Maulidur Rasul 2010

State Level Maulidur Rasul 2010 in Sri Aman

The State Level Maulidur Rasul celebration this year was hosted by Sri Aman. The event was made grand with the presence of Sarawak's Governor, Tun Datuk Patinggi Abang Haji Mohammad Salahuddin witha Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Hajah Norkiah, the Chief Minister Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud, Deputy Chief Minister, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu Numpang, State Secretary YB Datuk Amar Haji Mohamad Morshidi Abdul Ghani, Assistant Ministers YB Datuk Haji Daud Abdul Rahman, YB Datuk Francis Harden Hollis, ADUN Lingga, YB Dr. Abang Adbdul Rauf, YB Member of Parliament for Sri Aman Tuan Masir Kujat and YB Member for Lingga, Hajah Simoi Haji Peri and various heads of departments. The procession was made up of about 5000 participants made up of about 120 contigents. In the spirit of 1Malaysia, several non Muslim organisations took part in the procession. Below are some of the images of the procession on that day for viewing.

Red carpet welcome: Arrival of the Sarawak Governor and his wife greeted by VIPs


VIP Section on the stage


YAB Chief Minister delivers his Maulidur Rasul 2010 speech


About 120 contigents from Kuching, Samarahn, Betong and Sarikei Division gathered at the KPSU old sports field  Sri Aman as early as 6:30 am in the morning


The 4.5 km walk around Sri Aman Town started off from the KPSU old field, officiated by the Sarawak Governor


1Malaysia spirit saw the Iban Community leaders participating in the procession also


The Chinese Community of Sri Aman from various associations also took part in the procession ~ here we see Cr. Jimmy Chong with the contigent from the Soon Heng Society


True Blue: My former Department from the State Planning Unit Sarawak. I could not recognise of the new faces there now and I only left the Department two years only.


Resident Office of Sri Aman contigent


Striking yellow from the Public Works Department of Sri Aman


The Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID) with their corporate colours


Ministry of Industrial Development - maybe due to space the spelling of Kementerian becomes "Kemterian" on the signage?


The school children also did not wish to miss out of this event


The multi colour costumes of Sri Aman during the procession


My Unimate Cikgu Freddy in purple leads SMK Simanggang in this procession


The VIP stage at Check Point 1 at the batang Lupar Riverine Park where the Sarawak Governor and several VIPs stopped to watch the procession pass by


The Chief Minister proceeded on to walk the 4.5 km with the other VIPs as he is shown around by our two Sri Aman Yang Berhormats YB Datuk Francis Harden and YB Hajah Simoi Peri


Familiar faces from State Implementation and Monitoring Unit and the State Planning Unit


Hornbill Skyway helicopter hovers above the contigents that are making way into the Stadium


The Sri Aman Resident Office Contigent


Finally the end of the procession, a photo pose (with the last two Departments I worked with)  Puan Noriah Ahmad the Deputy Director of the State Planning Unit and Encik Udin Bujang the Private Secretary to the State Secretary.

At the end of it all we enjoyed ourselves. For me I loved meeting friends whom I had worked with as most of the contigents are made up of those from Kuching and also Wisma Bapa Malaysia. Salam Maulidur Rasul and Salam 1Malaysia! Now I need to get some lotion for my sunburn.

Shania 1B Najib 4B

Buzzing Like Busy Bee

Our Right Honourable Prime Minister Datuk Patinggi Najib dropped by Sri Aman after stopping over at Rumah Manai, Lubok Antu last year. This time the longhouse in Sri Aman visited was Rumah Radin at Lachau. The date also coincided with my daughter's birthday. Both were highly anticipated events but duty came first as I made preparations to attend the function and worked with my colleagues in Sri aman to ensure a smooth event. Certainly the Prime Minister's coming to Sarawak is part and parcel of a birthday present for Shania as he picked a good date. It was fortunate that during the Chinese New Year Celebration in Sibu earlier we celebrated Shania's Birthday in advance to coincide with her cousin Jason's birthday, Jason's parents' anniversary and of course Valentine's Day.

Shania blowing the her 7 birthday candles early on an Annivesary, Valentine's Day and Chinese New Year 2010. 1Birthday for all Days.

