Finally… a BIG THANK YOU to Miri City Council for the upgrading works. We hope the various contractors will perform a good work, and we should be expecting a smooth ride on it (not like the current Pujut Flyover-GK-Pujut 7 Roundabout which features a slight shake-on-your-butt ride, after the recent resurfacing work!!)

JAMESJG.COM is also confused of which one is the real OFFICIAL version. Look at the pointed end of the star. One is pointing upwards (as shown in the explanation area) and the other have the pointed end pointing downwards (as shown on the header banner).

We hope the Information Department can call for a press conference on which is the OFFICIAL version and how it should be hang.. since our actual Independence Day is fast approaching in September.

Its a cold morning, and the rain has not stop since yesterday. After sending a marine captain for his safety training, nothing is better than a hot bowl of pork rib noodle with hot tea over at Happy Garden at Krokop Lorong 10. Thomas and Juan joined me later for more pork rib! Give it a try and it only cost RM4 per serving.

As we enjoy our noodle, flipped through the sundaypost, I found this interesting photo of the CEOs of Facebook launching their latest feature with the gong. The gong looks very much similar to our Dayak gong. I wonder where did that gong came from.

Where it comes from is another story, but the new Facebook feature will allow us to share our location. Beep beep.. you never know that your so-called friend (the ones who uses funny profile pics instead of their real portrait pic) are just a few meters away.. hahahahaa!

And finally, to roundup the week, I would like to share with you an article at Borneo Post. Sarawak will never be part of May 13, so don’t drag us with it.

Stop bringing up the ugliness of May 13, please

August 21, 2010, Saturday
Source: http://www.theborneopost.com/?p=60267

“REMEMBER May the 13th, the Chinese-Malay riots.It was sad to see the fabric of Malaysia’s society moving in opposite directions, and if they need to look for a guilty party, then both sides only need to look in the mirror.

I hope Malaysians know that racial harmony and tolerance are more than just words. All have to work hard to preserve that fabric in our society.”

That statement by a blogger is a timely reminder of what may occur if politicians start hurling racial tirades at each other. And this is exactly what has been happening in Kuala Lumpur this week. Unfortunately, it is the top leaders in the country who are not behaving as they should have.

Why? I think it’s all because of their desire to score political points among their respective communities. This does not augur well for politics in the country. In the heat of it all, MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek seemed to tread on unfamiliar ground when he practically told Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin off.

In their public quarrel, Chua urged Muhyiddin to recognise that the socioeconomic conditions in Malaysia have changed and thus there was no need to invoke memories of the 1969 racial riots.

Chua expressed “disappointment” with Muhyiddin’s statement when the DPM reminded MCA of the May 13 incident, adding that discussions on the country’s future need not be clouded by racial sentiments.

“The socioeconomic conditions in Malaysia today are totally different from that in 1969 and Malaysians are capable of having rational discussions without beating the racial war drum.

“All we ask for is a fair share. Rest assured that the MCA has no plans or interest to deprive other communities of what is rightfully theirs,” said Chua. Chua and Umno leaders have been engaging in a war of words following the MCA-organised Chinese Economic Congress last Saturday, which among others, called for a reduction in the federal government’s 30 per cent Bumiputera equity targets.

Defending the congress’ 13 resolutions, Chua said neither the MCA nor the congress had touched on the special rights of the Bumiputera community.

In this public spat, I have to be on the side of Dr Chua. It’s not because I’m  Chinese. Frankly, I am not impressed with Chua’s presidency of the MCA so far. If the MCA claims that the party is representing Chinese Malaysians and that Chua is the leader of Malaysian Chinese, I don’t think I can accept that.

I am a Sarawakian and I am unable to accept Chua as my leader.

Why? His political baggage is too ‘heavy’ and I do not want to carry it for him. I’m sorry for being judgemental but it’s difficult to accept too that he took over the MCA presidency by ‘betraying’ the former leader, his own party president then. In politics, we should all behave like gentlemen.

But I’m backing Chua in his row with Umno leaders because I feel that it’s totally unnecessary to bring up the ugliness of a racial riot like the May 13 incident whenever differences of opinions crop up among politicians. May 13 is a shameful episode in our nation’s history. It is best buried and forgotten. Yes, Malaysians have learnt a lesson from it and that’s good enough.

Having recognised that, we have to move on and not be clouded by that unfortunate blast in our history. Surely, there is nothing much to gain by invoking such a painful memory of people losing their lives because of some silly politics. It was a time when Malaysians forgot that they were Malaysians. Now, we must never forget that we are all Malaysians.

