Tan Sri Leo Moggie

Dayak Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) president Tan Sri Leo Moggie anak Irok today urged Dayak businessmen to prepare themselves well and continue supporting each other to achieve success.

Speaking at a Dayak Women Entrepreneurship Capacity Building workshop organised by DCCI in Sibu today, he said:  “We must have a good understanding of commerce and industry if we want to be counted among the rest.”

Even though the chamber members have limited experience in the business sector, they have the advantage of learning from and emulating other communities who are successful in it, he said.

“We can see the kind of discipline needed and the kind of culture we need to acquire if we want to do business,” he added.

Moggie said DCCI will share such business exposure with its members who are determined to succeed.

He reminded the community that the future world will depend on monetary economics and not on subsistence farming.

“We cannot afford to wait as the world will not wait for us,” he said.

Moggie said he believed Dayak businessmen were just as capable as others as three of them have won the state government annual entrepreneurship awards since 2009.

He said this year’s winner, Bansa Untang, who represented the chamber, was a Kapit-based businessman. — BERNAMA

Flight Airasia AK6066 Airbus A320-200

31ST AUGUST, cruising at 34,000 ft across the South China Sea

I made a foodie trip to Singapore with my wife during the National Day break last week. We check-in earlier via Airasia’s website which also includes check-in for our return flight, hence, leaving the worries of rushing to the airport and/or looking for a printer to print my boarding pass. All I need to do now is to concentrate on the chilli crab, Singapore roaster pork rice, iced kacang, the Merlion and etc etc.

The boarding procedure at Miri Airport was a smooth one despite of the fact that it was a full flight. The passengers were mostly holiday makers, just like me.

The flight onboard Airasia’s AK6066 was a smooth one. The seats are spacey and comfortable. Most importantly, the take-off was extraordinary quiet and with little vibration! I have travelled in many Airasia domestic flights, and it was a scary experience to heavy vibration and hearing squeaky noises coming out from the aircraft. Maybe this Airbus A320-200 is a new one, powered by new mega quiet engines.

Onboard the aircraft, the interior is clean, and for this flight, you won’t get that misty air-conditioning feeling.

Piloted by Capt. Albert Chew, we arrived 10 mins ahead of schedule at 1145hours at Changi International Airport, Singapore.

Immigration counters at Terminal 1

Just a quick note on departure from Singapore: If you have check-in earlier and printed your boarding pass, and your boarding pass do not include the gate for your departure, please go straight to the “Document Check” counter to verify your boarding pass.

We decided to take the bus to Costa Sands Resort, since its just nearby. Cost us SGD1.30 only. Bus is clean, as well as the bus stop. Not a single rubbish is seen on the floor!

Clean bus stop at Singapore Changi Airport.

Bus ride to Costa Sands Resort.

Foodie to follow later… off to bed for now

Corrected! Airasia front page on 19th July with the correct mascot - the Swan.

What is the official mascot for Sibu? Is it a swan? Is it the dolphin.. but what makes people remember Sibu better is the mysterious Batu Katak! Anyway, Airasia Social Media was quick to rectified the error with their online promotion graphic. Below is a personal message from their Mr. Ho Weng Leong (I almost mistaken him as Wong Ho Leng – through my small Blackberry screen LOL).

Hi James, thanks for the heads up. We will channel your blog article to our web team for amendment. appreciated. – AirAsia Social Media Team.

If you are planning to visit Sibu (in Sarawak), check out the famous foodie blogger, WackyBecky’s trip to Sibu recently, courtesy of Firefly (hehehee… did Airasia invites you previously?)

Finally, if you are planning a holiday (limited budget), try Airasia Go for flight and hotel, all-in-one. I have used them and will be using them again this Raya. Worth your money at least for me, now. Never try their Tune Hotel tho’ hahahaaa….

Screenshot of AirAsia web front page

People who have not been to Sibu, Sarawak would be frustrated because they won’t find any large cave as shown in the slide animation for AA’s Kuala Lumpur-Sibu flight promotion, as shown in their front page.

Tan Sri Tony Fernandez, Niah Caves (as shown in the graphic) is in Miri Division! Hope your web graphic designer is not a Malaysian, else we cannot forgive such a mistake, especially when Niah Caves is well-known as one of the birthplaces of civilisation in the region.

I will be using AA soon, and I hope their information about Singapore is correct, else………….!

Updated Sibu (less the Niah Caves)

Anyway, check out the out-of-date Sibu page (with the .gov.my <– typical example of government websites, of not being updated regularly). No wonder the opposition have a field day, using government information to whack back the government of the day. To the owner of the website, do not assume that the webmaster have spare time to update the site, just because you may have sent him/her for training. Kasih dia extra allowance lar.. instead of adding more task to his/her already long list of things to do daily.

The website is as good as a cave if it is not being updated, at least once a week. Don’t tell us, there are no happenings in Sibu since that page was updated.

Follow me from Kuching to Kuala Lumpur onboard flight FY611 which cost me RM234.95 (inclusive of their standard set of services, insurance, taxes, and meal). You may check other incredible deals here.

