Adenan’s heart with people, state

http://www.theborneopost.com/2014/03/01/adenans-heart-with-people-state/

by Philip Kiew. Posted on March 1, 2014, Saturday

Adenan (second left) is at home in rural Sarawak in this picture taken in 2003.

HE REGARDS Sarawak as heaven on earth, cultural diversity and harmony.  As a former Minister of Agriculture and Food Industries Sarawak, he knows every nook and corner of the state, having intimate knowledge of their needs and peculiarities.

His continuous call for unity resonates throughout the state in multi-racial and religious settings, while his efficiency in the public service makes him stand out in the state’s political and social landscape.

Everyone has a different idea of who or what he is, but everyone agrees that he has a sharp analytical mind, is a brainy and decisive leader and an experienced hand in affairs of the state and it’s state of affairs.

After 35 years as elected representative and 28 years holding state and federal cabinet posts, Tan Sri Datuk Amar Adenan Satem is now ready to write the next chapter in leading Sarawak with effect from his swearing-in yesterday.

SUPP publicity and information secretary Datuk Sebastian Ting (left) extending his congratulations
to then CM-designate Adenan.

He is as public a figure as it gets in Sarawak, but has strangely remained an enigma to many who do not know him up close.

To those close to him, he is also known as a hotshot in game hunting in his younger days, a fishing enthusiast, an avid reader and a sci-fi movie buff.

To his immediate circle, he is a wonderful person; generous, compassionate, insightful and humorous.
To the political circle, he is a no-nonsense, incisive leader with the knack of reading one’s mind.

His eyes may be closed when the speeches are getting underway, but his brain is anything but idle.

His collected thoughts, wits and message collate into rib-tickling but flourishing speeches without fail at many functions he officiates.

His predecessor Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud on one occasion managed to lace an explanation and advice with humour in addressing complaints of aloofness against the former.

Saying Adenan had a heart of gold, Taib said this thinking minister was always so engrossed in his thoughts that he could literally walk into glass walls.

The minister was officiating a function in Miri when it was reported in the press, and with a laugh, he later told this author that a reply was in order.

His tongue-in-cheek riposte was: “I thank the Chief Minister for his kind words, and will try to remember not to walk into glass walls,” which was reported in the The Borneo Post and Utusan Borneo.

A decade ago in Buduk Nur in Ba Kelalan, he publicly declared having a soft spot for the Orang Ulu communities in the interior of Sarawak.

“I will always find an excuse to visit Orang Ulus since the days of Datuk Balan Seling and Datuk Racha Umong because I like them- simple as that,” he said, agreeing with the remark of his close friend and then Ba Kelalan state assemblyman, the late Datuk Dr Judson Sakai, that the minorities in Sarawak have a friend in Adenan.

Adenan is also a stickler for education and remaining true to one’s roots.

Years back, he told parents at a seminar in Lawas: “My mother was responsible for my becoming a minister, and she has always paid attention despite being illiterate, making sure that I ate, clothed and went to school.”

She also made it a point to monitor his conduct and progress from primary school to university level, but letting him enjoy the freedom to play after school.

On the political scene, he worked best behind the scenes with results which speak for themselves.
He was instrumental in bringing back Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak (PBDS) back into the BN fold after the Ming Court Affair in 1987, paving the way for political stability which has lasted to this day.

Under his watch as Chief Minister in this challenging transition period, Sarawak can look forward to responsible, matured and experienced leadership from Adenan and his team.

His conviction and approach is reflected in a speech he gave in 2005 at the opening of the Triennial General Meeting of PBB Marudi, Senadin, Piasau and Lambir divisions.

“The greater the power, the greater is the responsibility to uphold political stability and with power comes big responsibilities which you must carry as the biggest successful political party, “ he said.

A united front by PBB as the backbone of the state BN is expected by the Chief Minister cum party president in his call at the party’s supreme council meeting that all the senior leaders from president to vice-presidents should be returned uncontested for the sake of unity.

“This is to avoid any split and unhappiness which is bound to happen no matter what Hollywood (play-acting) and handshakes displayed before any contest,” said Adenan back then.

The smooth transition and unity in PBB despite the three horse-race for the Chief Minister post involving him, deputy president Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg and senior vicepresident Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan speaks of the inherent leadership policy of the party he will inherit.

