http://www.theborneopost.com/?p=6847
800 Orang Ulu become Rela members in Baram
Posted on January 25, 2010, Monday
MIRI: About 800 Orang Ulu in the hinterland of upper Baram region including the Kelabit highland are registered as members of the People’s Vigilante Corp (Rela) members.
This was revealed by Rela Captain Jeffery Pasang Saging, the first Kelabit to hold the position.
Jeffery has conducted an intensive cooperation and recruitment in the upper Baram region.
“It is in response to the call by the Ministry of Home Affairs, National Key Result Areas (NKRAs) to reduce crime and fight corruption,” Jeffery told The Borneo Post yesterday.
He was appointed by State Rela director ACP Jamal in 2006 to take care of Rela members in the upper Baram and Kelabit highlands and he set up Rela in the upper Baram in 2003.
Twelve platoons were set up in Bario from 2003 to 2007 followed by six platoons in Long Banga (2007), three in Long Lellang (2006), four in Sungai Kelapang areas (2006) and four in Long Seridan (2009).
Jeffery said his task was to reorganise and recruit Rela members in the highlands.
He set up Rela in cooperation with the Ketua Masyarakat, Ketua Kaum and Penghulus whom he installed as ‘Pegawai Kehormat’ or advisers in their respective areas.
The Orang Ulu community, he said, were noted for their strong discipline and they can play a key role in crime-fighting and flushing out illegal immigrants.
Rela draws its members from all walks of life, race, culture and religion and has an exemplary track record, which must continue in modern times including help police and Immigration Department in law enforcement.
He hoped Rela would be involved in crime-fighting in collaboration with the police as the leading enforcement agency inline with their role as the ears and eyes of the government.
He is presently busy doing a recruitment drive in the Kelabit highlands and other areas in the upper Baram.
Monday, January 25, 2010
Sunday, January 24, 2010
The unifying factors
http://www.theborneopost.com/?p=6672
The unifying factors
Posted on January 24, 2010, Sunday
WHENEVER a new nation comes into being, among the first requirements is for that nation to write into its constitution the name of its national or official language. Some countries have more than one. For instance, Switzerland has four official languages.
Our country has only one. When Malaysia was formed as a federation on Sept 16, 1963, its national and official language was to be the Malay. That was written into the supreme law of the nation.
We need only one national and official language, but every ethnic group in this country is allowed to use its own language.
It was then styled Bahasa Kebangsaan, intended to be one of the most vital instruments to unite the various cultural communities that make up the population of the newly-created political entity into a Malaysian nation.
A slogan or motto ‘Satu Bangsa, Satu Bahasa’ (One Nation, One Language) was coined as a focal point of nation building. The aim of the founding fathers was that a national culture would eventually evolve from the confluence of cultures.
Those who supported Malaysia believed in this slogan as a truism. Those who opposed its formation were sceptical at first, but gradually accepted the concept of One Language Plus, once Malaysia was a fait accompli.
During the transition period of 10 years, English could still be used as the official language in parliament and the state legislatures of Sabah and Sarawak, and in government administration.
When I was in New York in 1971, the UN tour guide, after enquiring which country I came from, said that “one of these days Malay language” would be used in the United Nations proceedings because there were experts in that language who could do the simultaneous translations during the proceedings in the General Assembly.
There was a proverbial lump in my throat.
I don’t know if this hope to use Malay in the UN has materialised.
Much later Bahasa Kebangsaan was called Bahasa Melayu: it’s the same language.
Young Malaysians studied the language in earnest and became so well versed in it that it has become their lingua franca ever since. Old people like me found it awkward to speak with the lower and upper jaws firmly clinched.
In our clumsiness, we prefer to speak in the Sarawak Malay or the Bazaar Malay. With my old friend Sinkeh from Swatow, I speak a strange version of Teochew laced with the Sibuyau accent. And there is perfect communication between us.
My daughter coached me how to speak in the standard Zaaba tradition if I was to be understood at all. The Bahasa sounds and is spelt differently from the old Romanised form. But when in KL for the National Economic Consultative Council meetings in 1989, I had to do what ‘the Romans did while in Rome’.
Sadly, many of the beautiful expressions, proverbs, and idioms of the old tradition are seldom used any longer. For example, the word ‘shahdan’ has almost disappeared from the vocabulary. An Arabic word used to start a story or a chapter in a story or as ‘furthermore’, it and many others add colour and beauty to the Malay language.
Alas, how times have changed. I’m just being sentimental.
Nevertheless, there is one word that I’m most uncomfortable with: ‘kamu’. No one in our village school would ever use it when addressing an elder friend or a stranger. Our teacher would make any pupil stand on the chair for being so uncouth. The proper term is ‘kita’ for ordinary man or woman. And we use the term ‘kola’ for I or me, not ‘aku’ or ‘saya’ when you talk to a person with the title Datuk.
Among contemporaries, we call each other ‘Po’ or ‘Ngan’.
We use the term ‘You’ for you. When feeling sorry for a friend for not toeing the line, we would mildly rebuke him with the term ‘You You’.
Many locals have concocted another means of communication among their own circle. Colloquially, when some one says, ‘I macham ya jua you’, he means ‘I’m with you there’.
Keep on enriching the Bahasa
Now that the national language is here to stay, we might as well embellish it with both the old, albeit archaic words and expressions, as well as coin new words and terms, and by taking on board those of the Ukits, Beketans, Serus, Sipengs, Tanjongs, Kanowits, Kelabits, Kayans, Kenyahs, Penans, Punans, Sebobs, Selakos, Laras, Sibuyaus, Bisayahs, Kedayans, Melanos, Lugats, Muruts, Sians, Tabuns, and Kajamans. Include also all the Bidayuh languages spoken in Serian, Bau and Lundu.
Don’t forget to include words from our own local Malay. Listen to the song ‘Puteri Santubong’ by Madzhi Johari in that language; it’s a classic.
