SK Klassen Bridge

A Bridge In Need...

While on travelling duty to one of the places in Sri Aman I cam eacross an interesting case of the SK Klassen Bridge. The problem of SK Klassen bridge came into light when Mr. Sylvester, the Headmaster wrote to our office January this year informing us that the bridge had been damaged by the flood. I despatched one of my officers to assess the bridge on February 2009. Being a non technical person he could only take the photos of the damaged bridge. This could have been just one of those cases which would have been buried in the files (due to the By Elections, Prime Minister's and many more events happening here), if not for another reminder from the by Mr. Sylvester in June 2009. This time we despatched a technical team to assess the situation. Initially, it was not easy as we discovered no single department wants to put claim to it as it was built in the 1960s. I argued that there was no time for red tapes when lives, especially children's are at stake.

During school days, SK Klassen has about 124 children attending Primary 1 to primary 6 classes and 22 Kindergarden students who use this bridge on a daily basis ~ accompanied by their parents (plus 20 school staff - academic and non academic)

A disabled child walked to school by his mother crosses the bridge

Several wires supporting the bridge in its place have snapped. Some had snapped since last year. The Jabatan Kerja Raya technical team who came to assess the bridge informed us that the bridge needs to be replaced soon. I have to agree for during my follow up visit, I figured that the structural strain on the bridge would not withstand another onslaught strong flood currents. The next river current from the flood could overwhelm and sweep away this bridge.

Red tapes due to lack of funds or lengthy correspondence can lead to tragic consequences for the young students and others who use this bridge if no action is taken soon

Currently I am awaiting for the report from our technical department which I hope is done quickly. There may be other places with similiar scenarios as I continue to tour the Division. My study on the case sees that the request for the improvement to the bridge is a long time issue. Non action is due to the the message not communicated effectively to the higher ups. Our local Yang Berhormats have done their best to highlight this issue. All the Ministries and headquarters are understandably up their noses on the various development projects request. I also discovered that proposals or requests for replacement and construction of a new bridge has not been properly channeled or recorded due to several changes in personnels handling the case. It seems that the agencies are doing what they are required to do within their scope of function - investigate. monitor, evaluate and propose. But no one is communicating on the urgency need and delivery. We may say this is an urgent matter, but when it reaches at a higher plane, the urgency is diffused by other super urgent requests. In highlighting this, I hope some kind of assistance (be it a temporary bridge or emergency repairs for this bridge) can be rendered to SK Klassen. I, for sure will pursue this with the support of the Resident. Our young students risk their lives everyday while crossing this bridge. I believe this puts the request for an immediate solution as Priority One.

1Malaysia Rumah Manai

Prime Minister visits Rumah Manai Nanga San LA

Rumah Manai at Nanga San appears in the media again this time on a more significant note. It is another special place in Lubok Antu and has been featured in my blog in my Gawai 2006 posting and also Gawai 2007 posting. More special as it is considered part of Nadai Nama Nama as it is my brother in law's longhouse. Yesterday it apeared in National news as Malaysia's sixth Prime Miniser made a visit to the longhouse in a show of appreciation to the electorates of N.29 Batang Air constituency for voting Barisan Nasional in the last By Election. The cooridnation at ground level was intensively organised by teh Sri Aman Division Office and also the Lubok Antu District Office.

The YAB Prime Minister, Datuk Patinggi Mohd Najib Bin Tun Haji Abdul Razak addresses the longhouse folks in Iban language as seen in TV3 on 18 Jun 2009 which was uploaded by my brother into You Tube.

Preparations - A Day Earlier

Our visit to Rumah Manai was non stop since we got word that Rumah Manai would be the focus of the Prime Minister's visit since last week. Sri Aman has been a hive of activity ever since the N.29 Batang Air by Election in April 2009. Being in a rural setting, it took triple effort to rally all the agencies together and the surrounding longhouses within the Division at short notice. For first timers to Rumah Manai, Nanga San, it would certainly take some good navigational effort to reach the place. More so as the road was still gravel road since my last visit a few years ago. The good news brought by the Prime Minister is that this gravel road leading to the longhouse would be tar sealed soon.

Mr. Vincent Sawing @ Apai Rubis (left) with the Sri Aman Resident, Encik Abang Shamshudin Abang Seruji and the Social Officer Encik Zaidi Sarkawi coordinating the rehearsal under the hot sun

A few rounds of rehearsal was needed to ensure that the welcoming would be flawless

Apai Rubis: "This is how we do it..... in the sun

Preparations and decorations made in the longhouse - everything has to be near perfect

The welcoming band (Puan Bija playing the instrument) practicing the Welcoming beat - Owen (No. 10) has a new job in the photo above

The children from the longhouse and also those from nearby SK Melaban gave their full commitment to the rehearsal even if it meant standing under the hot sun. All were excited on the news of the Prime Minister's visit.

My brother in law's bilik was turned into a first class restaurant ala Hilton Standard as the longouse will be hosting lunch for the Prime Minister. It was also a first view to international F & B standards for the longhouse folks. The living room was adorned with pua kumbu and tikai rattan.

