It’s New Wine, New Wineskins…

"The Flame of Political Change" 2009 - 2011 campaign

Kempen “Bara Perubahan Politik” 2009 – 2011

“Be A Dutiful Citizen…” is another humble calling (yes, it’s a political campaign strategy) to encourage adults of Sarawak origin to exercise their birthright to vote in the next state election. All eligible adults – starting from the age of 21 and above – are encouraged to register themselves here. For those adults who have registered as voters, kindly check your names here, as the next state election could be held in the year 2011.

The last state election was held on May 20, 2006. I still recall that date as I’ve cast my “virgin vote” for SUPP. Yup, I know that I’m pretty naïve about that, but then, I’ve no regrets at all! On March 8, 2008, I’ve voted for PKR… Sorry lah ho, PBB (supporters)!

For Christian readers (regardless of their political creeds), I’m pretty sure that they are all familiar with the following biblical passages: New Wine in Old Wineskins and Dutiful Servants (Luke 5: 33 – 39 & Luke 17: 7 – 10). Well, I ain’t a Biblical scholar, so I won’t explain its hidden meaning. Do refer to that passages and learn it from the e-experts (just in case), as there are many e-Bible studies on the net. Otherwise, I’ll get the blame for leading you astray… Heh!

Whether you’re Pro-BN or Pro-Non-BN, that doesn’t matter. But yes, size (I mean “the quantity of voters“) does matter!

So, my friends, let’s start anew and do keep “The Flame of Political Change” burnin’…

For myself, I would say this slogan – “HIDUP DAYAK!” Yes, the Dayaks should be able to determine their own political mileage and not (to be dictated) by others…

• Who’s (Who is) who on the “Dayaks’ Deck of Cards”…
• Lost in time…
• Keluarga Bahagia “59″ SINGA RAJAH…
• Virtual Library as the Web of Knowledge…
• The “Gas Dapor” story…
• Glamorous Terms of the Day in Malaysian (Dayak) Politics… (to be updated from time to time – should the “need” arises, lah!)
• The Ye-Olde Story Revisited…
• WHAT?! The “Early Birds” will get a “special discount”?!
• Sarawak, Ooops! Tanah Air Ku… (Sarawak, Ooops! My Mother Land…)
• A combination of beauty, intelligent, intelligence and intelligentsia…
• Weather Alert: Windfall – forecasted at about 40.2 km/hour – only at Batang Ai!!!
• Social Media: Is it effective in “swaying” ye-olde voters’ votes?
• Wanna bet?! The betting price is as low as RM1.10 only, what…
• It’s “confirmed”!!!
• A day to remember…
• Thanks, but NO!, George!
• List of Sarawak’s Cabinet Ministers and Assistant Ministers:
  • Cabinet Ministers (9 portfolios) – Other ye-olde news.
  • Assistant Ministers (16 portfolios – One assistant minister has resigned and the other one is currently on sick leave! [Note: Click here for the update])

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Tiyung Dayak’s notes:

1.      From now on, this article will be the “leading article” until the next state election is over… Yup, God willing!

2.      In case of slow downloading of articles (due to heavy graphic files), just click any of the individual article first for an easy access. If an individual graphic file went stuck, kindly refresh your browser once again. –> SCORE: Sure Can, Only Refresh – Easy!

3.      For a “quick” review, just look for the Archives (on the right-hand side –>) and click on specific month to view “the written articles of the month“. Yes, correct, just point your cutie mouse on specific date (in blue color) and click for the article(s) written on that day, lah!

“Partyless”?! You bet!

Nay, I’m not in the mood to discuss on who’s who in the new state cabinet line-up…

I just want to show you some of the photos taken by my friend last night, captured using his NOKIA™ N95 cell phone. Thanks to him and my other friends for not inviting me to their wWw.WiLd_PaRty@Sa(L)vageGarden last night, for they had organized another final blow on Tora Bora… L.O.L.!!!

By the way, I just passed by that Tora Bora and I can see a pair of hornets hovering around their ruined nest(s)!

