penghormatan menganjurkan gawai kali ini di mana perhiasan-perhiasan kebanyakkannya berdasarkan kesenian budaya Dayak Bidayuh. Sambutan sangat meriah dengan Gold Arawana difahamkan lebih 120 meja terjual dengan tetamu seramai lebih 1200 orang.

Rombongan Mukah diberikan penghormatan untuk mempersembahkan satu persembahan pada malam itu di samping persembahan pihak penganjur. Oleh yang demikian, rombongan Mukah mempersembahkan satu tarian Kaum Melanau yang dipimpin oleh Pn Jasmin Tahirin Smith dari Sri Ritma Borneo yang berasal juga dari Mukah. Selain Mukah, SDNU Sibu Jaya turut hadir memeriahkan majlis tersebut. Tetamu Kehormat merupakan Timbalan Ketua Menteri Sarawak, Yang Berhormat Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Alfred Jabu ak Numpang serta isteri, Dato Sri Empiang Jabu.

Cenderamata untuk orang kuat Betong, Tuan Residen: Datu Romie. (Dari Kiri: Datu Romie: Residen, Dr Anthony: Timbalan Residen, Gold Arawana, En Francis)

Rombongan Mukah bergambar kenangan bersama Apai Pembangunan Betong merangkap Timbalan Ketua Menteri Sarawak, Yang Berhormat Datuk Patinggi (Dr) Alfred Jabu Ak Numpang)

Delegasi dari Mukah: Gold Arawana, En Augutine, En Agak

Unik dan Menarik: Baruk, bangunan yang bercirikan struktur Dayak Bidayuh di bina di pintu masuk Dewan Datuk Stephen Kalong Ningkan sebagai simbolik kepada Dayak Bidayuh sebagai penganjur Gawai Dayak Bahagian Betong 2011.

Delegasi dari Mukah yang terdiri daripada AJK Perpaduan Gawai Dayak Mukah 2011 dan penari-penari Sri Ritma Borneo.

Delegasi Mukah memasuki Baruk

Pn Jasmin Tahirin Smith (Empat dari Kiri) bersama rombongan penari Tarian Kontemporari Melanau yang dipersembahkan khas dari rombongan Mukah.

Sangat Meriah dan mengagumkan: Perayaan Gawai Bahagian Betong mengikut cara Dayak Bidayuh dimulai dengan penuh adat istiadat

Gawai merupakan perayaan kaum Dayak dan diumumkan sebagai cuti khas setiap 1 & 2 Jun, sebagai penghormatan dan perpaduan kaum Dayak di Sarawak.

Gold Arawana selaku pengerusi AJK Perpaduan Gawai Mukah mengucapkan setinggi-tinggi penghargaan kepada Yang Berhormat Datuk Patinggi di atas jemputan ke Betong, Datu Residen dan semua yang terlibat dalam penganjuran Gawai Bahagian Betong 2011 di atas kerjasama, penghormatan yang diberikan serta kemudahan disediakan sepanjang di Betong, Puan Jasmin Tahirin Smith serta penari-penari Sri Ritma Borneo yang secara sukarela bersama rombongan untuk mempersembahkan tarian khas mewakili AJK Perpaduan Gawai Dayak Mukah....

Gambar-gambar adalah ehsan dari En Bajik Rupen, salah seorang delegasi Mukah ke Betong...

Thank You Sin Chew Jit Poh....

2011-05-25T22:39:00.005+08:00

I do not know how to comment, because I even dont understand what the write about us. Anyway, I know that it must be something good. Thanks to blogger Toh Chee Leong for his contribution of this newspaper cutting.

Memorable Miring ceremony:From left - Gold Arawana, YB Dr Stephen Rundi, YB Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr Alfred Jabu, Mukah Resident's Hj Saudi Narani

Thank You Borneo Post..

2011-05-25T22:12:00.004+08:00

This article was originally published by Mr Gaing Kunding, front page of Borneo Post on Monday, 16th May, 2011.

MUKAH: Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu has described the call by Movement of Change Sarawak (MoCS) for Chief Minister Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud to step down as going against the people’s wish.

SHE’S THE FAIREST: Kumang Gawai Mukah 2011 Louisa Irene Sigie with other winners of the Kumang and Keling Gawai Mukah after the prize presentation ceremony. Also in the picture are (from left) Saudi, Jabu, Dr Rundi and Minjo.

The deputy chief minister said the people had given the mandate to Barisan Nasional (BN) to govern the state during the recent election when it obtained more than two-thirds majority in the State Legislative Assembly.

As such, he said Taib has every right not to entertain MoCS’ call which he said “was coming from the mouth of frustrated individuals advocating politics of backwardness and hatred against the wish of the majority of Sarawakians.”

For this, Jabu suggested that MoCS change its name to ‘Movement of Change for Backwardness in Sarawak’ to better reflect their ignorance, frustration and denial.

Turning to opposition parties from Peninsular Malaysia, the PBB deputy president called on Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) to reform the party first before spreading its ‘reformasi’ agenda to Sarawak.

“What is the meaning of ‘reformasi’ if PKR still depends on Anwar’s leadership despite all the controversies and scandals as widely reported?” he asked, while reminding the opposition not to engage in rough and dirty tactics to win the hearts and minds of the local people.

“If you test our patience, don’t blame us for reacting,” he warned. Jabu made the remarks in his speech as guest-of-honour at the Mukah Pre-Gawai Dayak 2011 Unity dinner organised by Dayak Bidayuh National Association (DBNA) and Sarawak Dayak National Union (SDNU) Mukah branches in collaboration with Mukah Resident’s and District offices.

The dinner was also attended by Assistant Minister of Public Health Dr Stephen Rundi Utom, Resident Saudi Narani, Mukah district officer Mohamad Nawawi, Dalat district officer Yussibnosh Balo, Mukah/Dalat walikota Ali Suhaili, organising chairman Minjo Simanding, heads of government departments and community leaders.

Saying it was him who coined the theme ‘Segulai Sejalai’ (Unity and Togetherness) for Gawai Dayak festivals, Jabu hoped that members of the Dayak community would embrace the theme as their driving force to achieve greater success in their various undertakings.

At the function, Jabu announced his personal grant of RM10,000 besides the RM5,000 from Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Datuk Seri Douglas Uggah Embas and RM5,000 from Dr Rundi, who is also Kemena assemblyman.

Additionally, Jabu also sponsored RM1,000 for a song by Saudi and raised more than RM10,000 for his ‘Ngajat Iban’ performance.

Meanwhile, 21-year-old Louisa Irene Sigie of Rumah Garit, Jalan Selangau-Mukah won the coveted Kumang Gawai Mukah 2011 title in the beauty contest held in conjunction with the unity dinner at Kingwood Resort Mukah.

She walked home with RM1,000 plus a crown, sash, trophy, certificate and a brochure for a one-night stay at Kingwood Resort Mukah.

In second place was Senorita Seti Belong, 22, of Rumah Geruna, Sungai Temesu, Jalan Selangau-Mukah followed by Herly Edwin, 18 of Kuarters JKR Mukah in third place.

They walked home with RM500 and RM400 respectively and a trophy, hamper and certificate each.

In the male category, the Keling Gawai Mukah 2011 title was won by Mcgyaiver Saong Bakar, 20 of Rumah Bakar, Sungai Badengan.

Mcgyaiver walked home with RM800, a trophy, a certificate and a one-night-stay at Kingwood Resort Mukah brochure.

In second place was Caniggia Kion Maxwell Embuar, 19 of Taman Li Hua Fasa 2 followed by Jhonny Tinggang, 22 of Kampung Tellian in third place.

Cannigia Kion received RM400 while Jhonny walked home with RM300. Each received a trophy, hamper and certificate.

Jabu gave away the prizes at the dinner.

Besides the Kumang and Keling contests, the audience of more than 1,000 were entertained by two popular and recording artists, James Ruai (Iban) and Claudia Geres (Bidayuh), and also local band Band D’Sago.

Source: The Borneo Post

Gold Arawana was at Table No. 1...

2011-05-15T23:01:00.007+08:00

Gold Arawana on Pengerami Makai Lemai Pra Gawai Dayak 2011, SDNU Cawangan Sibu Jaya

Our Ticket, Table No. 1, price at RM 500.00

Delegates from Sarawak Dayak National Union (SDNU) Mukah

The Organizing Chairman giving his welcoming speech

Miring ceremony, a tradisional of Dayak Iban Ethnic...

SDNU Sibu Jaya Chairman, Mr Stephen Ron giving his inspiring speech..

The Guest of Honor, Yang Berhormat Mr Mong Dagang given his speech and later announce grant amounting to RM 7,000.00 for SDNU Sibu Jaya.

The opening ceremony by the Guest of Honor....

Dayak Bidayuh on their opening cultural dance.....

Clemence Joyce, a local Iban singer promoting his latest album...

Dayak Iban on their Pua Kumbu ngajat....

Gold Arawana with SDNU Sibu Chairman, Mr Chambai & SDNU Sibu Jaya Chairman, Mr Stephen Ron....

Dayak Orang Ulu on their cultural dance....

Meeting with new Dayak friends.....

Poco-poco... among the last event of the night...

To our friends from SDNU Sibu Jaya, congratulations for the well organize Gawai Celebration and thank you for your courtesy invitation to SDNU Mukah.... Segulai Sejalai..

Gold Arawana's Speech on Malam Perpaduan Gawai Dayak Bahagian Mukah

2011-05-15T22:18:00.006+08:00

Terima kasih tuan pengerusi Majlis.

Yang Berhormat Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Alfred Jabu ak Numpang, Timbalan Ketua Menteri Merangkap Menteri Permodenan Pertanian DAN Menteri Pembangunan Luar Bandar Sarawak.

Yang Berhormat, Tuan Dr Stephen Rundi ak Utom, Adun N60 Kemena merangkap, Menteri Muda Kesihatan Awam dan Menteri Muda Kemudahan Awam Sarawak.

Yang Berbahagia, Tuan Haji Saudi Narani, Residen Bahagian Mukah merangkap Penasihat Jawatankuasa Pra Gawai Bahagian Mukah.

Yang Dihormati, Timbalan Residen Bahagian Mukah, En Junaidi Mohidin.

Ketua-ketua Jabatan, Pemanca Robert Nanta, Penghulu-penghulu, tuai-tuai rumah, ketua-ketua kaum serta semua kitak ke datai ke Majlis Makan Malam Perpaduan Gawai Dayak Bahagian Mukah, Segulai Sejalai taun 2011.

Selamat datai dan terima kasih di atas sokongan semua ke atas majlis kitai. Salam Perpaduan dan Salam Satu Malaysia.

Nya mega kitai sama-sama meri bahasa and welcome our friends from US, Welcome to Mukah Sir. Thank you for your present and hope that you will bring back your great experience on our Multi-racial culture of the State of Sarawak.

Yang Berhormat Datuk Patinggi,
Program ke diatur kitai malam tu melibat ke 110 meja alu ngau lebih 1200 pengabang. Terubah arinya mega, mayuh ga bala ke agi ka meli meja, tang ndur ke kena kitai begawai tu tadi nda cukup. Nama iya aja Gawai Bahagian Mukah, tang ke bekumpul ba Dewan tu ukai aja ari bansa kitai Dayak di Mukah tapi nyengkaum pupu bansa ari seluruh Sarawak, Sabah ngau Semenanjung. Nya meh tadi Yang Berhormat Datuk Patinggi, ka ku bejaku Bidayuh, tau ka Iban, ngai ke bisi ga bala nda nemu jaku aku legi. Nyadi ngambi ke semua ke datai malam tu faham nama ke ka di padah aku, izin ke ku bejaku campuran Bahasa Iban ngau Bahasa Melayu.