The Information Department also made sure that the sound system for the event would be tweaking at its best

Mr. Gerald Rentap Jabu was at hand to witness the rehearsal and also gave some input into the preparations. He receieved continuous telephone messages from his dad, YB Datuk Patinggi Alfred Jabu Anak Numpang who continuously called from Kuala Lumpur (the Deputy Chief Minister is currently recovering from an operation). It was heartening to note that the Deputy Chief Minister also kept tabs of the progress of the preparations even though he shoud be resting.

D-Day All Systems Go!

On the actual day (18th June 2009), the venue at Rumah Manai Nanga San was like a carnival as everything went into full swing. A crowd of almost 3,000 convereged into the area and there was little room for slip ups. This was because communications here is quite an effort due to the limited coverage by the mobile networks even though it is just 6 kilometers from Lubok Antu town.

Vehicles and crowd converging at Rumah Manai Nanga San

Various government personnels in their uniforms were also seen walking about the compound

The tagging and coordination by the protocol (both from the Chief Minister's Office and the Resident's Office) and welcoming committee was also underway. It was not known altogether which VIPs would show up for the official visit and we had to make sure the margin of error was minimized. Some VIPs not in the list may just turn up as the helicopters land - coordination with the HQ (Black Hawk take off point) in Kuching was critical made more complicated by the limited communication capacity.

The crowd began to pour into the longhouse just minutes before the Prime Minister was about to arrive. The Rumah Manai Committee was at hand to ensure the well being of the guests - after all Gawai mood was still in the air.

The new elected Council Negeri member, YB Encik Malcolm Mussen Lamoh finalises his speech

I was busy mingling with the warriors (From left to right: Mr. Embit, Mr. Lanyau, Mr. Mujab and Mr. Mujah) who were dressed in traditional costumes

The children who were dressed at their best traditional outfit were also anxious to meet the Prime Minister

A Miring ceremony was led by the YB Datuk Douglas Uggah, the Minister for Natural Resources and Environment together with (from left) District officer for Lubok Antu Encik Nelson Mujah Girie, Tuai Rumah Winston Manai, YB Encik Malcolm Mussen and YB Dr. Johnichal Rayong

The only warning we recieved (maybe due to the congested line) was when the Police Outriders siren was heard at a distance. In a few minutes the Prime Minister's car was already at the longhouse compound

The Prime Minster and the Chief Minister was accorded a traditional welcome by the young dancers

The Prime Minister was greeted enthusiastically by the crowd who had waited patiently to him. It was a moment not to be missed by them as the only time they get to see him is only in the television. So when he shook hands with almost everyone I could see the smiles on their face. "Alam seumur idup tu aja maia ulih bertabi enggau Perdana Menteri"...translated it means this is once in a lifetime opportunity for them to shake hands with the Prime Minister.

Due to the struggle with the other photographersthis is the only picture I can take as the Prime Minister placed the piring prepared by the Minister earlier in front of the entrance

YB Datuk Douglas Uggah invited the YAB Prime Minister to sign the longhouse guest book

Similiarly the YAB Chief Minister Pehin Sri Haji Abdul Taib Mahmud also made it a historic occassion for Rumah Manai when he was invited to sign also

The visit started of with a welcoming speech by YB Encik Malcolm Mussen Lamoh

The Pehin Sri Chief Minister spoke in perfect Iban when he delivered his brief speech

Finally, the Prime Minister addressed the VVIPs and the crowd - as seen in You Tube above. Footages of his visit can also be seen in TV 3 reporting (including the trip to Kampung Pichin Serian) below:

TV3 reporting 8 p.m on the Prime Minister's visit to Sarawak (18 June 2009)

Right after lunch the longhouse folks were patient enough to wait for the Prime Minister as he continued his rounds of shaking hands with the people (Cikgu Dennis Jugah in the blue batik requested for this photo) on his way back

The Development and Security (JKKK) of Rumah Manai were happy also when the Prime Minster and the Chief Minister obliged to have a photo taking session with them

In the end, it has been a smooth flow in ensuring the success of the Prime Minster's visit. The JKKK recieved the thumbs up from the Lubok Antu Member of Parliament YB Tuan William Nyallau.

For most of us in the organising committee, it would not have been possible without everyone (federal and State Agencies in headquarters and also the local agencies) chipping in their resources in terms of manpower, creativity and commitment. It was with so many contraints that we managed to organise this event to the best of our ability. We stuck to our time as rehearsed, for we know that the Prime Minister has other places to visit. Though one would have expected something humungous but with a week to prepare and the logistics available in rural Sarawak, the organisational capacity was running at full gear. Overall the whole event was an eye opener and an excellent learning experience for everyone who participated. Once again, thank you all.

Drive Carefully

Early Morning Accident

An early morning accident occurred along the Pan Borneo Highway between Balai Ringin and SK Semukoi this morning (in front of the SK Semukoi School). It involved a Baram Bas Company Bus and a Proton Wira Aeroback driven by a SALCRA staff who commutes between Serian and his workplace at Mile 16 SALCRA Office.