I believe the Dewan Bahasa Dan Pustaka have been making an effort to adopt local languages and dialects to the national vocabulary. Sometime ago, the Iban words ‘randau’ (discussion) and ‘merarau’ (lunch) were adopted as Bahasa words.
But I have not seen them being used in the print or electronic media for several years now. Almost daily I scan the various newspapers like the Utusan Malaysia, Berita Harian, Utusan Sarawak and Utusan Borneo. Not there. What’s happened, lah?
It’s not a shame to ‘plunder’ words from other languages to enrich and embellish the national tongue. English has its origins in the language of one of the wandering German tribes. It’s stuffed with words from various tongues throughout the ages: Latin, Sanskrit, Dutch, French, Greek, Arabic, and so on. And it has become a powerful language of science and diplomacy in the world.
Language of science and technology
It is our hope and prayer that our national language will eventually evolve into a full-fledged medium of instruction in science and technology.
Worrying about fate of Bahasa
On Monday this week, I managed to obtain a copy of the Utusan Pengguna. One writer expressed his concern over the habit of people, ranging from those in the electronic media to artistes and ministers, who make rojak of the national language in their conversations. He was wondering what would happen to Bahasa Melayu itself.
In my opinion, there is no danger of the language disappearing from the face of the earth any time soon. To those who love languages (me included), it is one of the most beautiful languages in existence.
Rather, I’m more worried about the extinction of ethnic languages and dialects of the country. One danger comes from the intrusion of cyber lingo like “r u ok 2 tok?” I call it Bahasa Kayangan and it is as alien to me as the Esperanto. Rest assured, I’ll not respond if it intrudes into my mobile.
Fate of other languages in the state
Many other languages in Sarawak may face extinction if the speakers do not make an effort to preserve and promote them. The Serus and the Beketans may have become extinct and with their extinction, their respective languages. The Tanjongs, Kanowits, Lugats, Lisums, Sabups, Sipengs, Sians, Tabuns, Tagals, Laras, and Sibuyaus- all face the possibility of losing their languages. Some like the Tanjongs have increased their numbers slowly and the Miriek and the Kiputs are trying to preserve their languages and cultures.
The Iban language has acquired a status of its own and is being taught in some schools. It is widely used in songs and publications including the Bible.
All these mother tongues, including those of the various Orang Asli groups in the various states in the Peninsula, plus Mandarin and Tamil, can bind Malaysians into a united nation.
Fate of languages in the world
On Feb 20, 2009, the AFP quoted sources in Unesco that out of 6,900 languages, 2,500 would be in danger of extinction within the next two centuries.
The Lengilus in Indonesia have four speakers alive; the Karaims in the Ukraine have six speakers; 10 Wichitas are still alive in Oklahoma in the US.
The languages of the Manx (Isle of Man), Ubykh (Turkey), Asax (Tanzania) and Eyak (Alaska) have vanished from the face of the earth within the past 36 years.
Efforts are being made to revive Cornish, a Celtic language spoken in Cornwall, England, and Sishee in New Caledonia. Countries like New Zealand, Canada, Mexico, Peru and the US have successfully managed to preserve the native languages of their countries.
According to Unesco, some 200 languages have become extinct during the past three generations in the last century.
On our part then, we must ensure that none of our own languages shall meet with similar fate.
The unifying factors
Posted on January 24, 2010, Sunday
WHENEVER a new nation comes into being, among the first requirements is for that nation to write into its constitution the name of its national or official language. Some countries have more than one. For instance, Switzerland has four official languages.
Our country has only one. When Malaysia was formed as a federation on Sept 16, 1963, its national and official language was to be the Malay. That was written into the supreme law of the nation.
We need only one national and official language, but every ethnic group in this country is allowed to use its own language.
It was then styled Bahasa Kebangsaan, intended to be one of the most vital instruments to unite the various cultural communities that make up the population of the newly-created political entity into a Malaysian nation.
A slogan or motto ‘Satu Bangsa, Satu Bahasa’ (One Nation, One Language) was coined as a focal point of nation building. The aim of the founding fathers was that a national culture would eventually evolve from the confluence of cultures.
Those who supported Malaysia believed in this slogan as a truism. Those who opposed its formation were sceptical at first, but gradually accepted the concept of One Language Plus, once Malaysia was a fait accompli.
During the transition period of 10 years, English could still be used as the official language in parliament and the state legislatures of Sabah and Sarawak, and in government administration.
When I was in New York in 1971, the UN tour guide, after enquiring which country I came from, said that “one of these days Malay language” would be used in the United Nations proceedings because there were experts in that language who could do the simultaneous translations during the proceedings in the General Assembly.
There was a proverbial lump in my throat.
I don’t know if this hope to use Malay in the UN has materialised.
Much later Bahasa Kebangsaan was called Bahasa Melayu: it’s the same language.
Young Malaysians studied the language in earnest and became so well versed in it that it has become their lingua franca ever since. Old people like me found it awkward to speak with the lower and upper jaws firmly clinched.
In our clumsiness, we prefer to speak in the Sarawak Malay or the Bazaar Malay. With my old friend Sinkeh from Swatow, I speak a strange version of Teochew laced with the Sibuyau accent. And there is perfect communication between us.
My daughter coached me how to speak in the standard Zaaba tradition if I was to be understood at all. The Bahasa sounds and is spelt differently from the old Romanised form. But when in KL for the National Economic Consultative Council meetings in 1989, I had to do what ‘the Romans did while in Rome’.
Sadly, many of the beautiful expressions, proverbs, and idioms of the old tradition are seldom used any longer. For example, the word ‘shahdan’ has almost disappeared from the vocabulary. An Arabic word used to start a story or a chapter in a story or as ‘furthermore’, it and many others add colour and beauty to the Malay language.
Alas, how times have changed. I’m just being sentimental.
Nevertheless, there is one word that I’m most uncomfortable with: ‘kamu’. No one in our village school would ever use it when addressing an elder friend or a stranger. Our teacher would make any pupil stand on the chair for being so uncouth. The proper term is ‘kita’ for ordinary man or woman. And we use the term ‘kola’ for I or me, not ‘aku’ or ‘saya’ when you talk to a person with the title Datuk.