Yang Berhormat Datuk Patinggi,
Gawai Dayak adalah perayaan terpenting kaum Dayak yang asalnya adalah bertemakan konsep kesyukuran ke atas hasil tuaian padi. Bagai manapun, selaras dengan perubahan zaman, pembangunan yang kita nikmati maka saya percaya sambutan gawai dayak adalah juga kesyukuran kepada semua bidang yang kita ceburi. Oleh yang demikian Yang Berhormat Datuk Patinggi, Dayak di Bahagian Mukah dengan penuh kesyukuran mengucapkan syabas dan setinggi-tinggi penghargaan tahniah di atas kepimpinan Yang Amat Berhormat Pehin Seri Ketua Menteri Sarawak dan Yang Berhormat Datuk Patinggi untuk terus menerajui kepimpinan negeri pada pilihanraya yang lepas. Oleh yang demikian, kami berharap agar segala perancangan pembangunan terutamanya di kawasan-kawasan luar bandar akan dapat diteruskan dengan lebih rancak lagi.

Izinkan saya juga untuk mengetengahkan tiga kesyukuran Dayak di Bahagian Mukah.

Yang Pertama adalah kesyukuran kami kerana kemudahan infrastruktur di luar bandar di beberapa kawasan di Bahagian Mukah seperti Ulu Mukah, Ulu Baoh, Ng Sikat, Lubok Bemban sudah berada di dalam radar yang sangat jelas oleh kerajaan untuk diketengahkan. Ini adalah berkat dari sokongan Yang Berhormat-Yang Berhormat di Bahagian Mukah khasnya serta usaha gigih kakitangan kerajaan yang diterajui oleh Tuan Residen kita. Bagai manapun, kita berharap agar penyediaan kemudahan-kemudahan infrastruktur ini akan diteruskan dan dilaksanakan dengan lebih rancak lagi.

Yang Kedua adalah kesyukuran kami di atas peningkatan harga-harga komoditi pertanian seperti kelapa sawit dan getah. Ini jelas telah meningkatkan pendapatan masyarakat Dayak di Bahagian Mukah khasnya yang rata-ratanya bergantung dengan tanaman getah dan sawit dalam pendapatan harian mereka. Oleh yang demikian, kami berharap tunjuk ajar, nasihat dan sokongan Kementerian Yang Berhormat Datuk Patinggi nanti akan merancakkan lagi pendapatan kami yang di luar bandar melalui Pemodenan Pertanian.

Yang Ketiga, bagi kami yang sudah bermaustatin di Bandar, cabaran utama kami adalah untuk mengekalkan tradisi dan budaya Dayak di kalangan golongan muda, di samping peningkatan taraf pendidikan bagi anak-anak. Oleh yang demikian, di Mukah sekarang ini kita ada dua buah cawangan persatuan Dayak yang aktif iaitu Persatuan Kebangsaan Dayak Sarawak dan juga Persatuan Kebangsaan Dayak Bidayuh. Dan kedua-dua persatuan ini biasanya sentiasa bersama-sama dengan persatuan-persatuan Melanau dan Cina Mukah dalam menyokong usaha-usaha kerajaan dalam apa-apa upacara yang berasaskan integrasi kaum. Oleh yang demikian, dengan rancaknya pembangunan Bahagian Mukah sebagai Bandar Ilmu dan pusat pembangunan SCORE, diharapkan agar Dayak di Bahagian Mukah nanti akan bersama-sama menikmati peluang-peluang pendidikan kepada anak-anak serta peluang-peluang perniagaan yang bakal ditawarkan. Dalam hal ini, saya percaya bagi Bahagian Mukah, kerajaan telah banyak menyediakan peluang tersebut dan seterusnya berharap agar Dayak di Mukah sendiri, berusaha dengan lebih gigih lagi untuk mengisi peluang-peluang tersebut.

Yang Berhormat Datuk Patinggi,
Bagi perayaan gawai kita di Mukah, kita memulakan gawai secara berkelompok adalah pada tahun 2005 di mana sebelum itu kita sentiasa ada dua gawai yang berasingan, iaitu yang dianjurkan oleh Dayak Iban dan juga Dayak Bidayuh. Kalau ada banyak rakan-rakan kita dari Dayak Orang Ulu pada waktu itu, mungkin kita akan ada 3 gawai serentak. Oleh yang demikian, hasil dari persefahaman kita dan sokongan dari ketua-ketua masyarakat, maka lahirlah Malam Perpaduan Gawai Dayak yang bertemakan Segulai Sejalai yang kita adakan setiap tahun kecuali pada tahun 2009, sebagai tanda simpati dan penghormatan ke atas pemergian seorang pemimpin kita yang sangat disayangi. Manakala, pengerusi untuk setiap perayaan adalah penggiliran di antara Dayak Iban, Dayak Bidayuh dan Dayak Orang Ulu. Jadi....pada tahun ini saya mewakili Dayak Bidayuh untuk pengganjuran.

Untuk mengadakan majlis sebegini, kita tidak bersendirian. Kita sentiasa mendapat sokongan dan penyertaan dari rakan-rakan kita yang berbangsa lain, khasnya dari kaum Melanau dan Cina di Mukah. Penganjuran selalunya tiada masalah dalam konteks penyertaan. Setiap tahun.... kita memperkenalkan sekurang-kurangnya satu tarian kebudayaan yang belum dipertotonkan di Mukah. Kalau contohnya tahun lepas kita ada persembahan live Sape Orang Ulu, tahun ini kita ada Tarian Rejang Be'uh Bidayuh, dan tahun depan kami menjanjikan lagi tarian-tarian unik dari etnik-etnik Dayak yang lain. Satu-satunya masalah kita Yang Berhormat Datuk Patinggi, adalah dana atau kewangan. Selama ini kita berharap dengan sumbangan-sumbangan dari usahawan-usahawan di Mukah yang bermurah hati di samping sumbangan-sumbangan oleh tuai-tuai pengabang yang biasanya daripada kalangan Yang Berhormat. Oleh yang demikan, sebagai pengerusi Gawai tahun ini, Pengerusi Persatuan Kebangsaan Dayak Sarawak, Cawangan Mukah dan juga ahli Persatuan Kebangsaan Dayak Bidayuh, Cawangan Mukah, saya mewakili ketiga-tiga pertubuhan Dayak ini untuk memohon sumbangan dari Yang Berhormat Datuk Patinggi dan Yang Berhormat Tuan Dr Stephen Rundi. Kami berjanji akan menggunakan sumbangan tersebut sebaik-baiknya dalam usaha mengekalkan budaya dan tradisi kaum Dayak di Bahagian Mukah.

Yang Berhormat Datuk Patinggi, Yang Berhormat Tuan Dr Stephen Rundi. Kita sangat-sangat gembira dengan kehadiran Yang Berhormat-Yang Berhormat untuk datang dan memeriahkan majlis kita. Kita difahamkan, Yang Berhormat Datuk Patinggi terbang balik ke Sarawak sebaik sahaja habis mesyuarat di Kuala Lumpur, khas untuk menghadiri majlis gawai kita pada malam ini. Oleh yang demikian, kami sangat-sangat terharu dengan komitmen Datuk Patinggi dan merakamkan setinggi-tinggi penghargaan dan terima kasih kepada rombongan Yang Berhormat Datuk Patinggi. Berikan tepukan gemuruh.

Akhir sekali, setinggi-tinggi penghargaan juga kepada Tuan Residen di atas segala nasihat beliau dalam penganjuran majlis ini. Begitu juga dengan semua yang hadir pada malam ini, termasuk pengerusi-pengerusi persatuan terutamanya SDNU pampang Bandar Sibu, SDNU pampang Sibu Jaya, SDNU pampang Sarikei, SDNU pampang Selangau, Cawangan2 DBNA terdekat, PBB Mukah serta media-media masa (RTM, Cats Radio, Utusan Sarawak, Borneo Post, Sarawak Tribune dan Sin Chew Jit Poh) yang rancak membantu kita mempromosikan jualan meja.
Tidak lupa juga kepada semua penderma, telalu panjai ka sebut ku ditu... Serta komiti ke bertungkus lumus berusaha ke gawai kitai taun tu, ku ngucap setinggi-tinggi penghargaan terima kasih. Kejayaan kitai nganjur majlis tu, ukai ketegal usaha aku siku, tapi berkat usaha gigih ngau kerjasama semua. Tahniah.

Yang Berhormat Datuk Patinggi, dengan kehadiran Yang Berhormat serta rombongan ke Mukah, kami menjanjikan perayaan Gawai Dayak ke paling grand taun tok dan taun2 ke dudi.

Selamat Ari Gawai. Selamat Onu Gawea. Sayu Dau Gawai.

Segulai Sejalai. Bersatu Kita Teguh, Bercerai Kita Roboh. Sekian, Terima Kasih.

Meaningful quotes from Kapit....

2011-05-09T17:29:00.006+08:00

Tradition Vs Modernization... A clear river, looks beautiful to my eyes; next to abundant Kapit Airport where a farmer is drying his paddy... The photo is taken by Gold Arawana from Level 6th of State Government Tower.

Meaningful Quotes I get from Kapit...

BANGSA PENAKUT TIDAK BOLEH MERDEKA DAN TIDAK BERHAK MERDEKA. KETAKUTAN ADALAH PENASIHAT YANG SANGAT CURANG UNTUK KEMERDEKAAN

- Andre Colin-

FIKIRKAN TENTANG DIRIMU. JIKA SATU BANGSA TELAH MULA BERFIKIR, TIDAK ADA SATU KEKUATAN PUN YANG BOLEH MENGHENTIKANNYA.

-Voltaire-

Stories on Gold Arawana previous visit to Kapit can be read here, here and here.

Gold Arawana visit to Saratok...

2011-05-08T14:06:00.005+08:00

Great welcoming by District Engineer of JKR Saratok, Ir Cassidy Morris (seated 3rd, Right). His blog can be visited at Beritakitai.

Saratok, a small town located about 70km from its mother Division of Betong. This Dayak Iban majority town has a big potential to develop in terms of infrastructures and sosio-economic. The town is even bigger than Betong before its declaration as eleventh Division of Sarawak.

The landmarks

I asked the local peoples on what is special in Saratok... mppphh.. no specific answer. But it is interesting that they have a prawn statue on roadside of the main entrance to town. Other landmark are oil plantation and one type of rice which I cannot remember.

On Gold Arawana point of view...sorry for Saratokians. I believe that you have to established one icon so that the outsiders just like me knows immediately what is special in Saratok. As your mother Division of Betong, they established Rubber as its icon and I believed that it is proofed that Betong is one of the main contributor of rubber in Sarawak.

Town and Infrastructure Developments

Much more to offer by the government to provide more comfortable and realiable of the rakyat. To my friend Ir Cassidy Morris, please continue to serve your people and I believe JKR has prooven capale to take the challenge.

Tourist Attractions

As my visit is just a stop-by visit, I have very limited time to spot any tourist attractions. Anyway, the Dayak Iban Culture has been very popular for the tourists. I believe there a few tourists attractions in Saratok that obviously has big potential to further promote as tourist attraction.

Politicial View

Krian is one of the Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) seats in just concluded 10th State Election. Whoever their elected representative assemblyman, we have to respect their choice. And the development of infrastructures of Saratok shall be continue. As rural area normally are "fix deposit" to the rulling government, there must be a "hiding" reason(s) on why they choose them. There must be some desire(s) that cannot be fullfilled and they really want it. I cannot further comments on this because Im not a politician and even not qualified to comment as Im just an outsider of this constituency.

Question Mark by Gold Arawana

Interseting to see this small town have a traffic light in the middle of the town. I believe that the town is not as small as what the outsiders think. In Sarawak, traffic light is a symbol of development. Its mean that the locals has good income where they capable to own a car. Its also can be mean that most of the kampungs and longhouses already connected by road. This is my personnal point of view, anyway and not reflecting the view of Sarawakians.

The only question mark is that; there are lot of Inns and Hotels... A question mark that has interesting to hear the answer.

Thanks Ir Cassidy, for your great welcomes. Interesting to know further about Saratok. Your clear points on developing your hometown in terms of infrastructures is a great moment, too good to forget.

Kampokngku - Gold Arawana at Kg Siru Longhouse

2011-05-08T12:18:00.007+08:00

One for album... Gold Arawana with the JKKK Kg Siru, proud to be part of them..

Kg Siru Dayak, located about 100km from capital city of Kuching, just few minutes driving distance from beach town of Sematan and even a few minutes walking distance from the popular bidayuh salako longhouse of Kampung Pueh. This is where I grown and get my early education. For about 30 years, tremendous development has change this small kampung to a bigger kampung as it now. Up to date, I predict that more than 60 individual houses, and still keep counting. Im even dreaming to built my own kampung house here.

