Sarawak Latest News

SMK Penrissen No 1 had only three students scoring straight As in all subjects but that was enough to make the teachers smile when the 2008 Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) results were announced yesterday.

In 2007, only two students scored straight As in the SPM.

This time round, more students qualified for a full SPM certificate based on a pass in Bahasa Malaysia paper.

A spokesperson for the school told Eastern Times yesterday that the passing rate this time was 84.62, compared with 80.18 for the 2007 SPM.

“With all the constraints that we faced and the environment of the school, we are generally quite satisfied with the achievements.

“Of course, we will not rest on our laurel but will strive harder in the future.
“This may include providing tuition classes to the weak students,” he said.

The spokesman added that the three students who scored straight As had sat for 12, 11 and 10 subjects respectively.

He said besides the top three scorers, two other students obtained 9As, three 8As, one 7As and nine 6As.

443 SPM candidates

SMK Penrissen No. 1, one of the rural schools in this district and about 20 kilometres from here, had 443 candidates sitting for the SPM examination last year.

The SPM results saw 6,277 students scoring straight As in all subjects throughout the country, compared with 5,060 in 2007.

Education Ministry Director-General, Datuk Alimuddin Mohd Dom said 1,676 students scored A1s in all subjects, compared with 892 in 2007 while 181,416 or 46.7% passed all subjects compared with 175,452 in 2007.

“There were three excellent result achievers who scored A1s in all 16 subjects, two who scored A1s in 15 subjects while six scored A1s in 14 subjects,” said Alimuddin while announcing the SPM and STAM results in Putrajaya.

Last year, 442,936 students sat for the SPM compared with 439,255 in 2007; 435 Special students also sat for the examination last year, compared with 355 the previous year.

The Barisan Nasional candidate for the Batang Ai by-election is expected to be unveiled on Saturday.

Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud told reporters on Wednesday that he had not yet decided on the candidate for the constituency.

However, he said the state Barisan would meet this Saturday to discuss who would represent the coalition in the coming by-election.

Asked whether he would announce the candidate after the meeting, he replied: “Yes.”

The Batang Ai seat fell vacant when its assemblyman Datuk Dublin Unting Ingkot, who was also Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) vice president and state assistant minister of sports and agriculture, died on Feb 24.

PRS president Datuk Dr James Masing had last week submitted one name to the Barisan leadership for consideration.

The name was widely speculated to be that of senior agriculture officer Malcolm Mossen Lamoh.

Nomination for the by-election is on March 29 and polling on April 7.

In the 2006 state election, Unting defeated Nicholas Bawin Anggat, who stood on a Sarawak National Party (SNAP) ticket, by 806 votes in a straight fight.

Bawin, who is now Sarawak PKR deputy liaison committee chairman, is one of two front-runners for the Opposition candidacy. The other is former Lubok Antu MP Jawah Gerang.

The pass rate for the Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM) at SMK St Joseph has improved although the number of straight A scorers has decreased.

Its deputy principal Belinda Lim said that those who obtained four principal passes have increased to 42.37 per cent from 34 per cent the previous year.

“This year we only have three 4As scorers as compared to the previous year when we had five. On the other hand, the number of students who passed all papers has increased. This year we have 50 students who achieved it out of 118 students who sat for the examination,” said Lim when met at the school yesterday.

Top scorer Gerald Sim who obtained 2As and 2A- aims to serve the people by applying to study medicine.

“After collecting my results today, I plan to try to apply into local universities majoring in medicine. My targeted institutions include Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Universiti Malaya and Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas),” said Sim.

Sim, the middle child of three, plans to be the first doctor in his family, unlike his father who is an engineer and his brother who is studying accounting. He is also the first one to go to Form Six.

On his recipe for success, Sim said that he studied at least two hours a day from right after entering Lower Six. He said he was very happy and satisfied with his results.

Another top scorer, Jacob Su, was surprised that he obtained A in all subjects including physics and General Knowledge.

He named the National University of Singapore and several local public institutions as his choices in which to continue his studies. He plans to take up electrical engineering.

The fourth child in a family of five siblings said group study was the best way to obtain excellent results, while being calm and cool during examination helped to keep him focused.

Another student who scored four As is Pauline Liaw while two others, Darren Chin and Aida Adilla, scored 3As.

Meanwhile, another top scorer from SMK St Thomas, Fiona Liew Chee Wei, revealed that her success came from studying very hard especially the last few weeks before examination.

“I prepared my revision rather last minute sort of. I really stayed up late in the last few weeks before the examination,” she said when met at the school yesterday.

