Letters written by a Sarawakian

Greetings lads.

Well,after so long on hiatus,I've decided to make this blog active again. Therefore,I've also decided to come up with a new blog for this blog,easier to read,not too painful for the eyes to see and read and may all of you would like it as much as I do. Well, if there's any comment, please just let me know.

All the while that I haven't been writing here, I've been reading my fellow Sarawakians' blogs which are all very nice and illuminating, of course. I shall write soon again.

Until then,
God bless

Everytime I went back to Miri for holiday,there are a few places that I must go-to eat.Some of the places are Wawasan 2020 where I'd have my dim sum,the classic chendol restaurant at the center of the city, Tanjong Lobang and at the market. This is just to name a few but I'd just like to share an interesting story about the one at the market.

There are,what,4 siblings working on their stall-selling really delicious Curry Chicken Rice.It's one of the few eating places where I would order at least 2 plates.It's so nice I take it as an obligation to go there everytime I'm here in Miri for the holiday.Mind you,I love it!

So,the siblings that work at this stall are all old,I suppose on averge,60-70++ years old.If I see correctly,I could identify 3 grandma and 1 grandpa among the 4.Or is it 5?I'm confuse sometimes,but my judgement is based on their looks-they resembled each other quite closely. Anyway,according to one of my sources who happens to be another fan of the siblings,they are all singles-by that,I mean not married and that means,they have no children.That's really sad because then,they would have no one to continue the business once they're gone. Apart from that,my friend told me that they open at their hearts' will. If they feel like opening their stall,they would open it.If they don't feel like it,they don't.Bemused,nonetheless.And if any of you decided to give it a go,make sure to go before 12. Usually,by then,the fooods will all be finished as they have lots of customers,all queuing up to buy the Nasi Kari from them;One plate of really delicious Curry Rice is RM4 and that's really worth it.

Just thought of sharing!

the style of Shakesphere ringing in my ears. I was quite interested with an article from Malaysiakini today,regarding the Universities and University Colleges Act (UUCA).The Parliament was debating about it where the whole motion was proposed by Tony Pua,DAP Assemblyman of Petaling Jaya Utara and the opposition lawmakers were pushing for a series of changes in the amendment Bill to pave way for greater students' freedom in politics. I find this very interesting indeed as I am now a student myself and should there be changes in the system,I would be affected to as well.

Anyway,I was just wondering,does it really help the students to develop themselves and spread their wings should they are given more space to fly about,expressing their thoughts more actively by joining political parties and political activities?

I must say I agree with banning the students from joining any political parties and political activities. While it is very tempting indeed to join the club and involving oneself with rallies-ceramahs,election campaigns,but the students must remember that the reason they are at the Universities at the moment is to study,study and study. One might argue that perhaps,by joining political parties and its activities,can develop charisma, skills, improve public relations, but there is a lot of time after graduation to do so. If one indeed feels the need to improve their soft-skills,the need to improve other things than the things they learn from the books,well,there are always organizations that they can join. It is not only benefiticial but also, a suitable platform for these young and great minds to share their thoughts with others who have similar interests as well.

So,is it really better to allow the students to enter the political arena?Being a student in University Malaya,I have had the liberty of witnessing the campus-election held at the university,between the Pro-Aspirasi and Pro-Mahasiswa. Well, I must say there are many talented individuals that have great potentials to be great leaders in the future. But as a student,they need to remember that they have responsbilities towards their studies as well and mind you,there are certain cases whereby some students who were actively indulging themselves with their so-called political dreams failed in their studies and dwindled-lost in their dreams too far. And must also remember,while the students are paying school fees(for the local Universities in particular),still,but most of the fees are paid by the government or in other word, the taxpayers' money. So,it's not really wise to throw away the opportunity provided to us where we can risked being kicked out from the University just because ,one sunny day,we decided to join a rally hosted by Anwar Ibrahim. What happens after that?Sure,if you have loadsa' money,it's not a problem.If you don't?Think wisely.

There are things we can do even if we cannot fully participate in the whole circus, as a matter of fact. There are blogs,there are clubs like AISEC,there are organizations out there that work to help improve the lives of the disables,the olds,saving the environments-aren't these organizations too provide a way for these talented students to improve as well?I really think so.

This topic has been the hot topic at the campus and certain students,especially the Pro-Mahasiswa (the Opposition) felt they should be given more freedom to join the politcal parties and activities and some of you might and surely have differing ideas as to what I'm presenting here.However,I just feel that as a student,it is important as well as to not too carried away with the whole political game for now as we need to ensure excellency in the studies first and can always join clubs,projects,organizations to improve or build soft-skills. Again,this is just my thought.