“Our stand is to bring as many people with the same wavelength under one umbrella and that is the reason why PBB is the most successful party in the state while SNAP split to PBDS, PRS and whatever remains,“ he said in 2005.

Adenan’s experience in the last 35 years as elected representative and 28 years with ministerial portfolios has drummed home clearly the reality of minorities working together with the majority to keep up with the mainstream.

“You have to go with the flow or risk being left high and dry like debris on the river bank,“ he said.

Adenan (left) presenting a token of appreciation to Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin on Feb 14, this year in Lundu as Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu (centre) looks on.

Speaking at a Rurum Kelabit function in Miri in 2005, Adenan said he made it a point that minorities tend to be marginalised, and he is inclined to use whatever high positions held to reach out to them- irrespective of whether they were Kelabits, Kayans, Lun Bawangs or even the small Indian community.

His Kelabit name is ‘Maran Ribet’ meaning ‘Handsome Nobleman’.

He was bestowed the name over a decade ago, and the community is likely to invite him for another name-changing ceremony to reflect his current status.

Admitting his love for the highland countryside, with its tranquility of nature in remote places, he said the peace and quiet is a refreshing experience for the weary mind, away from the hustle-bustle of the cities, the rat races and the madding crowd.

Bario rice enjoying new lease of life

http://www.theborneopost.com/2013/10/06/bario-rice-enjoying-new-lease-of-life/

by Samuel Aubrey, reporters@theborneopost.com. 

Posted on October 6, 2013, Sunday

THERE IS HOPE: A rainbow over a rice field in Bario.

KUCHING: The Bario Paddy Development Project has helped open up more areas with Bario rice in the Kelabit Highlands.

At present, more than half of the project area is well irrigated and padi has been growing for nearly two months, said Thomas Hii, managing director of Bario Ceria Sdn Bhd – the joint venture company undertaking the project.

He added that the project was almost 90 per cent completed, and the total area of padi field already planted is 145 hectares, which is larger than the area ever planted over the last 10 years.

The only shortcoming, he lamented, was insufficient quality seeds for good quality crop to make this project benefit the farmers more.

“Before this, Bario padi planting was in the downward slide, with more and more padi fields being deserted year after year. Before this project started, less than 60 hectares remained cultivated. With this project, it is obvious that we are seeing ‘life’ being re-ignited in the Bario (Kelabit) Highlands,” he said yesterday.

Hii was responding to The Borneo Post’s Oct 4 report where it was alleged that the harvest of Bario rice, rated as best in the region and is rich in minerals and vitamins, is expected to be poor this year due to delay in completing the irrigation system.

Bario Ceria is a joint venture between Ceria Alliance Group and Rurum Kelabit Sarawak to undertake the ‘National Key Economic Area (NKEA) Bario Paddy Development Project’ at a cost of RM17 million.

The project, Hii said, was initiated by and fully supported by the Bario community, especially the farmers. The community appreciates the government’s commitment to help them restore abandoned rice farms and to help increase the farmer’s yield and income.

The project includes the construction of seven irrigation dams with irrigation pipes to the fields, construction of farm roads, levelling of rice fields, ploughing, planting and harvesting services for 200 hectares of padi land in Bario, and the construction of a drying and milling factory.

“The drying and milling factory located not far from the project site is complete with modern drying and milling equipment of a capacity of 20 tonnes per day of drying facility.

“This factory has been rushed for completion as well as commissioned with power for the sole purpose of accommodating the large quantity of padi expected to be harvested this coming season.”

Hii admitted there were problems with the delivery of water to irrigate some of the rice fields, but Bario Ceria should not be faulted for this problem.

He said the existing irrigation system that should continue to irrigate the padi fields had not been well maintained, and it was unable to irrigate all the fields as mentioned in the Oct 4 news report.

It was further compounded by the farmers’ assumption that the new irrigation system being built by Bario Ceria would be completed in time for this year’s planting season, which started in August.

“The new irrigation system built by Bario Ceria Sdn Bhd is ready for more than 70 per cent of the total project area, and the contractual completion date is December 2013.

“The maintenance of the existing/old irrigation system is not within Bario Ceria Sdn Bhd’s contract scope, but we did help to repair two of the existing/old dams. All the seven irrigation dams and the installation of the irrigation pipes are progressing on target to deliver water to the whole project area by December 2013.