Do enjoy the photos as shown below. If you have doubts on what’s this and that; click:

1. here;
2. here;
3. here;
4. here;
5. here;
6. here;
7. here;
8. here;
9. here;

10.  here; and

11.  here for details…

L.O.L.!!!

The priceless trophies – the ruined, clustered hornet nests and its damned, future inhabitants – looted from that Tora Bora cavern...

The black brownish, dead pupae (or pupas) that were trapped inside the burnt clustered nests during first, second, third and fourth Ops Bunker...

Other priceless, looted trophies... Do I see gold over there? L.O.L.!!!

Yup, this is the priceless, “golden” hornet larva...

My friends really “enjoyed” themselves last night @ Sa(L)vage Garden BBQ Party, where they had grilled/roasted some hornet larvas over a fire! It’s edible, anyway; another source of “not-so-easy-to-get” supplement of wild protein (duh!), just like honey bee larvas. But... nay, I would prefer either smoke or fried sago weevil larvas for dinner, lah! Why?! That hornet larvas were collected after been “flamethrown” with insecticide aerosols, what...?!, even though the larvas were well protected inside its sacs... Aiya! I’m such a lucky guy, though... Kuuuuurrrrr s’mangat!

Been chased by a “killer lady” that rode a Vespa!

November 5, 2009 (1625 hours)…

On my way home after plucking some Midin (Fiddlehead ferns) (Stenochlaena palustris) to be cooked for dinner, I had been chased by this single, “killer lady”. I struggled and fought hard with it, but in the end, that “killer lady” won!

How nice!, as I got stung in the head – stung for the second time – by the same, “lone killer lady”. A “killer lady”?, as some of you might get your brains boggling… Well, think of a phrase “killer whale”; so, “killer lady” is totally different from “lady killer”, lah!

I knew that I’ve encroached into its territory while looking for that tasty, edible ferns. Yup, I passed by the nest(s) – located inside the hollow, abandoned log(s). I quickly threw my cigarette, knowing that the killer ladies are sensitive to smoke, odour (any kind of mineral-based odour – either from fuel, perfume, etc.), including any bright color (T-)shirts. About the smoke; I’ve experienced it when I first got stung in the wrist while puffing a cigarette after lunch – and that was happened on September 13, 2006! Yup, it has been a looong three years…

The venom – whenever it enters into the body – is akin to a knife slicing our own skin and it was very painful. I took two tablets of Panadol™ to reduce the pain, but it wasn’t effective. I called my friends to give me some traditional medicine – in the form of a bark. This bark was made known by the Penans; they called it “Penan Selungo”, but unfortunately, the scientific name that could refer to this bark or of that particular tree species remained unknown. The Penans use that bark to treat stomach ache and most importantly, to reduce the pain caused by snake venom… However, whenever there’s a need to use this bark, it must be done in a secret manner; meaning that one shouldn’t boast about it. Just do it nice and easy, i.e. by chewing a bit of the bark and swallow it down. Otherwise, it won’t be effective!

Yup, I did chew some of the bark and made it into a drink – mixed with BOH™ tea. The time was already in the evening and I felt relaxed and prepared my dinner. After dinner, I called my mom and told her on what had happened to me in the afternoon. She told me that the insects are known – loosely translated as the “Pig’s Tongue”. The Malay called it “Tebuan” or “Tebuan Tanah”; in Iban?! Hmmm, I only knew its name as “Indu Utai” (abbreviated as “IU”) – loosely translated as “Lady of something”; in English, it is known as “hornet(s)” or could it specifically refers to “Asian Giant Hornet(s) (AGH)”? The National Geographic (or NatGeo) also has its own online reference materials about these AGH, here.