Among contemporaries, we call each other ‘Po’ or ‘Ngan’.
We use the term ‘You’ for you. When feeling sorry for a friend for not toeing the line, we would mildly rebuke him with the term ‘You You’.
Many locals have concocted another means of communication among their own circle. Colloquially, when some one says, ‘I macham ya jua you’, he means ‘I’m with you there’.
Keep on enriching the Bahasa
Now that the national language is here to stay, we might as well embellish it with both the old, albeit archaic words and expressions, as well as coin new words and terms, and by taking on board those of the Ukits, Beketans, Serus, Sipengs, Tanjongs, Kanowits, Kelabits, Kayans, Kenyahs, Penans, Punans, Sebobs, Selakos, Laras, Sibuyaus, Bisayahs, Kedayans, Melanos, Lugats, Muruts, Sians, Tabuns, and Kajamans. Include also all the Bidayuh languages spoken in Serian, Bau and Lundu.
Don’t forget to include words from our own local Malay. Listen to the song ‘Puteri Santubong’ by Madzhi Johari in that language; it’s a classic.
I believe the Dewan Bahasa Dan Pustaka have been making an effort to adopt local languages and dialects to the national vocabulary. Sometime ago, the Iban words ‘randau’ (discussion) and ‘merarau’ (lunch) were adopted as Bahasa words.
But I have not seen them being used in the print or electronic media for several years now. Almost daily I scan the various newspapers like the Utusan Malaysia, Berita Harian, Utusan Sarawak and Utusan Borneo. Not there. What’s happened, lah?
It’s not a shame to ‘plunder’ words from other languages to enrich and embellish the national tongue. English has its origins in the language of one of the wandering German tribes. It’s stuffed with words from various tongues throughout the ages: Latin, Sanskrit, Dutch, French, Greek, Arabic, and so on. And it has become a powerful language of science and diplomacy in the world.
Language of science and technology
It is our hope and prayer that our national language will eventually evolve into a full-fledged medium of instruction in science and technology.
Worrying about fate of Bahasa
On Monday this week, I managed to obtain a copy of the Utusan Pengguna. One writer expressed his concern over the habit of people, ranging from those in the electronic media to artistes and ministers, who make rojak of the national language in their conversations. He was wondering what would happen to Bahasa Melayu itself.
In my opinion, there is no danger of the language disappearing from the face of the earth any time soon. To those who love languages (me included), it is one of the most beautiful languages in existence.
Rather, I’m more worried about the extinction of ethnic languages and dialects of the country. One danger comes from the intrusion of cyber lingo like “r u ok 2 tok?” I call it Bahasa Kayangan and it is as alien to me as the Esperanto. Rest assured, I’ll not respond if it intrudes into my mobile.
Fate of other languages in the state
Many other languages in Sarawak may face extinction if the speakers do not make an effort to preserve and promote them. The Serus and the Beketans may have become extinct and with their extinction, their respective languages. The Tanjongs, Kanowits, Lugats, Lisums, Sabups, Sipengs, Sians, Tabuns, Tagals, Laras, and Sibuyaus- all face the possibility of losing their languages. Some like the Tanjongs have increased their numbers slowly and the Miriek and the Kiputs are trying to preserve their languages and cultures.
The Iban language has acquired a status of its own and is being taught in some schools. It is widely used in songs and publications including the Bible.
All these mother tongues, including those of the various Orang Asli groups in the various states in the Peninsula, plus Mandarin and Tamil, can bind Malaysians into a united nation.
Fate of languages in the world
On Feb 20, 2009, the AFP quoted sources in Unesco that out of 6,900 languages, 2,500 would be in danger of extinction within the next two centuries.
The Lengilus in Indonesia have four speakers alive; the Karaims in the Ukraine have six speakers; 10 Wichitas are still alive in Oklahoma in the US.
The languages of the Manx (Isle of Man), Ubykh (Turkey), Asax (Tanzania) and Eyak (Alaska) have vanished from the face of the earth within the past 36 years.
Efforts are being made to revive Cornish, a Celtic language spoken in Cornwall, England, and Sishee in New Caledonia. Countries like New Zealand, Canada, Mexico, Peru and the US have successfully managed to preserve the native languages of their countries.
According to Unesco, some 200 languages have become extinct during the past three generations in the last century.
On our part then, we must ensure that none of our own languages shall meet with similar fate.
Friday, January 22, 2010
More money for rural schools
http://www.theborneopost.com/?p=6162
More money for rural schools
by Margaret Ringgit.
Posted on January 22, 2010, Friday
MIRI: Sarawak and Sabah will get more allocations for the development of their rural schools, said Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin yesterday.
Disclosing this at the launch of Sekolah Kebangsaan Kampung Bakam, Muhyiddin, who is also Education Minister, said the government under the leadership of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak was committed to improving the quality of education in all schools in the country, especially those in the rural areas.
“Our focus is to further improve the quality of education available in schools in the rural areas of Sarawak and Sabah,” he said, adding that education was the government’s top priority.
“This can be seen through big allocations given to the Education Ministry to further improve the quality of education in the state,” he explained.
According to Muhyiddin, in every budget announcement, 26 per cent were allocated for developing and enhancing education in the country.
He said the federal government’s plan was to continue to repair or construct new schools with better infrastructure including water and electricity supply.
“In Sarawak and Sabah, construction cost for such projects is almost two or three times more … if the cost is RM20 million in the peninsula, it is almost RM50 million here,” he said.
Also present yesterday were Chief Minister Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud; his deputies, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr George Chan and Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu Numpang; Energy, Green Technology and Water Minister Datuk Seri Peter Chin Fah Kui; Deputy Minister of International Trade and Industry Datuk Jacob Dungau Sagan; State Education Director Dr Julaihi Bujang; Sibuti MP Ahmad Lai Bujang; state cabinet members; and local dignitaries.
Muhyiddin also spoke highly of Sarawakians who have become role models not only to fellow Sarawakians but also to all Malaysians.
