Malaysia Day Surf

You Tell Me

It has been an amazing experience helping Antony Colas achieve his benak (tidal bore) surf goals. There you are with a foreign visitor whose intention was to enjoy Sri Aman's Batang Lupar Tidal Bore by surf boarding the wave, and also doing recce for the tidal bore surf community so that they may know we have this thing called benak. At same time you are responsible for his well being and safety and that the notorious crocodiles of Batang Lupar behave themselves. The heights did not stop another Frenchman, Monsieur Alain Robert from climbing our twin towers. Anthony Bourdain, the famous travelling chef who is also an American of French origin was not perturbed by the wild environment of Borneo when he tasted our food. Even my tales of the notorious Bujang Senang did not distract Antony from his goal. He tells me that the waves to him are like 'candies to a kid'. Good analogy. A better analogy, its like what Jessica Alba is to me and maybe I will surf that wave if she asks me to (when she was still single...). So in Malaysia's peaceful calm environment, Antony Colas would not only duel with the benak but he will have to contend with the famed crocodiles of Batang Lupar river and the water snakes that occasionally appear along the surf trail. "You tell me" is his other favourite expression apart from showing that 'Shaka' sign before he surfs and also the "Yeehaa!" yell before he jumps into the water. "You tell me", that's how he gets his information about Malaysia and also Sarawak. I did warn him my history was a wee bit better than my information on 'Le Crocos'. At the same time we did our utmost best to promote Sri Aman and the Batang Lupar benak. He also kept asking us about the '1' symbol of 1Malaysia which is prominent in our official banners and newspaper articles. Yes, that '1' symbol is indeed an eye ctacher and it was easier to explain to a foreigner on Malaysia's aspirations in that '1'.

The fishermen enjoying the calm of Batang Lupar river before the benak arrives

Malaysia Day Holiday: 1Malaysia Surf

On the day (19th October 2009) that our Rignt Honourable Prime Minister, Dato' Seri Najib Tun Razak announced that Malaysia Day would be a holiday, Antony was making preparations for his final surf. We explained to him that Sri Amanians here, like any Sarawakians are proud Malaysians and we would like him to promote 1Malaysia while surfing the benak. Its our way of saying thank you for giving due recognition for such a meaningful date. Antony obliged and he would do so wearing our 1Malaysia cap which was provided by Malaysia's Sime Darby. While it was reported that our former Prime Minister laughed his head off the Malaysia Day holiday declaration, it took a Frenchman and Malaysians in Sri Aman to appreciate this meaningful gesture. After all, was it not in Sri Aman that peace prevailed throughout Sarawak when the North Kalimantan Communist Party (PARAKU) headed by Bong Kee Chok laid down its weapons after signing the Sri Aman peace agreement with the Malaysian government on Oct 21, 1973. That event happened 36 years ago. During that critical period Sarawak had to deal with our neighbour's Confrontation against the formation of Malaysia where armed communist activies were at its height between 1963 to 1973. It was a trying time and the state's development was seriously stunted. Anyway what is this small town's welfare to the wise Tun as Sri Aman has not even got a decent hospital from him during his Prime Ministership term while the Twin Towers were constructed and the 'Crooked Bridge' was planned. So the Sri Aman folks' will drown Tun Mahathir's VIP 'Ha Ha Ha' with our own excitement of 'Yeee Haa' benak surfing in celebration of Malaysia Day holiday announcement.

Antony Colas signals - this one's for you 1Malaysia.

Surfing 'BSA' - Benak Sri Aman

The Sri Aman crowd at the completed Tidal Bore Observation Station an eye catching structure just below Fort Alice

Sri Aman folks gathered at the waterfront for the surf event and the town experienced traffic jam that day - its like there was a Pesta Benak being celebrated

With a smile of satisfaction for our benak, 'Its done!' Antony's 1Malaysia Surf

The final day event finished with the Sri Aman Resident, Abang Shamshudin Abang Seruji who thanking Antony Colas for his feat and achievement. The Resident also recieved the surf board as a token of appreciation from Antony.

Winning the hearts of Sri Amanians, Antony posed with his instant fans

Special Thanks to the Photo Team

The adventures of Antony Colas would have not been made known without the help of a special team of photographers who risked their expensive gear trying (and lives to a certain point) to capture the wonderful shots of Antony's surfing. Starting from Day 1 the size of the photograther community in Sri Aman grew during Antony's day to day surf. Here are the additional pictures taken by the photo team which they wish to share with Nadai Nama Nama readers. It also includes Antony's quest to try out Sri Aman food.

1Malaysia! Photographers Dilah and Siti of abadiphotography provided the great shots for this post

Tasting the famous Dabai at Tandang Sari Restaurant, Sri Aman

To Antony this is Le spagetthi or better know as Mee Kering in Sri Aman at the MDSA Market.