Asked whether the result was what she expected, Liew said she was confident that she could score 3As, pointing out however, that she was less certain about scoring high marks for Mathematics.

“I wanted this result (4As). But I was not confident with Mathematics after the examination. I thought it was difficult,” she pointed out.

Currently a temporary teacher at the school, Liew scored A in General Knowledge, Biology, Chemistry and Mathematics. She said she would study medicine in university and hopes to be a doctor.

Liew was one of the two students in SMB St Thomas who scored Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 4.00. The other student was Phang Nyuk Choo.

Phang who came to the school to collect her result slip, said she was happy with her result and thanked her family for their support.

She said the secret of success was time management. “It is essential to manage our time wisely,” she stressed.

She scored A in General Knowledge, Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics. She said she would apply for courses related to Physics or Mathematics at a local university.

Another student, Pui Chai Fuen, who wished to further her study in either engineering or information technology, said she spent around six hours a day for revision. The girl who lives in Matang Jaya here scored A in General Knowledge, Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics.

“I normally studied six hours a day. After finishing my revision and assessment exercises, I’d watch TV to relax my mind,” she said.

Another top scorer, Tang Chew Yong, said she felt disappointed with her result as she was expecting to score four As but managed only one A and three A- instead.

She scored A for General Knowledge and A- in Literature in English, Business Study and History.

Tang, currently a temporary teacher in SMK Kuching High here, wished to further her studies in education. Tang thanked her teachers for her success, saying: “I did not attend any tuition class. Besides studying by myself, my teachers had helped me a lot.”

Whenever she felt stressed, she would pray to release her tension, she said.

The Borneo Post was unable to get the overall result of SMB St Thomas as the school was still compiling its statistics.

Pak Junoh

Fariza bin Gom holding Pak Junoh’s hat which was found by the rescue team.

Three colleagues watched in horror as a crocodile stealthily swam towards their foreman, grabbed him by the stomach, and dragged him into the placid water of Demak Laut river yesterday.

In the 11.00 am incident, Pak Junoh, a 43-year-old foreman of a sawmill nearby, was fishing with Fariza bin Gom, 31, from Samarahan, Jamadi bin Radat, 20, from Kuching and Sarizak, 18, from Sibuyau when he was attacked.

Relating the ordeal, Fariza, who was in the water with Junoh, said he was even further from the river bank than Junoh when the crocodile attacked.
“Both of us were casting our nets while Jamadi and Sarizak were waiting near the river bank to bring the catch in.

“After the crocodile grabbed Junoh it disappeared, and a moment later, it re-appeared with the latter’s leg flapping in the air. All of us immediately screamed for help,” said Fariza.
Police and 999 were alerted and they arrived promptly to conduct a search for the victim.
Fariza said that because of the economic downturn, his colleagues and he used to do some fishing at Demak Laut river to earn side income.

Junoh’s wife, Ramliebi, 42, who was picking “paku” (jungle fern) near the barrack where they are staying when the incident happened.

The couple have four children aged 21, 18, 13 and 5 years. Two of their children are staying in Pontianak and the other two are with the parents.

At press time, Junoh’s remains were still at large. The search and rescue party has thus far found a hat belonging to Junoh. Fariza said Junoh was wearing a white shirt, blue trousers and a pair of yellow boots at the time of the attack.

If parents come across their children getting hooked on drugs, they must immediately report to the National Anti-Drugs Agency (AADK).

Head of National Anti-Drugs Agency (AADK) District Office Eva Anak Lichok said that some parents did not seek help until it was too late to save the children.

“AADK District office at Jalan Ong Kee Hui will always welcome the public seeking help to overcome the drug problem among youths,” she said, advising parents to refer their children to the agency for urine tests if they suspected that their children were on drugs.

“The agency has a programme where all the patients under monitor must report to AADK District Office weekly until they are free from the influence of drugs.

“Besides monitoring drug addicts, the agency also works with the Education Department to hold talks and seminars for students to warn them of the dangers of drug taking,” Eva said, adding that AADK statistics showed in 2005, out of the 669 cases referred to the agency, 71 were females.

“In 2006, 712 cases (79 females) were referred to the agency and in 2007 and 184 cases (17 females),” Eva added.

Minister of Housing, Datuk Amar Abang Johari bin Tun Abang Haji Openg, said his Ministry will work with the Federal Ministry of Rural and Regional Development in implementing longhouse projects in the state.