First impression

The check-in counters are quiet (compared to those of Airasia and Malaysia Airlines). Officers manning the counter were courteous. The only question asked was, “ada barang?”.

Flight FY611 departed Kuching at 15:20 hours on Tuesday, 14 June 2011. It was a sunny day in Kuching when we departed. As usual we have the safety briefings conducted by their flight attendant. The take off was more quiet than any Airasia aircraft, that I have travel with. You won’t find the misty feeling, like on Airasia air-conditioning systems.

10 minutes after the plane took off, we started to experience turbulence, a situation no ones wants to be in. It was pretty bad despite the clear sky over the South China Sea. The turbulence only stop an hour through the flight. Its time to snap some shots of what Firefly have to offer.

Indicators non-functioning

The seats are comfortable but we noticed that the “seatbelt warning indicator lights” were not lighted up despite the announcement by the flight attendant.

The passenger in front of me also noticed it.  Nevetheless after the shaky turbulence, the safety belt lights were turn on as normal. … hmmm someone needs to check the electrical cable!

Inflight food

My travel agent pre-booked my meal and they have chosen chicken rice. It was delicious compared to the beef stewed rice served on my return flight from Kuala Lumpur to Miri onboard Malaysia Airlines hahahaa..

We arrived in Kuala Lumpur at 17:00 hours as scheduled. It was a pleasant ride if not for the turbulence (caused by nature.. can’t comment much on that tho’). If you are planning to fly on Firefly, proceed to the bright orange counter

Till then, I am off for the World Blogger and Social Media Summit, PWTC Kuala Lumpur.

I hope the government will explain this issue to the rakyat! RM320 billion gone! (Damn angry). We always know it after it happened! Damn!

I didn’t had the chance to grab the first copy of the Star (Sarawak Edition) yesterday. It was not sold at my regular newstand (PETRONAS Pujut Corner) at 5am. I missed having breakfast with the Star!

For an additional of 20 sen, we can read more than 80 pages of news and articles! Now, that’s a good value of our money. I believe the Star has made a good move by printing locally the whole set. And, with United Borneo Press printing capacity, I am sure we are able to read the Star during breakfast. I echo Datuk Amar Abang Johari too!

Let me see with the newstand at Centre Point have a copy tomorrow morning.. brb!

Despite Malaysia’s considerable achievements in the provision of rural basic infrastructure (RBI), more needs to be done to serve the rural population that constitutes about 35% of Malaysians. In Sabah and Sarawak, there are many villages still not connected by roads and more than a quarter of households do not have access to electricity. Upwards of 40% of households in Sabah and Sarawak and 12% of households in Peninsular Malaysia lack access to clean or treated water.

Consequently, we have embarked on a major rural basic infrastructure development programme in Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak. Our aspiration is to:

• Build more than 7,000 km of new and upgraded roads by 2012, 1,900 km of these in Sabah and Sarawak. In Peninsular Malaysia, this will result in 91.4% of the population living within five km of a paved road by 2010, rising to close to 100% in 2012 (currently 91%)
• Provide 50,000 new and restored houses to the rural poor and hardcore poor by 2012, two-thirds of these in Sabah and Sarawak. Of the 50,000, more than 16,000 houses are to be provided in 2010
• Ensure access to clean or treated water to over 360,000 additional households. For Sabah and Sarawak, the programme will raise the percentage of rural houses with access to clean or treated water to 59% and 62% respectively in 2010, rising to 90% for both in 2012 (currently 57% for both states)
• Provide access to 24-hour electricity to over 140,000 additional households by 2012. This will increase the percentage of households with access to electricity in Peninsula Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak to 99.6%, 81% and 73% respectively in 2010 (currently 99%, 77% and 67% respectively).

To meet these targets, we need to accelerate the pace of deployment of these basic services over what has been achieved in the past. As an illustration, over the next three years, we target to build 11 times as many kilometres of roads, 2.5 times as many houses, provide five times as many houses with electricity, and connect seven times as many houses to clean water as compared to what we achieved in 2006–08. We will be able to achieve greater breadth, scale and pace of deployment through:

• Using innovative, quick and least-cost ways of delivery. For example, building standard-design houses, leveraging distributed power generation technologies such as solar hybrid power generation or micro hydro-electricity for areas distant from electricity generation and transmission infrastructure and using alternative solutions such as tube wells, gravity wells, or rain water recovery for areas that are distant from reticulation networks (piped water supplies)
• Revamping existing administrative processes to reduce time required, e.g., the roads open tender process. This will involve using more standard templates, parallel processes where possible, accelerating communications, etc.
• Facilitating and working closely with suppliers to ensure the supply and availability of enough machinery (e.g., excavators, compactors), material (e.g., electricity cabling, pre-mix) and manpower (e.g., contractors, consultants) when required
• Ensuring effective programme management by closely monitoring projects. SPP II, a well-established system managed by the ICU under the Prime Minister’s Department, will be used for recording and tracking RBI initiatives to ensure they are delivered on time and on budget.

These four things that a Yang Berhormat (referring to the title that our State Assemblymen and Member of Parliament automatically gain after winning an election) should take note is entirely my personal opinion; and has nothing to do with any particular political party or person.