He said people like Datuk Seri Idris Jala, a Kelabit, showed that the state’s education system was capable of producing successful personalities.
Muhyiddin also announced that rewards would be given to excellent schools and their headmasters and teachers.
“Evaluation of performance will start this year, and reward next year,” he said.
At a dinner hosted by the state last night, the deputy prime minister assured that Sarawak would be given “special attention by the federal government to address areas that are still lacking”.
He said addressing the state’s lack of infrastructure like roads, school buildings and ICT development was part of the national Key Result Areas.
More money for rural schools
by Margaret Ringgit.
Posted on January 22, 2010, Friday
MIRI: Sarawak and Sabah will get more allocations for the development of their rural schools, said Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin yesterday.
Disclosing this at the launch of Sekolah Kebangsaan Kampung Bakam, Muhyiddin, who is also Education Minister, said the government under the leadership of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak was committed to improving the quality of education in all schools in the country, especially those in the rural areas.
“Our focus is to further improve the quality of education available in schools in the rural areas of Sarawak and Sabah,” he said, adding that education was the government’s top priority.
“This can be seen through big allocations given to the Education Ministry to further improve the quality of education in the state,” he explained.
According to Muhyiddin, in every budget announcement, 26 per cent were allocated for developing and enhancing education in the country.
He said the federal government’s plan was to continue to repair or construct new schools with better infrastructure including water and electricity supply.
“In Sarawak and Sabah, construction cost for such projects is almost two or three times more … if the cost is RM20 million in the peninsula, it is almost RM50 million here,” he said.
Also present yesterday were Chief Minister Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud; his deputies, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr George Chan and Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu Numpang; Energy, Green Technology and Water Minister Datuk Seri Peter Chin Fah Kui; Deputy Minister of International Trade and Industry Datuk Jacob Dungau Sagan; State Education Director Dr Julaihi Bujang; Sibuti MP Ahmad Lai Bujang; state cabinet members; and local dignitaries.
Muhyiddin also spoke highly of Sarawakians who have become role models not only to fellow Sarawakians but also to all Malaysians.
He said people like Datuk Seri Idris Jala, a Kelabit, showed that the state’s education system was capable of producing successful personalities.
Muhyiddin also announced that rewards would be given to excellent schools and their headmasters and teachers.
“Evaluation of performance will start this year, and reward next year,” he said.
At a dinner hosted by the state last night, the deputy prime minister assured that Sarawak would be given “special attention by the federal government to address areas that are still lacking”.
He said addressing the state’s lack of infrastructure like roads, school buildings and ICT development was part of the national Key Result Areas.
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Idris wants to stay neutral
http://www.theborneopost.com/?p=5159
Idris wants to stay neutral
by Samuel Aubrey.
Posted on January 17, 2010, Sunday
No politics for me, says Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department who is fully committed to overseeing govt’s KPI initiatives and bringing positive changes for nation.
SWAPPING IDEAS: Idris (left) confers with some of the GTP Open Day participants.
KUCHING: Bario’s illustrious son Datuk Seri Idris Jala is placing work before politics.
He has no intention of contesting the next state or parliamentary election or joining any political party.
He said yesterday he wanted to remain totally committed to his task of overseeing the government’s key performance index (KPI) initiatives as Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department.
Idris is also chief executive officer of Performance Delivery and Management Unit (Pemandu) whose scope of duties include assessing the progress of the Government Transformation Programme (GTP) aimed at enhancing effectiveness and accountability of the government.
He said he felt privileged to be a member of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak’s cabinet despite not belonging to any political party.
He pointed out that it was important for him to remain neutral, saying he is not a politician and his main task is to help move the business forward and make sure they (Pemandu) contribute to society.
“I am fully committed to contributing in whatever way I can and to seeing if we can succeed in making changes,” he told reporters on the sideline of the GTP Open Day at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK).
Idris was responding to questions on whether there were plans for him to contest as a Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate in the next election.
Political observers consider Idris as a potential candidate due to his impeccable track record in the corporate sector and his ethics and approach towards work.
Before his appointment to the Federal cabinet and as senator in September last year, he had been a successful corporate figure. As the CEO and managing director of Malaysia Airlines (MAS) from 2005 to 2009, he was credited with turning around the national carrier’s flagging financial fortunes.
The affable 52-year-old from the picturesque highlands in northern Sarawak also spent 23 years with Shell, holding the posts of managing director in Shell MDS (Malaysia) and vice- president of Shell Malaysia Gas & Power (Malaysia) between 2002 and 2005.
Idris said it was important for the government to function in accordance with the needs and aspirations of the people.
“The government is elected by the people. So it has to do what the people want. I think we are fortunate to have a Prime Minister who understands this,” he added.
Asked would Bario get more allocations now that he is a full Federal minister, he said the public should not think like this.
Projects, especially for infrastructure development, must be based on researched initiatives and projected objectives as well as the factors of needs and necessities, he explained.
“Take a look at Bario. It’s small and has very few people. I cannot develop it just because I am from there. However, I believe we will spend money on building a road from the airport to Bario Asal.”
He said more internal roads may be built but pointed out that to simply say a road would be laid from Marudi all the way to Bario might not be justifiable.
“How can you justify spending billions on a small number of people there,” he added.
Idris wants to stay neutral
by Samuel Aubrey.
Posted on January 17, 2010, Sunday
No politics for me, says Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department who is fully committed to overseeing govt’s KPI initiatives and bringing positive changes for nation.
SWAPPING IDEAS: Idris (left) confers with some of the GTP Open Day participants.
KUCHING: Bario’s illustrious son Datuk Seri Idris Jala is placing work before politics.
He has no intention of contesting the next state or parliamentary election or joining any political party.
He said yesterday he wanted to remain totally committed to his task of overseeing the government’s key performance index (KPI) initiatives as Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department.
Idris is also chief executive officer of Performance Delivery and Management Unit (Pemandu) whose scope of duties include assessing the progress of the Government Transformation Programme (GTP) aimed at enhancing effectiveness and accountability of the government.
