Selamat Hari Raya Wishes 2009

Nadai Nama Nama wishes its Muslim friends a Selamat Hari Raya 2009. Due to the tight schedule, I am a bit late in putting up this post of wishing Selamat Hari Raya but at the moment Hari Raya wishes are still going on till the end of the month. Most of the kampungs in Sri Aman are still celebrating and house visiting especially among the childreng. As I had not got the chance to visit my colleagues last Hari Raya 2008, I made a point to go this year.

Selamat Hari Raya 2009 Deco at tHe Spring Shopping Complex, Kuching looks unique and creative. It is one of the shopping complex that care to provide this type of decoration for the festive season.

Raya Visits in Sri Aman

The Hari Raya celebration in Sri Aman is like any other Raya celebration one gets to experience if one is in a small town. The joy of Raya and the spirit of visiting from one house to the other is kept alive in the usual Malaysian tradition. I made a point to visit the Sri aman Resident Office staff this Raya and enjoyed the Sri Aman's folks perspective of Hari Raya. Unlike Hari Raya in cities or larger towns, the celebration here is mostly like a family affair - one do not get to go to large shopping complexes like those in Kuching, Sibu or Miri. The duit Raya will not be used for McDonalds, Pizza Huts and the likes as we only have Kentucky Fried Chicken in the town - and that is considered a rare treat already. Thus visiting from one house to the other is like going to a family house and you get treated like a family member there as most celebrants will be at home. Visitors get to see the children with their cousins or friends running about playing firecrackers and fireworks. One gets to see houses of all shapes and sizes and appreciate the decos they put in to ensure that it is a colourful Raya.

With Rozana and Omon at their house at Kampung Sembau Sri Aman

Awie with his daughters and nieces (cute matching baju Raya for two sets of twins) at their home in Kampung Hilir. That wooden express boat model is made when these boats were famous and are an important mode of transport used for travelling along the Batang Lupar River in the early years when roads were non existent.

Visiting Ossen at Kampung Hulu

Kak Rokiah's house at Pasir Panas near Kampung Hulu

Puan Jahani's house at Taman Siang

It was an enjoyable visit and I have to say the term 'mabuk oren' or drunk with soft drinks apply here as I gulped the colourful drinks being offered like a small kid. They do taste better during Raya it seems. There were various cake Raya which were as colourful as the drinks - especially the Kek Lapis (layered cakes). Its this time one gets to eat these cakes for free. Our visiting group grew as we went from one house to the other as I brought along those who I visited to follow me and I had a pleasant time as I am introduced to the many family members of our staff. In the spirit of 1Malaysia and Hari Raya Open House, I hope to make some more visits to the Ketua Kaum or Malay Communiy Leaders for the next few days. Selamat Hari Raya.

Big Heart Micheal aka 'Mike'

We had referred to him as the Joker in our office. The two meanings of Joker apply here ~ firstly the Joker Card in a card deck, its multipurpose use during card games puts one at a certain advantage during card games. Our senior clerk, Mike, was that critical link in the administration of my Development Section at the Sri Aman Resident Office. His experience knows no boundaries. Secondly, his special Joker role was that unique ability to turn the silence in our office into roaring laughter. But Mike was also a heart patient with a fixed timeline and he knows it. He had been informed by his doctor that he has fifteen years after his heart operation twelve years ago. He has been undergoing treatment all this while and he also had that ability to use laughter for he feels that it is the best medicine for him and his colleagues. My last moment with Mike was on Friday, the 11th of September 2009, at the stroke of 5:00 pm, we both packed up for the weekend and he gave that cheeky grin with that all too familiar word. "See you next week Timbalan Residen" and waved goodbye as he strutted out of the office. He had to remind me so much needs to be done next week before the Hari Raya Holidays start.

Mike's most anticipated project was the implementation of E- Government application in our office and he has just recieved his Smart Card. Mr. Micheal was computer savvy for his age, always in the frontline when it comes to simplifying work with the use of information technology.