Kg Siru longhouse accomodate about 6 to 7 families is originally a wooden structure. The upgrading and total renovation to the longhouse is done through the initiative of the locals to promote their traditional identities.

So,why do the youngsters attracted to stay at their kampung, compare to some places where the youngsters prefer to work at town and get easier income? I believe that the youngsters still believe that their land still can offer them a better live. Anyway, by the tremendous grows of the population, I believe that one day their land and even they will no more relies on the "good offer" by the kampung. They need more land indeed!

Salako tradition of celebrating Gawe

No serious study being done to the various gawe celebration by the Bidayuh salako. Totally different in culture and even the way we celebrate it. Just to name few like Narakng, Ngabayatn, gawe uma, gawe batenek, gawe basunat, gawe ngampar gane....all normally celebrate on June. With one reason, the state government declaration of Gawai Public Holiday on 1st and 2nd June every year. This is where the families group together and celebrates their most important celebrtation.

Celebrating Gawe at Kampung Siru dayak
According to Councillor En Selian Jister, there will be a grand celebration on 1st June, 2011 centralized at the longhouse. The whole day celebration expected to attract more than 1000 visitors and participants of various activities.

One of the most attractive will be a symbolic celebration of traditional old ways to built the main pier of the longhouse. For our friend from ethnic Dayak Iban, its sound to be a normal celebration. However for Dayak Bidayuh Salako, it will be a once in a blue moon celebration.

Other Attractions
Kampung Siru Dayak is surrounded by few attractive places for a must visit by the tourists. Some of the places can be visited at redgoldarawana here or here.

Other cultural events like Pesta Narakng, and a first time international cultural fest will be held at Kampung Pueh. A little knowledge about Salako culture can be visited at redgoldarawana here.

They needs fund
To organize such a big function means need more money. So, to the youngsters...those who work overseas and get extra income are encourage to contribute to the JKKK. I believe that the younger generation of Kampung Siru Dayak will fully support the JKKK or whatever Salako traditional celebration to preserve our identity.

For Gold Arawana, he love his kampung... contributing in term of RM is just a small matter of supports. Moral supports in term of participating and promoting is his main agenda.

So, to those interested or even to contribute fund can call the organizing chairman, Councillor Selian Jister at +60198546305 for further clarifications.

GOOD LUCK KAMPUNG SIRU..

Gold Arawana present his small contribution to Councillor Selian Jister for Gawe Celebration on 1/6/2011.

Majlis Makan Malam Perpaduan Gawai Dayak Mukah....

2011-05-06T10:41:00.003+08:00

The War Began...

2011-04-03T19:08:00.008+08:00

SARAWAK 10th STATE ELECTION: BN's CANDIDATE LIST:

N.01 OPAR Ranum Ak Mina (Incumbent)

N.02 TASIK BIRU Datuk Peter Nansian Ngusie (incumbent)

N.03 TANJUNG DATU Tan Sri Adenan Satem (incumbent)

N.04 PANTAI DAMAI Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi (incumbent)

N.05 DEMAK LAUT Dr Hazland Hipni

N.06 TUPONG Datuk Daud Bin Abdul Rahman (incumbent)

N.07 SAMARIANG Sharifah Hasidah S.A Ghazali (incumbent)

N.08 SATOK Datuk Amar Abg Abd Rahman Zohari (incumbent)

N.09 PADUNGAN Sim Kiang Shiok

N.10 PENDING Dr Sim Kui Hian

N.11 BATU LINTANG Sih Hua Tong

N.12 KOTA SENTOSA Datuk Alfred Yap

N.13 BATU KAWAH Tan Joo Phoi (incumbent)

N.14 ASA JAYA Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah (incumbent)

N.15 MUARA TUANG Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Mahmud (incumbent)

N.16 BENGOH Dr Jerip @ Belek Susil (incumbent)

N.17 TARAT Roland Sagah Wee Inn (incumbent)

N.18 TEBEDU Datuk Seri Michael Manyin Jawon (incumbent)

N.19 KEDUP Maclaine Ben @ Martin Ben Anak Michael

N.20 SADONG JAYA Aidil Lariwoo

N.21 SIMUNJAN Naroden Majais (incumbent)

N.22 SEBUYAU Julaihi Nerawi (incumbent)

N.23 LINGGA Simoi Peri

N.24 BETING MARO Razaili B.Hj.Gapor

N.25 BALAI RINGIN Snowdan Lawan (incumbent)

N.26 BUKIT BENGUNAN Mong Dagang (incumbent)

N.27 SIMANGGANG Datuk Francis Harden (incumbent)

N.28 ENGKILILI Dr Johnical Rayong (incumbent)

N.29 BATANG AI Malcom Mussen (incumbent)

N.30 SARIBAS Ricky@Mohammad Razi Sitam

N.31 LAYAR Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr Alfred Jabu Ak Numpang (incumbent)

N.32 BUKIT SABAN Robert Lawson Chuat Ak Vincent Entering (incumbent)

N.33 KALAKA Abdul Wahab Bin Aziz (incumbent)

N.34 KRIAN Datuk Peter Nyarok Ak Entrie (incumbent)

N.36 SEMOP Abdullah Saidol

N.37 DARO Murni Suhaili (incumbent)

N.38 JEMORENG Abu Seman Jahwie

N.39 REPOK Datuk David Teng

N.40 MERADONG Ling Lie King

N.41 PAKAN Datuk seri William Mawan Ikom (incumbent)

N.42 MELUAN Wong Ak Judat (incumbent)

N.43 NGEMAH Alexander Vincent

N.44 MACHAN Datuk Gramong Juna (incumbent)

N.45 BUKIT ASSEK Chieng Buong Toon

N.46 DUDONG Datuk Tiong Thai King

N.47 BAWANG ASSAN Datuk Seri Wong Soon Koh (incumbent)

N.48 PELAWAN Vincent Goh Chung Siong (incumbent

N.49 NANGKA Dr Anuar Rapiee

N.50 DALAT Datin Fatimah Abdullah (incumbent)

N.51 BALINGIAN Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud

N.52 TAMIN Joseph Mauh Ikeh (incumbent)

N.53 KAKUS John Sikie Ak Tayai (incumbent)

N.54 PELAGUS Stanley Unja

N.55 KATIBAS Datuk Ambrose Blikau Ak Enturan (incumbent)

N.56 BALEH Datuk Seri Dr James Jemut Masing (incumbent)

N.57 BELAGA Liwan Lagang (incumbent)

N.58 JEPAK Datuk Talip Zulpilip (incumbent)

N.59 KIDURONG Henry Ling Kuong Meng

N.60 KEMENA Dr Stephen Rundi Utom (incumbent)

N.61 BEKENU Rosey Yunus (incumbent)

N.62 LAMBIR Ripin Lamat

N.63 PIASAU Tan Sri George Chan Hong Nam (incumbent)

N.64 PUJUT Andy Chia Chu Fatt (incumbent)

N.65 SENADIN Datuk Lee Kim Shin (incumbent)

N.66 MARUDI Sylvester Entri Ak Muran (incumbent)

N.67 TELANG USAN Dennis Ngau

N.68 BUKIT KOTA Dr Abdul Rahman Bin Ismail(incumbent)

N.69 BATU DANAU Paulus@Palu Gumbang (incumbent)

N.70 BA'KELALAN....????

N.71 BUKIT SARI Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan (incumbent)

Gold Arawana is not a politician, but to know the issues on my beloved State of Sarawak is a must... Interesting to know the PR's candidate list... mmmpphh...

Is this really allowed?

2011-03-16T15:54:00.007+08:00

ho hooo.... ini bukan main-main, bukan travel pakai bas...tapi 7,000 kaki di atas langit biru....

I'm not the one to judge? Is this really allowed, approved and consider safe? Anyway, I was safely landed on my destination. Thanks God...

Kampokng ku - Fishing at Kuala Siru

2011-03-14T21:39:00.035+08:00

Gold Arawana on his fishing trip at Kuala Siru, Sematan, Sarawak...

This kid is just 7 years old, however he is my teacher to tie and prepare my fishing rod..

This unknown age of wooden bridge still serve the Pueh-Sg Kilong-Sematan Road users for more than 30 years... anyway, lot of sweet memories with my late father on the meaning of life survival... Owwwwhh... I really miss him!

To my eyes, the scenario is beautiful... an old jetty still there. And the following two pictures will show the different in 3 minutes!

Photo taken on 1853...

Photo taken on 1855... A lot of different in only 3 minutes.... what else for 30 years...

Like father, like son....He must be happy that his father finally got his fish of dream...

Lot of rods, but we gave too many choices for the fish until the give up to make a final decision. I guess...

Fishing teach the fisher to be patience..... mppphhh... no wonder I never could be a good fisher...

Owhhhh... its not a fish... luckily its not a bra... ha haha...

There is a Malay quotes, "Kais Pagi, Makan Pagi; Kais Petang, Makan Petang"... Be honest, I don't know how to translate it to English... Anyway, I have went through all the hard life at my kampokng during my childhood. I believe that my father has always gave me the best lesson so that my live will be better than his era. However, life in my kampokng is always an enjoyable moments; and I will always miss all the sweet and sour moments with you guys!

Important Note: Kampung Pueh Homestay is one of the most successful homestay program in Sarawak. Experient the everyday life of Dayak Salako and visit the oldest Malaysian's Salako longhouse at Kampung Pueh...

Think Global, Act Local..

2011-03-13T22:10:00.029+08:00

Gold Arawana on his trip experience by a public bus..

It happened last year, when the Mukah-Selangau Road was under upgrading works. I cannot afford to drive my own car to Sibu, as my local car could be broken once its reach Sibu. As no other choice, I decided to travel by bus. And here is the story...

As I bought my ticket, I seat at my designated seat, owwhh... my first impression is that: It will be a great day! The floor was really dirt as it was just travel out of a logging road..

I can even wrote my name on the window frame.. Remember, I'm not talking about the outside of the bus, it is inside...

After about one hour journey, this is what really happened.. I really scared that this antique bus will be overheat and explode! I'm not joking... The disaster started, the driver have to off the air-cond in order to keep the bus on the road. Imagine travel on a gravel roads (even some of them are still earth roads) on an open windows... A nightmare for a traveller...

Pity on this young passenger in front of me, his smart hairs turns to blond wires...

And this is what I get for free... Its all over my body.

Half of the journey, the bus finally stop. We have to wait for about one hour for the rescue bus to pick us. The best thing is that, the bus company send us even worst bus for rescue. I shall used darker colour of jeans in the future..

Can you see the "No Smoking" sticker on the "wind-cond". Of course... because we were given free dust and smoke more that our needs for 6 hours journey..

For most develop countries, any personal car shall be change after a period of years. And there is strong rumours that Malaysian Government will follow this as a concern to the safety of the users. So... before we do it for the personal car, can we first imposed the law to the public transport? We can follow the good example from the other countries, but on Gold Arawana point of view - Think Global, Act Local!

Dayak Salako - The Lost and Found Tribe in Sarawak (Part 5)

2011-03-13T21:26:00.023+08:00

GOLD ARAWANA ON ONE OF SALAKO'S IMPORTANT OFFERINGS - GAWE UMA

As Salako (I used Salako instead of Selakau as part of improvement to my friend's comment) has too many Gawai/Gawe, I dont really understand to describe this. Anyway, on my personnal understanding, this "Gawe" is as an offering to "jubata" to guard their paddy farm from insects.

Bamboo altar and the offerings..

Its normally done at the centre of the farm.. The "Panyangahatn" is starting to give his offering.

Starting with the foods..

And later with the water...

I try to guess what is this small kid thinking.. Mphhh..

The new generation of Salako on the ceremony. At least, there are younger generation who still can be the witness of this Gawe. Can they be the future storyteller for the next generation?

At the end of the ceremony, I can see the hope on the farmer's face that "Jubata" will really bless him as his wish...

Believe it or not, this is how they show their respect to the nature... And we shall respect their culture too..

Fishing Trip - A Beginner....

2010-05-29T01:38:00.012+08:00

Nice day, surrounded by blue view... my first ever experience for deep sea fishing..