Around 2100 hours, the pain in my head was very sharp; I couldn’t stand it anymore. I took another two Panadol™ tablets, still it wasn’t effective. I kept on thinking (on what to do next), until I got another idea! A-ha! I grabbed my cell phone and called my kampong mate, who works as an AMO (Assistant Medical Officer) in a nearby town. So, here is our conversation on that night:

Myself	:	O’ lutor… Nama brita déh?! (Hi, doc! How are you?)
My AMO friend	:	Paguh… Oni hal ingan fon oku adin tih? Oku ogi download movie tih; movie Maikél Jéksen – “This Is It” (I’m fine… What’s the matter for ringin’ me up? I’m downloading Michael Jackson’s “This Is It” movie right now.)
Myself	:	Wey, I wanna ask you something, lah! I got stung by a hornet this afternoon. Is there any powerful drug to reduce the pain? I’m thinking of taking a leave tomorrow to get a treatment at a nearby clinic…
My AMO friend	:	What?! Argh, take it easy, lah. Do you have a cough syrup or flu med with you right now?
Myself	:	What?!
My AMO friend	:	A cough syrup or flu med… That medication contained anti-histamine. You go online and check for “histamine” and “anti-histamine”; I think there’s a reference on it.
Myself	:	Cough syrup?! Flu med?! Hold on a sec!

Seconds later…

Myself	:	Yup, I got one; but this one is a cough syrup… It’s NILCO Syrup… I got it from you earlier this year, remember?! The flu med was consumed looong time ago, lah…
My AMO friend	:	Ya kah? (Is it?)
Myself	:	Ya lah… How come, a cough syrup?! And what is this “histamine”? I knew the name but never know its meaning, lah…
My AMO friend	:	Aiya… “histamine” lah… Sort of allergy or painful venom, you know…
Myself	:	But this syrup… it contains, uhmmm… Di… phen; Di-phen-hydra… mine; yup, Diphenhydramine Hydrochloride… Can it be used or not?
My AMO friend	:	I’m not sure; unless it contains Chlorphenamine Maleate a.k.a. Piriton or Promethazine Hydrochloride a.k.a. Phenergan. These two ingredients are effective in battling such pain, you know… Better for you to check it on the internet.
Myself	:	Wokey lah; I’ll try this cough syrup first!
My AMO friend	:	Wokey!

I was in doubt actually! How come a cough syrup can be used to reduce such pain? Anyway, I took a gulp of it – around 2115 hours. Moments later, I logged on to the internet and Googled-search the keyword “histamine”. Yeah, I found it! Most of the following information was found in Wikipedia: Histamine, Anti-Histamine (this is where I’ve found that Diphenhydramine Hydrochloride can be used to treat bee/hornet sting, including other allergens (e.g. Rengas latex)), Chlorphenamine Maleate, Promethazine Hydrochloride, etc.

Moments later, I rang my AMO friend again…

Myself	:	Hi, doc? Are you sleeping already, kah?!
My AMO friend	:	Not yet, lah… I’m still downloading the movie…
Myself	:	Owh… You know what?!
My AMO friend	:	What?!
Myself	:	I got the information that you gave me just now. Wah, now I know that… that NILCO cough syrup can be used as a sedative, as it contained Di-phen-hy-dra-mine… I had taken a gulp just now.
My AMO friend	:	I’ve told you already. With internet, everything also got, what… That’s the power of internet!
Myself	:	Chéh! Héh!
My AMO friend	:	So, how was it?
Myself	:	Not yet sure, lah. Have to wait, lah! Wokey, we’ll see on what’s going to happen tomorrow…
My AMO friend	:	Wokey, I hope that you’re doing fine over there.
Myself	:	Wokey; chalo béti inspéktor sa’ab… Héh!

I slept around 2245 hours; still got pain in my head! Around 0215 hours, I woke up to ease myself. Wah… I felt a little bit better – after I took a gulp of that cough syrup earlier. I then took another gulp, and went on sleeping…

A locally manufactured NILCO (Cough) Syrup 90 ml. My AMO friend gave it to me early this year; believe it or not, most people usually got flu whenever a new year begins!

Shown in the label: Diphenhydramine Hydrochloride 14 mg...

The next morning, I woke up late – at 0740 hours! I was late for work, aiya! This was due to the effect of the drug that caused drowsiness… Anyway, everything was fine, as the pain in my head was 99.9% gone; except that my face was still swollen… There’s no doubt that Panadol™ didn’t help much in relieve the pain, as Paracetamol is not anti-histamine!