He said he felt privileged to be a member of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak’s cabinet despite not belonging to any political party.
He pointed out that it was important for him to remain neutral, saying he is not a politician and his main task is to help move the business forward and make sure they (Pemandu) contribute to society.
“I am fully committed to contributing in whatever way I can and to seeing if we can succeed in making changes,” he told reporters on the sideline of the GTP Open Day at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK).
Idris was responding to questions on whether there were plans for him to contest as a Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate in the next election.
Political observers consider Idris as a potential candidate due to his impeccable track record in the corporate sector and his ethics and approach towards work.
Before his appointment to the Federal cabinet and as senator in September last year, he had been a successful corporate figure. As the CEO and managing director of Malaysia Airlines (MAS) from 2005 to 2009, he was credited with turning around the national carrier’s flagging financial fortunes.
The affable 52-year-old from the picturesque highlands in northern Sarawak also spent 23 years with Shell, holding the posts of managing director in Shell MDS (Malaysia) and vice- president of Shell Malaysia Gas & Power (Malaysia) between 2002 and 2005.
Idris said it was important for the government to function in accordance with the needs and aspirations of the people.
“The government is elected by the people. So it has to do what the people want. I think we are fortunate to have a Prime Minister who understands this,” he added.
Asked would Bario get more allocations now that he is a full Federal minister, he said the public should not think like this.
Projects, especially for infrastructure development, must be based on researched initiatives and projected objectives as well as the factors of needs and necessities, he explained.
“Take a look at Bario. It’s small and has very few people. I cannot develop it just because I am from there. However, I believe we will spend money on building a road from the airport to Bario Asal.”
He said more internal roads may be built but pointed out that to simply say a road would be laid from Marudi all the way to Bario might not be justifiable.
“How can you justify spending billions on a small number of people there,” he added.
Budget tourism - a hidden gold mine
Budget tourism – a hidden gold mine
by Chin Kee Leong
January 17, 2010, Sunday (The Borneo Post)
TO former Kiwi pilot, David Bennet, 48, budget tourism is big in Sarawak — a hidden gold mine, as he describes it. “Not many people realise it has great potential — only that at the moment, it’s disorganised, ignored and neglected,” he said.
Last year, he noted, budget tourists formed some 65 per cent of visitors to New Zealand where tourism has become the second top earner after the dairy industry.
However, he pointed out, contributions of budget tourists to Sarawak’s economy had often been under-rated.
The typical bigger spending ‘hotel tourists’ rarely stayed over three weeks while the budget tourists tended to stay longer, stretching their budget over a longer period, he added.
“In fact, many backpackers have extended their stay here to visit and explore more places,” said Bennet who helps his wife Pauline Maran, a Kelabit, run her budget tourist centre called The Highlands at the Water Front commercial centre in Miri.
He said by staying longer, the budget traveller got to enjoy a more fulfilling experience of being able to interact with more local people and then return home with more stories to tell their families and friends.
On the flipside, he added, a short or rigidly-scheduled packaged tour may not provide much for a memorable experience since it is more ‘rushed’ and perhaps, visitors on such a tour will also have other things to attend to such as a conference or business meeting.
What high-spending tourists experience may be superficial, being insulated from real contacts with the locals. There may not be much of a story or experience to tell back home, let alone promote Sarawak as a venue for corporate or official meetings.
“Sarawak has all the right attractions for budget tourists, mostly backpackers from western countries who prefer exploring on their own rather than following a rigidly-packaged tour,” Bennet explained.
He felt it was unfortunate backpackers were perceived as low-value tourists who did not generate much revenue when, in fact, they form the bulk of tourists in many countries today, bringing in more cash than the relatively fewer big spenders.
“The backpackers may be cost-conscious but they do spend quite a lot on necessities and this benefits the local economy.”
Bennet reasoned that what backpackers saved on costly accommodation and food, they would eventually spend on other things during their stay.
“What they want is a taste of Nature and adventure — not just the luxuries of hotels, restaurant food or shopping — which they can get in most cities anyway.”
While acknowledging that many local people preferred welcoming big-spending tourists who came in private jets or big tour packages, he felt, however, this was not a realistic expectation for the state’s tourism industry.
After all, if big spenders were interested in fancy hotels, restaurants, shopping, and entertainment, surely they could get them in many bigger cities that are traditional choice destinations offering more sophisticated attractions like Paris, London, New York, and Hong Kong, he said. Some of these places have huge theme parks and even casinos or racing clubs that offer gaming or gambling for high rollers.
Bennet felt Sarawak should gear its tourism industry on what it already had to offer, saying: “The state only needs to package its attractions and coordinate the promotion and marketing activities to woo more tourists rather than spend much money and effort trying to lure big spenders away from other well-established cities.”
Customers were like aircraft passengers and if well looked after, would keep coming back, and what passengers saved in cheap airfares offered by budget airlines, they would eventually spend when they arrived and started exploring a country, he added.
Travellers are now cutting back on expensive airfares, hotel accommodation and restaurant foods in a practical way to maximise their experience at a destination, more so now with the world still in the throes of a slow recovering economic downturn.
“I like to help tourists and villagers here. I consider myself helping to channel tourist dollars to others like the Penan guides in the interior,” he said.
Bennet has stayed in Malaysia for about 14 years, and as a pilot, flown 6,000 hours in the Twin Otter over 10 years, including some 500 flights to Bario. During those times, he has met many backpackers and tourists.
According to him, there has been a surge in budget tourism, particularly in the Bario Highlands, with improving accessibility.
“It’s easy to get around in Bario because the locals speak good English while in Mulu, tourists rarely get to see the awesome pinnacles because they are hard to scale,” he said.
Bennet said tourists won’t talk about a trip if it turned out to be a bad experience but would spread the word if it was memorable.
Customers to Bennet’s backpackers’ lodge, located above the Wheels café in Miri can expect clean beds, rooms and showers, use of the kitchen, washing machines and internet facilities — all at a modest and flat rate of about RM25 per person.