Our friend from Kapit got his trophy...

I got my first fish... ever!

The juragan showing his skills..

No fishing means sleeping... while waiting for the next point...

Unfortunately, these are old photos for a new story. And I lost all the photos inside my 'antique' PC..

Moments to remember: Sunset on Fishing Trip...

2010-04-21T01:34:00.005+08:00

I try to catch fish, but my eyes caught a more valuable beauties, the sunset....

To my eyes, they are beautiful...

2010-04-05T17:17:00.006+08:00

Gold Arawana's Speech on SDNU Mukah 2010 Nite..

2010-04-02T15:34:00.010+08:00

All photos are downloaded from Mr Anthony Banyan's blog at http://apaienduq.rumahpanjai.com

Gold Arawana on his welcoming speech

Yang Berbahagia, En Anthony Banyan, Naib Presiden 1, Persatuan Kebangsaan Dayak Sarawak serta rombongan yang mewakili En Mengga Mikoi, Presiden Persatuan Kebangsaan Dayak Sarawak yang tidak dapat bersama kita pada malam ini kerana ada tugas penting yang tidak dapat dielakkan.

Yang Dihormati, Timbalan Residen Bahagian Mukah, En Philip Peter Salam dan Pegawai Daerah Dalat, En Yosipnosh Balo.

Yang Berusaha, Mantan Pengerusi SDNU Cawangan Mukah, En Solomon Kumbong dan Timbalan saya En Philip Kubu.

Yang diraikan bersama, Ketua-ketua jabatan kerajaan, Ketua-ketua masyarakat, ahli-ahli exco SDNU Cawangan Mukah serta sahabat-sahabat yang hadir pada malam ini.

Salam Sejahtera, Salam 1Malaysia dan selamat datang ke Majlis Makan Malam SDNU Cawangan Mukah untuk penggal 2010.

Saya amat berbangga pada malam ini, bukan kerana saya berdiri di depan saudara-saudari sebagai Pengerusi SDNU Cawangan Mukah, tetapi kerana saya melihat malam ini sebagai simbolik laungan Yang Amat Berhormat Perdana Menteri kita berkaitan 1 Malaysia. Di dalam dewan ini sahaja kita berjaya menggabungkan lebih dari 5 etnik pelbagai kaum di Sarawak. Oleh yang demikian, ribuan terima kasih di atas sokongan dan kehadiran tuan-tuan dan puan-puan untuk menyerikan majlis ini, terutamanya Yang Berbahagia Tuan Naib Presiden dan tetanu-tetamu kehormat yang sudi meluangkan masa bersama kami di Mukah.

Untuk makluman Yang Berbahagia, SDNU Cawangan Mukah telah lama ditubuhkan tetapi hanya didaftarkan secara sah sebagai sebuah cawangan 4 tahun yang lepas. Sehingga kini, keahliaan adalah melebihi 200 orang terdiri dari pelbagai etnik Dayak, yang kebanyakkannya adalah permaustatin atau pun yang bekerja di sekitar Bandar Mukah. Saya percaya, dengan kepesatan pembangunan Bandar Mukah, keahliaan kita akan sentiasa bertambah dan menguatkan lagi SDNU sebagai sebuah persatuan yang utama untuk kaum Dayak di Mukah.

Sepanjang 4 tahun penubuhan, tidaklah terlalu muda untuk cawangan kita untuk melakarkan cita-cita dan harapan untuk golongan Dayak di Mukah. Kita telah berusaha untuk menjaga kebajikan ahli-ahli dengan bersama-sama di dalam kesusahan apatah lagi kesenangan. Justeru itu, terdapat beberapa cabaran yang perlu kita sama-sama hadapi dalam menjadikan persatuan yang telah kita tubuhkan cawangannya bersama untuk terus menjadi payung dan peneraju kepada golongan Dayak di Mukah;

1. Menambahkan dan mengalakkan keahlian SDNU
2. Memperkasakan SDNU sebagai sebuah persatuan yang benar-benar mampu untuk menyatukan masyarakat Dayak dengan mengetepikan ketidaksamaan pendapat, pemahaman politik, latar belakang kaum, bahasa mahupun latar belakang pekerjaan.
3. Membuktikan bahawa SDNU adalah persatuan yang mampu mendidik dan membimbing anak-anak Dayak tidak kira dalam akademik, pekerjaan mahupun dalam kebudayaan.
4. SDNU terus menjadi persatuan yang dimiliki oleh semua golongan Dayak, bukan sahaja kaum Iban tetapi juga kaum dayak lain seperti Bidayuh dan Orang Ulu.
5. Memastikan golongan Dayak di Mukah turut sama merasai kemajuan pesat di Mukah dengan mengalakkan bidang-bidang keusahawanan dan komersil

Itu adalah antara cabaran-cabaran yang perlu kita hadapi bersama.

Justeru itu, SDNU Mukah pada malam ini memberikan insentif kepada anak-anak kita yang berjaya di dalam akademik agar mengalakkan golongan muda ini nanti akan menggantikan dan memperbaiki kepimpinan yang sedia ada.

Kita juga cuba untuk memberikan penghargaan kepada usahawan Dayak di Mukah, mungkin tidak dapat dilakukan pada masa ini tetapi diharapkan agar mampu dilaksanakan pada masa akan datang agar lebih banyak usahawan Dayak yang benar-benar menonjol di Mukah.

Kita mempunyai cita-cita untuk mempunyai sebuah Rumah Dayak di Mukah, bagi saya tidaklah terlalu awal untuk kita mengimpikannya. Dengan adanya sebuah Rumah Dayak nanti, dapatlah aktiviti-aktiviti kebudayaan dan aktiviti-aktiviti sosial dilakukan dengan lebih giat.

Yang Berbahagia Tuan Naib Presiden, ahli-ahli exco SDNU Cawangan Mukah adalah muda-muda belaka mungkin dalam purata umur 30-an dan 40-an yang membuktikan harapan dan sokongan golongan muda ke atas penubuhan SDNU. Bagaimanapun, mereka ini tidak kurangnya pengalaman dalam mentadbir persatuan serta pergaulan dengan masyarakat lain. Ini terbukti dengan penganjuran dan penglibatan SDNU dalam beberapa program di peringkat Bahagian. Bagai manapun, sokongan yang tidak berbelah bagi semua pihak tidak kira peringkat umur adalah kunci kepada kejaan semua aktiviti yang telah kita jayakan selama ini. Oleh yang demikian, saya mewakili semua ahli exco merakamkan setinggi-tinggi penghargaan dan terima kasih di atas segala bentuk sokongan kepada SDNU Mukah selama ini.

Akhir sekali saya mengambil kesempatan ini untuk mewakili ahli-ahli SDNU Mukah, mengucapkan setinggi-tinggi tahniah kepada barisan SDNU Sarawak yang baru dilantik pada pemilihan yang lepas. Semoga kerjasama yang lebih erat di antara pihak Ibu Pejabat dan cawangan di Mukah selepas ini. Sebagai cawangan yang masih muda, kita memerlukan bimbingan dan nasihat daripada Yang Berbahagia Tuan Presiden serta exco-exco dalam mematangkan cawangan kita di Mukah.

Ke atas penganjuran majlis pada malam ini, ribuan terima kasih sekali lagi saya ucapkan kepada semua yang hadir. Anda adalah rakan SDNU! Harapan saya adalah semoga kerjasama serupa akan diberikan untuk penganjuran aktiviti-aktiviti SDNU selepas ini. Sekiranya sebarang kekurangan, mohon maaf dan semoga kelemahan-kelemahan itu nanti akan dapat diperbaiki pada masa yang akan datang.

Sebagai peringatan, kita akan menganjurkan Majlis Gawai Dayak di Kingwood Resort pada 22hb Mei dan kita menganggarkan seperti biasa lebih seratus meja akan ditempah. Tempahan meja bolehlah ditempah sekarang.

Sekian, terima kasih..

Penyampaian cenderahati dari SDNU Cawangan Mukah kepada Naib Presiden SDNU, En Anthony Banyan

Penyampaian sijil tamat latihan kebudayaan oleh En Anthony Banyan

Penyampaian sijil pelatih kebudayaan kepada En Marasal oleh En Anthony Banyan

Gold Arawana on SDNU Triennial Meeting...

2010-02-20T19:10:00.009+08:00

Driving 10 hours from Mukah to Kuching, Gold Arawana, Mr Philip, Mr Agustine and Mr Ajot... as the representatives of SDNU Mukah on 32nd SDNU Triennal General Assembly at Penview Hotel. Bringing the hopes that the organization to rejuvenate as the front line for the Dayak community in Sarawak...

SDNU headquarter strong line-up.... a group photo with Datuk Joseph Salang Gandum...

YB Datuk Sri William Mawan Ikom performing his "Golden Song" - The young One

Ohhhh.... the first dish of the nite, my favorite dish..

Datuk Sri William Mawan on his opening speech...

SDNU President, Mr Mengga Mikoi on his welcoming speech...

Gold Arawana was on Table 8...

Band boys of the nite... thanks for your marvelous entertainment...

Persahabatan....

2010-02-07T23:39:00.006+08:00

Gelagat pekerja di pembinaan Jambatan Loba Pulau & Batang Belawai...

Kehidupan yang sukar, bekerja membanting tulang walaupun dalam cuaca mendung dan hujan tetapi mereka masih mampu berjenaka... kegembiraan membuatkan kerja berat mereka menjadi ringan.... mungkin...

Persahabatan.... adakalanya duka, tetapi paling manis adalah merenung masa depan bersama... Semua orang mempunyai impian, dan impian dapat digilap dengan bantuan KAWAN tetapi sukar untuk dicapai tanpa SAHABAT ..... Salam 1Malaysia!

Sg Matu dan Kehidupan...

2010-01-24T16:36:00.007+08:00

Kadang-kadang, pengalaman yang singkat adalah pengalaman yang manis untuk diingati dan menarik untuk dikunjungi. Sarawak, negeri terbesar di Malaysia diberkati dengan beribu-ribu kilometer sungai. Tidak hairanlah, sekiranya sungai-sungai yang kecil seperti Sg Matu kurang dikenali ramai.

Berlayar kurang dari setengah jam dari pekan Matu, tidak jauh bezanya dengan sungai-sungai lain yang terdapat di Bahagian Mukah. Kampung-kampung kebanyakkannya di pinggir sungai menggambarkan bahawa sungai ini adalah tarikan awal penduduk untuk mendiami kampung-kampung tersebut. Ini termasuklah Rumah Panjang Melanau Kampung Sok, yang dikatakan satu-satunya rumah panjang Melanau yang masih wujud di muka bumi.

Airnya yang berwarna hitam pekat dan berbau hanyir disebabkan hutan paya di sekeliling agak mengerunkan untuk dijadikan bekalan sebagai air bersih. Tapi itu adalah kenyataan. Di hulu sungai, berdekatan dengan Pekan Matu merupakan pusat bekalan air kerajaan yang dirawat sebaiknya untuk kegunaan penduduk di kawasan tersebut. Ironinya, hampir semua kampung telah mendapat bekalan air bersih ini.

Di bahagian hilir sungai pula merupakan pintu masuk dan keluar penduduk untuk menangkap hasil dari laut. Saya berpendapat yang pekerjaan asal penduduk di kawasan ini kemungkinan adalah nelayan yang bergantung dengan hasil laut untuk menyara hidup. Sehingga kini, menyusuri ke hilir sungai, bot-bot nelayan semakin banyak yang diletakkan seperti tempat meletak kenderaan di tebingan sungai. Setiap kampung pula biasanya sekurang-kurangnya mempunyai satu jeti kayu.

Dengan kewujudan jalan berturap yang menghubungkan kesemua kampung tersebut, jeti-jeti yang dibina agak usang dan kurang digunakan oleh penduduk kampung.

Sebagimana tarikan awalnya untuk membawa penduduk mendiami tebingan sungai tersebut, pemerhatian saya terhadap sungai tersebut adalah kurang memberangsangkan. Ia seolah-olah terbiar dengan sampah-sarap di beberapa kawasan, mungkin disebabkan air yang tidak mengalir atau air pasang yang membawa sampah-sarap tersebut dari laut.