It was off to Lachau that I drove safely and slowly on Monday morning of 22nd February 2010. I had the choice of going straight to Rumah Radin Ulu Lachau or to SK Saint Martin, the place where the Prime Minister's helicopter will be landing. After seeing a legion of photographers at Rumah Radin already, I knew my chances of getting a good photo would be dashed by these shark hungry journalists. Call it bad experience - everyone wants the best angle and the best shot. So, put about ten to twenty photographers plus a few television crewmen and cameras in a longhouse, i predicted havoc an mayhem. So i proceeded to SK Saint Martin to record the Prime Minister's and Chief Minister's arrival. I was not dissapointed as I manage to enjoy seeing eight to ten helicopters landing at the school - a sight to behold. The first to arrive was our Deputy Chief Minister, YB Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu anak Numpang with YB Datuk Douglas Uggah and YB Senator Dato' Sri Idris Jala. They were greeted enthusiatically by the school children who were witnessing history (and becoming part of one). The helicopters, the VVIPs landing at their school would be something to remember through their growing years.

YB Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu, YB Senator Dato Sri Idris Jala and YB Datuk Douglas Uggah greets the students and teachers at SK St Martin

The Prime Minister has landed ~ the helicopter which was bringing the Right Honourable Prime Minister and the Right Honourable Chief Minister landing at SK St Martin. They kept telling me that the helicopter's model was a Blackhawk but it looks white to me.

SK St Martin's compound was becoming like a mini airshow as helicopter after helicopter landed

Finally, the VVIPs emerged from the Blackhawk and one can notice that our Right Honourable Prime Minister was already promoting 1Malaysia with his cap and shirt

As the Right Honourable Prime Minister made his way through the students and teachers, I saw a familiar face. He was Cikgu Dennis who shook hands with the Prime Minister in Lubok Antu at Rumah Manai in my 1Malaysia Rumah Manai post. See his picture below.

In June 2009 - Cikgu Dennis greeted the Prime Minister at Rumah Manai Lubok Antu after the Batang Ai By-Election. Is that the same batik shirt Cikgu? Truly an ardent fan of our Prime Minister.

On arrival at Rumah Radin the ceremony went on smoothly as we can see a section of the crowd here. I did not manage to get a lot of meaningful shots inside the longhouse. I did not want to add to the already many flashlights blasting their ways into the VIPs' eyes

The VVIPs going through the programme book before the start of the official function

In the usual manner after the welcoming speech by the local Ahli Dewan Undangan Negeri Member YB Encik Mong Dagang, followed by the Right Honourable Chief Minister of Sarawak, it was the Prime Minister's turn to give his much anticipated speech. He did not disappoint as he announced a few projects for Sri Aman - one that would lift Sri Aman's dark corners to become lighted areas. His twitter mentioned of the mission to light up 95% of Sarawak by 2012. Apart from that there was a few announcements of road projects to improve connectivity in the Sri Aman District especially under N.26 Bukit Begunan constituency. However the most interesting part of his speech was on how he remembers his late father's passion for reaching out to the rural people. The late Tun Razak was famous for his 3Bs, when he travels outstation and deliver speeches - the 3Bs in Bahasa Malaysia are "Berbush Jacket, Bertongkat and Berdehem" (Wearing Bush Jacket, Walking Stick and a few Ehems in his speech). Najib also amused the crowd when he explained that he was trying his best to pronounce the names of the predominantly Iban area carefully while announcing the projects so as not to utter the word of the place wrongly. That included Lachau, Sri Aman.

So basically everyone was happy at the end of the day as the VVIPs made their way home. The longhouse partied after that with the remaining guests including me. And one knows how that ends. I can hint the Bs that started rolling in was Beer of course apart from other Bottles. But that was not the B I wanted to talk about in my Shania 1B and Najib's 4B post. As i remember correctly the first B was Shania's Birthday, the 3 Bs were Najib's BerBush Jacket, Bertongkat and Berdehem. So where did Najib's fourth B come in? Like an answered prayer maybe the extra B was handed to me by Encik Aliff of the State Development Office Sarawak from the Prime Minister's Office. I tried to make sure I was not drunk when I read the contents but the words were clear as the extra "B" from Najib would bring cheer to about 120 young boys and girls of SK Nangga Klassen. That "B" would be the Bridge.