Under the federal government hardcore poverty eradication programme, he said the Ministry of Rural and Regional Develoopment had requested the Ministry of Housing to help build not only PPRT houses (Housing Programme for the Hardcore Poor) but also longhouses.

“Because Housing Development Corporation (HDC) has the experience in implementing longhouse project with standard design, the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development has requested my Ministry to assist in implementing the development of these longhouse projects,” he said when asked to comment on the federal government’s allocation of RM102 million for building houses and longhouses in Sarawak.

Rural and Regional Development Minister, Tan Sri Muhammad Muhd Taib, in a statement in Kuala Lumpur last Saturday, said that the federal government had allocated RM202 million on projects to build 5,050 houses and longhouses for hardcore poor families in Sabah and Sarawak.

He said of the allocation, RM102 million would be used for 2,550 houses in Sarawak, while the remainder RM100 million for 2,500 houses in Sabah under the housing aid programme (PBR).

“The projects will include 145 longhouses worth RM6.38 million at Sedeku Baru and Batang Lupar and eight longhouses worth RM6.4 million at Limbang, Miri, Bintulu, Kapit, Mukah, Sarikei, Betong and Sri Aman, destroyed in a fire recently,” he was quoted in the statement.
Muhammad Muhd Taib said his Ministry would discuss with the Sarawak Public Works and Housing Development Corporation on the standard plan for longhouses.
Commenting on the RM102 million allocation from the federal govern ment, Johari said,”It is good. We are very thankful because now we can assist the poor community especially the community in the rural areas.”

“Actually, we want to build modern longhouses. The longhouse to be built will be according to standard design so that they will not be destroyed by fire again. Secondly, we want to build longhouses that are comfortable for the dwellers,” he said.

“That is why the Chief Minister has directed my Ministry, the Ministry of Planning and Resource Management and also Majlis Adat Istiadat to hold a seminar about the new concept of longhouses and eventually will also be related to issuance of title to the owners.

“This is a new concept and need to be debated and discussed among Dayak community leaders and also with the Land and Survey Department,” he said.

As to when the seminar will be held, he said it would be within these few months.
“We are still in the process of planning it. It will involve the Ministry of Planning and Resource Management, the Ministry and Majlis Adat Istiadat, he said, when interviewed by reporters at the opening of Kafe Riang at Lot 5, Sukma Commercial Centre, Jalan Sultan Tengah here Sunday night.

Kafe Riang’s owner Mohd Shukri said the outlet started operation in January this year. “It is based on the concept of partnership where spaces are allocated to stall holder to operate.”
He disclosed at present there were seven stalls selling Roti Canai, Nasi Lemak, Nasi Ayam Salad, Nasi Ayam Penyet, Nasi Goreng Kampung, Laksa Inot, Mee Jawa, Mee Sapi and other types of food.

According to him, there is also plan to operate satay and ‘ayam pagang’ stalls at night.
Johari congratulated Mohd Shukri for venturing out to set up the business.
He said more members of the Bumiputera community should venture into business.

Two youth who went to a house at Kim Chu Sin Road, Batu Kawa, to collect debts yesterday ended up with over 60 pellet wounds on their bodies and hands.
Their wounds were inflicted by a 52-year-old man who fired two shots at them when they came a calling at about 7.00 am.

When contacted, Sarawak Head of Crime Investigation Department, SAC 11 Huzir bin Mohamad, confirmed that a man had been arrested for firing at two youth.

“The duo had gone there to collect debts and we are now investigating what sort of debts,” he said.

Police seized a shotgun and a box of cartridges from the house. It is understood that the shotgun was not licensed to the man who fired the shot.

“People should not take the law into their own hands. Even if there are people coming to your house to cause nuisance, you should lodge a police report, not shoot at them,” Huzir said.

According to the house owner, the duo had come a week ago and hurled a bottle into his house.

He claimed that when they showed up again yesterday, they broke his window panes with a brick. It was then that he rushed out and fired two shots at them from a distance.
Meanwhile, the two youth, both aged 23 years, had lodged police reports.

One of them, from Stutong Baru, claimed that he did not know what his friend was up to. When they were having breakfast, his friend received a call. He (friend) then asked him to accompany him to collect money from a “friend”.

The purportedly ignorant victim ended up with over 20 pellets on both his hands and back.
The other youth, from Foochow Road, claimed that the house owner’s son had called him to collect money at about 7.30 am.

He said the two went there and called out the house owner’s son for more than 10 times, but nobody showed up.

As they were about to drive off, the house owner came out, opened the back door of their car and shot them at close range. Both victims have been warded at the hospital.