Di sebalik kepincangan disebabkan fungsinya yang semakin dilupai, masih terdapat warga yang masih bergantung dengan sungai tersebut untuk mencari rezeki. Beberapa bot kecil kelihatan menangkap sisa-sisa ikan atau udang yang masih tinggal di sungai tersebut, mungkin sekadar untuk menghabiskan masa lapang atau hobi semata-mata.

Berlainan dengan di hilir sungai, kehadiran bot-bot nelayan menggambarkan kehidupan manusia di sini masih bergantung kepada sungai sepenuhnya untuk mencari rezeki di laut. Walaupun sungai tidak berfungsi sebagai sumber pendapatan, fungsinya untuk mendaratkan hasil tangkapan di Kuala Matu adalah suatu yang masih perlu dibanggakan.

Alirannya lesu, sampah bertakung di sesetengah kawasan... Simpati, tetapi apalah daya kiranya manusia tidak lagi menghargai pengorbanannya....

Jeti Pekan Matu... prasarana yang disediakan di Sungai Matu..

Kuala Matu @ 2009....

Di sebalik jasanya yang kian dilupakan, masih ada penduduk yang mengharapkan hasil semulajadi di Sungai Matu

Pembinaan jalan raya menjadi pengganti kepada kepentingan sungai sebagai pengangkutan di Matu

Sampah sarap hanyalah sebagai tanda bahawa jasa bakti yang telah ditaburkan oleh sungai ini telah dilupakan..

My Orchid Collection - Wild Plants from Serikin

2010-01-21T19:52:00.004+08:00

On my way back from Serikin, I have the chance to buy some of the interesting wild plants at a kampong at Serikin, Sarawak...

4 species in one pot, they cost me only RM30.00..

This two similar species are male and female (As told to me by the local). The green color is female and the other one is male.... For me the male is look more attractive than the female...

Anyway, this one is definitely a male...

SDNU Mukah... We cheers on our own way..

2010-01-12T20:55:00.001+08:00

More than 5 different ethnics, at least 3 different religions; we seat on one tables, happily enjoy the foods together harmonically...

Gold Arawana on his speech...

The VIP of the night giving his speech...

The Mukah SDNU members.... we are in one family...

The former Chairman of SDNU Mukah giving his speech on his transfer...

Special dish of the night.... Mukah is famous for its fresh seafood products...

Siet..

2009-12-05T11:12:00.006+08:00

Another attractive exotic food in Mukah...

One of the sago product... famous in Mukah and needs at least 40 days to mature...

Cost about RM 20 cents, this fat ugly worm is full of protein...

One packet, about 100 grams or less would cost you RM 5.00 or about RM 30.00 per kg..

We are so lucky....

2009-11-09T20:50:00.003+08:00

Rambutan - Tuah di Musim Panas....

2009-11-01T22:47:00.022+08:00

Penghargaan Gold Arawana kepada para petani yang bertungkus lumus mengerjakan tanah mereka... Walaupun pulangan sedikit, tetapi sekurang-kurangnya mampu membekalkan permintaan yang banyak kepada peminat buah-buahan tempatan.....

Percayalah... tidak semua orang mampu menjadi petani.... dan kami menghargai anda!

Lunak dan berkhasiat. Buah tempatan, Made in Mukah!

Suara Gold Arawana sedikit serak basah, mungkin akibat terlalu banyak makan buah rambutan...

Rambutan... buah-buahan tempatan bermusim yang digemari ramai. Masalah buah bermusim adalah kebanjiran pasaran, sesetengah terpaksa dijual dengan harga yang murah untuk memenangi persaingan..

Seperti di mana-mana pasar borong, tawar-menawar adalah perkara biasa...

Senyuman tuah, gembira dengan kunjungan pembeli....

Gerai sementara didirikan di sepanjang Jalan Matu Daro dan Jalan Oya Dalat, pohon rambutan di sepanjang jalan-jalan tersebut memberikan pandangan yang menarik seolah-olah Mukah dilanda musim bunga.......

Sebiji rambutan daripada setangkai yang boleh dibeli dengan harga RM 1.00

Kebanjiran buah rambutan... di tempat tertentu boleh dibeli dengan harga
RM 1.00, dan yang bertuah dapat membelinya dengan harga 50 sen sekilo SAHAJA...

Souveniors from Tasik Kenyana..

2009-10-28T21:35:00.014+08:00

Cenderamata dari Tasik Kenyana...

The History - The "Titanic" of Kenyana

The Heritage - Kenyana Bazaar.

The Decorator - Tanduk Rusa...

The Designer - The splash of Tasik Kenyana

The Native - "Bemban" flower

The Survivor - The parasites...

The beauties - Teratai

The Crown - Rejang...

The farmer - Wild Fruits

The modernization - Young Sago

The Observer - Wild creepers....

Tiny World - The flower of Wild Orchid...

For new Generation - "Buan" fruit... cum flower..

The People - The strong Believer of life survival

Building The Future - SK Kuala Kenyana

When everybody know how to read and write..

2009-10-27T23:33:00.020+08:00

More and more people know their rights, but unfortunately most of them still blurred on where to channel their dissatisfaction. This type of simple messages of course not an official complaint but I believe shall be taken into consideration by anybody concerns..

Maybe we have to rethink and change the orthodox believe on "The Strong Man Win" to a modern believe on "The Win-Win Situation" . At least we win it for our nature!
PEACE!!

Gold Arawana was in Room 1014...

2009-10-25T12:50:00.016+08:00

Natural beauties Vs Man made beauties on Batang Rajang from room 1014, Kingwood Hotel, Sibu...

Paying for about RM 200.00 per night at this hotel worth for the priceless sunset view ....

By 5 pm, all the express boat assembled themselves at Sibu Wharf, ready for another tiring journey on the next morning....

The power of God is unpredictable.... Whatever the weather is, its has shaped Sibu to be as what Sibu being today...

Three days staying on the same room, this two boats still parked themselves here.. Please don't ask me why and even I don't want to know the reason...

A boat express on his way to Kapit, a journey for about 3 hours...

The swimming pool constructed on the river bank, I wish that I could swim in the river... mpphhh... think twice and I will prefer to swim on the swimming pool indeed!

Night view at Sibu, a living small town in the center region of Sarawak. The third city of Sarawak in the making....

Berhujung minggu di Tasik Kenyana...

2009-10-24T22:45:00.024+08:00

Menyusuri keindahan hutan paya di Tasik Kenyana....

Memancing.... tidak...saya hanya berjaya memutuskan tali pancing yang saya pinjam dari salah seorang ahli rombongan.. he he

Saya pernah menerbitkan beberapa artikel berkaitan Tasik Kenyana sebelum ini. Dan hari ini, 24 Oktober, 2009 merupakan hari yang perlu diingati kerana setahun yang lalu, tiada apa-apa yang menarik untuk dilawati di kawasan ini. Malahan, bagi pengunjung amat sukar kerana tiada kemudahan pelancongan terutamanya tandas dan tempat rehat.

Berbeza dengan setahun yang lalu, lawatan kali ini sangat menggalakkan. Kemudahan telah tersedia untuk pengunjung yang gemar aktiviti menyusuri keindahan semulajadi. Dimulai dengan memandu dari Bandar Mukah melalui jalan berbatu selama lebih kurang 45 minit perjalanan, dan menggunakan bot menyusuri Sungai Sebakong dan seterusnya Batang Mukah memberikan pengalaman yang menarik.

Sampai di Tasik Kenyana yang juga merupakan laluan lama Batang Mukah jutaan tahun dahulu, adalah sebaris kedai kayu yang menjadi nadi kepada penduduk setempat membeli barangan harian. Di muara tasik adalah penempatan utama penduduk dan satu-satunya bangunan kerajaan yang ada di kawasan ini adalah sebuah sekolah rendah SK Kuala Kenyana.

Tasik Kenyana terkenal dengan berita yang dipromosikan oleh pihak kerajaan bahawa tasik ini telah menjadi habitat untuk beberapa spesis ikan yang dilindungi terutamanya Ikan Arawana.

Kepada yang berminat terhadap keindahan hutan paya bakau, Tasik Kenyana adalah tempat yang perlu dikunjungi di hujung minggu. Tiada keaslian 100%, kerana tasik ini dikatakan dikelilingi oleh ladang yang beberapa tahun giat dimajukan di kawasan ini. Bagaimanapun, keindahan hutan dan kemudahan beriadah yang disediakan oleh kerajaan diharapkan dapat menarik pengunjung ke kawasan ini.

Kepada pengunjung yang berminat adalah digalakkan untuk membuat lawatan berkumpulan dan membawa bekalan makanan sendiri dan menikmati sendiri keindahannya. Sesekali sekiranya bernasib baik, bolehlah berjumpa dengan penduduk tempatan untuk melihat spesis ikan-ikan di Tasik Kenyana yang disimpan di dalam sangkar untuk dijual. Kepada pencinta keindahan alam semulajadi tentunya bersetuju dengan Gold Arawana supaya aktiviti memancing hendaklah tidak dibenarkan sama sekali di kawasan ini. Dan yang paling penting sekarang adalah bagai mana untuk mengawet kawasan ini agar keindahan semulajadinya sentiasa terpelihara untuk tatapan generasi yang seterusnya kelak..

Berangkat pulang, ucapan terima kasih dan lambaian mesra wakil penduduk di kawasan ini memberikan seribu kepuasan kepada Gold Arawana dan rombongan yang selama lebih kurang setahun bersama merealisasikan sebuah projek yang diharapkan dapat menggiatkan pelancongan di kawasan ini. Jangan dibandingkan kepada kos yang dibelanjakan, kerana impak pembangunan yang disediakan adalah lebih bernilai dari kos itu sendiri. Walaupun kos projek adalah agak kecil, saya percaya bagi penduduk tempatan ini merupakan projek terbesar selepas pembinaan sekolah di zaman kolonial (agaknya) yang diterima oleh mereka setakat ini. Dengan langkah pertama ini, diharapkan kemajuan dapat dikecapi bersama oleh penduduk di luar bandar....

Seperti kebiasaan, gambar-gambar sepanjang ekspedisi adalah pencerita yang lebih baik dari Gold Arawana....

Menikmati keindahan semulajadi di tebingan Tasik Kenyana

Menternak ikan di dalm sangkar, idea kreatif penduduk di Tasik Kenyana

Papan informasi di Tasik Kenyana tetapi masih banyak rahsia yang perlu dibongkar dan belum dinyatakan di sini

Pengunjung di Jeti perhentian pertama sambil membaca informasi yang disediakan. Kamera? Emmmm......Wajib untuk dibawa melawat

Memerhatikan anak-anak ikan arawana dan kaloi yang mencari makanan di tebingan tasik...

Berjalan di atas laluan berbatu.... tanggalkan kasut untuk menikmati urutan refleksologi Kenyana

Kegembiraan dapat meluangkan beriadah dan melupakan hal-hal pejabat adalah kepuasan yang tidak terhingga

Berehat sebentar di hentian terakhir sebelum berpatah balik ke Pusat Informasi

Gold Arawana bersama En Hipani Alwi (Jurutera Bahagian, JKR Mukah), En Mohd. Junaidi (Timbalan Residen Mukah), En Narawi (Mahsuri Enterprise Sdn Bhd) dan Ketua Kaum di Tasik Kenyana dalam perbincangan ringkas..

Rombongan menikmati jamuan dan berehat sebelum berangkat balik ke Mukah...

Rombongan mengadakan "group photo" sebelum berangkat balik ke Mukah

Aktiviti memancing masih menjadi kegiatan utama penduduk tempatan. Seorang anak muda, sedang memasang umpan untuk memancing. Dapatkah kegiatan ini dihentikan untuk memastikan spesis ikan yang dilindungi sentiasa berada di Tasik Kenyana? Persoalan!

Ikan tapah seberat lebih kurang 1 kg, hasil tangkapan penduduk di Sg Sebakong, berdekatan dengan Tasik Kenyana. Minggu lalu dikatakan hari yang bertuah apabila seorang pemancing tempatan berjaya menangkap ikan tapah seberat 50 kg! Saya tidak dapat membayangkan betapa besarnya ikan air tawar sebesar itu....