Unfortunately, the MCA-Umno racial spat came about at a time when Malaysians are about to celebrate National Day on Aug 31. Surely, the celebratory mood has been dampened. For us in Sarawak, let’s be thankful that we can now officially celebrate our Independence Day on Sept 16. For the people of Sarawak and Sabah, I am doubtful that they get emotional when talking about May 13.

Others may not share my sentiments but allow me to use myself as an example of why May 13 is just another day. In 1969, I was in Form 1 – still naive and uninterested about major happenings in the country.

I cannot recall anything about May 13 at all. I knew nothing about politics or elections.

All I knew was that Tunku Abdul Rahman was the Prime Minister of Malaysia and that the Chief Minister of Sarawak was Datuk Penghulu Tawi Sli.

And hey, May 13 took place in Kuala Lumpur – that’s so far away. It’s another faraway land and not in Sarawak or Sabah.

I’m sure that even today, the people of East Malaysia still hardly feel anything for May 13. Sabahans would probably feel more for the air crash that took the lives of their Chief Minister Tun Donald Fuad Stephens and several cabinet ministers on June 16, 1976.

Why? It happened at home, of course. Forty-one years later, I have to say that I don’t feel much for the May 13 incident. If people in Kuala Lumpur want to riot and kill each other because of their racist streak, that’s their business. I want no part of it. In fact, I detest it whenever the incident is brought up. I think it’s unfair to include Sarawakians and Sabahans when leaders use the May 13 racial riots as a warning for possible racial dissent. As far as I’m concerned, there is hardly any racial issue in Sarawak.

Dayaks, Chinese, Malays and others in Sarawak are a different breed altogether and this is something which we have proudly held on to.

Indeed, the racial harmony and Sarawak is something which those across the South China Sea should emulate and nurture. Then, there will be no more necessity for reminding Malaysians of the ugliness of the May 13 race riots. In fact, it should have been buried in the dustbin of history long ago.

So please you guys in Kuala Lumpur, if you want to quarrel over racial issues, please do not drag us, Sarawakians, into your fight. We want no part of it. And again, please be reminded that May 13 is a very West Malaysian episode of shame. None of us over this side were involved. Please don’t keep on reminding us of such an ugly event.

(Comments can reach the writer at paulsir99@ hotmail.com)

Dear JAMES JOSHUA GUANG,

The case that you have reported has been recorded in our system, and the case number is as stated below.

Case Number:
20100821-006

Reported Matter(s) :
Tuan,

Kindly take action to improve the following along Jalan Pantai, Miri.

1. Drainage system
2. Potholes along the stretch from Shell Lutong Office until Piasau Camp Residences.
3. Resurfacing work at the junction to SMK Lutong
4. Where possible, please widen it!

Thank you for your kind attention and prompt action.

Rgds,
James

*******************************
Thank you for contacting TALIKHIDMAT (Public Service hotline).
Your one stop channel to reach Sarawak State Government.
Tel: 555999 (Applicable throughout Sarawak); Fax: 555888
Email: 555999@sarawaknet.gov.my

JPG format

And here is the PNG format which you can use too, for free.

When Uchu Sangul Labong suggested that we drive over to Limbang for the durian season, I thought it was a good reason for me to renew my international passport. Well, the Immigration Department term it as New Application since (I think) they are going to issue me a new booklet with updated photo (yeahhh portrait shot!) and latest height (heheheee.. we grow shrink shorter with age!!)

Before you go to the Immigration Department located at Yu Lan Plaza along Jalan Kingsway, please bring TWO passport size photos, a copy of your My Kad, RM100 cash, and your old passport. For those who are from outside Miri, there is a small photo studio behind Yu Lan Plaza. The studio is Lido Studio. For  instant service, you’ll be charged RM16 and 40 sen for the photostating of your My Kad.

Here’s my experience at the Miri Immigration on 16th August.. started with getting the free application form. The form is simple to fill. The information can be taken from your My Kad and old passport. Upon submission of the application form, you’ll be given a number by the officer at the registration counter.

10:20 am – Issue queue number 1037

10:30 am – 1037 served. I was asked to have both of my thumbs scanned. Old passport, My Kad surrendered. Time taken: 2min 40 sec!!

10:40 am – 1037 served for payment at Counter No.7, a small room on the left portion of the office. Paid my RM100 for two years international passport. Time taken: 1min 50 sec!!

I was informed by the lady officer/cashier that my passport will be ready in an hour’s time! Excellent!

11:40 am – On the dot, the lady officer at Kaunter Penyerahan asked me to scan my right thumb. Click click.. here is my new international passport!

Note: Malaysian can visit all the countries except Israel.

The new passport featured better security. Bisi rimau nya apai. Rimau nya kuat, kering neh apai.

And, of course there is a built-in microchip that should make our travel easier and faster.

For more information on how to apply, how much to pay, please surf to the Immigration Department website.