Hii said Bario Ceria would continue to do its best to assist the farmers, including providing water pumps to pump water into those rice fields that are not adequately operated.

“However, we need the farmers’ co-operation to inform our site office, bring our men to the site, and to oversee the pumping operations in their affected rice fields. We have five 6” water pumps on standby in Bario to assist the farmers.”

Hii added that Bario Ceria had been working non-stop to address issues highlighted by the farmers in relation to the project, and would continue to work closely with the local community leaders and block leaders, who are appointed by the farmers from among their group.

“Bario Ceria is a joint venture entity, so our partnership is for the long term. It will not end just because construction had been completed. That, we believe, will make us more unique than all previous projects implemented by government in this highland areas (sic).”

Delay in completing irrigation system spells doom for Bario rice farmers

http://www.theborneopost.com/2013/10/04/delay-in-completing-irrigation-system-spells-doom-for-bario-rice-farmers/

Posted on October 4, 2013, Friday

KUCHING: The harvest of Sarawak’s premium Bario rice, rated as the best in the region and rich in minerals and vitamins, is expected to be poor this year.

This was expressed by Rurum Kelabit Sarawak vice president Dr Roland Mattu on his return from a recent visit home in Bario.

He said this was because there is no irrigation for the padi field and farmers are relying on rain water only, but with very little rain in the last month of September.

He pointed out the problem came after an agricultural development contractor was given the contract by the government to provide for irrigation.

This resulted in the traditional farm dams being abandoned in anticipation of the new pipe irrigation under construction. Unfortunately, technical problems arose and as yet there is no irrigation which means the lack of running water and this is going to lead to a poor harvest, he lamented.

“I have been following the farming for many decades as my parent have been farmers, I have never been more concerned about a seasonal failure than this year.

“Many of the farms that have not been planted and those planted are without water and all are doomed to failure. There is urgent need for action and farmers are at a loss as where to turn. There is a chance of salvaging some of the farms but this will need immediate action to get water onto the paddy field in Paramapuh, Maraiw, Arur Laab, and Arur Dalan,” he said yesterday.

He also said he has met Pemanca Philip Lakai who has highlighted the problem to the authority concerned but who also now feels helpless.

“One of the most important part of Bario Rice cultivation is to have abundant fresh water from the mountain (flow) into the bunds especially after the planting season (but) as this is not happening, the planted fields for harvest is doomed to fail.

“There is an urgent need for corrective action and on behalf of all of the farmers in Bario. As vice president of Rurum Kelabit Sarawak, I appeal to all concerned for your help,” he pleaded.

On behalf of the Bario Asal farmers, he said they are all looking forward for the new irrigation and mechanised farming as the way forward but the delay is making them very anxious.

“Our ancestors have been cultivating wet padi for generations, surely some of what we have been practising is of great value rather than a revolution with modern methods.

“There should be a careful conservation of our farming methods that are good and merge with modern methods to take it to greater heights. The irrigation may take another year to complete and we cannot afford to have poor harvest two years in a row,” he said.

Based on news reports, RM17 million was allocated for the Bario Rice Industry Development Project under the National Key Result Areas (NKRA) in January 2012.

Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu was quoted as saying the implementation of the project, between 2011 and 2015, involving 800 hectares of highland in the Bario area, had been offered to Syarikat Bario Ceria Sdn Bhd.

Curtin, eBario, association ink MoU

http://www.theborneopost.com/2013/09/07/curtin-ebario-association-ink-mou/

Posted on September 7, 2013, Saturday

MIRI: Curtin Sarawak is extending its expertise in the development of student learning activities, training, research and collaborative projects with eBario Sendirian Berhad and Rurum Kelabit Sarawak.

A memorandum of understanding (MoU) on the project was signed recently between eBario chief executive officer Councillor John Tarawe, Laila Raja for Rurum Kelabit and outgoing Curtin Sarawak pro vice-chancellor Professor Ian Kerr.

Present to witness the signing were incoming pro vice-chancellor Professor Jim Mienczakowski, Curtin Sarawak Research Institute (CSRI) director Professor Aaron Goh, CSRI senior research fellow Dr Lisa Marie King and Supang Terawe of Rurum Kelabit Sarawak.

Mienczakowski said the MoU marked an important milestone for Curtin Sarawak and demonstrated its commitment to engage with local communities in its pursuit of academic excellence.