Serikin - The Saturday Hypermarket of Sarawak

2009-10-21T20:01:00.004+08:00

This is what I called Serikin Saturday Hypermarket. They attract thousands of visitors every Saturday.... good business indeed!

Serikin is under administrations of Bau District in Kuching Division, it is of course not "a place like no other"; a slogan for the Sarawak Tourism. There are another place in Sarawak which I know earlier as Tebedu in Serian. I never been there, but I was told that it was closed due to security reason.

Road tax and law are a day-off....

Serikin business is similar to what we have in Tebedu. A small town, surrounded by hilly area of Bau. Its even not fair to call it town, because the main business is only on Saturday and I am not very sure on Sunday. I have been there twice, first in weekday few years ago where I witness, Serikin is just an ordinary Bidayuh kampong. Travel in gravel road give impression that it might be due to security reason; the idea I get from the authority on the reason of why Biawak Road in Lundu, Sarawak was not upgraded for long time. Serikin, Tebedu and Biawak has similar face, located in the border of Malaysia (Sarawak)-Kalimantan (Indonesia).

Its too hot in the afternoon... should go earlier!

Thanks God, this time I have the opportunity to visit Serikin on Saturday. Surprisingly, I encounter a totally different situation. Driving about half an hour from Bau Town, all the roads up to Serikin are now tar-sealed road. Few locations are Police road block, give me a pleasure and assurance that I will be back from Serikin safely. Moreover, on the left and right of the roads are all types of vehicles, as I was drive at one of the busy road in Kuching City.

Serikin carpark... I think the JKKK easily to get thousands of RM every Saturday.. you even can park your car at first class (private home carpark) of course for a first class bill!

Arrived at Serikin, there was a big car park, I am not very sure either it is belong to private or government and I guess that it is managed by the JKKK. Who ever own this, I actually don't mind to pay them RM2.00 (for the whole day parking) as this I believe this is part of Eco-tourism industry for Serikin. I am proud to be one of the contributor indeed!

Turun harga sikit ya Pak!... or otherwise I go to other shoplah....

Walking down from my car, towards the open-temporary hypermarket is challenging.; its hot and human jammed. Thousands of peoples, I believe to be more than 20 races speaking in their own languages made the hypermarket merrier.

Everything for business... including of leeches...

Looking for anything? And you will find everything! Most of the products are brought by our friend from Indonesia, which are allowed to trade here only on Saturday. I should bring a lorry!

Everything...including of my favourite Manchester United's shirts...

Most people will judge quality on its value. That is not important here, in Serikin. In fact, please....do ask for cheaper price and demands. Or otherwise, you can go to other shop!

The lesson I get is that; government has really serious in promoting Serikin as the Saturday Hypermarket. Try to ask peoples, throughout Sarawak and they will tell you at least a little story about Serikin.

And I wish that more and more rural area so-called Rural Growth Center (RGC) to develop at Sarawak. Congratulations to the Serikin people for your excellent efforts!

Looking for souvenirs?

Balingian - The energy Town of Mukah

2009-10-19T19:06:00.004+08:00

Aerial view of Balingian Town in 1990's...

Balingian is a low-profile town in Mukah, seems has no potential at the early years but suddenly turn itself to one of an important growing town for Mukah. Located about 60 km from Mukah Town, the town is slowly transform itself from agro products on oil palm plantation to an energy town for Mukah Division.

Balingian Bridge which will connect Balingian to Bintulu and other major towns in northern region of Sarawak

I was in Balingian for the first time in early millennium, witnessing this isolated cowboy town and of course my first impression is that: it is a hopeless sleeping town, where nothing seems to offer. I still remember, driving on the wavy road surrounded by oil palms and crossing the Batang Balingian by private wooden ferry for RM10.00 per vehicles plus another RM1.00 for every passengers. The worst is that, we have to cross without insurance cover and we have no other choice to choose.

Nowadays, roads are well upgraded and new roads are well-plan for Balingian. However, the contribution of river as one of the major highways in Sarawak is still maintain in Balingian.

By declaration of Mukah as a new division, Balingian has develop tremendously. First by upgrading the coastal road which link it to its mother town, Mukah and other major towns in Sarawak. Than slowly, other basic infrastructure, water supply and electricity where the long-waited dreams of longhouses and kampongs along Mukah-Balingian Road comes true. All of this happen in less than 10 years, and definitely have upgrade the lifestyle of the locals.

Mukah Coal Plant...

Other major projects in Balingian are Mukah Coal Plant, located about 30 km from Balingian Town. This of course produce huge impact and sacrifice on the natural resources along Matading-Selangau Road which is estimate to be supplied coal for the plant for about 40 years. Ohhh... I will be too old when the time comes!

The plant not only supply the electricity demands for Mukah Town but also the other nearby towns in central region of Sarawak. So the Mukah folks now has enjoy the excellent runs of electricity. I am among of them of course, while before we have to suffer the blackout or run off supply due to extra demands for the energy.

Aluminium factory along Balingian-Mukah Road...

By introducing of Sarawak Corridor of Renewal Energy (SCORE), Balingian already in front line of developments. The latest is the development of aluminium factory, about 25 km form the towns. The factory buildings reported had been completed and will be ready for operation.

Balingian Old Town... will it turn to itself a modern energy city?

This few years, there are rumors that Balingian has potential to be second (or maybe first) after Bintulu as his potential on petrol and gas industries. I don't have the official references to support this rumors. However, if it is really true, than Balingian will be the younger Energy City for Sarawak.

One of the interesting plaque at a coffee shop at Balingian... one way to show their hope?

Whatever developments bring by the government, hope that it will benefit the locals. More job vacancies, basic infrastructures, and upgrading of the hospital and schools. The other impact, of course I believe has been think deeply by the government are the pollution. However, I believe that anything that we produce will have the side impact.

Balingian New Township, empty shophouses for the time beings but no doubt will become a modern city in coming years. The only doubt is that either the locals will get the opportunity and sharing the benefits of the developments..... no doubt, many will strongly believed and say yes.
So, I do!

1st Anniversary.........

2009-10-09T22:23:00.008+08:00

Photo downloaded from http://zoebakes.com/

Today is the first anniversary of redgoldarawana blog.

Born on 9th October, 2008, the first article published in this blog was Aquarius - The Water Carrier which is actually the zodiac of Gold Arawana.

Up to-date, 11, 657 visitors visit this blog to read 88 published articles in various sections.

To the readers and followers of this blog, Gold Arawana would like to tender his million of thanks for your support and comments....

Gold Arawana's thought of the month of September...

2009-10-02T00:03:00.004+08:00

IF WE WERE ALL PERFECT THERE WOULD BE NO NEED FOR LOVE IN THIS WORLD

Am I too ambitious?

2009-09-28T22:50:00.003+08:00

It become one of my wish list for 2010....

Most of the time, when you are so happy on your life; your mind start to think of creative idea. Being a temporary PaMa tonight, giving me a chance to surf on the various site of interesting chalet...Haaa ...and I start to put my dream on it!

Looks funny, but really creative. I really like the idea

Landscaping on small pond, where I can play with my Arowana, surrounded by my Orchid house... Huhhhh...

The bedroom, all wooden-made...mphhh...

The living room

Am I too ambitious.......? Yahhh... but nothing wrong to be an ambitious person right?

To the designer of these chalets, congratulations! Its Amazing!

Diary of a Traveller...

2009-09-15T22:14:00.030+08:00

14 September, 2009 - Driving headed to Daro, in my responsibility to "An Honor to Serve"...

Kuala Matu @ 15 September, 2009

Daro, Matu, Dalat, Tanjung Manis and Pulau Bruit are major towns and places in Mukah Division that are common for my visit.

Daro, located more than 100 km from Mukah Town is a busy town in the morning but turns to quiet town in the afternoon. The town that is popular to its Terubok has transformed itself from a cowboy town to a modern town, thanks to the Batang Rajang on its contribution to Daro as one of the major transportation mode to other Division.

Driving through the state trunk road, normally quite in the normal days but busier for the upcoming Hari Raya keep me watching on the "surprise" sometime appear on the left and right of the road. The Igan ferry is busy, where I normally wait for more than 15 minutes but now full to its maximum capacity less than half an hour. The heavy trucks which are restricted to use the roads from 19-27 September for Hari Raya most probably the main factor.

Overnight at Daro, give me new experience too, something very unusual on my traveling. The town where almost 95% compromising of Melanau Muslim, almost all the coffee shops are closed down. I just "tapau" foods at seasonal "Bazaar Ramadan"and bring back to the Eng Soon Lee Hotel, the best hotel (Inn) in Daro. I try to sleep early as my trip tomorrow will be early, but finally I slept at about 2 am (layan cerita hantu).... I called it unusual trip as I travel alone, tapau food for my dinner, everything alone. The good thing is that Daro Town is wireless free, even though the connectivity is not strong even to chat in my face book!

15 September, 2009 - From Matu To Kpg Bruit...

Mppphh.... another new experience for me! I heard about Sg Matu before, and now I have chance to use a speedboat from the "Floating Town" to the "Venice of Sarawak" through the river that I call it as the forgetten hero!

Sg Matu - The forgetten Hero

Sungai Matu @ 15 September, 2009

Sg Matu was the only mode of transportation which link Matu Town to Daro Town before the Matu-Daro State trunk road was constructed. It was the story that I get from my speedboat driver. As the main river on the area, it even served the water supply for the local. By the modernisation of roads and other developments, the river still maintain its heritage as most of the settlements are along this river. However, its functions are slowly taken over by roads and most of the river users now are only the fishermen.

Some kampongs that I could locate are Kampung Bertong, Kampung Sok, Kampung Halud, Kampung Pergau and Kuala Matu. I can feel that each kampong has interesting story on the Sg Matu history.

Kpg Bruit-Kpg Tekajong Road...Good news after 46 years?

A project signboard at Jalan Kpg Bruit-Kpg Tekajong @ 15 September, 2009

Finally, the first tar sealed road on the northern part of the island will be constructed. The project which was handed over to contractor in August this year will be scheduled completed in one year. Patiently waiting, another mega project called "Projek Agropolitan" was planned in the island in order to help the "poorest island in Malaysia" (as how the local called themselves) from their poverty. By the completion of the roads in Pulau Bruit, it will finally connect it to the southern part, which earlier connected to the mainland of Sarawak through two ferry points.

Pleading through windy and wavy strait between Pulau Bruit and mainland is just too normal to scare. But in this today condition, I cannot lie myself that I am really scared. Huhhh!

Kampung Bruit @ 15 September, 2009

Matu to Mukah... the unexpected journey

Two of my experience speedboat operators @ 15 September, 2009

I left Pulau Bruit and Matu, happy with the development and start my journey back to Mukah. As my usual trip, my eyes keep watching on the left and right of the roads as my routine inspections. Too many to do for Matu-Igan Road, just if the Government have the money!

I stop by at an Iban longhouse, a community stall where they sell all the jungle products. I bought three kilos of crab (medium size) which cost ONLY RM 10.00 per kilo and f2 kilos of fresh water prawn (medium size, to me it is big enough), which cost ONLY RM 18.00 per kilo. I start to feel hungry, as I have not take my lunch or even my breakfast! Ohhh... its a real "An Honour to Serve"!

Reach Igan ferry, I experience a scary experience which I never expect (not even dare to expect) to happen to me. However, today will be ended at 12 midnight, and tomorrow I will start my new life again.. Thanks God!

And I believe that I need long vacation now and need rest...

Please save their Life...

2009-09-12T00:53:00.017+08:00

As I published earlier on, Tasik Kenyana is so special on its natural habitat for Arowana. I heard lots about it, but only have the chance to see it alive during my last trip last week.

Tasik Kenyana, an osbour lake to Batang Mukah is only reachable by river. That is the only mode of transport to the location, legally. On other aspect (I am not saying it is illegal), the area even reachable by land transport from and to unknown locations! As a gazetted water catchment area, the lake supposed to be the safe place for the rare species of Arowana. However, currently surrounded by Oil Palm Plantations, it is seems now the heaven slowly transformed itself to hell.

Rare species of fish including of Arowana, Belida, and Tapah are just few known species thats are available on the lake.

Kenyana Arowana, sooner to be a history to the lake....