So it was certainly a suprise, on 12th September 2009, when right after recieving the message of the late Mr. Augustine Jose Duna, another phone call came in from Sri Aman (just a matter minutes apart) to inform me that Mike had collapsed from heart failure and died at the Sri Aman Hospital. He was on an outing with the family and had just reached home when he fell and never regained conciousness. He breathed his last when he was in the car while being rushed by his family to the hospital. Its a double blow actually with Augustine and Mike gone almost at the same time. It was hard to digest the news ~ in fact for Mike I knew he had been having heart problems since he first joined the service. But that did not deter him from giving his best in the Civil Service which is why he showed that a weak heart need not necessary mean it cannot be a big heart. He exhibited that through his strong volunteerism spirit, as a dedicated work colleague, as a close friend, and showing good example as a family man.

Volunteerism was Mike's strength: always in the forefront - Micheal Edward would always be the first in the thick of things when it comes to the welfare of the the Sri Amanians. Flood, Fire he would be there - organising aid, coordinating resources with the other departments at divisional level. He would inform me first when tragedy strikes in Sri Aman and seek permission to organise aid. This is understood as he had served in Sri Aman since 1983 with the Ministry of Social Development (Social Officer) before joining the Resident and District Office of Sri Aman in 1987. Disputes are easily settled when Iron Mike is involved in the negotiation ~ refer to my posting in Work Hazards.

Another trait of Mike was his commitment with his work: Micheal (yellow cap) and Bujang Ladi (red cap) posing with a Pesta Ikan Tapah contestant in Pantu in April 2009. Mike knows that weekend is the most precious moment to spend time with the family but when duty calls he would not shirk his duties. He will be there with the rest of his colleagues - be it in the sun, rain or haze. During the recent haze, he could be seen manning the Haze Operations Room at the Resident's Office when he should be taking it easy.

Mike was also a friend who shares his knowledge freely. (From left) Mr. Micheal Edward, Mr. Latif and myself during the Batang Ai By Election in April 2009. I can say Mr. Micheal is the dictionary for the constituencies in Sri Aman Division be it for the State Elections and Parliamentary Elections. He had served several times with the Elections Commission when elections are held. Most Ketua Tempat Mengundi (KTMs) would scramble to have him as part of the team. He shares his experience in life and also its ups and downs, his determination to see also that his family are well taken care of. I was surprised that he would even refuse to be considered for promotion outside Sri Aman if there was such an exercise. Many a times I had requested him to submit his personal particulars and service records so that I can recommend him for advancement as he had served for more than twenty two years without promotion, he'll just smile and tell me he will give it to me soon. For the record he had recieved the Excellent Service Award twice.

After attending the late Mr. Augustine's funeral mass at St. Joseph Cathedral, Kuching, I was greeted by this view at the late Micheal's house. He was gone within twenty four hours of saying goodbye for the weekend. Maybe he had wanted me to remember him that way. Cheerful and all smiles and laughter. Its something I have not prepared myself for and I have never lost a soldier in my team, a key personnel, while we are in this War to deliver development to the rural corners of Sri Aman Division. He was an expert in his field and it would be difficult to replace someone with Mike's capability. He had just celebrated his 50th birthday at the end of July 2009. Ironically, Mike was due to recieve his Long Service Medal from the Right Honourable Chief Minister this July 2009 in Betong but somehow his name was not in the medal recipient list when the invitations came in. He lays in the coffin with his special suit which was supposed to be used for receiving that medal.

The final farewell - the hearse carrying the late Mr. Micheal Edward and the motorcade following it went into the Resident Office compound for a final time on Tuesday morning led by the Resident's Office vehicle.

Rest in Peace Micheal Edward the Lion Hearted

This war goes on without you Mike, and we will badly miss the Joker in you. We will carry on this fight for you. I thank you for showing me how to serve with honour irregardless of what rank you are, I am humbled to learn from you. An Honour To Serve.

Rest in Peace Sir

This week has not been a particularly good week for me as I had to say farewell to a comrade in arms. This blog of my farewell dinner before I left for Sri Aman Resident Office should have been up earlier but due to my hectic schedule in moving to my new station it just stayed unpublished. Now it saddens me to mix the events in this blog post as the late Mr. Augustine Jose Duna, the Director for Administration Unit, Chief Minister's Department, was laid to rest on 14th September 2009 after a long illness.