Antony is quick to adapt to our cultural activities including the 'Tandak'. He showed smooth moves on stage also and not only on the benak waves. Antony gets the approval to be an instant Benak Ambassador from the crowd that night.

Enjoying the moment with Sri Aman's Deputy Walikota who instantly became Antony's guide to Sri Aman. Thank you Councilor for being a great host and good sport. Reagan (in yellow) of JKR also provided us the speedboat on the final day).

Smooth surfer - Some unique moves shown by Antony captured by Rozlan

Yeehaa! He's riding the wave.

Set to go again - waiting for the benak wave

Rozlan & Thomas - the courageous crew that accompanied Antony during his surf adventure


Benak surfing with the kampung (village) scene in the background

The sun's golden sparkle is reflected on the Batang Lupar river was captured by Abadiphotography team


Abadiphotography managed to capture this gorgeous wave coming from the back and powering Antony to surf smoothly above the water

1Malaysia set to sail

Dilah and Siti Zamrud of Abadiphotography

Finally, if someone asks - "how high is the Batang Lupar benak in Sri Aman?" show them this photo of Antony's 1Malaysia surf on the benak at its highest on 19th October 2009 bearing in mind that he is more than 2 metres (more than six feet) tall. Looking at this photo 'You Tell Me'.

Nadai Nama Nama also wishes to thank all to those who provide the logistics and safety team (the Jabatan Pertahanan Awam JPA3, DID and JKR) for their 100% cooperation to making this a successful event.

Usek!! *hic*

Cheers to all! The French way of doing 'Bottoms Up' ala Chinese 'Yamseng' ala Iban 'OooHaaaa' is 'Usek'. Then you turn whatever bottle glass or bottle you are drinking down to show its empty. One thing Antony and I learned is that if the crocodiles don't get you, the Tiger or the Chivas Regal Scotch Whisky will knock you down. Ouch...its been a hangover but fun!

Antony turns 41

Wishing Antony Yep Colas Happy Birthday

The first Batang Lupar Benak Surfer, Monsieur Antony 'Yep' Colas turns 41 years old after his final surf today. As he had to rush back to Kuching to catch a flight back to France via the Kuala Lumpur International Airport the ext morning, the journey from Sri Aman started as late as 10:00 p.m. Seeing that it was almost the stroke of midnight when we reached the small town of Lachau, Sri Aman, a group of his new found friends organised a simple Happy 41st Birthday celebration.

We do not wish Monsieur Antony to celebrate his birthday alone in the airplane ride back to Paris. The shop at Lachau town was almost closed as it was almost midnight. With the creativity of our Lachau Town host, Mr. Johnical Linggang and a few Tuai Rumahs in Lachau area we had to make do with simple and 'modified' birthday cake comprised of eggs and two cans of Tiger Beer. There are no pastries in this area to look for a birthday cake, and at this time of the day - or night rather, we were the only group still awake. Happy Birthday Antony! Yeeha!

Antony Surfs Benak

First Surf Attempt

Antony was all set to surf the Batang Lupar Tidal Bore or popularly known as Benak in Sarawak. It also goes by the name of Ben in Nadai Nama Nama. It was Antony's first attempt on 16th October 2009. The Benak was expected to come at 3:00 pm and we were already assembled at the Sri Aman Wharf, near the Chinese Temple.

Team set to go, here we are showing the 'Shaka' sign - surfers' greeting gesture

Antony briefs Thomas Kandawang on the operation of the camera to record this surf attempt

One of Antony's worry was the presence of crocodiles which was aplenty on the banks of Batang Lupar River. He came across this one (above in the picture) during his recce along the river on 15th October 2009 at Sekera, Sri Aman. One of the questions he asked me was the statistics of fatal crocodile attacks here so that he can be more careful in identifying which areas have crocs during the recce. Yikes! I thought....here was someone who would change my perspective of crocodiles in Batang Lupar. He says if he know a certain area is populated by the creature he would just avoid surfing in the area. To me, just a sight of that creature would make me scurry a hundred miles away from the river.

Another mini camera was also fixed to the surf board - it can take picture shots every two seconds.

Cruising along the river waiting for the Benak along the Batang Lupar River was not as simple as it seems. Reason being some areas are just knee deep and the boat tends to get stuck. The only way to fix this was to get off the boat and push.....that's the fear factor part....where you hope to feel sand underneath and nothing else. Anything that looks like or feels different- say a log, just jump into the boat as quick as you can.

Yeehaa!

So as the Benak approached Antony waited for a good wave and quickly jumped out of the boat, shouting "YEEHAAA" into the raging waters. It was his first taste of Batang Lupar water and he never looked back as he rose and surfed making it look easy. I was watching history in the making as this is the first time that someone is attempting to surf the Benak on a surf board. Sacre Bleu...the French will say.