Here are some points to note.

Fees
RM100.00/ 2 years
RM300.00 / 5 years

Special price
RM150.00 / 5 years

Eligibility for special Fees

• Children below 12 years old,
• Student below 21 years old with proof to study abroad on the day of submission.

Exemption of payment
Exemption of payment is given to the handicap or disable person on the condition that they produce a letter from the Welfare Department.

Ahhh.. we should thanks the Malaysian government for reducing the fees and making it affordable for OKU to travel overseas. Now, let’s go to Limbang for duriannnn duliennnn hahahahahaaaaa… Salam 1Malaysia!

What left to be known is the status of the plan to develop further up the road towards Imperial Mall.

The idea for the cover design comes from our Iban pua kumbu. The red, yellow, black and white colors are of our State flag as well as regular colors for Iban weaving.

This tri-language dictionary is a must for those who wish to visit the interior of Sarawak where people speaks mostly Iban and Malay.

Thank you to Jaya Ramba, the editor for giving me a free copy. It is sold at RM25 per unit at bookstores in major towns in Sarawak. Get yours today!

Options for employees with similar case with Stephen Geri (SG)

In respond on how hard it is to get a promotion as per the article in the Borneo Post, our reader have some points to share/highlight for Mr. Stephen Geri.

1. True, academic qualifications do play a part in promotion but it is not the biggest weightage. In this case SG can have a Masters but if he wishes to be promoted it also takes into account his PTK results, his yearly assessments as well as his maximum grade in his scheme etc.
2. From what we read, our understanding is SG, is a support staff, hence his statement that his pay is akin to a chief clerk i.e. RM2,000. He could be an N scheme (support staff scheme) and the highest grade is N32. (if he sampai here already lah).
3. To be higher than N32 and to go to degree/master level, he cannot remain in the support staff scheme but must move on to officer level scheme e.g. M41 (for administration, or to other schemes i.e. C, S, G, L – chemical, social, agriculture, legal schemes etc. There is no N scheme for officer level at federal). C, S, G scheme all quite technical and hard to get.

Judging by his qualifications (MBA etc) he can try for M (PTD)scheme. They are people like SG who started off as support staff, studied, naik sedikit-sedikit and now at the mid years of their lives, minta jadi officer at PTD level. There is no cut-off years but they are given equivalent chance to try to apply provided they apply through SPA and goes through and passes the rigmarole of PTD exam, PTD assessment and interview. And if given the job in the end, willing to accept the job on an initial contract basis (yes, there are permanent and contract options now but you don’t get to choose, and it all depends on your intake).

If SG is a federal employee, he can do all the above or try upgrading himself secara KPSL (exams internally and promoted internally providing got kekosangan jawatan and within superiors support and consent).

Or he can use his new qualifications, and apply for different schemes via Suruhajaya Perkhidmatan Awam‘s website (there are many schemes available).

On the other hand, if he is state employee, we don’t know how he can jump from N (support staff scheme) to N41 and above (officer scheme) for the state civil service. Itu kena tanya people in the State Civil Service. Selalunya, state civil service quite hard to get in on officer level but not impossible.

Memelihara tarian ngajat

Oleh RANIA PARAN
utusansarawak@utusan.com.my

MIRI 5 Ogos – Tarian ngajat adalah identiti utama masyarakat Iban yang menjadi kebanggaan Sarawak. Keunikan dalam setiap persembahan tarian ngajat menjadikan suku kaum ini terlalu istimewa dan tersendiri.

Keindahan tarian ngajat yang terdapat dalam masyarakat ini adalah unik dan asli kerana ia merupakan identiti komuniti Iban yang penuh dengan dunia mistik dan keajaiban.

Dahulu, ngajat bagi orang Iban adalah sejenis tarian pahlawan tradisional kaum Iban sebelum dan selepas berperang atau ‘ngayau’ dalam bahasa Iban.

Namun, kini tarian itu selalu dipersembahkan semasa musim perayaan seperti Gawai Dayak yang menandakan berakhirnya musim menuai pada 1 Jun setiap tahun.

Bagi memelihara keunikan dan keindahan tarian ngajat, Persatuan Dayak Miri (PDM) mengambil inisiatif mengadakan kelas ngajat yang diadakan di Ruai Francis Loke, Bangunan PDM di Jalan Merpati di sini.

Pengerusi penganjur Kelas ngajat 2010, Roseline Minggang berkata, ia diadakan setiap tahun bertujuan melatih dan mengajar generasi baru agar tarian tradisi ini tidak pupus ditelan zaman.

Bercakap semasa perasmian kelas itu baru-baru ini, Roseline berkata, kelas berkenaan diadakan selama dua bulan mulai 1 Ogos lalu dan dibahagi kepada kategori lelaki dan wanita.