The late Augustine Jose Duna with his wife - the last I met him during REDEEMS 2009 Carnival on July 2009. He was lining up to welcome the Right Honourable Chief Minister. It was his trademark to be around in the midst of action - whenever there is an important official function (including unofficial ones) he would be on the ground to ensure that everything goes on well for the event management. Being the Director of the Administration Unit in the Chief Minister's Department is no easy task. One may assume that the official working hours is from 8:00 a.m to 5:00 p.m but the late Mr. Augustine goes beyond that most of the time, always seen in the office during weekends when there are many important events be it coordinating the State Disaster Relief Committee, Dewan Undangan Negeri Operations Room and even the State Election (Parliamentary and Dewan Undagan Negeri) Operations Room. He was also active in the Dayak Bidayuh National Association being the association's deputy, thus he would be present in most of the Bidayuh Cultural Events, including the Pesta Birimuh this year held in Serian. Puan Joyce has the Pesta Birumuh covered this year

I had met the late Mr. Augustine as early as 1994 (when I first joined service) when he was with the Ministry of Industrial Development, but maybe if I was to rewind the clock to just over a year ago, I can remember him organising an Appreciation dinner cum Farewell ceremony for me when I was transferred to Sri Aman. When I was serving the State Secretary, my welfare and the smooth administration of the State Secretary's Office was part of his Unit's responsibility. He made sure that I got the best support and speedy response from his office - sometimes with verbal approvals to overide the beauracratic processes - that was a high level of trust which I enjoyed which is to ensure schedules and targets are met efficiently. I returned that trust by making sure I do not take advantage of my position. During difficult times he would not let me carry the burden of responsibility alone and if its backup one needs, the late Mr. Augustine will be there for you - armed with whatever is within his jurisdiction to solve. He would be straightforward in his advice and what can be solved today will be handled today - a message he delivered again during my farewell dinner.

You do not get many fun and easy going Head of Deprtments who would mix and enjoy with the staff. During the Farewell dinner, the late Mr. Augustine rendered us a song too. Though he is known to be a strict administrator but when its time to mingle around, work related matters can take the backseat.

Funeral services for the late Mr. Augustine was held at his house

Paying the last respect during the church funeral service at St. Joseph Cathedral, Kuching

The late Mr. Augustine was a tough man and is known for his ability to handle many difficult situations, so when I received news that he was admitted into the Normah Specialist Centre, Kuching in mid August 2009, I thought he would be able to shake off the cold bug in a jiffy. He was supposed to visit his daughters in Australia a few days before but that never happened as he went into coma later in that month. I only got to know he was still undergoing treatment in early September and when I visited him he was already on life support.

The Lord is merciful and it was on the evening of 12th September 2009 that I recieved an SMS informing me that Mr. Augustine had left us.

I was lost for words, it was Honour to Serve together with you - Rest in Peace Sir.

Malaysia is 46

Today Malaysia is 46 Years Old. There is no fireworks, no celebration or grand affair. Just a simple note from our Right Honourable Prime Minister in his 1Malaysia Blog on his thoughts and also some statements from our leaders in the local newspaper. As a simple tribute to Malaysia Day I will have my own simple beer toast (I'll reserve the wine for Doctor Bala) and makan-makan session with the local community leaders tonight, grateful that this nation is at peace and is spared of natural disasters that brings calaminities to the other countries. The people in Sarawak lives in harmony and the only complaints one would hear from Sarawakian may be something related to everyday life like sugar shortages, non violent blockades or protests (orchestrated by outsiders), blackouts and water shortages, traffic jams. Other than that there is no violence that requires the army reserves to be called in. Its a significant Malaysian Day date indeed also as I am informed that the risky Nanga Klassen Primary School's hanging bridge will soon be replaced by a much safer I-Beam wooden bridge. The war here is to bring development where it is most needed and eradicate poverty.