Thank you YAB Prime Minister. A perfect birthday gift for everyone who will benefit from the Bridge. Our Prime Minster delivers, no doubt about that.

Youtube contents of the visit as reported by TV3 on 22 February 2010. The clips in Saratok and Lachau were jumbled up by TV3 I think. It was here and there. I can see at 2:33 was before the landing at SK St Martin, 2:44 was the entrance to Rumah Radin, 2:46 I can see myself standing behind the Police's Waja with Mr. William Manggoi. Hehehehe....

Backside Bang

Losing Count and Words

*Drums rolling* so we have it ladies and gentlemen. Another accident, this time a chain accident occurred at Sungai Tenggang, Sri Aman. It was raining and the road was wet and slippery and when one travels fast on a slippery road, there is a 110% chance that an accident will occur,and the theory that can be applied by this potential Nobel Prize winner is that RAIN + SLIPPERY ROADS = ACCIDENTS . Its was nice straight road, so straight to be exact that one gets to wonder how a chain accident involving about six vehicles of all shapes and sizes managed to happen. I don't want to say more and will just let the pictures do the talking.

The road was wet and this black Perodua Kancil had in fact hit another white Perodua Kancil (originally in front but not in the photos I took as it had moved. I took the photos quickly as it was drizzling and I did not want my camera to get wet)

So the Proton Savvy hit the black Perodua Kancil, which caused the white Honda to hit the Savvy and a Proton at the back hit the Honda and a dark blue Proton Saga hit the Honda which was also hit by a Toyota Avanza (far at the back)

So in accidents like this its really hard to negotiate when one tries to apply the "the person who hits from the back is at fault" rule. It because some of the vehicles hit the one in front due to the impact caused by the person from the back causing a chain accident.

It may be a new vehicle being banged by an old vehicle from behind.

Not to worry as the law was around to help and ascertain that hitting someone from behind is against the law in this country. No numbers of foreign legislators can say this is unfair or we will send our protestors to their Embassy or High Commission. The Roadside Safety Consultant (in yellow and blue) is also counting his blessings as he will be able to pick one of the damaged vehicles to transport and repair for the day for some ang pow income for the Year of the Tiger.

Don't Get Screwed

Drive Carefully Or You'll Be Screwed

On my return trip to Kuching from Sibu I was determined to find the truth about why accidents happen on the road. A lot went through my mind as I tried to observe the drivers that pass me by (or those I overtook). How the oncoming cars signal with their headlights to warn of Police roadblocks ahead. How the driver or motorcyclist in front of you would screech to a halt when they see these headlights and try their best to make a U Turn just 2 feet in front of you. Yes its true that sometimes accidents happen even when there is a Police roadblock. So my mind worked crazily for the first few hours. Why don't we put up large signs along the roadside to alert the drivers of the dangers ahead. Those that go with Big Fonts saying not just saying "SLOW", "SLOW DOWN NOW!" with "PRESS YOUR BLOODY BRAKES NOW DAMN IT!", or something to that effect. Some drivers may not understand so one should have a Multi Lingual Road Sign. "HOI PERLAHAN SEKARANG" or "JANGAN KURANG AJAR, KURANG LAJU BOLEH!". But then again that observation was shattered (and my dream to be a millionaire) when I drove past Sebangkoi in Sarikei Division. An accident occurred at the famous bend which has a sharp (almost 80 degrees) turning - the C shaped turn is enforced with iron railings to prevent cars from going into a ravine of sort. Somebody just flew over the cliff after crashing through the railings. Now I should generally conclude that the major fault, lies with the drivers 90% of the time (10% is due to faulty cars or road conditions or chicken crossing the road suddenly, roadblocks etc). Probably not....maybe only 10% of the drivers in the whole human population may be at fault or they just have this gene that is accident proned. The problem is this 10% screw ups pose a danger to themselves and also the 90% others road users. So if I should win a Nobel Prize, let it be because I wish to suggest that scientists discover these 10% gene carriers in the human population and ban them from ever driving a vehicle thus reducing road mishaps. At least give it a try aye?

When a crowd gathers by the roadside, it usually means someone screwed up....