I went to Malacca a few weeks ago,on a short trip with some friends to see what the so-called historical city has to offer. There's two words that I can use to summarize the whole journey there at Malacca: interesting & dissapointing. While the city of Malacca has indeed preserved well some of the old buildings like Christ Church (correct me if I'm wrong), A'Famosa and so on-i don't really remember the names of the places I went. But still,when it comes to the way Malaysia handles things,it will end up as Malaysia as well.Apart from the main part of the city where these historical buildings are grouped together,other parts of the city weren't really seducing me. The bus stops are confusing,the buildings are scattered.Now now,my article is not about Malacca,that we can straighten out. No,it's still about Sarawak and this time,I'd like to touch again about my hometown, Miri Resort City.

I would like to illuminate the word resort by the way.It's interesting to live in a place where the particular place is being developed and built for the sake of tourism.So,we should expect looking at Paris,Rome,Sydney for examples,no?I've just reached Miri last Monday for the semester break and then,the very next few days,been spending my time going around the beloved city of mine.Yes,I can see more and more developments are coming around. But I suppose it's even more dissapointing than Malacca.But at least Miri is more organized and not scattered like Malacca. I think it is agreeable to say that Sarawak is not really short of money,right?So,based on newspapers and internet reading,our ministers kept on saying that tourism contributes lots of money to the country.So,why hesitate on developing more tourist areas and not only that,we should also be serious maintaining them as well.For instance,in Putrajaya.It's a multi-billion project by the government of Malaysia-yes,yes,lots of beautiful and creative builidings,but a walk around the place just dissapoints me .Simple as that.The grasses are long,the flowers are not properly maintained,the paints on certain buildings started to wear off,I mean,why so?If they really are serious about the whole tourism business things,then being user-friendly should be their main objective!

So,back to Miri. I think this beautiful city has lots more to offer than it seems.But like I said,because of poor planning and procrastination,well,here we are,still slowly progressing.When I'm at the airport like Miri Airport,there's a brochure promoting the tourist destinations around Malaysia and yes,there's Sarawak and open Sarawak,there's Miri. So,some of the things we can do?Gua Niah,Gua Mulu,scuba diving etc etc.But the activities should be expanded more aggressively so only by doing that,more tourists are interested to come and that would indirectly lead to businesses booming and eventually,more Mirians decide to stay for the sake of the promising future and not for the sake of Shell.Perhaps I'm being too impatient,perhaps I'm expecting too much. But just look at the two statues of seahorses,the mascot for Miri in the middle of the roundabout in front of the Wisma Pelita building (google it if unsure). The flowers are not properly trimmed,the grasses are long.I mean,this really gives bad impression.Speaking of bad impression,the other day at Malacca,I took a bus from the Malacca bus terminal going to the city. But the condition of the bus with its aircond only releasing hot air instead of cooling the passengers,small and dirty-you can smell the sweat from the people sitting around you and surely,put yourself in the shoes of the tourists,or me(im a tourist,right?)what would they think?what did i think?the same goes for the roundabout.

And then there's the beach called Tanjong Lobang(err,is the spelling right?)It's a very nostalgic place for me.I love going there when I was a kid,running along the beach,eating Longans and rojaks,but now when I came visiting the place every now and then,there are rubbish everywhere,plastics,food containers,and nasty writings on the wall of the toilet and so on.

I lived in Miri for a very long time already.I've seen many things taking place in this oil town and I really love this place.But it can be better,for more aggressive expansion,aiming to be on the same height of other famous tourist destinations-maybe not Paris,maybe not London,but at least aiming to be like them.Reduce crimes in Miri,that is also one of the most critical things that should be considered seriously by the government.

If you ever come to Miri and a random walk around the place,you're bound to notice that there are lots of loan sharks' offices around the city.What does this imply?Gangsterisms are at large.This is also one of the things that make me feel reluctant about coming back to Miri sometimes.It doesn't feel safe walking in the city as soon as the night arrive,having late night supper at some chinese restaurants-somehow,I feel threathened.Night clubs everywhere and the lack of police presence just increase the paranoia even more. It's not false alarm,I can assure you. Reading the newspaper-Borneo Post- in the morning,chances are we'll find stories that touch on gangsters' fights,killings.It just doesn't feel safe,damn it!

I love this city.That's all I hope for.A bright future for the oil town.

Well,is it just a well-played propaganda, drama these past 51 years???all the bullshits about Malaysian dreams,being a multiracial society and all?Cut that crap out and be honest to us,now u damned people!
I'm getting SICK,and I mean damn sick of leaders abusing their powers to pursue their political means.I mean,for average Malaysians who are well-connected to the current news that hit our country currently,it's getting annoying,irritating and exhausting reading all those news reported in the news these days.the anwar case,atlantuya,sodomy,blah blah blah...well,the current highlight is this stupid frog called Ahmad Ismail, Penang UMNO leader.
okay,so here's the thing.Yesterday night (8th September),he did something very dangerous by saying:

(source: Malaysiakini.com )
"I want them to know, I want them to take this as a warning from the Malays. Malays and Muslims have been provoked many times. We have been patient because we want to maintain stability in the country," he said.