Ten species of fish collected during surveys in the Lanjak Entimau Wildlife Sanctuary could be new to science.

“Still unidentified, they are potential new species,” said Sarawak Museum curator of natural history Dr Charles Leh.

“These are smaller species which have aquarium value but no commercial value,” he added when asked after presenting his findings on a survey of the fishes in Lanjak Entimau during last year’s scientific expedition at Grand Margherita Hotel here.

He said funds were needed to study the unidentified fish as checks had to be carried out with the original description of the fish specimens in Holland and America.

Leh said the sole new fish species in Lanjak Entimau, which had been described was gastromyzoli katibassenis. It was named after the sanctuary in 2003.

“About 4,000 specimens consisting of 83 species were collected during the two-month survey. Only 10% of these are endemic to Borneo,” he added.

He said many of these fish species were similar to those found in the peninsula and Sumatera, Indonesia. Leh said the studies revealed that in logged-over forest in the sanctuary, the fish diversity had decreased.

However, he said shifting cultivation did not kill the fish as farmers did not use pesticides or chemicals for their crops.

Government officers were reminded not to be bureaucratic in responding to crisis situations such as floods.

Deputy State Secretary (Human Resources) Datuk Abdul Ghafur Shariff said that normal procedures such as filling out forms could not be followed in times of crisis.

“There are two levels of operation. One is crisis situation and the other is normal. In normal circumstances you follow the rules but you cannot always do this when a crisis comes.

“For example, when giving out provisions to flood victims, you cannot bring the forms and ask them to fill it first. This is being too bureaucratic,” he said.

Ghafur said the civil service coped quite well with the recent floods in Sarawak apart from one or two instances where flood victims were reportedly asked to fill out forms before receiving provisions.

“We always try to do the best we can in any circumstances. If I go to the ground, I will impart this message to the officers not to be too bureaucratic in times of crisis,” he told reporters after opening a workshop on developing key performance indicators here.

The two-day workshop was organised by the human resource planning unit of the Chief Minister’s Department and the Centre for Modern Management.

On the state’s civil service, Ghafur said it would continue to recruit staff as and when vacancies arise.

“We are not stopping recruitment this year,” he said, adding that there was currently no shortage of staff.

Sarawak has 13,000 civil servants and a further 5,000-7,000 in statutory bodies, government-linked companies and local authorities.

World Vision Malaysia is targeting 1,000 participants for its 30-Hour Famine event to be held here on March 21-22.

During the event, participants will go without food for 30 hours to raise funds for local and international organisations and programmes aimed at helping those in need.

They would begin their fast from noon on Saturday and end it at 6pm the following day at the Christian Ecumenical Worship Centre here. However, they would be allowed to drink water during their fast.

Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr George Chan will officiate the event, themed ‘You’ve Got the Power’.

Miss Malaysia 2007/8 and World Vision children’s rights advocate Deborah Henry and TV personality Owen Yap will be making an appearance at the event, while singers Francissca Peter and Danell Lee are expected to perform alongside local artistes.

World Vision Malaysia aims to raise RM300,000 from the event. The funds raised would be channelled to the Kuching Autistic Association, World Vision Hope Fund, World Vision Malaysia Children’s Development Fund and World Vision Capacity Building Fund.

Participation in the 30-Hour Famine is divided into two categories - students/senior citizens (55 years and above) and working adults.

Students and senior citizens are required to raise a minimum of RM80 and working adults RM120 each to participate. Non-participants are free to donate any amount towards the event.

For more information, go to www.worldvision.com.my or call 03-7880 6414.

REAPPOINTED: Bayoi (left) receives a plaque from Ali.

Newly appointed Samarahan District Councillors were yesterday told not to be ‘yes-men’.

“Do not practise a ‘yes-man’ attitude but instead you must voice out your opinion for the sake of the people,” said Muara Tuang assemblyman Dato Sri Mohd Ali Mahmud during the swearing-in ceremony for the new councillors.

Ali, who was representing Deputy Tourism Minister and Kota Samarahan Member of Parliament Dato Sri Sulaiman Abdul Rahman Taib, also told the councillors to act as team and share knowledge with each other.

“The new faces and the old ones must work together to be the eyes and ears of the people. Listen to what the people have to say and work out the solutions together,” said Ali.

He said those who were not reappointed as councillors can still contribute and serve the people and the government in other ways.

“For those who were not reappointed, do not be disappointed. The reason for that is the newly appointed have both academic achievements and experience,” he said.

Ali added that while there is plenty more to be done, the council has done a lot over the years.