King, who was instrumental in establishing the cooperative relationship between the different parties, echoed Mienczakowki’s sentiments.

“As a member of CSRI, I am keen to apply my knowledge and expertise to enhance the well-being of communities in Sarawak. Our close engagement with eBario and Rurum Kelabit Sarawak will lead to significant activities and joint projects that can have a positive impact, both on the university’s learning experiences and the communities,” she said.

eBario Sdn Bhd is an award-winning initiative that runs projects and activities such as the eBario Telecentre, eBario Innovation Village, Radio Bario, eBario Knowledge Fair, Bario Slow Food Festival and eBorneo Research.

Highlanders nationwide show unity through sports

http://www.theborneopost.com/2013/06/28/highlanders-nationwide-show-unity-through-sports/

Posted on June 28, 2013, Friday

LET’S ROCK: The Gangnam style presentation by the KL contingent during the dinner.

MIRI: Highlanders living in various parts of the country displayed a strong spirit of unity when they returned to Miri for the 20th Kelab Sukan Highlanders or Highlanders Sports Club Sports Carnival at the beginning of the month.

About 1,500 members of the Kelabit community, including some from overseas, got together to participate in this year’s event over the three days (June 1 to 3).

The competition programme at Kelab Rekreasi Petroleum (KRP) was declared open by Deputy State Secretary Datu Ose Murang while Assistant Minister of Sports Datuk Lee Kim Shin officiated at the closing ceremony.

Lee also contributed RM3,000 for the club’s activities.

Among those present were the club’s patron, councillor Robert Ayu, advisor Ricky Ribuh, president Joseph Radu Rurum, Kelabit president Dato Isaac Lugun, forum president Gerawat Gala, director of Immigration Department Datu Robert Lian (club member) and community leaders.

The opening ceremony saw the bamboo gong struck and cheers from the participating eight contingents — from Kuala Lumpur, Kuching, Bintulu, Limbang, Miri, Bario, Kelapang and Long Banga-Peluan.

The competitions included football, futsal, badminton, volleyball, golf, pool, dart, blowpipe and a few social games. Most were held on June 1 and 2.

“The number of players and spectators this year outnumbered that of the last carnival in 2011 but what is most important is not the competitions but participation that unites the Kelabit community through sports” Joseph said.

“While the main objective is to develop new talent in sports, the carnival is also a good way to unite the Kelabits in a fun way. It is also one of the best times to meet as many highlanders or Kelabits as possible in one place over the three days,” he added.

Due to the large attendance of highlanders at the carnival, some club members took the opportunity to organise reunion gatherings with former classmates as well as celebrate engagement or wedding parties.

“This trend is becoming very popular — like killing two birds with one stone as the saying goes,” Joseph said.

Family members, supporters and friends turned up in full force to cheer their teams in the various competitions.

The dart and pool contest attracted a big crowd of spectators at the Rigs (KRP’s bar). They cheered and danced to the country music from the resident band.

Traditionally, football is the most popular game among the highlanders who have produced state and national players like Pengiran Bala, Herman Bulang, Bobby Pian, Stephen Kiben Tingang, Wesley Bala, Robert Paran, Keryer Maria and Frankie.

The Kelapang team emerged champion in football while Kuching were the runners-up with Bario third.

Long Banga-Peluan won the junior futsal competition for 15 and below youths comprising mainly primary school pupils. The runners-up were Bario with Kuching third.

The boys senior category for secondary students went to Bario with Long Banga-Peluan and Miri second and third respectively.

In the women’s open futsal, Miri contingent emerged champions with Long Banga-Peluan and Bario second and third respectively.

The Long Banga-Peluan team won the men’s volleyball with Kuala Lumpur and Kelapang second and third respectively.

In netball, played for the second time at the carnival, Miri successfully defended their title with Kuching and Long Banga-Peluan second and third respectively.

Other results: Kelapang — tug-of-war champion; Scott David, Pery Muris and Edward Ngitunn — men’s pool winners, and Betsy, Pauline Bennet and Roney Sagau – ladies’ pool winners.

Isaac presented the overall champions trophy to Tommy Agan, the Long Banga-Peluan contingent manager, and other sports awards to Deborah Henry, a Sukma medallist, and golfer Sigar Tidan who successfully defended the Sarawak Senior Golf Open for the third consecutive time.