“Tourists have complained that the popular Mulu itinerary is too commercialised and restrictive — high prices are charged for every little thing like side-tracking,” he revealed.
KEEPING IN TOUCH: The lodge provides internet facilities for backpackers.
The budget tourists, he added, enjoyed flexibility in their itineraries and would love to side-track occasionally rather than be shepherded with rigid schedules and routes.
He also suggested “linking up Mulu and Bario — two great tourist destinations — with direct connecting flights as this will be most convenient.”
“There is a shortage of flights to Bario — as a pilot, I have seen many local folks lining up everyday trying to catch a flight.”
The lack of connecting flights in the Bario Highlands, he pointed out, had caused many frustrated backpackers to bypass it in favour of places like Kota Kinabalu in Sabah.
After all, after spending so much money and still finding the visit unpleasant, they might view it as a rip-off and would not recommend Sarawak to other visitors.
Promotion through word of mouth has been known to be very effective, especially with increasing use of blogs and social networking websites in which even ordinary folks can write about their travels.
Every tourist should be treated as an asset and potential ambassador — whether big spenders or budget travellers.
On a one-to-one basis, the big spenders may seem very attractive customers but if they are only a handful, their overall contribution to the local economy becomes negligible.
While not every tourist will help promote Sarawak, chances of the many more budget tourists spreading the word of their pleasant experiences and stories in the state are conceivably greater than the relatively fewer big spenders more preoccupied with other agendas.
A thumbs-up from a satisfied and happy tourist may translate into free and effective promotion for Sarawak, regardless of budget. After all, Sarawak is much better known as the Land of Hornbills, and few countries can compare with its unique heritage.
Tourists do not come to Sarawak for its mega shopping malls, large hotels, fancy restaurants, entertainment centres or first class public transportation and infrastructure that they have already covered in many other destinations around the world.
Even if the big spenders were to land here, they may still have to backpack to see and enjoy the state’s greatest treasures — majestic caves, rivers, tropical rainforests and enchanting highlands.
It is the development of these off-the-road destinations like comfortable lodges, homestays, markets and eating places that should be getting the right attention.
This will, in turn, help spread the benefits of tourism to more regions of the state, instead of being concentrated only in a few cities.
Currently, Sarawak’s natural heritage is already attracting quite a number of budget tourists whose contributions to the industry and the local economy should not be taken for granted.
Instead of worrying about how deep the tourists’ pockets are, the industry should try to make the tourists’ stay as pleasant and memorable as possible, bearing in mind that a bird in hand is worth two in the bush.
by Chin Kee Leong
January 17, 2010, Sunday (The Borneo Post)
TO former Kiwi pilot, David Bennet, 48, budget tourism is big in Sarawak — a hidden gold mine, as he describes it. “Not many people realise it has great potential — only that at the moment, it’s disorganised, ignored and neglected,” he said.
Last year, he noted, budget tourists formed some 65 per cent of visitors to New Zealand where tourism has become the second top earner after the dairy industry.
However, he pointed out, contributions of budget tourists to Sarawak’s economy had often been under-rated.
The typical bigger spending ‘hotel tourists’ rarely stayed over three weeks while the budget tourists tended to stay longer, stretching their budget over a longer period, he added.
“In fact, many backpackers have extended their stay here to visit and explore more places,” said Bennet who helps his wife Pauline Maran, a Kelabit, run her budget tourist centre called The Highlands at the Water Front commercial centre in Miri.
He said by staying longer, the budget traveller got to enjoy a more fulfilling experience of being able to interact with more local people and then return home with more stories to tell their families and friends.
On the flipside, he added, a short or rigidly-scheduled packaged tour may not provide much for a memorable experience since it is more ‘rushed’ and perhaps, visitors on such a tour will also have other things to attend to such as a conference or business meeting.
What high-spending tourists experience may be superficial, being insulated from real contacts with the locals. There may not be much of a story or experience to tell back home, let alone promote Sarawak as a venue for corporate or official meetings.
“Sarawak has all the right attractions for budget tourists, mostly backpackers from western countries who prefer exploring on their own rather than following a rigidly-packaged tour,” Bennet explained.
He felt it was unfortunate backpackers were perceived as low-value tourists who did not generate much revenue when, in fact, they form the bulk of tourists in many countries today, bringing in more cash than the relatively fewer big spenders.
“The backpackers may be cost-conscious but they do spend quite a lot on necessities and this benefits the local economy.”
Bennet reasoned that what backpackers saved on costly accommodation and food, they would eventually spend on other things during their stay.
“What they want is a taste of Nature and adventure — not just the luxuries of hotels, restaurant food or shopping — which they can get in most cities anyway.”
While acknowledging that many local people preferred welcoming big-spending tourists who came in private jets or big tour packages, he felt, however, this was not a realistic expectation for the state’s tourism industry.
After all, if big spenders were interested in fancy hotels, restaurants, shopping, and entertainment, surely they could get them in many bigger cities that are traditional choice destinations offering more sophisticated attractions like Paris, London, New York, and Hong Kong, he said. Some of these places have huge theme parks and even casinos or racing clubs that offer gaming or gambling for high rollers.
Bennet felt Sarawak should gear its tourism industry on what it already had to offer, saying: “The state only needs to package its attractions and coordinate the promotion and marketing activities to woo more tourists rather than spend much money and effort trying to lure big spenders away from other well-established cities.”
Customers were like aircraft passengers and if well looked after, would keep coming back, and what passengers saved in cheap airfares offered by budget airlines, they would eventually spend when they arrived and started exploring a country, he added.
Travellers are now cutting back on expensive airfares, hotel accommodation and restaurant foods in a practical way to maximise their experience at a destination, more so now with the world still in the throes of a slow recovering economic downturn.
“I like to help tourists and villagers here. I consider myself helping to channel tourist dollars to others like the Penan guides in the interior,” he said.