“The council, under the present government has achieved a lot especially in development and the people’s well-being,” said Ali.

He advised the people to be cautious of the tactics and tricks of the opposition to influence them.

“The opposition always makes wild accusations to blind the people, just to fish for votes. Their propaganda has always been about saying something and then doing something else.

“The government has given much development to the people and have a proven track record,” said Ali.

Twenty-six councillors, led by Kedup assemblyman Frederick Bayoi Manggi – who was re-appointed as Walikota Samarahan – were sworn in yesterday.

Eighteen are newly appointed councillors.

The Samarahan District councillors are Bayoi (chairman), assistant chairperson Maznah Mail and council members Jamayah Adeni, Zol Nono, Sepawi Samat, Benking Dakak, Belland Kantul, Edward Minggu, Liu Teck Kong, Dr Chew Kian Peng, Chin Vui Khun, Antan Kamis, Bostari Brahim, Daily Joseph, Awg Saperi Awg Lee, Bakar Suut, Semawi Sulong, Boniface Nyiek Mawin, Lawrence Juh Kar, Sandi Bael, Thomas Ong, Brandah Madi, Jackson Melintang Budit, Bujang Dillah, as well as Tegak Mat.

Also present at the ceremony was Asajaya assemblyman Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, who is chief political secretary to the Chief Minister.

The police will provide extra security in Batang Ai during the by-election.
Deputy Inspector-General of Police (DIG), Tan Sri Haji Ismail Haji Omar, stated this at a press conference held after the passing out ceremony at PULAPOL, Jalan Puncak Borneo yesterday.

“We are confident that we can fulfil our duty as the law enforcer and guarantee the safety of the people in exercising their right,” he said.

Deputy Inspector-General of Police (DIG), Tan Sri Haji Ismail Haji Omar (right) with the Commandant of PULAPOL Kuching, ACP Shah Gzali Khan Shadad at the press conference.

He said providing the security during a by-election was just a routine job for the police as for the responsibility was the same elsewhere, be it in Kedah, Perak or Sarawak.

On the need to increase in number of police personnel to maintain the security during the Batang Ai by-election, Ismail commented that the situation would be examined from time to time.

“Assistant Commissioner of Police in Sarawak had already drawn up a strategy to tackle the situation and Bukit Aman had a meeting with the Police Commissioners of the states involved in the by-elections,” he disclosed.

“Our concept is to make sure the peace is in order so that members of the public will be safe to do their everyday chores during the by-elections,” he added.

On other matter, the DIG disclosed that the police this year aimed to recruit 10,000 to the force, made up of 1,000 Inspectors with degree qualifications and 9,000 constables with SPM qualification.

He said the police were currently working on a plan to train sergeants who had diploma qualifications to assist in crime investigation, but the plan had not been approved yet by the cabinet.

On the plan to increase the force, the police have been setting up Divisional Basic Training Centre in every state to train more recruits.

“We have also increased the number of PULAPOL and the latest one in Langkawi will be operational in July,” said Ismail.

Traders and hawkers at the MBKS Stutong Community Market must not resort to cheating customers as this can cause them to stop returning and patronising the place.
Minister of Environment and Public Health, Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh, said the traders and hawkers must instead be sincere and honest, and on top of that, they should also work as a team to attract people to patronise the market.

“To promote a new market like this is not easy. Nevertheless, with a concerted effort from everyone, we can turn this market into a self-contained business centre in the future,” said Wong at the RTM-MBKS Berambeh Programme held at the Stutong Community Market here yesterday.

He said it would take at least 18 months to make the market known and accepted by the people in Kuching.

“This market is among the best in the State. So we must attract people to come here. One of ways to do it is by organising this kind of programme from time to time,” he said.
Wong revealed that the Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) took 18 months to promote Sibu Central Market to the people there.

“Only when it is properly promoted and publicised, can we expect more people to come here. And one day, I believe this can become a tourist destination as it has enough stalls and shoplots to deal with all sorts of products,” he said.

He also appealed to the traders and hawkers to sell quality goods as well as keeping the place clean and hygienic as this could help to create a positive impact on the people.
He thanked RTM and MBKS for making the programme a reality.

Meanwhile, MBKS Mayor, James Chan, urged the hawkers and traders to cooperate with the council to promote the place.

“Today’s community is better educated and has an in-depth understanding of the need for cleanliness. Many shoppers do not like to do their shopping where the market floor is dirty and constantly flooded.