The carnival is one of the activities organised by KSH. The upcoming event is the KSH Jogger-ton-cum-Family Day in September.

KSH, set up in 1983, has over 5,000 members.

Isaac dipilih nyadi presiden Kunsil Rurum Kelabit S’wak

http://www.theborneopost.com/2013/03/20/isaac-dipilih-nyadi-presiden-kunsil-rurum-kelabit-swak/

Posted on March 20, 2013, Wednesday

MIRI: Dato’ Isaac Lugun mujur dipilih nyadi presiden baru ungkup Kunsil Rurum Kelabit Sarawak (RKS) renggat 2013-2015.

Iya dibantu Dr. Cr. Philip Raja (sapit president) enggau Prof. Dr. Ramy Bulan ke nyadi mandal presiden kanan.

Empat iku udah kena pilih mangku pengawa sapit presiden, sida nya  Osart Jallong, Cr. Robert Ayu, Wendy Trang enggau Dr. Roland Dom Mattu.

Chairman bagi indu nya Jane Lian Labang enggau  KK Laju Balang ke nyadi chairman nembiak kunsil nya.

Nelson Kebing dipilih nyadi sekretari besai  ditangkan enggau Roland Tarawe (sapit sekretari besai), Ricky Wen (pemantu  sekretari besai), Ennis Gabar (tukang wang), Panay @ Panai Aran (sapit tukang wang), Gungkang Raja (pemesai pelajar), Datin Pearl Masna Ulun (pemesai main asal), Lucy Bulan (pemesai pengelantang pendiau), pemesai lumba enggau main  (Joseph Radu) enggau Lilla Raja (pemesai publisiti).

Enam iku kaban komiti nya Kijan Langit, Charles Edmund, Cr. John Tarawe, Agan Maran, Ricky Solaiman Agan enggau William Abeng.

Read more: http://www.theborneopost.com/2013/03/20/isaac-dipilih-nyadi-presiden-kunsil-rurum-kelabit-swak/#ixzz2PJ9SwEDu

Sarawak Highland Folk Music Festival expects a big crowd

http://www.theborneopost.com/2012/10/09/sarawak-highland-folk-music-festival-expects-a-big-crowd/

by Jenifer Laeng, reporters@theborneopost.com. Posted on October 9, 2012, Tuesday

COMMITTEE MEETING: Dennis (seated, centre), Penan chief Temenggong Datuk Hasan Sui (seated, third right) in a photo call with the organising committee after their meeting at the Resident Office yesterday.

MIRI: The second Sarawak Highland Folk Music Festival which will be held from Nov 9 to 11 this year in Long Bedian, Tutoh Apoh, is expected to draw thousands and also foreign media coverage.

The organiser’s president Dennis Ngau said the festival, held first in 2003, would be a grand event that would not only attract tourists to Long Bedian and other villages in Tutoh Apoh, but would also be used as a platform to introduce traditional music to the younger generation.

“Apart from that, this festival will also be used as a medium to promote unity among the people and also the use of traditional music instruments, especially among the young,” Dennis, who is also Telang Usan assemblyman, said after the organiser’s meeting at the Resident Office here yesterday.

This years’ festival will see various traditional music instruments such as Sape, Satung, Tung But, Sanang, Tawak, Jatung Lutang, Atui and Oreng being used in performances.

“So far, we have about 12 ethnic groups that have confirmed their participation,” Dennis said.

They comprise Petipun Penan Sarawak, Federation of Miri Chinese Association (Long Lama), Dayak Bidayuh National Association Miri (DBNA), Miri Kadayan Association, Sarawak Bisaya Association, Sarawak Kayan Association, Sarawak National Kenyah Association, Miri Rurum Kelabit, Sarawak Lakiput Association, Sarawak Dayak Iban Association (Marudi) and Miri Berawan Association.

“If there is anyone or any associations who want to perform during this festival and have yet to register, they are urged to come forward and submit their applications before the deadline on Oct 15,” he said.

The festival is a joint effort between Ministry of Tourism and Long Bedian Village Security and Development Committee (JKKK).

Trekforce helps preserve Highlands heritage

http://www.theborneopost.com/2011/07/17/trekforce-helps-preserve-highlands-heritage/

by Cecilia B. Sman. Posted on July 17, 2011, Sunday

TREKFORCE – a UK-based environmental conservation and community development volunteer organisation – has completed a major conservation project in the Kelabit Highlands, particularly in Bario, Pa’ Umor and Pa’main.