Bennet has stayed in Malaysia for about 14 years, and as a pilot, flown 6,000 hours in the Twin Otter over 10 years, including some 500 flights to Bario. During those times, he has met many backpackers and tourists.
According to him, there has been a surge in budget tourism, particularly in the Bario Highlands, with improving accessibility.
“It’s easy to get around in Bario because the locals speak good English while in Mulu, tourists rarely get to see the awesome pinnacles because they are hard to scale,” he said.
Bennet said tourists won’t talk about a trip if it turned out to be a bad experience but would spread the word if it was memorable.
Customers to Bennet’s backpackers’ lodge, located above the Wheels café in Miri can expect clean beds, rooms and showers, use of the kitchen, washing machines and internet facilities — all at a modest and flat rate of about RM25 per person.
“Tourists have complained that the popular Mulu itinerary is too commercialised and restrictive — high prices are charged for every little thing like side-tracking,” he revealed.
KEEPING IN TOUCH: The lodge provides internet facilities for backpackers.
The budget tourists, he added, enjoyed flexibility in their itineraries and would love to side-track occasionally rather than be shepherded with rigid schedules and routes.
He also suggested “linking up Mulu and Bario — two great tourist destinations — with direct connecting flights as this will be most convenient.”
“There is a shortage of flights to Bario — as a pilot, I have seen many local folks lining up everyday trying to catch a flight.”
The lack of connecting flights in the Bario Highlands, he pointed out, had caused many frustrated backpackers to bypass it in favour of places like Kota Kinabalu in Sabah.
After all, after spending so much money and still finding the visit unpleasant, they might view it as a rip-off and would not recommend Sarawak to other visitors.
Promotion through word of mouth has been known to be very effective, especially with increasing use of blogs and social networking websites in which even ordinary folks can write about their travels.
Every tourist should be treated as an asset and potential ambassador — whether big spenders or budget travellers.
On a one-to-one basis, the big spenders may seem very attractive customers but if they are only a handful, their overall contribution to the local economy becomes negligible.
While not every tourist will help promote Sarawak, chances of the many more budget tourists spreading the word of their pleasant experiences and stories in the state are conceivably greater than the relatively fewer big spenders more preoccupied with other agendas.
A thumbs-up from a satisfied and happy tourist may translate into free and effective promotion for Sarawak, regardless of budget. After all, Sarawak is much better known as the Land of Hornbills, and few countries can compare with its unique heritage.
Tourists do not come to Sarawak for its mega shopping malls, large hotels, fancy restaurants, entertainment centres or first class public transportation and infrastructure that they have already covered in many other destinations around the world.
Even if the big spenders were to land here, they may still have to backpack to see and enjoy the state’s greatest treasures — majestic caves, rivers, tropical rainforests and enchanting highlands.
It is the development of these off-the-road destinations like comfortable lodges, homestays, markets and eating places that should be getting the right attention.
This will, in turn, help spread the benefits of tourism to more regions of the state, instead of being concentrated only in a few cities.
Currently, Sarawak’s natural heritage is already attracting quite a number of budget tourists whose contributions to the industry and the local economy should not be taken for granted.
Instead of worrying about how deep the tourists’ pockets are, the industry should try to make the tourists’ stay as pleasant and memorable as possible, bearing in mind that a bird in hand is worth two in the bush.
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Dept wants more rural women participation
http://www.theborneopost.com/?p=3011
Dept wants more rural women participation
Posted on January 6, 2010, Wednesday
KUCHING: The state Agriculture Department is expecting a total of 6,982 women from the rural areas to participate in its activities throughout this year.
Modernisation of Agriculture Assistant Minister Datin Fatimah Abdullah said it was the department’s main objective to see more women entrepreneurs, and to rebrand the women entrepreneur section (Weda).
She said the department had the potential to eliminate poverty among rural people, improve the economic status of women as small and medium entrepreneurs, and develop local products.
“This is in line with the federal government’s call for local entrepreneurs to bring in an income of over RM250,000 per annum,” she said at a press conference yesterday.
Fatimah, who is also Social Development and Urbanisation (Women Development) Assistant Minister, added that last year, 65 per cent of 421 entrepreneurs were women living in rural areas of Sarawak.
She expressed her hope that the numbers would continue to increase.
“Weda will help market the products from local entrepreneurs after it has been branded and packaged according to standard,” she said.
She announced her decision to set up two more product distribution centres in Mukah and Miri this year to achieve the standard quality.
“We want to develop local and agro-based products in rural areas,” Fatimah said.
The products that Weda wanted to develop on a larger scale include rice-based products in Sri Aman, Lingga and Stumbin, ‘dabai’ in Sibu, Bario salt in Miri, ‘ikan tahai’ in Limbang, ‘sesar unjur’ in Sarikei, ‘pua kumbu’ in Kapit, coconut in Samarahan, ‘gula apong’ in Betong and Kabong.
According to her, Weda was also setting up an Entrepreneur Skills Development Training Centre, scheduled to complete in April this year.
She said the centre is located at Semenggok Agricultural Centre, and equipped with freezing and bread making equipment.
“The state and federal government have allocated RM1.6 mil and RM3.6 mil, respectively to the state Agriculture Department to run various activities this year,” she stressed.
The department was also working with Amanah Ikthiar Malaysia (AIM) to assist rural entrepreneurs in terms of securing loans, she said, adding that the government will do its best to eradicate poverty in the state.
Agricultural Department director Paul Vincent Ritom was among those present.
Dept wants more rural women participation
Posted on January 6, 2010, Wednesday
KUCHING: The state Agriculture Department is expecting a total of 6,982 women from the rural areas to participate in its activities throughout this year.
Modernisation of Agriculture Assistant Minister Datin Fatimah Abdullah said it was the department’s main objective to see more women entrepreneurs, and to rebrand the women entrepreneur section (Weda).
She said the department had the potential to eliminate poverty among rural people, improve the economic status of women as small and medium entrepreneurs, and develop local products.
“This is in line with the federal government’s call for local entrepreneurs to bring in an income of over RM250,000 per annum,” she said at a press conference yesterday.