“By paying greater attention on freshness, tastiness, quality, variety, cleanliness, hygienic preparation, clean crockery and courteous services, you all can attract more customers to patronage the market,” said the Mayor.

Also present at the ceremony were Acting Director of RTM, Monshi Abdullah, and MBKS Acting Secretary, Susan Loh.

Eight Malaysia Airlines and Air Asia flights were disrupted last Sunday after an Air Asia aircraft stopped in the middle of the runway shortly after it landed at about 10.00 pm. None of the 154 passengers and crews was hurt in the incident.
Kuching International Airport Manager, Sunif Naiman, told Eastern Times that the incident was cause by a “technical problem”.

“There was no emergency landing. It was just a technical problem. Everything was back to normal at 2.45 am yesterday,” he said.

However, a passenger onboard the ill-fated plane, which had taken off from Kuala Lumpur at 8.30 pm, claimed that the plane had a problem with one of its tyres. That was why it stopped shortly after landing, he said.

Although the incident did not cause a panic, the Fire and Rescue Services Department and the Sarawak General Hospital nonetheless rushed to the airport as a precautionary measure.
Sunif said four inbound flights and four outbound flights were unable to use the airport for more than four hours.

The affected plane.

He added that one MAS flight from Kuala Lumpur and an Air Asia flight from Singapore were scheduled to land at 10.15 pm and 10.30 pm respectively but they had to be diverted to Sibu.

Another two Air Asia flights from Kuala Lumpur were cancelled.
He added that four outbound flights, two each from MAS and Air Asia, were delayed as a result

A man from Taman Vigawa was charged in session court here yesterday for raping an under-aged victim.

Lim Chou Huat was charged under Section 376 of the Penal Code.
He was alleged to have committed the offence at between 2.00 p.m. and 6.00 p.m. on January 11 this year at a lodging house in Jalan Tabuan.

According to the facts of the case read by Chief Inspector Teoh Soon Teik on the February 11, the accused had referred the victim to Kuching Wellfare Department Office where he reported that the victim, 10 years old, had been used by her own parents for immoral activities.

The victim was forced by her mother to go for prostitution. All the activities were handled by her mother and the accused admitted that he had sex with the victim at a lodging house at Jalan Tabuan.

The accused fetched the victim and her mother from their house and bring them to the lodging house. Besides, the accused was also a close friend of the victim’s parents and he did stay overnight at their house too.

Tuan Nixon Kennedy Kumbong, the session judge ordered Lim to be released on the court bail RM20,000 and cash bail RM7,000 with two local sureties which monthly income is not less than RM2,000 and also must be Kuching residents.

The accused was also advised by the session court judge to engage a defence counsel.
The case would be heard in court soon.

A stray crocodile was shot dead by police after it tried to attack a motorcyclist near Kampung Prutan at Mile 17, Jalan Kuching-Serian Road early yesterday morning.

In the 1.00 am incident, two motorcyclists travelling separately were returning to the village when they came across a crocodile on the road. The first motorcyclist managed to ride past the reptile but the second motorcyclist rammed into it.

The 16-year-old motorcyclist managed to jump to one side as the crocodile snapped its jaws on the rear of the motorcycle.

Siburan OCS, Chief Inspector Jamaluddin Abdul Latif (right) showing the dead crocodile. (Inset) Close up of the crocodile.

The petrified motorcyclist ran to a nearby house to seek help. The occupants of the house called the police and a team from the Siburan police was dispatched to the scene.
When the police arrived at the scene, the crocodile was still there. They killed the crocodile so that it would not bother the villagers.

According to the villagers, crocodiles have been lurking in the nearby swamp and they come across them on several occasions.

One villager, who preferred anonymity, said he had seen a crocodile in his fish pond and to prevent the reptile devouring all his fish, he threw food into the pond.
He said the crocodiles would not attack people unless they were disturbed.

“There are crocodiles in the swamp and I have seen them. They had never come out from the swamp and attack the villagers. This is a rare case and the crocodile must have strayed from the swamp,” he said.



Meanwhile, it is learnt the Forestry Department officials had visited the swamp two weeks before yesterday’s incident after villagers reported that crocodiles had emerged from the swamp and were lurking in the nearby bushes.

A wildlife body had also checked on the crocodiles in November last year and determined their presence was not a threat.

'The questioned is.. why they killed the crocodile??? Despite the villagers told that the crocodiles would not attack people unless they were disturbed."

Two suspected robbers were arrested by police in an early morning raid at an apartment complex here yesterday.

The 28- and 31-year-old men were detained by a team of officers from contingent headquarters around 5.30am at an apartment along Jalan Wan Alwi following information from members of the public.