A sketch (redrawn from a digital photograph) of my not-so-handsome, swollen face due to a fiery, painful venom injected by that speedy and bloody “killer lady” on November 5, 2009! My wild guess was this: apart from cigarette odour, the other reason for the attack was due to long hair that I’m keeping! I remembered that I’ve poured some baby oil on my hair on that day – in order to make it smooth and shiny, lah! Yeah, it could be that the lone killer lady thought (if any!) that such a nice and sweet smelling long hair could be another good place for nesting... L.O.L.!!!

That morning, with my swollen head and face, I had faced my colleagues (both males and females) with an opened eyelid, as I hardly opened the other eyelid. And during our morning coffee meeting, I knew it from them that the Ibans called those insects, collectively known as “Indu Gamang” or loosely translated as “Lady Gamang”; hence, the name “killer lady(ies)” was born (and known – internationally!)…

If you read that Wikipedia article (on Asian Giant Hornet(s)), you might wondering whether the Italians have named their famous scooters – “Vespa” – based on the genus name of that species, right?! Exactly! Well, it could be true, based on hornets’ humming sound and their flying speed up to 40 km/h! Phew…! Read about Vespa scooters here.

These hornets – whenever they are “kamikazéing” in a group – could cause fatal injury(ies) to the victim(s). Barely a month ago, a sister and her brother died due to hornets’ attack; an act of negligence from the authorities concerned! Read the following links:

1. Dua maut diserang tebuan (Utusan Borneo, 5 Oktober 2009); and
2. Penduduk dakwa aduan tidak dapat respons (Utusan Borneo, 6 Oktober 2009). And more recent and old local news about such attacks are available here!

Our demolition team – led by my boss – has destroyed the hornets’ clustered nests – partially – in a cleansing operation, code named Operation Bunker around 2130 hours on November 7, 2009. They made a huge fire next to the clustered nests (using a worn out rubber tube, old newspaper and few litres of diesel fuel), as these hornets were attracted to light. These clustered nests were located inside hollow logs and it does resemble that infamous Tora Bora! Additional items used in the operation were insecticide aerosols and lighters – used as improvised flamethrowers!

According to my boss, hornets couldn’t fly at night due to darkness. So, whenever they fly into the fire, some might be dead and some might get burnt and wingless (and some could still be alive!). So, in case that some of the hornets are alive after the “baptism of fire”, they’ll crawl on the ground like ants (if any!)… Are you daring enough to stamp these wingless creatures with your foot?! Of course, yes you can!, providing that you wear either a long rubber boots or safety boots!

I managed to get few photos during the cleansing operation, which are shown below:

One of my colleagues is shown here doing flamethrowing using an insecticide aerosol...

Three of the fallen comrades...

A survived, wingless hornet shown in a yellow circle...

Wow! This cleansing operation was akin to military operations in Tora Bora cave complex...

A close-up view of some dead hornets in their “cavern” after the flamethrowing process...

This hornet was still alive when I took this photograph; later it was executed by my boss with a parang...

A close-up view of some of the collected specimens...

The above photo reminds me of the good old days when I took a general study on insects -- Entomology 101. I’ve divided the specimens into two general sections: adults and juveniles (including some larvae nested inside the nest). A ruler is a must to determine the scale (length and width) of any insect.

In this photo, the adults’ length was more than an inch; note that dangerous stingers. Here it is shown that these hornets were black or brownish in color with an orange stripe...

Another Gen-X, juvenile hornet...

Based on the available dead specimens, the hornet species wasn’t Vespa mandarinia or Vespa soror. I’ve checked the internet and I can be sure that the destroyed species belongs to Vespa affinis, commonly known as “Lesser Banded Hornet”. Click here, here and here for details.