The Proton Wira Aeroback seen here lying in the ditch

The bus went into the pond outside the school SK Semukoi

The tendency for vehicles to go at high speed at this stretch is related to me by the residents who stay along this area. Reason being - its a straight road ahead. But its quite worrying as kids who go for their morning classes will be walking by the side of the road in the wee hours of the morning

Being the first day of school it is a miracle most of the students were not walking to school this morning. If not it could have been a serious tragedy.

The marks of the accident can be seen as the Proton Wira was dragged almost 30 to 50 metres by the bus after impact before both landed on the side of the road. usually the school children will be walking to school on the grassy part of the road.



Another view of the accident scene

The bus driver managed to hop off this bus and it was told that he was slightly injured. He was nowhere near the scene as he was said to have left immediately for Serian which was 20 minutes away from the accident spot.

A nearer look will reveal that the Proton Wira was damaged beyond recognition especially on the driver's side (this is after the Bomba cut through the car )

The SALCRA staff died on the spot due to the head on collision. The body f the driver was recovered by the BOMBA after they opened up the car roof. Pieces of the car were seen stuck on the bus bumper which is said to be heading for Serian while the Proton Wira was heading for Balai Ringin.

The bus after the accident - its as if the front part of the bus has chewed the Proton's front bumper

A closer view of the Proton's front bumper (in green) still stuck to the bus's front

The body bag of the accident victim was put at the back of a Police pick up and will be brought to the Serian Hospital. Its a grim reminder for all road users. Usually accidents are blamed on inexperienced or careless road users. In this case it seems that both drivers are familiar with the road. The straight stretch is quite a temptation for the drivers who ply this route. In this case it does seem that the bus went into the Proton Wira's lane by the looks of the accident debris. At least that's what the witnesses related to me. Nadai Nama Nama's advice to all road users - Drive Safely, Carefully and Pray the other driver does too.

Hot Gawai 2009

Gawai 2009 Celebrated In High Temperatures

Gawai was hot this year...due to the weather. The heat wave made it a sluggish Gawai it certainly did not spoil the family's gathering fun. And it has been a while I dropped by my blog. Not that I did not want to to but I have come to accept the fact that I am not living in a first class modern setting with reliable high speed Internet Connectivity. There is no surprises for me this year with regards to the communications coverage in my longhouse area either. No improvements since last year so its nothing to shout about. Even when I am in Kuching now my 1MB Streamyx Internet Connection is acting up. I leave it to my other Internet savvy brothers out there to bother the Streamyx Hotline. This heaty weather is enough to make tempers boil. Thus I would be posting in batches of blog posts soon after this. The 'Cound Not Connect to Blogger' message keeps destroying my posts when I prepare long posts so allow me to share my Gawai experience soon in more than one posting. Tonight's post especially is just a curtain raiser.

So its balik kampung to my rural longhouse setting which offers me so many different feelings after serving for almost a year in Sri Aman. The people at my place would have love to have those roads like in rural Sri Aman, be it tarred or sealed that can reach the vicinity of their longhouses.

The river is still the main mode of transport for those living along the mighty Batang Rajang. Though roads now has reached most parts of the rural areas in the Sibu Division but the landlocked Kapit Division is still yet to be connected to the main highways. Hopefully this can be realised in the 10th Malaysia Plan.

It has been like this for the past thirty plus years when, as a little boy, I first stepped foot onto Nanga Beguang (my Mum's longhouse). Come Gawai, we try our best ensure that the joy of Gawai is not spoiled by the lack of facilities which is enjoyed by our urban cousins. Playing fireworks is one of the latest additions in our place to mark this festive occassion. Some of my friends have asked me why I do not hold open house during Gawai but I have to apologise to them that it has been part of our family tradition to get together during Gawai and that happens in the longhouse where families and relatives, near and far converge at the place where it all began.

Electricity is mostly produced by the petrol or diesel powered generators but not all night long during normal days, as it is rather expensive. The diesel or petrol here is priced at about RM11 per gallon. It requires almost 5 gallons to generate 20 hours of electricty per bilik/room/family. Our urban cousins would jump up and down if their electric bill is beyond RM100 per month but in rural Sarawak its RM55 per day - and bear in mind that's 24 hours electricity for one door only. Our longhouse has 40 plus doors so during Gawai night an estimated RM2000 worth of electricity would have been consumed.

Every Gawai we never fail to have special guests coming over to witness how we celebrate Gawai and we had the honour of having young Mr. David who came from Kuala Lumpur. He happened to be my cousin Darleena's coursemate while in Kuala Lumpur and they are now both in Canada. Its rather interesting to find out his perspective as he has never stepped into a longhouse before this. Some of the photos in the upcoming blog posts will be David's which he has shared with Nadai Nama Nama blog. He took some good shots while I was out cold due to the 'drinking' sessions..... ooppss... i mean visiting sessions.

In my upcoming Gawai blog posts too I would like to share how we have been practicing the One Malaysia concept. Maybe it is not in the concept drawn by our Right Honourable Prime Minister but looking at it, I believe some elements of One Malaysia is actually alive and well in rural Nanga Beguang. Till we meet again, Cheerios!