The two men are also believed to be involved in a robbery incident at Jalan Stapok on March 4, where two masked and armed individuals forced their way into a house belonging to a couple and robbed them of cash, handphones and jewellery.

Sources said the younger suspect is a local from Jalan Stapok while his accomplice is an ex-soldier originally from Peninsular Malaysia.

The duo have been detained pending further investigation.

In an unrelated incident, a wanted man who has been on the run from police for several months was arrested in Bau early yesterday.

Police from contingent headquarters detained the 32-year-old suspect around 12.30am after receiving a tip-off that he was hiding in Bau.

The suspect, who is of Chinese/Iban parentage and hails from Sri Aman, has been detained for further investigation.

A press release was issued by the police on Nov 7 last year appealing for information regarding the fugitive, who was wanted under Section 506 and Section 507 of the Penal Code for criminal intimidation.

Popping Ecstasy pills is now the in thing among drug users in the state. It has somewhat replaced glue-sniffing to a great extent.

Malaysian Dadah Abuse Prevention Association (Pemadam), Sarawak chairperson Datuk Sharifah Mordiah Tuanku Fauzi said this was one of the factors highlighted during the association’s meeting in Miri recently.

“The majority of those found involved in this activity are in the age range of 25 to 39 and they are mostly male,” she told reporters here yesterday.

Mordiah said there were a lot of reasons why people popped the pill, and among the reasons was stress - be it at work or home - and financial problems.

According to her, the pills are commonly ‘passed around’ or ‘dealt’ in entertainment spots and Pemadam has voiced the matter to the police.

“We have spoken to them (police) about it, and they assured us that they will keep vigilance over the matter and conduct frequent spot checks at entertainment centres,” she said.

She was unable to provide statistics on Ecstasy cases in the state, but said most of the cases occurred in major towns and cities like Kuching, Miri, Bintulu and Sibu.

Methylenedioxy-N-Methamphetamine (MDMA) or most commonly known by its street name Ecstasy is a semisynthetic member of the amphetamine class of psychoactive drugs, a subclass of phenethylamines.

MDMA’s experiential effects are more consistent than those produced by most psychedelics, and its euphoria appears to be distinct from most stimulants.

Before it was made a controlled substance, MDMA was used in psychotherapy. It is one of the most widely used illicit drugs in the world and commonly associated with rave culture.

Mordiah, who is the vice-chairperson of national Pemadam, said the battle against glue sniffing was tough even until today because there was no law on glue sniffing to support enforcement work.

“All Pemadam can do whenever it comes across such cases is to turn these substance abusers to the National Anti-Drug Agency which would then send them to rehabilitation centres. That’s all we can do for the glue sniffers,” she said.

She said to ensure this social scourge remain low in the state, Pemadam needed the cooperation of everyone, particularly parents.

“Parents should be more aware and concerned about what their children are doing and guide them along the right path.

“It will also help if they are actively involved in associations as this is one of the places where they can get the latest information on what’s happening around them” she said. She assured that Pemadam would continue to work with the National Anti-Drug Agency, the Ministry of Health and other relevant authorities to fight substance abuse.

15 houses in Kpg Sg Bedil Besar go up in smoke leaving 75 people homeless

Seventy-five people were made homeless with only the clothes on their backs after a massive fire destroyed 15 houses at Kampung Sungai Bedil Besar in Petra Jaya here early yesterday evening.

In what was described by some villagers as nothing short of a miracle, there was not a single casualty or even injury in the 5.45pm blaze.

Strong winds coupled with the proximity of the wooden structures caused the fire to spread at an alarming rate and left nearly all the affected villagers with little time to salvage anything from their residences.

THE BLAZE AT ITS HEIGHT: Firemen battle to bring the fire under control.

Fire and Rescue Department operations chief Baharuddin Idris said a total of 47 firefighters from the Tabuan Jaya, Batu Lintang, Padungan and Petra Jaya stations rushed to the scene after receiving a distress call at 5.55pm. The first unit arrived at 6.02pm and took about 45 minutes to bring the blaze under control. He added that such was the extent of the fire that firemen were still battling to extinguish it as of 8.30pm last night.

One of the survivors, 76-year-old Temu Saat, told reporters that the fire began at his daughter’s house from where it rapidly spread to adjacent houses including his own which forced him and his wife to flee.

His daughter Seniah, 47, a Telekom Malaysia employee, said she was on her way back from work when she received a call from a family member informing her of the incident. “Everything is gone. I’m left with nothing,” said Seniah, who still appeared to be in a state of shock and despair to say much.