At the time of finishing this article (around 0845 hours on November 8, 2009), I’m happy to jot down that my swollen face has shrunk up to 69.9% lah… Hopefully it will be fully recovered within a day or two! However, I can still see some of the hornets are hovering around this morning. Well, I’m not sure whether there will be any subsequent Ops Bunker to follow suit…

To conclude, there are four things to be learnt:

1. Try to avoid any contact (whatsoever) with these deadliest creatures (and don’t try to play-play, uh!); unless if you are daring enough and determined to destroy its nest(s) – to be done only during night time;
2. Stockpile your First Aid kit(s) – either with cough or flu syrup that contained anti-histamine such as Diphenhydramine Hydrochloride (Chlorphenamine Maleate a.k.a. Piriton or Promethazine Hydrochloride a.k.a. Phenergan are mostly preferred); whenever and wherever you go (especially to the farm, jungle, recreational park(s), etc.); this also includes an insect repellent spray – to be sprayed upon the “attack spot(s)” on the body (a tip given by my cousin, who is a staff nurse at SGH);
3. In case of being attack by hornet(s), drink plenty of plain water (after taking the medicine) to help in “neutralizing” the venom and to ease in flushing out the waste water (containing neutralized venom); and
4. The ICT (Information and Communication Technology) plays a vital role in getting first-hand and hands-on information, lah…

Acknowledgements

My heartfelt thanks to:

1. Some of the killer ladies, who had died in the cause of justice; for they had fought a good fight; may they rest in peace…
2. All my friends, who have contributed their ideas and directed their energies in making this cleansing program a foundation of success…

Otherwise, this article will not even exist!

That bright yellow, humble substance in the food…

Two weeks ago, I went to visit my uncle at the Sarawak General Hospital (SGH), who has undergone a laser surgery. He is diagnosed with early stage of colon cancer and had his entire intestine removed! Luckily (and thanks be to God!), he survived and now began to familiarize himself with the new, plastic-based intestine.

I already knew about this bright yellow substance as a natural remedy against cancer cells, after I read about it somewhere in a magazine looooong time ago. The article was about the link between dietary habits among race-based Malaysians (the Malays, Chinese and Indians) and cancer. Well, it’s not a surprise for the Indians for being less affected by the disease due to their spicy diet. Yeah, the substance that I’m talking about is known as turmeric (or kunyit), a common (and humble) cooking ingredient used in Indian and other oriental cooking/cuisines.

I normally used turmeric powder to cook oilless fish and (wild) meat soup; fried (wild, mixed) vegetables and fried rice*, lah… But the better one is to be sourced from the tubers, and I guess that it is available at your own backyard, aye?! If not then, go and shop around at any vegetables market near you!

Turmeric tubers are very messy to prepare, as it will cause yellowish stain on your hands and other cooking utensils (especially the concrete pounder (or lesong batu)). But then, it’s fine whenever we think of its medicinal value. More than that, the tubers will add a fresh, aromatic smell to your food, lah…

Another point to ponder: Have you ever think that the most expensive food available at any first class restaurant contained lots of dangerous chemicals in the food? Yup, it might tastes nice and will triggers your brain to consume all (or as much) as you can, but beware, especially in consuming a variety of sauces and other processed, meaty food.

Dislike (the ori) turmeric in your cooking?! Think again…

For your additional reading pleasure, click here and here.

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* My favorite fried rice is to be mixed with curry and turmeric powder; unofficially known as “Nasi Goreng Khoon Yit Becarrii”… Phew!

Welcome to “(Agri)Culture Club”, uhmmm… lady and gentlemen!

Wow! I guess that few of us have seen these sour apples, as shown below. I don’t know where it came from… Shall we call it the horny sour apple(s), kah?

L.O.L.!!!

My wild guess is this:

It could be that some species of South American birds have dropped by at our doorstep (on their way to Timbuktu) and dropped their droppings, lah. So, this kind of weird looking sour apple plant has grown there! Well, don’t ask me on this and that about the kind of bird species, OK!?

I chose these three fruits to represent the basic (or nucleus) family unit: parents and their only child in the family. Hmmmph, sounds interesting, huh?!

Yup, do enjoy the pics!

I used a stapler as a scale to indicate the size of that “horny” sour apple fruits...

The “horny” sour apple plant – naturally grown at The Resident’s “official” residence, lah!

A close up view of the hanging, “horny” sour apple fruits...

Play of the Month…

Just to inform my “www” viewers that there’s a new comedic drama called “The Betrayal” – currently being staged in Malaysia! Well, there’s no need to introduce the actors, lah…

Haha! Bekikis bulu betis, O’ Akih!

