Life After Forty

The Ibans of Kampung Api need options

Nobody wants to live in a squatter area. But, what choice does this Iban community have? They need to migrate to the urban areas in search of better employment and to earn a living to support their family either in Miri or those that choose to stay back in their respective longhouses.

They need a place to stay and they take all the risk to build a home near the sea. Despite the bad erosion and now the impounding waves are getting nearer their homes.

Last weekend saw their homes being invaded by waves and their living room being flooded by sea water.

There must be a fast solution to these issues. Building retaining walls, relocating the squatters to a new place, giving them option to purchase new homes under Suruhanjaya Perumahan Nasional Berhad, etc. are all the available options.

To these causes, it will be great to see the various Iban-based NGOs in Miri to come forward and assist the Miri City Council to address this issues that affect the majority Iban residents of Kampung Api in Lutong.

Posted by James Joshua on July 27th, 2010

Heartiest congratulations to Cr. Kijan Toynbee

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Cr. Kijan Toynbee (second left) with members from Wanita SPDP Piasau Division.

Four new political secretaries sworn in

by Johnson K Saai
Borneo Post, July 29, 2010, Thursday

KUCHING: Four new political secretaries to the Chief Minister were sworn in yesterday, bringing the total to 23.

They were from Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP), Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP) and Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS).

Taking their oath of office before Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu Numpang at Wisma Bapa Malaysia here were Kijan Toynbee @ Ipang (SPDP), Angeline Umih Tujoh (PRS), Sih Hua Tong (SUPP) and Tengku Gruna (PBB).

The first to take the oath was 54-year-old Kijan, a Kelabit from Bario. She has served the Miri City Council (MCC) for 15 years, and at the party level Kijan is SPDP Central’s Wanita vice-chairman.

She is also SPDP Piasau’s Women chief and the Federation of the Orang Ulu National Association (OUNA) Women chief.

Angeline is a Supreme Council member in PRS, while Sih, 46, is SUPP Youth Chief. Tengku, 50, is the auditor for PBB Song division.

Except for Sih, who was appointed to replace Ding Kuong Sing, the MP for Sarikei, the rest were new appointments.

Commenting on the appointment of the new political secretaries, Chief Political Secretary to the Chief Minister Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said: “I am happy with the four new appointments, which now increase the number of political secretaries to the Chief Minister to 23.

“I wish to congratulate them on their appointment. I’ve full confidence that, with their vast experience in their respective careers, they will be able to help BN and the government in maintaining political stability in the state,” he said.

Posted by James Joshua on July 27th, 2010

The wait for overhead bridges is almost over

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JAMESJG.COM would like to thank Talikhidmat, Miri City Council (Mr. Tay), JKR Bahagian Miri, Ibu Pejabat JKR Negeri, YB Andy Chia, Datuk Lee Kim Shin and all the general public who have continuously asking for this overhead bridges to be constructed for the safety of all pedestrians.

Here are my correspondences with the agencies on this issue.

Case No.: T-7WV8NM
Created on 16/10/2009 01:49:23 PM

Your message
Attn: JKR Miri , Cc: Ibu Pejabat JKR Sarawak, Kuching , Dear Sir, , May I know what is the status update on the proposed overhead crossing in front of Boulevard (Jalan Miri Pujut) and Morsjaya (Jalan Miri-Bintulu)? When will the public see it being constructed or we need to wait for 2011 for the earth breaking ceremony? , Thank you.

Assigned Agency: Jabatan Kerja Raya Bahagian Miri

“Reference is made to above mentioned case regarding the proposed overhead bridge in front Boulevard Hypermarket crossing Jalan Miri Pujut. , Please be informed that the proposed overhead foot bridge is currently under design by Ibu Pejabat JKR. A tender shall be called once when the design is completed., Thank you.”

Correspondence to Talikhidmat update on 05/11/2009

James Joshua wrote:
Good morning,

Thank you for your respond. Regret to inform TALIKHIDMAT that we have not receive any call from any agencies.

—–Original Message—–
From: 555999@sarawaknet.gov.my [mailto:555999@sarawaknet.gov.my]
Sent: Thursday, November 05, 2009 7:32 AM
To: james@eplogistic.com
Subject: TALIKHIDMAT: FYI: T-7WV8NM

Dear Sir/Mdm,

We have received your case and did the necessary actions in making sure that it gets the desired attention. However, we have not received any feedback from the relevant agency as they might have contacted you directly. We appreciate it if you could confirm with us whether your call below has been attended to satisfactorily by the said agency.