‘‘Tiada had umur ditetapkan memandangkan kita mahu semua lapisan masyarakat tanpa mengira kaum menyertai kelas ini.

‘‘Setakat ini kita menerima kira-kira 70 peserta termasuk lelaki dan wanita,” katanya kepada Utusan Malaysia di sini baru-baru ini.

Roseline berkata, kelas ngajat itu diadakan setiap Isnin hingga Khamis mulai pukul 7.30 malam hingga 9.30 malam manakala Sabtu bermula pukul 4 petang hingga 6 petang (lelaki) dan Ahad pada pukul 4 petang hingga 6 petang (wanita).

Katanya, kelas ngajat untuk lelaki diadakan pada hari Selasa, Khamis dan Sabtu manakala wanita pada Isnin, Rabu dan Ahad.

‘‘Kita mengenakan bayaran yang cukup rendah iaitu RM25 untuk ahli-ahli PDM manakala bukan ahli RM50 manakala kanak-kanak berusia antara lapan hingga 12 tahun ialah RM50,” katanya.

Orang awam masih boleh membuat pendaftaran dengan menghubungi Roseline di talian 019-8761068 atau datang sendiri ke pejabat PDM.

Katanya, PDM amat berbangga dapat menganjurkan kelas ngajat saban tahun dan usaha ini sejajar dengan matlamat persatuan untuk memperkasakan budaya warisan nenek moyang.

‘‘Melalui kelas ini, kita berharap dapat melahirkan kumpulan penari ngajat pelapis agar kebudayaan ini tidak dilupakan.

‘‘Kita amat berbesar hati kerana usaha menghidupkan budaya ini turut mendapat sokongan daripada pelbagai pihak dan kerajaan,” katanya.

Sementara itu, tarian ngajat dibahagikan kepada pelbagai jenis tarian antaranya Ngajat Lesong, Ngajat Bunuh, Ngajat Induk (perempuan), Ngajat Ngalu Temuai ( menyambut tetamu ), Ngajat Pua Kumbu dan Ngajat Tradisional.

Setiap jenis ngajat ini mempunyai maksud dan keunikan tersendiri misalnya Ngajat Bunuh, ia dipersembahkan oleh golongan lelaki dari masyarakat Iban dengan meniru atau mengulang semula adegan yang dilakukan semasa pergi berperang dan melawan musuh.

Ngajat Induk pula adalah persembahan oleh golongan wanita yang memaparkan kelembutan dan kehalusan seni budaya serta adat istiadat masyarakat pribumi itu sendiri.

Gerak tari yang di persembahkan mempunyai maksud yang tersirat serta menggambarkan aktiviti seharian masyarakat Iban.

Sementara itu, tarian Ngajat Lesong merupakan tarian yang di persembahkan oleh golongan lelaki sahaja.

Persembahan ngajat jenis ini hanya dibenarkan untuk kaum lelaki kerana ia memerlukan penarinya yang menari sambil mengangkat lesong menggunakan gigi.

Ngajat Ngalu Temuai pula dipersembahkan bagi tujuan menyambut kedatangan tetamu khas yang datang.

Biasanya tarian ini di persembahan ketika upacara perasmian atau pembukaan sesuatu majlis rasmi yang di hadiri oleh banyak tetamu-tetamu terhormat dan orang ramai.

Selain itu, Ngajat Pua Kumbu yang lazimnya dipersembahkan oleh golongan wanita dan sesuai dengan namanya, penari akan menari sambil membawa kain pua kumbu sebagai alat dalam persembahan mereka.

Tarian ngajat diiringi muzik yang dibunyikan dari alat-alat seperti gong besar dan kecil, gendang, tawak, bebendai, engkurumong dan sape, iaitu alat bertali seperti gitar.

Penari turut memakai pakaian tradisi seperti ‘sirat’, ‘gagung’ atau baju burung.

Pada masa sama, penari juga memakai topi yang dihias dengan bulu-bulu burung.

Gagung merupakan sejenis baju yang tebal dan keras yang diperbuat daripada kulit haiwan seperti kulit beruang tetapi tidak dijahit kiri dan kanannya.

Satu jenis tarian lagi ialah penari akan memegang perisai kayu di tangan kiri dan pedang di tangan kanan lalu menari seperti berdepan dengan musuh dengan menghayunkan badannya ke kiri dan ke kanan.

Kini persembahan tarian bukan hanya dapat dinikmati ketika perayaan Gawai namun sudah diperkembangkan dan dikomersialkan untuk tujuan memperkukuhkan sektor pelancongan dan memperkasakan budaya di Sarawak.

Source: Utusan Malaysia