"Remember! The patience of Malays and Muslims has its limits. Do not push us to the wall, where we will be forced to reject the Chinese for the sake of our survival.

"If what I say sounds too strong for BN, take this as a warning from the Malays and Muslims as this has nothing to do with Umno. Do not pressure Umno leaders until they are caught in a dilemma.

He also warned Chinese Malaysians not to mimic American Jews who not only seek to control the country's economy but also its political power. "

Okay,fine.But who do you think you are to cause such a mess in an already messy situation as it is currently?You are just one of those pricks leaders who always say about Malaysia,Malaysia and Malaysia and yet never mean a single,fucking word that you said!

Is the spirit of unity gone,now in our leaders?Then,how can we build a stronger Malaysians and achieve the Malaysian dreams if this kind of racial talks is being played over and over again???Remember the event in 1969?Have we never learned from our mistakes???PLEASE,STOP THIS DAMN RACIAL TALKS!

It is such a pity;only a few days has passed since our 51st Merdeka celebration and this kind of clown show appeared!

I may have no power to do anything,for now,but as a Malaysian,I have EVERY RIGHT to go against this kind of racial talks!I love my Malaysia and the enemy that we have to go fight against is a foolish such as this Ahmad Ismail!

We have built this country so hard,strong as we are today because we were united.It is time to see ourselves as a MALAYSIAN.

For the rest of my fellow Malaysians,let us together stay united with each other especially at these times where our political stability is at stake.Do not be fooled by politicians who use racial issues to gain support,instead support the Malaysian dream and only then,can we actually see that Wawasan 2020 is something realistic.Or if else,dream on.

History never repeats itself but men themselves repeat it. Remember that 1969...

I have an aunt,back in Miri and she has seven children,if I'm not mistaken.But the one thing I'd like to share with you guys about her is that how multi-racial her family seems to be.For one,she has in-laws from the Melanau Muslim,Chinese,Indian and Iban.So,last Christmas,I went to her place for a Christmas party.The interesting part about that party was,my brother-in-law(the Melanau) brought his Muslim family to the party as well. And my indian cousins came as well, and not forgetting, from the Chinese side too. It was really cool to see how it was all conducted that night. Since we are Iban,some of us couldn't resist not having some beers (or other alcoholic beverages).somehow,we have this thought that a party isn't a party without beers.lol. So,my aunt's children would still celebrate Chinese new year,Christmas,Hari Raya,deepavali at my aunt's place.It also comes to the extent where my aunt would remind her grandchildren (my nephew) when to solat when the time comes.

so,anyway,apart from the Christmas party,there was also the Gawai festival.Since some of my family are Muslims,of course,out of respect for each other's belief,we non-Muslims couldn't have any non-halal foods in our room at the long house.Well,of course it's quite hard because eating pork is just something we're accustomed of for a long of time already,so to not eat it during this particular festival would feel awkward indeed.nah,we still eat pork anyway that gawai.Well,my grandfather's brother who has him room in the longhouse just next to ours don't have any Muslims in the family;any of us who wishes to eat pork would just go to the next room to have our non-Halal meals while the cooks for our own room are Muslims. So,basically,that gawai,our room in the whole of the longhouse,didn't serve any non-Halal foods.cool isn't it?but the beers were still there too,but just placed it in the far corner of the room.My muslim relatives were being tolerant too.So,it was really a give-and-take situation for us that year,which was really good actually. and after Sunday mass,we went to Betong for breakfast sometimes.There,those of us who are non-Muslim goes to the Chinese restaurant,while those of us who are Muslims go to the Malay restaurant.

and finally,during my cousin's wedding early of this year.It was held at church and the flower girl for the wedding was my Muslim niece.We don't get to witness this pretty often in today's world,right?And just recently,my Muslim cousin had his wedding as well and my sister was the bridesmaid.it has been really great having this type of surrounding for me; a good exposure and none of the propagandas shown to us in the television where they only know how to act friendly but at the back,name-calling from A to Z.get what I mean?

At the end of the days,although religion and race are sensitive issues that should and must not be meddled with,however,if you are comfortable with who you really are inside and know what the do's and dont's,well then,nothing to fear!

If there's one I like to share with all of you,it'd be a little place called Lutong,in Miri.There I was,in my car,driving somewhere where I caught sight of a church,built right next to Mosque.Although there are maybe other places that have this kind of thing,but I just like to say how rare it is to be seen here in Malaysia.I don't know about Sabah,but Sarawak really is,live up to the nick "Truly Asia".Don't you think so?

I really love this song.I feel really proud whenever I listen to this song.