Ref No : T-7WV8NM

Reported matters:

“Attn: JKR Miri Cc: Ibu Pejabat JKR Sarawak, Kuching Dear Sir, May I know what is the status update on the proposed overhead crossing in front of Boulevard (Jalan Miri Pujut) and Morsjaya (Jalan Miri-Bintulu)? When will the public see it being constructed or we need to wait for 2011 for the earth breaking ceremony? Thank you. ”

Kindly reply to this email within 3 days if you find our service unsatisfactory else we may close this case.

Your feedback is important for us. Please check [x] where appropriate:

[ ] Request attended and satisfactorily
[x] Request not attended at all
[ ] Request attended but unsatisfactorily (please attached your remarks)

Regards,
TALIKHIDMAT Centre

Response from JKR HQ via Talikhidmat on 09/11/2009

Dear Sir/Madam,

Kindly be informed, we have received feedback from (1)Jabatan Kerja Raya Bahagian Miri as below.

Case No : T-7WV8NM

Reported matters :
Attn: JKR Miri
Cc: Ibu Pejabat JKR Sarawak, Kuching
Dear Sir,
May I know what is the status update on the proposed overhead crossing in front of Boulevard (Jalan Miri Pujut) and Morsjaya (Jalan Miri-Bintulu)?
When will the public see it being constructed or we need to wait for 2011 for the earth breaking ceremony?
Thank you.

Action Taken :
“Reference is made to above mentioned case regarding the proposed overhead bridge in front Boulevard Hypermarket crossing Jalan Miri Pujut.
Please be informed that the proposed overhead foot bridge is currently under design by Ibu Pejabat JKR. A tender shall be called once when the design is completed.
Thank you.”

We trust that you are happy with our service and that we may close this call. Kindly reply this email within 3 days if you find the service unsatisfactory.

Regards,
TALIKHIDMAT Centre

Further response from Miri City Council on 09/11/2009

Tuan,
Thanking you for bringing up the above captioned matter for our attention.

I have checked with Council’s Engineering Department on the proposed overhead bridge near Boulevard Shopping Complex. The matter is currently being looked into by JKR, please.

Sekian, harap maklum dan terima kasih.
Pegawai Perhubungan Awam, Majlis Bandaraya Miri.

Latest response from Miri City Council on 12/06/2010

Hi James Joshua,

The proposed overhead bridge project is under the purview of JKR. They had called for tenders and, from the recent news reporting,it is now in the process of awarding the contract. Sorry, I can’t reply you early as I had involved in one accident and on sick leave for one week., please.

Best regards from
Tay, MCC.

Posted by James Joshua on July 27th, 2010

Right to land right to heritage

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Received my copies of Right To Land Right To Heritage from the Malaysian Environmental NGOs today. Two of our ancestral pua kumbu was included as pictorial in the publication. Get your copy from MENGO now.

JAMESJG.COM would like to thanks Dr.Sundari Ramakrishna of MENGO Support Unit, and Eleanor Chen, the Consultant Editor for EcoLogical footPrints for featuring the Iban pua.

Posted by James Joshua on July 22nd, 2010

RumahDayak.com Ngiling Bidai

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Dear members, friends and families,

RumahDayak.com would like to thank you for your support and presence during the Ngiling Bidai gathering at Similajau National Park. Our gratitude goes to YB Tuan Hj. Fadillah Yusuf, Jagai Daun, Mdm. Aisyah Jasmine & Family (Kuala Lumpur), Mdm. Hellena Charles (Brunei), Indu Emun Gaya, and Mdm. Sabugey for their contribution towards the event and donation for the Sarawak Children Cancer Society Food Fair.

We have managed to collect RM913.00 for the Sarawak Children Cancer Society Food Fair. The collection shall be handed over to SCCS by Mdm. Rose Benet (a.k.a Temakul) soon.

We would like to thank En. Goh Umpie and his crew from Tatau, Bintulu who have help us with the pansoh, tunu manok and barbecue. Without you guys, api panggang sigi enda jadi.

Not forgetting the excellent team work of the working committee comprises of Willo (team leader), Jagai Daun, Dom Unggun, Uchu Penghulu Barat, Bungai Ngerembai, Wai Ijin, Eujene JS, Goh Umpie, Egat Jelani, and Altar James. Without these key members, the whole event will not achieve its mission. The team photo below.

With our slogan – Segulai Sejalai Seati Sepenemu, once again RumahDayak.com have flare well, not only in promoting unity and friendship but to build the spirit of charity among its members. Thumbs up to all and until we meet again during the 5th Anniversary Dinner at Grand Palace Hotel Miri on 6th November 2010, its a Terima Kasih serta Selamat Betemu Baru!

Rgds,
James Joshua (Uchu Keling)

Note: More photos at our Facebook Fans page. But this are some of my favourite shots of the members.