Borneo Post. 2009. Samy Vellu will become a liability to BN: Dr Mahathir. September 19, 2009 Edition.

You don’t mean me, do you, grandpa?!

Borneo Post. 2009. BN leaders must admonish Samy Vellu: Dr M. September 19, 2009 Edition.

The “words of comfort”…

Last night I had a chance doing some Biblical readings, following the daily readings (reflection) given by the Catholic Church. Well, yesterday’s topic touched on the love for money and anything related to it (quest for power, prestige, oppression, whatever lah…).

Allow me to verbatim part of it:

Those who strive to be rich fall into temptations and traps. A lot of foolish and harmful ambitions plunge them into ruin and destruction. Indeed, the love of money is the root of every evil. Because of this greed, some have wandered away from the faith, bringing on themselves afflictions of every kind. (1 Timothy 6: 9 – 10)

Part of the following Psalm is about the irresponsibility of the rich:

Fear not when someone grows rich,

when his power becomes oppressively great,

for nothing will he take when he dies;

his wealth and pomp he will leave behind.

Though he praised himself in his lifetime,

“All will say that I have enjoyed life,”

he will join the generation of his forebears,

who will never again see the light.

People of wealth have no thought,

they will be silenced like the beasts. (Psalm 49: 17 – 21)

Wah, ada betol jugak… I’m putting this in my blog as there are lots of “mischievous things” currently happened here and there. I would say that I’m judging it indirectly lah… It’s basic instinct, anyway!

Well, it’s not the end of the world yet! Read it here, so as to make life keeps on going…

Mr. Sanuh’s Kampong Love 2009…?

Nay…

I’m not going to gossip about someone else’s new, extra girlfriend for the year 2009, although the above title, uhmmm… it might looks like that; it might sounds like that; it might goes into that direction… but I’m not referring to them, lah! No one knows who is this so-called “Mr. Sanuh” guy nor his new “Kampong Love” girlfriend…

L.O.L.!!!

Of course, some of us knew that both Mr. Sanuh and Kampong Love are two famous Bidayuh songs; so that’s why I would like to bring my “www” viewers’ attention to it – in order to make it more internationally recognizable, lah! Come and see the following photos for details…

Here you are – the flash video of the day... Well, it has been around for almost two years!

What I want to highlight is shown in the marked circle. So, if you want to download flash videos, make sure that your browser must have that feature lah... It’s easy to use, though! But then, it took me days to figure it out! Aiyah... Anyway, learning is fun!

The self-explanatory guide on how to use the flash video downloader...

To download, make sure that the video is currently available. Click the mouse on it... Yup, korek! And then click on “Download it” to download that flash video lah...

Aiyah... same S.O.P., lah; but for a different flash video, lah! This flash video is about a frustrated guy who currently takes refuge in Melaka (Malacca)... L.O.L.!!!

A-haa... The flash video downloading is currently in progress (you can see the downloading percentage). The downloading time, however, depends on your internet speed connection. If you are accessing the internet near the Sarawak-KALBAR border (let say in Melatai, Ulu Baleh), it might take about 5-7 hours to download lah...

In this case, the downloaded flash video is automatically renamed as “videoplayback”; probably together with other “variants” such as “videoplayback(1), (2), (3) ... etc.” and (automatically) stored inside the C Drive, under the “downloads” folder (i.e. C:downloads)... Another thing is that, the video player software might not be the same – it could be Real Player, Applian FLV Player, KM Player, VLC Player, etc. Before you proceed, well; you can watch it first lah (by double-clicking on that video file)...

To rename the video file, right-hand click on the file and select the option “Rename”...

After that, press the button “<--Backspace” on the keyboard to delete the “videoplayback” file name...

Yes, you can!, by renaming the video file via keying a new file name lah...

In case if you want to make the downloaded video file for “safe-keeping”, you can do so by right-hand clicking the file and select the option “Copy”. After that, you can save it in any other folder – be it inside your internal/external hard drive and/or pen/thumb drive – by right-hand clicking inside that folder and select the option “Paste”... That’s it!