Probably we should redesign those road signs that gets ignored. This SLOW sign is the last that he got to see before he went straight for the cliff.An alternative is importantl A sexier sign with a topless dancing scarecrow flying across the road maybe? But at night its sure to cause more accident. Let the experts think then, I give up.

Nobody will have nice words for people who screw up on the road and they will probably tell your tale for generations to come

Like I say.........

The press will have a field day coz the story will sell their papers if its a bad accident, what more if someone screwed up

Imagine the poor bumper that gets ripped apart from the main body

Don't ever screw up: on or off the road

Say Tak Nak to Road Accidents. Arrest those accident prone genes! Okay give me my Nobel Prize now. Cheers and Be Safe!

Drive Safely

Safe Driving This Festive Season

The roads were populated by holiday celebrants this week as many made their way back for balik kampung time. So it is not an unfamiliar sight if one gets to pass by road mishaps along the way. I managed to see four road accidents (two will be put up in this blog as I was too tired to take the pictures of the other two) when I drove back from Kuching to Sibu. I can't say much - just wish to advice those who get the chance to read this before you go for a long long drive back, do drive carefully. I will try to have my say when I go back to Kuching later as I try to detect the cause of accidents which has been the subject of those who wish to do their PHD Degrees. I am sure if someone comes up with a solution to prevent road accidents someday, they will become instant millionaires and put those tow truck drivers out of business. I am not against tow truckers by the way but there should be some way that those who are responsible for taking care of road safety on Malaysian roads should consider hiring these Tow Truckers to be Roadside Safety Consultants. Come to think of it, you do get to wonder why the tow trucks appear like a few seconds after you have had an accident. Hmmm....okay, maybe a few minutes. Its because they have a very efficient communication system (arriving earlier than the Police)and they seem to know which area of the road is accident prone. So with their sixth sense they just lie waiting in the corner with their Milo Shake for some careless road user to make a mistake. Do away with those ceremonies of Road Safety Publicity stints where we get VIPS to hand over some goody bags to motorists before the start of any festive season or holidays. Its a waste of money - probably we can invest it in paying consultancy fees to the Tow Truckers and their Milo Shake.

Somewhere near Abok, Sri Aman: this Perodua Kenari went of the road (notice the tyre tracks) after skidding on some muddy patch beside the road)

The car occupants look just fine, smiling away while taking out their personal belongings from the vehicle - maybe happy to be alive

Our reliable Roadside Consultants who will help the car owners take off the Car Plate Numbers once you have an accident. Anyone knows why this needs to be done? It costs a bloody RM12 to RM20 to make these plate numbers. The Tow Truck came a few minutes after the accident. But how much does that TM telephone pole cost?

Another accident we came upon: along Bintangor to Sibu Road, a white 4WD that seemed to be partially submerge in a large drain

By the looks of things, this quite new looking vehicle with lights on was not some James Bond Car that can transform into a submarine. Its in the drain for a special reason - again due to the slippery road. Imagine if it was the Perodua Kenari in an upside down position as the one we saw in Abok, Sri Aman. The car occupants would be drowned in seconds. 

Fortunately this owner (with black specs and in jeans wet from knee down) escaped with no injuries at all. He was disappointed that the Roadside Safety Consultants were not able to rush to the accident site on time as it was almost 6:00 pm on the eve of Chinese New Year.

Enough said ~ sometimes I am guilty of being a reckless road user at times. The joke sometimes is that when one sees Yellow Light at a road traffic sign junction, it means 'Tekan Minyak' or accelerate faster. Or when it is raining, try to drive faster so that you can reach home quickly. You may never reach home at all. Look at it this way - if you are driving an Amphibous Tank maybe you can go beyond any terrain off the roads. Our cars are reliant on good road surface to travel from Point A to Point B safely. If the road is slippery and dangerous, there is no other way but to slow down. The vehicle must always be in good condition and make sure its not the defective Toyota or Honda with a defective airbag. If you are driving a BMW or Mercedes then I believe you can afford to fly from Point A to Point B via Malaysia Airlines, Air Asia or Hornbill Skyways. So far I have stuck with Proton whose only complaint is a body which has holes appearing here and there with a leaking roof only. I am actually telling that to myself before I head home. Its my advice to all of you too. Think of your loved onces if they are in the car with you or waiting at home for your arrival. Drive Safe people!