Her brother, Abdul Malik, whose house was also destroyed, said he was in Satok when he received a call around 6pm about the fire. The 45-year-old driver immediately rushed back to the village and when he saw the massive fire he knew instantly that he had lost everything.

“It was fortunate that my daughter, her husband and their three children were not at home,” he shuddered, adding that he accepted the incident as fate.

News of the fire quickly reached the ears of Assistant Minister in the Chief Minister’s Department Mohd Naroden Majais, Semariang assemblywoman Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali as well as Datin Amar Jumaani Tuanku Bujang, who is the wife of Housing Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg.

All three were seen directing relief efforts as well as comforting the many tearful survivors at the Kampung Sungai Bedil community hall where the affected families gathered to have their particulars recorded.

Commenting that an incident of this nature and scale was “extremely sad”, Hasidah said aid such as food, clothing and money would be distributed as soon as possible and the survivors would be sheltered at the village surau for the time being.

Meanwhile, the penghulu 58-year-old Morni Abon said: “Some of the survivors would be allowed to occupy several houses in the village which are currently unoccupied, while others would put up with their relatives.”

Total loss in the incident was not immediately known and the cause of the fire is being investigated.

THE Kuching Waterfront — ah yes, the scenic attraction and ‘must walk’ for anyone who visits this little city of cats. Undoubtedly, the waterfront has some amazing sights, especially if one were to walk along it in a clear starry night.

The sight of the Astana across the river lighted up, the little handicrafts stalls that line part of the waterfront, the convenient drinks and food stalls where one can have a seat and chat with friends and the little twinkling lights from the kampungs across the river add to the romantic and laid back ambiance of the waterfront.

If you’re lucky, you will catch a spectacular sunset with the Astana in the forefront. If you’re the adventurous and curious type, you may find yourself lured by the calls of traders promoting aphrodisiacs of sorts (including Gambir Sarawak).

As much as Kuchingites make it a point to steer their out of town guests to a walk along the waterfront, they will also point out to “watch your pockets/handbags”. There have been just too many cases of snatch theft cases along the waterfront. One too many fights and the occasional fatality, even with the waterfront police on duty. Stoners who lurk in the corners of the Waterfront give those who want to take a relaxed stroll the creeps and make them think twice before doing so.

One unique aspect of the Waterfront is that one can get a crash course in the history of Sarawak just by walking along from end to end and reading the historical-walk plates that are placed on the ground. Unfortunately some of the drinks stall owners have placed their tables and chairs over these history plates, making it almost impossible for one to get a full picture of our history.

Just not too long ago, the Eye brought a friend from overseas for a walk along the waterfront. Armed with a camera, he happily started taking photos of each of the plates. As we reached the row of food stalls, we discovered that our history lesson was cut short. As we scoured the path for the remaining plates, we discovered that they were under the tables of these food stalls. The Eye actually had to approach some of the locals who were having their drinks with a sheepish grin and saying “sorry ngaco tapi boleh tolong gerak sikit sik? Kamek orang nak ambik gambar plate debah ya…” (sorry to disturb, but can you please move a little? We want to take photos of the plates under there).

Then there’s the issue of cleanliness. If you recall, the Eye once wrote about an encounter with the little rats that performed acrobatic stunts around these stalls and successfully turned away some tourists who happened to go by there.

Ideally, the waterfront would be a great place to take a jog or have a family evening out. There is a children play area around the corner from the Chinese Museum. Over the years, the Eye has noticed that the brightly coloured play area has gone from reds, greens and blues to gray and black. It seems like the play area is now an incubator for moss and goodness knows what other microbial beings. Just check out the soft mats that line the play area!

There are now plans to extend the Waterfront. The traders at the old market have been shifted to another location after a whole lot of brouhaha. The Eye and a friend took a walk in the empty market a couple of weeks back, reminiscing the days, where as a child, the Eye was sent on errands with orders to “beli sayur dan ikan kat sia” (go buy vegetables and fish). The solid stone slabs that were used to display the trade wares now seem so low as compared to when Eye was a child. There are also solid stone pillars at the back of the market which remind the Eye of the Old Kuching.

The Eye’s friend casually commented “they have enough problems trying to maintain the cleanliness and security along existing waterfront…now they want to have it extended up to here. I hope they will buck up and do a good job out of it, considering the all trouble so many parties went through just to have the market relocated.”

Eye think he had a point. We know who he referred to as ‘they’. What say you?