KTM – Kecewa Tambah Merana – another famous Bidayuh song available on Youtube...

If your current browser (in this case, the Mozilla Firefox) does not look exactly like in the above images, it means that you are using the old browser version. Well, it’s still can be used, but then, it’s better with the latest version lah. Anyway, you can download the new version later.

In case if it’s not working properly (into that direction), the sole reason then could be due to your out-dated Flash Player version; so you need to download the new one by accessing this site for another free Flash Player software, including other software, lah. Or, if you are lazy to try new things, then you may have to refer to my previous tutorial here.

However, it seems that the old version of Youtube flash videos work well with the old version of Orbit Downloader (but a little bit slower). Then, come this “anti-leeching” terminology (I’m not sure on what does it means!) that has prompted and enabled the latest version of Orbit Downloader to be integrated into browsers (Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer, Opera, you name it lah…).

By the way, the above flash videos are obtainable from here, as a token of gratitude to its owner… Thank you, you… And we love you… Mwahhh!

Yup, help is on the way and this is what we know as “bridging the digital divide” among veteran and amateur (Dayak) bloggers. So, hopefully, there is no more frustrated, amateur (Dayak) bloggers out there (who would like to (e)migrate to Melaka lah!), as they too can learn (some of the basics) about the “know-how to kow tow” in here, what…?!

Now, go and download the 101 East programs here and watch it offline! L.O.L.!!!

Ooops, for ease of movement, just click the selected, following links – the special editions on Sarawak (including other Borneo states); its diminishing natural resources and the livelihood of its inhabitants:

1. 101 East Special: Tribes of Borneo Sarawak – August 16, 2007 (Part 1/2)
2. 101 East Special: Tribes of Borneo Sarawak – August 16, 2007 (Part 2/2)
3. 101 East: Stateless in Sabah – August 21, 2008 (Part 1/2)
4. 101 East: Stateless in Sabah – August 21, 2008 (Part 2/2)
5. 101 East: Borneo’s Orangutans – October 2, 2008 (Part 1/2) – And what has been done (so far) by Bapak Gabnur of Central Kalimantan?!
6. 101 East: Borneo’s Orangutans – October 2, 2008 (Part 2/2)
7. News footage: Corruption Linked to Borneo Deforestation – July 15, 2009 (Part 1/1)
8. News footage: Palm Oil Oil Palm – An environmental cost to Borneo – December 30, 2007 (Part 1/1)

Of course, there are a lot more flash videos on AlJazeeraEnglish’s 101 East Youtube network! Anyway, happy learning and viewing, folks!

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Meanwhile, in another “previous” development…

Campaigning for the Real Ale (CAMRA), aye?! Click the above image for details...

If you wish to join CAMRA, click here. However, such similar organization is currently NOT AVAILABLE for Borneo’s tuak and/or langkau lovers… except that there’s a blog called “Rice Wine, Unlimited”…

L.O.L.!!!

The joyful, free rides…

MASwings’ ATR 72-500 aircraft...

Some of you – guys and gals – do remember my previous “angkatchawan” article, right? Well, it’s OK lah; you can browse for it later.

As a frequent “angkatchawan”, I normally take Air Asia’s Kuching–Bintulu flights back and forth (my frequent, monthly destinations). But then, due to some urgent matters, so I took MASwings’ flight from Kuching to Bintulu on Sunday morning, September 13, 2009. Other passengers and I were on board ATR 72–500 aircraft (see the photo above). Yeah, kudos to MASwings for its latest addition of ATR 72–500 aircrafts into its fleet. This type of modern aircraft have its built-in in-flight entertainment (IFE) system (see the photo below) to reduce the workload of its cabin crew, plus promoting Sarawak and Sabah tourism products via flash videos. And that’s good, especially for a new passenger like myself lah! But then, I might get bored lah, if I become one of its loyal passengers! Aiya, for sure lah… I love to watch beautiful lady stewardess doing the safety demos in front of me, what…?! Don’t get me wrong lah, gals!

L.O.L.!!!