CAPTIVATING: Scenic view of fish ponds and padi field in Bario.

The project – from November 5, 2009 to June 25, 2011 – has reinforced past and present researches by the agencies concerned in documenting and preserving the priceless cultural heritage in the areas, believed to contain the most dense assemblage of culture sites in Sarawak, if not in Malaysia.

Among the agencies involved were the Sarawak Museum (1986 and 2004) and Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) while other institutions included International Tropical Timber Organisations (ITT0). Also taking part in the project were researchers such as Sarah Hitchner (2007) and an academic from Pa’ Umor, professor Poline Balang of Unimas.

Trekforce comprises groups of young self-funded volunteers who embark on extreme expeditions to remote tropical rainforest areas. A large number of them – mostly from the UK, Europe, Canada and the US – are students, aged between 18 and 30 years, who have completed their education before entering college or university.

They are normally formed into mixed teams of around 10.

Their three key aims on each expedition are:

l To help protect and conserve the tropical rainforest ecosystems.

l To help the local people with vital community development projects in remote rural areas.

l To learn vital life skills such as teamwork, initiative and self-sufficiency during the physically and mentally demanding two-month expedition.

Survival training

Expeditions begin with a week of intensive jungle survival training where the volunteers are taught a wide range of survival skills, including fire-lighting, use of parangs, jungle navigation, building natural shelters, setting animal traps and collecting wild food.

Once trained to live and work safely and effectively in the challenging jungle environment, they trek into deep rainforests to set up basic hammock camps and begin the six-week conservation phase of their expedition.

On June 28, thesundaypost had the opportunity to interview the expedition leader and country co-ordinator, David Osborne, 30 (fondly known to the locals as ‘Os’ or by his Kelabit name ‘Berapui’ – meaning strong fire).

According to Os – along with close friends Al Davies, 31 (an English jungle survival expert) and Rian John Pasan, 40, (a local Kelabit guide and expedition leader) – Trekforce has, so far, carried out six successful expeditions in Sarawak since 2009, involving a total of 51 people, including Os himself.

He said since then, they have been working closely with the Rurum Kelabit Sarawak Association (RKS) and the community of Pa’ Umor on an ambitious cultural site and rainforest protection project, and a wide range of community development projects including teaching English at SK Bario and Pa’ Dalih.

He added that in 2009, work began with volunteer groups, protecting ancient Kelabit cultural sites such as stone megaliths, burial grounds and dragon burial jars in the jungles of the Kelabit Highlands.

The ‘pioneer’ groups trekked deep into the jungles surrounding Bario, located the sites with local guides and GPS, identified them before cutting 400-square-metre boundaries around each site, and marked them with barricade tapes.

The boundaries highlight these areas as protected to prevent logging operations entering and destroying both the invaluable cultural sites and the surrounding rainforests.

“So far, 105 cultural sites have now been protected in this way. After all of the cultural sites in Bario, Pa’ Umor and Pa’ Main areas were marked and boundaries cut, the next phase of this long-term project began.

“This involved the development of a network of trails, bridges and shelters created to provide an infrastructure framework for sustainable eco-tourism in the area and the research of the cultural sites,” Os explained.

Besides creating a network of jungle trails connecting existing trails with many of the cultural sites, Trekforce also constructed numerous wooden and bamboo bridges across difficult river passes and two major camp sites – Hornbill and Silverleaf Camp.

The bridges made of solid wood can last about 20 years while the bamboo bridges about three years.

Other benefits

Os said he is proud to be part of such important, urgent and cutting-edge conservation work.

“The benefits are myriad. Protection and preservation of the Kelabit cultural sites will allow future generations to visit these fascinating sites, as well as allowing further anthropological and scientific research into their nature and origins.”

He stressed the eco-tourism infrastructure now in place will allow tourists, trekkers, nature-lovers, scientists and the local people to visit the area and develop an appreciation for the human history, values and beauty of the rainforest environment and wildlife.

This, in turn, would benefit the communities of Pa’ Umor and Bario through increased eco-tourism to provide employment for local jungle guides and more business for the many homestays in the area.