Special thanks again should be accorded to the State Development Office of the Implementation Coordination Unit (ICU) Prime Minister's Department, the Chief Minister's Office, the local Ahli Dewan Undangan Negeri for N. 27 Simanggang YB Datuk Francis Harden ak Hollis, Member of Parliament for P. 202 Sri Aman YB Tuan Masir Kujat, and the many Federal and State officers who have chipped in to make this possible. Without their support this would have not been realised. The challenge of development now would be to ensure the proper implementation of the bridge construction and see to it that it does not suffer any hiccups (from contractors who may be thinking of large margin profits only). Meaning, securing the funds for the bridge is just the start of the journey as in all other development projects that come into the Sri Aman Division. I call it good teamwork from the local representatives and leaders to the local and ordinary people who will be benefitting from the project. We do hear grouses here and there for other projects but lets work together be it a small project such as this SK Klassen bridge or a bigger project like the Sri Aman Hospital. This project, small as it may be, will put smiles on these little Malaysian faces and that is priceless too. Its time to roll up our sleeves now and work, and when we say work, it means working together and greater things can be achieved for our leaders cannot work alone - Happy Malaysia Day. To all Malaysians, this is how we do it in Sri Aman. Cheers!

Six Months On

It has been six months since the last Batang Ai By Election. That was the By election which woke up Batang Ai dwellers and also brought people from all over Malaysia to converge on this small town. News of Lubong Antu were beaconed and transmitted to the whole world by the various mass media and blogs. The party flags from the poster war can still be seen around the area, life in Lubok Antu has returned to normal now. The visitors had earlier on decorated almost every corner of the town with party flags and kept complaining about the lack of water and power disruptions they experienced during their short stint here. Its easy to spot a visitor at that time - they are usually the ones running fast forward from one longhouse, kampung and shoplots to the other in this slow motion town setting.

After the election is won its time to deliver promises and as one walks around town, there are various improvements that can be seen in and around Lubok Antu District. the completion of the Lubok Antu District Office which is set to be the nerve centre for the district and also the Police Headquarters which, at the moment is the tallest building there seem to be setting the pace. Other new modern buildings coming up include the new shoplots built by ASSAR.

16 Units of Double Storey Shophouses by ASSAR

Modern office - business block is expected to open more business oppurtunities for the town.

The 16 Units of shophouses by Permodalan ASSAR would provide the town with more business activities especially the much needed bank. It was one of the people's request during the last by-election. Banks are reluctant to operate in the area unless the security issue can be addressed first (the need for concrete building for an office).

Activities at the construction site of ASSAR shophouses mean a healthy sign that the project is ongoing. More people there working rather than bushes growing is a good indicator something is happening.

Lubok Antu District Office

As mentioned the symbol of government administration - the Lubok Antu District Office is taking shape and would be operational in a matter of months.

The entrance to the Lubok Antu District Office - modern and refreshing compared to the existing Fort Arundell which houses the present District Office

The spacious District Office means a more pleasant and customer (rakyat) friendly atmosphere

The office from another angle

The Polis Diraja Malaysia (PDRM) Complex

Another landmark for the District's development is the Police Headquarters. Being a border town, security is an issue of high priority and that is why it is necessary to have a modern office to accomodate the security personnels expecially the Police.

Construction is underway

Some of the buildings have been partially painted

The PDRM main administration building - something to look forward to

Another view of the building from a distance

Longhouse Visit at Sukong, Lubok Antu

Lubok Antu's hilly terrain makes it difficult for communication companies to ensure proper coverage - that is what I was informed anyway. So its quite puzzling when I seem to be detecting Indonesia's phone signal which they say is stronger in Lubok Antu. Strange......does it mean our neighbour's telecommunication capacity is better than ours and their nearest town near the border which is called Badau has a smaller population than Lubok Antu. Anyway its for the telcos to look into lest the Yellow Men we get to see in television are also very particular about the water disruptions there - but I still wonder if they have to go to the washroom, how they can get out of those yellow suit.

The modern longhouse at Sukong, Lubok Antu

Upon entering the longhouse I was happy to note that they have two wireless coin operated telephone with that familiar this is Celcom Territory symbol. No yellow men here it seems.

The longhouse folks there told me that this two telephones were 'Mesin nelan sen' which is quite humourous. It means this machine swallows your money. Of course it was, its coin operated.