1. Reduce the golfing – it appears that there are so much free time and luxury. To the poor rakyat, golf is a rich man’s game.

2. Reduce the karaoke – if they can reduce this activity, I am sure they’ll be more healthy. Less smoke, less sleepless nights, less beer and alcohol.

3. Avoid woman besides those in the family. Well, do I need to elaborate more?

4. Avoid visiting the constituency in large entourage; and in big luxury cars. It will be sufficient to use government vehicles. If they have personal cars, just leave it at home for family use. During this visits, just stick to mineral water, simple cup of coffee or tea and a few biscuits. Save cost and time (on the preparation by the villagers).

The election is coming soon and hence the rakyat do appreciate a little modesty on the lifestyle and spending.

For those who wish to join the rank of the Yang Berhormat, it is just a little late for you to start servicing the rakyat. It should be done right after the last State Election, just when the rakyat are back fresh from poll and still having the list of projects that they want to be delivered to them.

If you start now, well.. you will looked upon as a season candidate – timbul masa pilihanraya, and a coffee shop politician after the poll.

Rilek lahh pok, it is only my opinion, sik ada sangkut paut ngan yang hidup atau yang udah parai.

How adorable it was to receive a pink strawberry flavored cake with two ultra-man from my kids, nieces and nephews on the occasion of my 42nd birthday last night.

Earlier in the evening, we had a small family dinner at the New Tanjong Seafood, together with my mother-in-law who shares the same birthday with me. She is 66 and received a cheese cake from us.

The dinner menu was a collective agreement by all members of the family and here was their choice. John ordered fried clam with lemon grass and oyster sauce.

Charles ordered fried changkok manis with egg.

Cheryl ordered her favorite hot plate Japanese tofu.

I ordered the ambal cooked with curry.

And, Chak-Lut ordered the fish head curry together with bean curd with salted vegetable soup.

And here are some of the photos taken during the simple birthday dinner.

I would like to thanks the following people who have sent me birthday messages and sms. It was so thoughtful and may God bless you and your family, too.

A BIG THANK YOU goes to YB Datuk Rohani Abdul Karim, YB Nancy Shukri, Desmond Jerukan, Jacqueline Selaka, Vic Douglas, Tonny Thomas, Teresa Cha, Doris Bana, Geoffrey Singgon, Ai Ling Shea, Edward Andrew Luak, Abd Hakim Bujang, Joyce Boanerges Entika, Dennis Wong, Tommy Rajesh, Campbell Apau, Basil, Watt Michael, Eckline Tait, Jane Barandi, Felix Tan, Sim Poh Giap, Peter Srang, Robiah Tani, Leighton Manjah, Jonathan Chia, Sally Loh, Cathy Mitz, William Nyipa, Amy Shay, Stephen Dass, Irwon Msator, Seli M Sr, Emelyn Emmanuelle, Apai Bujang, Andrew Bukoh, Andrew Chin, Muhd Imran Abdullah, Dniel Clement, Catherine Bungan Sigau, Sudan Ajang, Jacqueline Emerentiana, Mathew Abu, Maxclay Bety, Rose Bennet, Royer Wan, Konos Jenal, Mervyn Tajem, Rom Kulleh, Zara Angel Rosenthal, Jenn Berinau, King Kawi, Stephen Mubok, Mira Nicholl, Rose Ngau, Juliana Lee, Qistine Peter, Sagaraptor Wat, Qeeyan Tungku, Diana Corazon Blikau, Lenny Samat, Jenny Jeli, Sahrein Maloh, Nelson Awal, Shirley David, Mike Mjc, Andrew Benidictus, Dinah Samuel, Irene Ragai, Cesc Isham Hassan, Unjil Edward Tawi, Hadrian N Awell, Reganold Jali, Teresa Tugang, Itam Telajan, Venitia Samuel, Lily Eleanor Spegie, Grace Asong Sigau, Julie JNuing, Bobby Dickson Forster, Samantha Ong, Leslley Kalom, Reynold Presley, Stephen Dinggai, Peter Saban, Leman Sumong, Lina Rema, Elizabeth Bibi, John Adam Gilbert, Michael Akien, Jimmy Siden, Johnny Teleson, Ronstan Nelian Anthony, Tracee Hollis, ndu_semada, Luvryn,  rungguensing,  angel_LINA, Evolution8, Langgu Entekai,  bujang timpang, menaul^lapar, Henry D’kgb, amin, Futurist, Jos10, 4G93T, Apai Yus, Dom Unggun, dlily, mKay, Tuan Lokong

THANK YOU also goes to my brothers Roland Joshua (Singapore), Augustine Joshua (Kuching) and sister Wilhelmina Guang Epps (Calvert, Texas) and Mamay Chara for your messages.

Not forgetting to my lovely wife, Chak Lut for all her support throughout the 17 years of marriage, and my sons, John and Charles and my only daughter Cheryl Empenai for making my days a challenging one, which are full of fun, too, being a father.

Loves, hugs and kisses from..
James Joshua