Background of Os

Os himself had spent a year in Central America working on similar conservation projects for Trekforce before coming to Malaysia and the passion he holds for tropical rainforest environments becomes more apparent as he explained what he considers to be one of the most important aspects of the project.

“The protection of the rainforest environment and the diverse vegetation, insects, birds and animal wildlife within them is one of the important environmental challenges of our generation. Borneo has some of the most pristine and biologically diverse rainforests on Earth, but their existence is severely threatened by the obvious and immediate expansion of logging and palm oil operations.

“Many indigenous groups in Sarawak have similar cultural sites, not to mention outstanding areas of beautiful rainforest – and I hope the kind of multi-level project achieved in the Bario area could form a part of a new strategy for indigenous groups all over Borneo to protect and preserve their native lands, cultural heritage, rainforest areas and, indeed, generate income and employment through this kind of low impact sustainable development,” he said.

The climax of each expedition is a major jungle trek. In the Kelabit Highlands, the groups put both their physical fitness and jungle skills to test by undertaking a completely self-sufficient week-long trek to key landmarks.

So far, they have twice trekked from Bario to the summit of the famous Batu Lawi (2,050m) and from Bario to Long Lellang and, most impressively, conquered Sarawak’s highest peak – Mount Murud (2,424m) – on an epic eight-day trek.

Future directions

Trekforce is already planning two expeditions in 2012 as well as running a ‘Trainee Expedition Leader’ course and UK school biology trip.

“There is a great deal more that can be done both on this project and by spreading our expeditions into new areas,” Os said as he contemplates returning to Sarawak for a further year to reinforce the existing networks of jungle trails, connecting the cultural sites.

The new proposed areas for conservation are in Long Lellang and Pa’ Dalih.

“Despite the logistical difficulties and natural hazards of operating in such a remote location, I love the intense daily challenge of running these expeditions. This is a truly worthy and innovative conservation project, and to be quite honest, I have fallen in love with Sarawak – the people, the culture and the rainforest,” Os enthused.

At the same time, he plans to document the project in a detailed report for RKS and professor Poline (Unimas) with the hope that the authorities concerned could later help conserve and gazette the areas before leaving his adopted Bario to travel to other parts of Sarawak and Sabah and finally back to the UK.

Os hopes to visit, among others, the two world heritage sites – the Mulu Caves (in Sarawak) and Mount Kinabalu (Sabah) and returns home at the end of August.

“It will be very difficult to leave. The people of Sarawak have made us feel so welcome, helped us in so many ways, taught me so much and we have become good friends.

“Without the help, advice, guidance and friendship of people like Rian, the Raja family and councillor John Tarawe, our expeditions here and their success simply would not have been possible. I hope to be able to return to conduct further expeditions next year,” he said.

Among the locals actively involved in the project were Dr Philip Raja (consultant doctor), Laila Raja (transport logistic) Peter Raja (accommodation), Pastor Siwa and other local leaders.

Os also hopes the conclusion of the Trekforce expedition can spur other relevant groups to intensify their conservation and rehabilitation efforts as the cultural sites face common universal problems such as neglect, abandonment, exposure to the elements, collapse, remoteness and bulldozing for logging or access roads to longhouses.

According to the ITTO Report, most of sites are located within licensed timber areas.

Official reports from the Sarawak Museum quoted Hitchner (2007) as listing over 350 sites, consisting of menhirs (batuh sinuped), burial sites, nabang, old longhouse sites, batuh narit (engrave rocks), batuh baliu (curse stones), perupun, salt springs and sacred sites.

Further information on Trekforce can be found on their website www.trekforce.org.uk

107 registered voters back in Bario

http://www.theborneopost.com/?p=119979

Posted on April 14, 2011, Thursday


OPERATIONS ROOM: Henry (left) and others checking the voters’ data at the polling station in Bario.

BARIO: A total of 107 registered voters for the Ba Kelalan constituency have returned to the Kelabit highland in Bario since the last few days.

Bario is one of the polling stations for Ba Kelalan constituency.

The director of N.70 Ba kelalan operation room Henry Paul said a total of 340 registered voters have yet to come back.

“As of today, the data in our operation room showed that some 107 registered voters have come back since the last few days,” he told The Borneo Post when met at the operation room for the Bario district polling station yesterday.

Henry added that the operation room is running smoothly.