The unlucky ikan belida....

Anybody understand on what she is trying to scream off? She might asking for S.O.S or even looking for her kids.

Unfortunately, this will be the end of her life!

Again, most of us know about it, but nobody cares!

Is this funny?

2009-09-10T21:34:00.020+08:00

I drive through a rural road in Sarawak today when my eyes caught on this interesting Signboard.... Its look funny to me when I read it on my first impression;

SLOW!
Kawasan "KAMPUNG JALAN BERDEBU"

I know that this kampong's name is not Kampung Jalan Berdebu, so I try to understand why did they installed the signboard?

In this few months, or maybe weeks the signboard will be cleared as I believed that they will be more than happy on the upgrading works which scheduled to be started anytime now. That is the rumors that I heard, anyway. Congratulations to the villagers and thanks to Government for fulfilling their hopes!

I make conclusion that the installer of the signboard was not trying to create joke. He might not aware on the good news of the latest information, or they might have suffered the dust for long time..

And this is not funny.....

Sg Tengkorak ????

2009-08-30T14:30:00.015+08:00

Photo by Nwo.... one of my best friend at Nangkat Salako

Tidak dapat dipastikan bila jambatan ini disiapkan, atau lebih sesuai dikatakan dinaiktaraf dari jambatan sementara kepada jambatan konkrit. Jambatan itu tidahlah besar kerana hanya menyeberangi sungai kecil yang bisa diseberangi dengan berjalan kaki sahaja. Bagai manapun, dengan kemajuan yang ada, hampir semua penduduk memiliki kenderaan sendiri, jambatan adalah yang paling sesuai. Terima kasih kerajaan di atas keprihatinan anda!

Asalnya adalah jambatan kayu atau balak, merupakan satu-satunya jambatan di sepanjang Jalan ke Kampung Pueh yang menghubungkan beberapa buah kampung ke pekan terdekat. Paling menarik adalah jambatan ini menandakan bahawa anda berada di kampung saya, Kampung Siru Dayak!

Sebelum ini, jambatan ini tidaklah sepopular sekarang kerana sungai itu sendiri adalah lebih penting berbanding dengan jambatan itu sendiri. Terlalu banyak nama, orang Salako memangilnya Batangan Siruk (Sg Siruk) dan ada yang menggelarnya Sg Takorok. Yang menghairankan dan menariknya adalah, nama baru yang dipaparkan pada papan tanda tersebut iaitu Sg. Tengkorak. Ini memberikan jambatan ini nama yang popular terutamanya di kalangan generasi muda. Saya tak pasti kenapa!

Sebagai orang muda, yang kurang mengetahui sejarah dan asal-usul sungai berkenaan, saya tidak pastilah sama ada itulah nama sebenar Sungai tersebut. Yang pasti adalah menarik untuk mengetahui nama di sebalik jambatan tersebut, sama ada ianya betul atau kesilapan mencetak pada papan tanda perlu diperbetulkan agar tidak menghilangkan identiti sungai tersebut. Bagi penduduk kampung, sungai tersebut sangat penting untuk pengairan yang mengairi tanaman dan dusun mereka, selain beberapa adat istiadat kaum Salako seperti "bersunat" dan sebagainya. Semasa kecil, itulah satu-satunya sungai yang saya kenali, tempat mandi-manda kerana airnya yang jernih dan menyegarkan.

Sekiranya nama Sg Tengkorak adalah betul, menarik untuk mengetahui cerita di sebalik nama tersebut. Sekiranya tersalah letak, adalah juga menarik kiranya nama sebenar diletakkan pada sungai tersebut. Saya tidak tertarik untuk menuding jari ke atas kesilapan sesiapa, tetapi saya tertarik untuk memperbetulkan keadaan dan mengetahui nama yang sebenar.

Tengkorak (skull)? Nama yang terlalu lucu tetapi semestinya mempunyai cerita menarik di sebalik nama tersebut yang perlu diceritakan!

Gold Arawana's thought of the month....

2009-08-23T22:06:00.009+08:00

"IF YOU CANNOT CHANGE ANYTHING,
THAN YOU BETTER FOLLOW EVERYTHING...."

Farewell dinner to Sue...

2009-08-21T23:09:00.039+08:00

A tribute to my former right-hand lady, Ms Noor Susielawati Ismail....

Being in the department for more than four years, she finally made his final decision to leave for a "better future". Working in a big department which was formed more than 120 years ago, we have formed a good and efficient teamwork, swimming up and down together, for Mukah we work from zero to its way to hero (hopefully). When the chance is there, why should you wait? So....... just go ahead my friend!

It might be just a simple farewell dinner, but its bring thousands or millions of tributes to her, who was contributing her very best for department and colleagues.....

Boss do the "Umai Breaking" ceremony... and lets start...

Ehem..ehem... Still talk about office works on the dining table kah?
Works will never end...

Boss talking, the rest are listening... Noor Sue is smiling for her brighter future, maybe....(:-])...
"Wish you good luck and all the best... We hope that you could change your decision to leave!"

How is the crab? Too hot lah...
Seafood was her favorite food in Mukah... Hu hu

A hero among three beautiful ladies....He should be proud of it... This is the first time we having our group photo together or maybe the only one ehh... I cannot remember

Which one is Gold Arawana?
As a tribute to her, Gold Arawana appear for the first time on his own blog and he is the lucky hero...He he...

To all my staff: I am proud to be in the team indeed! Even though functioning as a small Unit, all of you have contributing full effort and shown that size doesn't matter! And we survived without full resources! Thanks God, I have a new hero now (this time right-hand man), not to be as replacement but as a continual works to the great works she have done...

WELCOME EN BASIR SAIMI!

To Ms Noor Susielawati, wish you all the best and thanks for your contributions (working with us, not working for us),and sorry kalau ada apa-apa yang tersilap.. Remember this, nobody could stop you on achieving your goals... Cheers!

My Orchid Collection 3- Purple Colour

2009-08-17T22:36:00.017+08:00

Sweet, fresh and romantic ......

My Orchid Collection 2- Yellow Colour

2009-08-16T19:06:00.016+08:00

"Borneon" type. Expensive and difficult to plant. They are wonderful.... Do I need to elaborate more?

My Orchid Collection - White Colour

2009-08-15T23:07:00.012+08:00

No specific words to describe... to my eyes, they are beautiful....

To all the "Sheeps"...

2009-08-13T01:37:00.009+08:00

Chinese Horoscope - This article is given to me by my Colleague, who are now transferred and live happily in Kuching....

Photo from http://www.wallpaperbase.com

This article is dedicated to all the sheep, those who born 1919 (Earth), 1931 (Metal), 1943 (Water), 1955 (Wood), 1967 (Fire), 1979 (Earth), 1991 (Metal), 2003 (Water), and 2015 (Wood)......

Also known as the Goat and the Ram, The Sheep is is a gentle person, caring and compassionate. They are quiet when hurt, are strongly family oriented and being born under the sign of art, love beautiful things...

The sheep is the most feminine of the twelve animal signs. Sheep are thought by the Chinese to be harbingers of peace. Sheep are pacifist by nature, only becoming militant in order to restore harmony, and are quick to react against conflict to bring peace. Sheep love the good life, and their dislike for aggression and love for peace stems more from their love of fine things and the realization that to enjoy these things, peace is required.

As aesthetic people, rams love to make a show of things. They make ideal performers, and are seldom bashful in front of a crowd - indeed, rams thrive when all eyes are turned on them. They have a strong tendency to roam, and for this reason need guidance, or in extreme cases, tethering!

The Sheep in 2009: Year of the Ox

Ox year is your most challenging year of all the signs as Ox is your opposite and you will be uncomfortable with all that is expected of you. Meditation, spiritual and creative pursuits will help you through the year. Try not to take on more than you can handle as you could suffer from anxiety and stress. It is time to curb your spending and "neither a borrower nor a lender be" as financial matters will not be successful for you. All matters financial, relating and career will take a turn for the better in Tiger year, 2010. This year keep a low profile and associate with those you know you can trust. Lucky gemstone for the Goat is the Emerald which symbolizes the mother of all Goddesses. It will bring wealth, love, self knowledge and mental clarity to Goats. Your most compatible signs are Rabbit, Pig, Horse, Monkey, and Dog and your most fortunate months are January, March and May.....

You Are At The TOP....

2009-08-09T02:44:00.010+08:00

Adapted from the book of "What I learned on the way to the top" by Zig Ziglar

You know you're at the top when;

(i) You've made friends with the past, are focused on the present, and optimistic about your future.

(ii) You have made friends of your adversaries and have gained the love and respect of those who know you best.

(iii) You are filled with faith, hope, and love and live without anger, greed, guilt, envy, or thoughts of revenge.

(iv) You know that failure to stand for what is moally right is the prelude to being the victim of what is criminally wrong

(v)You are mature enough to delay gratification and shift your focus from your rights to your responsibilities

(vi) You love the unlovable and give hope to the hopeless, friendship to the friendless, and encouragement to the discouraged

(vii) You know that success doesn't make you, and failure doesn't break you

(viii) You are at peace with God and man

(ix) You clearly understand that failure is an event, not a person; that yesterday ended last night, and today is your brand-new day

(x) You know that "he who would be greatest among you must become the servant of all"

(xi) You are pleasant to the grouch, courteous to the rude, and generous to the needy because you know the long-term benefits of receiving

(xii) You recognize, confess, develop, and use your God-given physical, mental, and spiritual abilities to the glory of God and for the benefit of mankind

(xiii) You stand in front of the creator of the universe, and He Says to you, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant"

Kering, Api, bakar, jerebu, dan...

2009-08-05T19:11:00.019+08:00

Gold Arawana membebel tentang Cuaca Kering, api, bakar, jerebu, dan...PENYAKIT!

Hari yang normal bagi saya, setelah menghabiskan masa yang panjang untuk tugasan rasmi di luar stesen. Dengan harapan agar hari ini adalah hari yang baik, semangat berkobar untuk berbakti kepada rakyat, sempena penyerahan rasmi tag "An Honour To Serve" untuk dipakai sepanjang masa bertugas.

Terkejut? Tidak juga, kerana dalam perjalanan balik dari Sibu ke Mukah yang mengambil masa dalam 3 jam (My driving standard normally about 4 hours), melalui jalan yang gelap pada awal pagi (I means at 1 in the morning), hanya ditemani oleh pemandu sahaja. Dalam keadaan cuaca baik ketika ini, bulan memang sentiasa muncul, menerangi seluruh bumi. Tapi kali ini agak berlainan, bulan muncul umpama gerhana bulan yang terakhir sekali saya saksikan 23 tahun yang lepas. Tapi itu adalah tiga hari yang lepas...

Hari ini keadaan lebih teruk, kerongkong terasa sakit, mata gatal dan udara di sekitar terasa seperti Mukah terbakar. Pewangi pada waktu ini mungkin agak laris jualannya, untuk menghilangkan bau asap. Saya tidak pasti. Yang pasti, saya bencikan keadaan ini, nak bernafas pun susah, huhhh... udara pun nak kena belikah?

Seperti biasa saya menaiki lif ke Tingkat 7, masuk lif, keluar lif, masuk pejabat, keluar pejabat...semuanya bau asap. Macam mana nak kerja...Agaknya penghawa dingin pun terkena jangkitan "penyakit" asap. Di sekeliling, segalanya samar.. Hampir-hampir saya ingatkan masih subuh..tapi jam saya dan jam dinding menunjukkan masa yang sama...pukul sembilan pagi!

Kebakaran di sepanjang jalan Mukah ke Dalat...

Kebakaran di sepanjang jalan Mukah ke Balingian... Ini kebakaran yang berlaku di tepi jalan, belum lagi di kawasan pendalaman Sarawak di atas nama pembangunan tanah untuk perladangan. Siapa nak dipersalahkan agaknya ya? Agaknya jerebu ini datangnya dari Kalimantan, Indonesia. Itu jawapan yang paling ideal.

Beberapa tempat selepas kebakaran, yang paling menerima akibat yang besar adalah kemudahan utiliti di mana paip air yang di pasang di sepanjang jalan tersebut (HDPE pipe), yang sepatutnya untuk membekalkan air bersih kepada penduduk luar bandar turut terbakar. Nasib baik tiang elektrik tu tak terbakar.. Kalau tak, bergelaplah jawabnya..