When I tried the phone I discovered it is indeed a 'Mesin Nelan Sen'. You put in your coins, the connection is bad and you can't get through the line dialed and you never get your coins back. Something is quite wrong here. I did ask the longhouse folks if they ever report the matter to the telcos and they said they always do and it takes time for the repairmen to come. It will be 'repaired' for a while until the repairmen leaves. This 'phone' can detect after the repairmen are about a hundred kilometres radius away from the vicinity it transforms into a 'Mesin Nelan Sen' again. Another new meaning to Smartphone.

The rice gunny sacks are a familiar sight in this Iban longhouses whose dependency on farming ensures that food is available all year round. So when someone drops by in your office one day and offer you a packet of rice as gift, do say thank you as its produced from their toil and sweat of six to twelve months per padi season.

Wrapping up the visit, I headed for the Batang Ai Recreation area (which will be reported in the next blog post). Discussions with the locals there indicates that they would like to see a more 'intensified' improvement in the reliability of electricity and water supply. If one notices a few picture above, electricity supply is guaranteed with those SESCO meters but here are frequent blackouts and water shortages in the area. Furthermore they would like to see more of their local Yang Berhormats to make their rounds in the constituency. In other words they do miss their YBs and if they do not show up for some time they do feel it. Not only the phones are smart...... The people of Lubok Antu have their own report card for their local representatives and the list of election promises made - it need not be the Prime Minister or the Chief Minister to assess the YBs performance. Maybe one day the PM and locals here can compare report card notes and give some marks. I'll be more happy to help. An Honour to Serve.

Program Bantuan Rumah

The Government's drive to ensure that the welfare of the people who are in the extreme poverty category are taken care of made a good start in Lubok Antu via the Program Bantuan Rumah (PBR) or House Assistance Program launched in early 2009. Most of the houses that are built for the needy in this district are expected to be completed soon. I managed to sample this heartwarming effort. PBR focuses on the elderly folks (65 years old and above), sick, handicapped, single parents and those who lost their homes due to fire or natural disasters and those in the extreme poverty (earnings below RM500) or poverty (earnings below RM800) list. The priority for the first phase are those in the Extreme Poverty listm especially those who have registered with the Welfare Department, and those identified by the District Office through recommendations from the local Yang Berhormat and community leaders.

Trip to Lubok Antu - no wrong turn or we may end up at the Indonesian Border

Recipient of the PBR we visited was Mr. Sandai Ak Nybik who is a senior citizen (above 65 years old). What is impressive s that the house was built within a month fitted with the necessary basic utilities - water supply and electricity supply

Additional conditions for the recipients are that they do not have a house or that the existing house they have are not fit to live in and the land where the house is to be built must belong to them

Mr. Sandai's old house is located near his PBR house

What Mr. Sandai called home all this while is about to change. Its quite sad to see this zinc structure which is considered his home. While taking the pictures also I discovered, for the lack of proper toilet, the surrounding area is considered the toilet and its like a minefield here...yikes!

The toilet inside the new house - though I would have thought a sitting toilet would be better compared to a squatting toilet bowl (if you have a knee problem at this age) - but its good enough anyway

The bathroom


The Lubok Antu Sarawak Administrative Officer, Mr. Ignatius Ayai inspecting the completed house. Mr. Sandai refused to cut down the rambutan tree outside the house.

The water tank outside the house

Electricity wiring with fluorescent bulbs and a fan

Though the size of the living room does not see any partitions with the kitchen it is enough to call home for this elderly folks.

There are three spacious rooms for Mr. Sandai's family - most of the houses built under PBR Lubok Antu have three bedrooms at a cost of RM40,000 each. The two bedrooms one are RM33, 600.

Handing over of the house - or home to Mr. Sandai is currently awaiting for the Sarawak Electricity Supply Corporation (SESCO) electricity connection, which is expected soon. It is hoped that the effort of providing quality shelter for the needy and those in the extreme poverty category will help them uplift themselves one notch out of the poverty trap. It is indeed a challenge for our office to locate those who may have been left out from the list as most of the people who deserve this assistance usually shy away from our officers. Trying to convince them that the Government is in fact providing houses for them or providing funds to repair their houses proves quite hard as some are illiterate and filling up the forms to verify land ownership becomes complicated due to documentation problems. But we try our best to assist them. The Government's challenge of war against poverty goes on for poverty does not identify which race, religion or political party you belong to. An Honour to Serve.