Fatimah, who is also Social Development and Urbanisation (Women Development) Assistant Minister, added that last year, 65 per cent of 421 entrepreneurs were women living in rural areas of Sarawak.
She expressed her hope that the numbers would continue to increase.
“Weda will help market the products from local entrepreneurs after it has been branded and packaged according to standard,” she said.
She announced her decision to set up two more product distribution centres in Mukah and Miri this year to achieve the standard quality.
“We want to develop local and agro-based products in rural areas,” Fatimah said.
The products that Weda wanted to develop on a larger scale include rice-based products in Sri Aman, Lingga and Stumbin, ‘dabai’ in Sibu, Bario salt in Miri, ‘ikan tahai’ in Limbang, ‘sesar unjur’ in Sarikei, ‘pua kumbu’ in Kapit, coconut in Samarahan, ‘gula apong’ in Betong and Kabong.
According to her, Weda was also setting up an Entrepreneur Skills Development Training Centre, scheduled to complete in April this year.
She said the centre is located at Semenggok Agricultural Centre, and equipped with freezing and bread making equipment.
“The state and federal government have allocated RM1.6 mil and RM3.6 mil, respectively to the state Agriculture Department to run various activities this year,” she stressed.
The department was also working with Amanah Ikthiar Malaysia (AIM) to assist rural entrepreneurs in terms of securing loans, she said, adding that the government will do its best to eradicate poverty in the state.
Agricultural Department director Paul Vincent Ritom was among those present.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Own pre-school model a must
http://www.theborneopost.com/?p=2664
Own pre-school model a must
by Chai Shin Yi.
Posted on January 5, 2010, Tuesday
Fatimah says ‘one kindy one primary school’ impractical in S’wak where schools are hours away
KOTA SAMARAHAN: The state’s geography requires it to have a different implementation approach from that used by the federal government when it comes to encouraging early childhood education.
Expressing her concern over the Education Ministry’s plan to establish one kindergarten class in each primary school this year, Assistant Minister in the Chief Minister’s Department (Human Resource and Training) Datin Fatimah Abdullah said the move may not be practical for rural areas.
“Our situation in Sarawak is different compared to West Malaysia. We cannot use conventional methods and adapt them in the state. We need to find our own model for rural areas,” she said.
Fatimah who is also chairperson of the Sarawak Children Early Development Council (MPAKS) was visiting Pusat Anak Permata Negara (PAPN) here yesterday with 21 other members of the council on the first day of school.
Fatimah explained that in some remote areas, young children had to travel for hours to attend primary school daily.
As a result of that, students had to stay in boarding schools instead.
However, she pointed out that children below the age of seven are not allowed to stay in boarding schools as they are too young.
“So if you follow this approach by the Education Ministry, it doesn’t solve our problems in Sarawak. We at MPAKS want to have our own model so that young children don’t need to be separated from their families at such tender age,” she added.
“My idea is that each longhouse set up its own pre-school group so that children can be exposed to an environment conducive to learning. I have seen it done in the longhouses in Bario and I am impressed,” she suggested.
“Of course there are a lot of aspects to look into so we will need to study this possibility. We must know what the situation is first in terms of logistics and funding. MPAKS will gather the necessary information and data and make a proposal by March,” she said.
According to her, MPAKS takes cognizance of the fact that early childhood education is important to the development of a child, thus aims to give as much education opportunity as possible to the children so that the state would be able to produce quality human capital. Fatimah also told reporters that a total of 22 Taska Permata under the Community Development Department and the Chief Minister’s Department throughout the state had been allocated funds to upgrade and improve their physical infrastructure, teaching materials and toys.
“There are a few taska in rural areas that do not even have electricity or water supply. Part of the budget allocated for the upgrading is to supply the necessary utilities for the taska’s operations,” she said.
Own pre-school model a must
by Chai Shin Yi.
Posted on January 5, 2010, Tuesday
Fatimah says ‘one kindy one primary school’ impractical in S’wak where schools are hours away
KOTA SAMARAHAN: The state’s geography requires it to have a different implementation approach from that used by the federal government when it comes to encouraging early childhood education.
Expressing her concern over the Education Ministry’s plan to establish one kindergarten class in each primary school this year, Assistant Minister in the Chief Minister’s Department (Human Resource and Training) Datin Fatimah Abdullah said the move may not be practical for rural areas.
“Our situation in Sarawak is different compared to West Malaysia. We cannot use conventional methods and adapt them in the state. We need to find our own model for rural areas,” she said.
Fatimah who is also chairperson of the Sarawak Children Early Development Council (MPAKS) was visiting Pusat Anak Permata Negara (PAPN) here yesterday with 21 other members of the council on the first day of school.
Fatimah explained that in some remote areas, young children had to travel for hours to attend primary school daily.
As a result of that, students had to stay in boarding schools instead.
However, she pointed out that children below the age of seven are not allowed to stay in boarding schools as they are too young.
“So if you follow this approach by the Education Ministry, it doesn’t solve our problems in Sarawak. We at MPAKS want to have our own model so that young children don’t need to be separated from their families at such tender age,” she added.
“My idea is that each longhouse set up its own pre-school group so that children can be exposed to an environment conducive to learning. I have seen it done in the longhouses in Bario and I am impressed,” she suggested.
“Of course there are a lot of aspects to look into so we will need to study this possibility. We must know what the situation is first in terms of logistics and funding. MPAKS will gather the necessary information and data and make a proposal by March,” she said.
According to her, MPAKS takes cognizance of the fact that early childhood education is important to the development of a child, thus aims to give as much education opportunity as possible to the children so that the state would be able to produce quality human capital. Fatimah also told reporters that a total of 22 Taska Permata under the Community Development Department and the Chief Minister’s Department throughout the state had been allocated funds to upgrade and improve their physical infrastructure, teaching materials and toys.
“There are a few taska in rural areas that do not even have electricity or water supply. Part of the budget allocated for the upgrading is to supply the necessary utilities for the taska’s operations,” she said.
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