“We are coordinating the election machinery, especially by checking the voters’ data here, as well as ensuring that the election machinery will run smoothly until polling day, this Saturday,” he remarked.

In addition, extra flight arrangements have been made since yesterday to fly back the registered voters from Miri.

Rurum Kelabit Association of Sarawak has chartered 13 return flights from Miri to Bario and via-versa.

The chartered flights were in aid to transport voters of the constituency, including those working in Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and elsewhere in Sarawak back to exercise their rights.

Rurum Kelabit to hold delegates conference

http://tribune.my/prime/156-rurum-kelabit-to-hold-delegates-conference.html

Rurum Kelabit to hold delegates conference

Tuesday, 25 May 2010 12:32

KUCHING: Rurum Kelabit Sarawak (RKS) will be holding its Triennial Delegates Conference (TDC) to elect members of its State Council, the organisation’s governing body at the Dynasty Hotel, Miri on June 2.

A total of 50 delegates and 150 observers are expected. There may be some changes in the membership of the State Council following the TDC.

This was disclosed by RKS president, Gerawat Gala.

He said that all five RKS branches and its Wanita Wing have successfully held their triennial general meetings as required by the Registrar of Society. The theme for the TDC is “Building a Progressive and Resilient Community”.

He hoped that the new leadership of RKS after the TDC would continue to drive RKS forward as a platform for the community’s progress and building the community’s resilience to achieve Vision 2020.

“Although RKS has done well in the last three years there is always room for improvement,” he pointed out.

The organisation has two new faces in the leadership at the branch level. In the Women’s Wing, its veteran and long serving leader, Datin Sri Mariam Balan Seling has decided to hand over the leadership to her deputy, school principal Connie Aping Trang while the new Bintulu branch chairman is entrepreneur Felix George Ukab. The others who were returned unopposed as branch chairman are Cr. John Trawe (Bario Branch), Petrus Raja (Marudi Branch), Dick Bala (Pujut Miri Branch) and Datu Robert Lian Balangalibun (Kuching Branch).

The RKS Triennial Delegates Conference (TDC) will start from 8.30 am until 1pm June 2. An Appreciation and Installation Dinner will be held at the Eastwood Valley Golf and Country Club, Miri starting 6.30 pm.

Special Adviser in the Chief Minister’s Office, Datuk Amar Haji Adenan Satem who is also affectionately known among the Kelabit community as Datuk Amar Maran Ribad, will be the guest of honour at the dinner.

On behalf of the Kelabit community, the president wishes to extend his warm Gawai greetings to all his Dayak colleagues and hopes that the new season will bring abundant blessings for the Dayak community.

Invitation letters to the TDC had been sent to the delegates and observers.

The dinner tickets are on sale since May15. Contact chairman of the dinner organising committee, Tusan Na’an (019-8554642) for the dinner tickets.

For more information on the TDC programmes, log onto rks@ rurum.org.my or call 019-885 1022 (Musa Adun Paran) or 013-805 6640 (Caroline Agan S. Bala Raja).

Association to write about the history of Kelabit people

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/4/26/sarawak/6130500&sec=sarawak

Monday April 26, 2010

Association to write about the history of Kelabit people

THE Rurum Kelabit Sarawak Association education unit is embarking on a project to record their community’s oral history into written text.

It is one of eight innovative projects undertaken by the association, said the unit’s chairperson Lucy Bulan Sineh Raben Bala.

The other projects are a Kelabit to English dictionary, setting up their own preschools in Bario and Miri, standardising the Kelabit writing and spelling system, producing reading materials in Kelabit, translating the English bible into the Kelabit language, setting up leadership training camps throughout Sarawak and starting an information data bank on Kelabit graduates.

“It is important for our future generation to know the past struggles of their forefathers and for the future generation not to lose sight of the rich heritage of our community, especially our language and traditions,’’ she said during the education unit’s annual dinner in Miri on Saturday.

Rurum Kelabit Sarawak president Gerawat Gala, in his speech, said education had always been one of the association’s priorities. He said the education unit had done a great job in helping Kelabit children attain high scores in public examinations.

“It is very important for us to strive for excellence in everything we do and sustain these success because we are a small community. We must make up for our small numbers by our quality,’’ he said.

He hoped that Kelabit graduates will excel in more professional and business fields to extend the influence of the community in more vital sectors in the state and country.