Dalam perjalanan pulang dari Balingian, sebuah kereta Bomba dilihat dipandu laju, mungkin untuk bergegas ke beberapa tempat kebakaran. Terima kasih Bomba!

Adakah itu memadai? Hari ini, keadaan lebih teruk, API (Air Pollutant Index) untuk Sibu dikatakan melebihi 15o yang dikategorikan sebagai merbahaya... huhhh...kerongkong rasa sakit, dua sudu teh ubat batuk(seperti yang doktor selalu sebut, walaupun sudu itu adalah sudu yang saya gunakan untuk menyuap nasi), melemahkan saya... Saya tak suka makan ubat, kalau tak serius.

Ada juga saya terbaca artikel, 900 kawasan di Sarawak dikatakan sebagai "hot spot", dan lebih kurang 25 ke 30 saman telah dikenakan setakat ini ke atas pembakaran terbuka! Should I make my comment on this? No! I am not the correct person indeed!

Kesan yang bagus adalah saya mengurangkan kadar merokok, rokok ditinggalkan di luar rumah agar saya tidak terlalu banyak merokok. Yang pasti....Asap rokok saya jauh lebih baik dari udara yang saya hirup ketika ini!

Sehingga saya memaparkan blog ini, dalam rumah pun segalanya bau asap, setiap dua minit, batuk memang tidak lari dari kerongkong....

Ahhhh...Can somebody please deal with it! Itu Kuasa Tuhan!

Janganlah kebebasan saya untuk menghirup udara segar pun dirampas... Hu hu!

Gold Arawana joined Face Book...

2009-08-02T11:17:00.012+08:00

Its better late than never, right? He he...

Gold Arawana now is a member of Face Book effectively on 1st August, 2009. For record, Ten facts about my Face Book;

(i) First person inviting me to Face Book is Michelle Ho
(ii) First person add in to my friend list is Stephanie SHK
(iii) First person chat with me in Face book is Mahatdir Jokeni
(iv) First person leaves a comment at my Face Book is Muhammad Pitrah
(v) First person sent message to my Face Book is Saiful Ambar
(vi) First person to chit chat through comments is Saiful Yazan Rambli
(vii) First person accepted my friend request is Bernard Chong
(viii) I used my real name and my real photo too (even though an old one)... Hu hu
(ix) I used my minjoes@yahoo.com mail, similar to my Blog
(x) I met my classmates and get their contact numbers after 13 years through Face Book

Thanks and see all of you there....

The Older Faces of Mukah....

2009-08-01T13:44:00.025+08:00

Gold Arawana Photos collection on towns in Mukah in 1980's and 1990's...

All the photos are the collection of Mukah Residen Office for the compilation of Mukah development magazine....For those familiar with Mukah will be the witness on transformation of this small fishermen town to a Smart City of Sarawak....

Old Town of Mukah... It was destroyed in few series of great burning, and now becoming the public car park..

The Cowboy era of Mukah Town...

Matu Town in 1990's... The black river on far view of this photo is Sg Matu, the only transportation mode linking Matu and Daro on earlier age...

Daro Town in 1990's...River still the best transportation mode for this town...

Dalat Town in early millennium..

Dalat in Cowboy era...

Belawai Village... or now better known as Tanjung Manis, a new District in the making..

Balingian, a sub-district to Mukah... some say that it will be the future Oil Town of Sarawak..

Nature and Life..

2009-07-24T22:22:00.013+08:00

Gold Arawana's photos collection on Nature and Life...

River and Life...one of my major interest.

Young and energetic...For the nature, we see that the eldest always creates path and support the younger to the top...

Because power, young and beauties is just temporary.....

The nature has their own "signatures" to proud off..

Looking for engineering solution?

Maybe the nature have the best answer...

Where you start is always not important as where you finish

Food is life... For Asian countries means "Rice is Life"

Too much foods also not good...

Life is always full of challenges and thorns...

But most of us choose to live among the thorns...

Lada (Pepper) - Kebanggaan Sarawak...

2009-07-18T21:41:00.027+08:00

...dan kebanggaan yang telah dilupai??

Lada (sama ada lada putih atau hitam) adalah rempah ratus yang hebat, dikenali ramai oleh chef-chef terkemuka di seluruh dunia sebagai rempah yang mempunyai cita rasa tersendiri. Baberapa tahun dahulu, Lada merupakan tanaman komersil yang utama diusahakan oleh penduduk Sarawak terutamanya yang tinggal di tanah tinggi. Dengan kewujudan dan kepesatan pembangunan tanaman komersil lain yang memberikan keuntunggan yang lebih cepat dan menguntungkan, lada semakin dilupai... Atau pun mereka tidak mempunyai tanah lagi untuk mengusahakannya?? Faktor-faktor lain:

(i) Harga tidak menentu, harga murah dan tidak berpatutan berbanding keringat dan baja yang diperlukan
(ii) Kayu belian yang digunakan sebagai pancang semakin pupus? Tapi difahamkan kayu lain dapat digunakan sebagai alternatif
(iii) Negara-negara pengeluar lain semakin banyak seperti Vietnam dan India yang menawarkan harga yang rendah

Kebun lada yang kecil di tepi jalan dari Sri Aman ke Betong...

Dan ladang kelapa sawit yang dominan di kiri dan kanan jalan-jalan utama di Sarawak...

Sebuah kebun lada terbiar...tanda-tanda bahawa penghasilan lada sebagai tanaman komersil utama Sarawak, dan suatu masa dahulu sebagai kebanggaan Sarawak sudak mengalami keruntuhan zaman kegemilangannya.

Mungkin Lembaga-lembaga terlibat perlu berusaha lebih...

Gold Arawana's Collection....

2009-07-16T22:07:00.037+08:00

Gold Arawana is not a journalist or a professional photographer, but he has thousands or millions of words to say, and another thousands or millions of opinions to point out. However, most of the time he just speechless...because he is just nobody to anybody...Some says that photo is meaningful than thousands of words.....and this is one way to express his feelings...

Parenting on "HUMANitute" ... Always try to follow advices and experiences of the eldest...

Or you will lost in this lost world...

COTTON is normally white...

They were originally white too...

Some are HOMELESS....because they have nowhere to stay...

And some are abundant their home...because they can stay anywhere

Skodeng....thanks to the advance technologies...

But do not misused the technology to "skodeng" others doing his private business...

Malaysian parable says; "Patah tumbuh, hilang berganti"

But most of the times we need to "cut off" and control the "grow".... or otherwise they will keep growing, extra growing and extra-ordinary growing like this "forest rain", and it will be out of control. It is just my personal opinion, anyway....

LOCAL DELICACIES (MUKAH UMAI)

2009-07-12T14:34:00.027+08:00

Gold Arawana on local food that you must try...

For those have visiting Mukah, or on the planning stage to visit Mukah, your visit is not yet completed until you try the special local food called “umai”.

Umai is made of raw fish, pounded together with norm ingredients such as onion, chili and lemon. Sometimes, grind peanuts are added. Another old version of umai is to serve it together with another local food called sago.

Those familiar with Japanese “Sushi”, Umai is just a sibling of that type of raw food. Except the way it serves, the preparation of the fish is almost similar. Fish used are normally known by the locals as “pirang”, “puput” or some are using “tenggiri”. In new version of umai, some says that cuttlefish and prawn can be used as well.

Preparation of the fish is not that easy as skills and experience on using sharp knife needed to cut the fish into smaller slices. The ingredients are normally prepared separately based on the taste of the buyer. In Mukah there are two types of umai, “Umai jep” and “umai campur” the different could be seen on the type of ingredient used and how it is serve.

A packet of raw fish currently retail for RM 10.00 which is about 100 grams, and the ingredients retail RM 3.00 per packet for “umai campur” and RM 5.00 per packet for “umai jep”.

One final warning, the best umai is made of fresh fish. Hence, please inform the hawkers, that you need special preservation if you are about to bring it in long journey and ask on their advise. They are friendly and helpful indeed!

Preparation of Mukah Umai....

A packet of raw fish, retail at RM10.00 for about 100 grams or less.

Ready-made ingredients, retail at RM3.00 per packet (Umai campur) and RM5.00 per packet (Umai Jep)

Raw fish... It needs skills and experience to slice the fish into thin slices....

Grind peanuts... it is not a compulsory ingredient

Aji-No-Moto... Can put extra for your own taste..

Onions and Chillies... This are compulsory ingredients

Mix them together....

Dont forget to put this...

Squeeze on the umai and dont forget to separate the seeds...

Mix them together and it is ready to serve... Enjoy..

Mukah Wet Market is open daily as early as 6.00 am.... Mukah Umai is available at almost all food premises and restaurants in Mukah....

River and Life (Batang Igan)

2009-07-08T21:25:00.001+08:00

Gold Arawana on his trip from Sibu to Dalat by speed boat through Batang Igan...

Igan ferry, one of the landmark for Igan. Igan ferry is one of the longest crossing still available in Sarawak..

Speed boats parked at Sibu wharf. Second from the left is the one brings me to Dalat... With the bad road condition from Selangau to Mukah (due to road upgrading works), speed boats became popular for travelers to Mukah. Just pay RM20.00, take about one and half an hour to witness the relationship between river and life, will be a good experience for travelers......

For the operators, I try to calculate their income on it. RM 20.00 X 20 persons or more = at least RM 400.00 per trip. Not bad ley....That means that they could earn at least RM 1,600.00 per day!

My speed boat just pleading away from Sibu wharf and the photo shows the old wharf formerly known as "Pulau Babi". Don't ask me how it gets it names....funnylah. It is not even an island.

Life is always good for the town folks... but some are not. Thumps up to this young parent...this river might be means everything to this small family...

Batang Igan Bridge... The road that will connect Tanjung Manis to Sibu.

Timber-based industries are common along this river. Travelers even can see hundreds of them along the river. Other than providing job opportunities to the locals and gear up the state economy, they also provide major contribution to the spoiled of river ecosystem.

Timber-based industries cannot be blamed as sole contributor to the river pollution. The settlements along the river are also one of the contributor.

Batang Igan being known and developed for its potential for ship-building industries. Creating another job opportunities for the locals...

At downstream of the river, the river even full of wastes and the folks nearby have to suffer...

Unfortunately, my journey was not up to the Kuala Igan.. This canal named Kut Canal which I am not very sure on the existence either it is a natural river or a man made canal. However, this canal provides a shortcut for the river users to go to Dalat.

Pleading out of Kut Canal is another major river in Mukah....Batang Oya... The bridge named Jambatan Dalat is now under construction. Believe me or not, once the bridge completed, travelers can go direct to Brunei from Dalat in a few minutes! I means to Kampung Brunei....

Dalat Town is on the far view of this photo... My previous publish about Dalat Town could be read on my Travelogue folder.

Beautification works for Dalat Waterfront is under construction... It hope that it could rejuvenate the tourism potential in Dalat...

Keep in mind that Sarawak blessed with thousands kilometers of rivers. By comparison to those live in deserts where fuel is much cheaper than drinking water, we should be proud of, appreciate and pay our full respects to them. Keep on polluting and no awareness to protect it might cost our life in danger. Aware on the potential hazards, government have put up so many campaign but I am sorry to question either it is really works? This should be another issue to think and discussed further..

DBNA Mukah - Farewell Party To Mr Jonathan & Family

2009-07-07T21:42:00.012+08:00

Gold Arawana wish En Jonathan and his family all the best and thanks for his major contributions as part of the development team in Mukah as well as the community of Dayak. He was the chairman of Sarawak Dayak National Union (SDNU), Mukah Branch for 2008/2009 session, and also actively involved in activities organised by the Dayak Bidayuh National Association (DBNA), Muka Branch.

Mr Jonathan, on his speech or performing his favourite song...Nyau nyaba kaban..

DBNA Mukah Chairman, Mr Willie Supak giving his speech

DBNA Mukah secretary, Mdm. Nolind Gendang... MC of the night....well done madam..

When is my turn ha..???

Happy hour & Poco-poco time...

Where is Gold Arawana??? He is the photographer.... He he