In deeper section of the river the Benak sinks and the force of the wave is lost, only to resurface again in shallower areas. So there was Antony, surfing and when the Benak disappear for a while, he would go back on the other boat and chase the Benak again and when it emerges again he would jump in. Our main worry at first was that when he loses the wave and momentum he would fall behind and we would have to quickly pull him out of the water. That's the dicey part as the remnant waves of the actual Benak is risky for our boat. There were times when we almost overturned.

There was a stretch along the Batang Lupar which saw the Benak travelling quite a distance and Antony was there again to conquer that stretch. The people of Sri Aman had gathered along the Batang Lupar Tidal Bore Observation Station and Riverine Park to watch this courageous Frenchman as they clapped their hands and cheered him on.

Below are some clearer photos taken from Antony's camera which shows him surfing the Benak wave. Yeehaa! He wants me to show this in this Blog to show that Benak surfing can be done. Its like Kacang (eating peanuts).

Antony shows how its done and that its also an enjoyable sport

Picture taken from the small camera fixed on Antony's surf board

Who is that next to our boat? Surfing with the locals - most of the longhouse folks usually attempt to surf the benak on their small boat and the presence of a man that resembles Hugh Jackman surfing the Benak excites them more

Its as if a water creature is rising out of the water to chase this two boat surfers

Antony shows the "Shaka" sign.

I guess we must have traveled the whole length of the Batang Lupar, chasing and surfing the Benak. There was occassional an shower and the sun was also very hot but we did not care. This was extreme sports or hobby at its best. So who is up for surfing the Batang Lupar Tidal Bore (Benak) with Antony? He makes it look easy and he says the waves of our Benak are good. That comment coming from an International Tidal Bore surfer, I think the Tidal Bore phenomenon will be made famous as Mr. Antony becomes Batang Lupar's Benak ambassador to the International Tidal Bore surfing community. Hopefully they can come in for the upcoming Pesta Benak 2010.

Additional Photos of Antony's Surfing Benak on 17th Ocrober 2009 (Second Surf by Antony) taken by Abadiphotography (permission granted for posting by Dilah and Tony...Thanks Guys!)

SK Klassen Again

Bridge Over Troubled Water

SK Klassen is in the limelight again in the course of carrying out my duty. Its in the limelight because of what I believe is the lack of certain departments' ability to solve the actual problem of a hanging bridge which is about to collapse - risking the users especially the school children, teachers, parents. Just when we think that we have made a breakthrough in getting the bridge ready before year end, the higher ups in the chain of decision making got themselves caught in their confusing procedures and policies. I would say the case of SK Klassen Bridge would make a good case study for those who wish to do a study in government implementation mechanism - reasons for failure to implement. By all means do that.

For it is a case which pits the existing policy, procedures and agencies' circle of jurisdiction and influence and the people who recieves this development. Everyone plays a major role here - to those who put their job on the line by going beyond the system and for those in top level management who knows nothing of what is happening on the ground. The Yang Berhormats have been complaining to them either verbally or via letters but it hits a dead end. I would not go into details of the clot in the implementation procedures that can spoil the "Rakyat Didahulukan, Pencapaian Diutamakan" slogan. The strict financial procedures which are supposed to ensure that projects are implemented with integrity in mind experience many obstacles. Questions asked like "Can the project be completed within the year end?" "Its October now. The account closes soon for the year 2009" "If we do not spend it within this year. Our Department will be surcharged." "Put in the request again for next year and maybe....you will get a bigger budget to build a better bridge but that again is a big Maybe"."Build another hanging bridge"...."Tell your YB we submit another request next year".... which to me does not solve the problem of SK Nanga Klassen Bridge. What if the bridge collapse suddenly in the month of October? Do we wait till next year to build the replacement bridge?

SK Klassen Bridge Condition worsens as it begins to lean dangerously to one side

Going through the plans again with Mr. William Manggoi @ Irwan the Development Officer for the Sri Aman District Office and Mr. Chong of Jabatan Kerja Raya Bahagian Sri Aman

Mr. Chong explains the technical aspects of the bridge to the Sri Aman District Officer and Mr. William Manggoi (Development Officer at District Office) and Mr. Thimas Kandawang (Development Officer at Resident Office)

Aging SK Klassen Bridge needs urgent replacement as it is beyond repair

SK Klassen Believes in One Malaysia

The school children of SK Klassen, the future of our country knows not that they are in the middle of some bureaucratic whirlwind with regards to their hanging bridge. But its a reality in their daily lives as they risk not seeing tomorrow when they walk along that flimsy bridge.

SK Klassen students getting their daily meals

We believe in One Malaysia

Rakyat Didahulukan, Pencapaian Diutamakan - make it true for them

The mission for me now is to continue to play nice and be diplomatic to the relevant departments. It takes time to call for discussions and hopefully a solution can be realised. Something which is so simple made complicated. The stringent procedures can be a hindrance to development, instead of facilitating it.