I managed to get this only photo inside the ATR 72-500 last Sunday... Click on the image for details...

Well, yeah… I used to board Fokker F27 Friendship (?) flights – operated by MAS – for both destinations in the early 1990s. Anyway, MASwings now have a few number of Fokker 50 operating for its rural air service (RAS) within Sarawak and Sabah.

To continue with my story lah; our ordeal started at 12.45 pm when we were supposed to be landed at Bintulu Airport. However, due to bad, afternoon weather (plus thunderstorm), the aircraft couldn’t land at the airport. So, the two flight-deck crew (the pilots) – based on the directive(s) given by the air traffic controllers (Kuching/Sibu/Mukah/Bintulu/Miri?) – have diverted the flight path towards Miri International Airport. We landed safely around 1.05 pm, and have to transit and wait for another flight to Bintulu for about 45 minutes (which was beyond the 20 minutes transit time). Around 2 pm, we were again air borne – not to Bintulu Airport as expected – but to Sibu Airport! Wahlau weh!

To cut the story short, we were once again air borne – from Sibu to Bintulu – at about 3.30 pm and Thanks be to God!, as we were finally landed at Bintulu Airport around 4 pm…

And guess what?! I was greeted with sour faces, as my friends have been waiting for my arrival since 12.30 pm… Well, it’s OK lah; as I gave them a special treat after that… L.O.L.!!!

Yup, we got free rides to Miri and Sibu before we reach Bintulu, lah… And one of the passengers who did enjoy that free rides commented for having two slices of sandwich and an orange juice (during the first flight); including an extra of two cold Milo drinks (for the last two flights)!

Anyway, kudos (syabas) to MASwings’ air and ground crew for making our flight(s) safe and sound! And thanks again to MASwings for the joyful, free rides… 

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The author’s note: The Wikipedia reference on MASwings.

Number crunching…

The lucky numbers for the day are as follows:

999, 80, 84 and 91.

999?! It refers to September 09, 2009; that is today! Some superstitious Chinese believe that these numbers will bring them good luck. Well, it seems that today is just another normal, hazy day and not “hassle-free” lah…

80, 84 and 91?! Ah, I got it from today’s edition of that lousy Borneo Post! Borneo Post plak got that figures from another lousy, DOE’s website. Yup, these numbers refer to yesterday’s (September 08, 2009) Air Pollutants Index (API) readings for Kuching, which were classified as “Moderate”…

For Kuchingites, THIS IS CRAP! The haze condition is worsening – day by day; some of them (the Kuchingites lah…) could have been “choked” and/or get difficulty in breathing lah; suddenly got asthma lah; etc. … What a pity…

Aiyah… no need to comment further lah. I’ll show you the following photos, showing the current, worsen haze condition in Kuching on September 09, 2009 (and the authority still consider it as “moderately healthy”)!

The “lousy” Air Pollutants Index for the whole of Sarawak, as at September 08, 2009...

Major (?) Jam Can also CAN DO NOTHING about this worsening haze condition in the city, what...

Sorry lah; you can’t see clearly of our future office complex... Aiya!

And the “Grandma Award” goes to …

Aiyah! Enough of politicking for the day, lah!

I just want to share with my fellow bloggers about my latest, limited edition collection – as shown below…

Announcing the arrival of Mr. and Mrs. Smith...

Wow... Looks like Enjalina Joli and Bred Pit plak... Mantap gitu, an ideal couple... L.O.L.!!!

Another hot couple in da haos - Aper namer ’ntah... A very loving couple...

Wuiyo... Bikin sumua orang jeles jer tengok ni... Whatever lah; it’s an American style, what...?!

Yup, I know that some of you (especially the lady-bloggers) would envy that handmade crafts! That macho chopping boards are locally known as “sengkalan” and the feminine-look objects are the ladles (lady-like, uh…), locally known as “sendok”. The chopping boards were made of Keranji (Dialium sp.) wood and the ladles were made of Puti wood. Anyway, I can’t remember its scientific name – I’ll check later, lah.

Those handmade crafts were proudly Made in Sarawak by my Melanau friends (the two brothers) few days ago…