Sarawak Latest News

LONG Sukang, a remote Lun Bawang village in Sarawak’s northern Lawas district, is set in a pristine valley overlooked by green mountains.

It is accessible by four-wheel drive vehicle on an unpaved timber road, about 90 minutes away from Lawas town.

Recently, the village played host to visitors from Samsung Malaysia, World Vision Malaysia and the media.

They were there to see a pre-school programme set up under World Vision’s Lawas Project, a beneficiary of the Samsung Hope charity initiative.

The visitors were received by a traditional bamboo band which played a medley of tunes on instruments made of bamboo.

Another musical ensemble playing the buluh gura, a bamboo instrument similar to the Indonesian angklung, welcomed the team into the community hall.

According to headman Balang Asi, Long Sukang has a population of about 400, the majority of whom are padi farmers.

“Our main source of income is selling rice, vegetables and fruits. We also raise buffaloes,” he said.

He said the villagers travelled to Lawas to sell their rice and other produce and to buy essential items like salt and sugar.

“It is convenient that we can now go to Lawas by car. In the past, before the road was built, it took days of walking through the jungle to reach Lawas,” he recalled.

He added that there were flight services between Lawas and Long Sukang, with the aircraft landing on a grassy airstrip.

The flights were discontinued after the timber road was built sometime in the 1980s. The airstrip can still be seen today, a long green lawn at one end of the village.

On the pre-school programme, Balang welcomed it as it provided early education to young children of the village.

“Before we had the pre-school classes, the children used to be very naughty.

“They would run here and there and not heed our calls.

“But now they are not so naughty. They can also read and write,” he said.

At Kampung Munchu, an ethnic Tagal village in Ulu Merapok about a 40-minute drive from Lawas, a similar pre-school has been set up by World Vision.

Simpson Tuie, a church pastor in the village, said it was the first school of any kind to be built in Kampung Munchu.

“Many children here don’t go to school because their parents can’t afford it. There are kindergartens and a primary school about 2.5km away but some parents cannot afford the transport costs.

“Now the children can attend the pre-school right here in the village, so it is a big help,” he said.

According to him, most of the villagers were rubber tappers and farmers, and were becoming more aware of the importance of education.

“We would like the children here to be able to read, at the very least. Since the pre-school was opened last year, some of them have learnt to do so and we are proud to see the progress they are making,” he added

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?

“Hey, have you been to bing cheng located within the vicinity of ParkCity Commerce square?

“ya, I really like to travel there. The food there is sooo niceee! Last time when we were there, my dad came back with 3pounds heavier!”

“er…not that bing cheng, it’s Ice City, ”

“hahahaha…” I can only laugh to cover my embarrassment.

I mistakenly thought my friend was talking about another bing cheng which is Penang in Chinese. Oh my. That’s how I first heard of Ice City

in Bintulu. After the first visit, I find my friends and I keep yearning of it whenever the weather is scorching hot. The ambience is comfy and homely.

Sausages, French Fries and Chicken burger that make up Set B is highly recommended by my friends while French Fries gets a thumb up from me. I think they sprinkle pepper and spices on the French Fries which make them taste so yummy. We ordered the second plate of that after finishing the first one.

The pricing range is from RM4.80 – RM8.00 which is actually very reasonable and affordable especially for us being a student.(the ice is a bit overpriced i would say. overall the place is nice, food so-so but the ice is still acceptable).

I have seen many teenagers sitting in this café sipping and chatting away in a bunch. A place to bond your friendship I can say.

Just imagine, Outside is searing hot and you are staying indoors in an air-conditioned closure having snowy ice filled in your mouth…

Em…the feeling is indefinable and you got to find out yourself.

Permaidani Tebingan Boyan-Gersik-Sourabay will be one of the most attractive places to Sarawak visitor after the launch on this March 2009 of this high rated food court which is still under construction and will be completed by this end of February 2009.

The premises which was located just opposite with the City of Kuching can be access by land through PJ road and also by 'Penambang'(Small Boat) that will cost you as low as RM0.50! And the premises will be open for sale all local food such as, Laksa Sarawak, Sea food, etc. By delevoping this project, it shall open up the new image for those nearby villager as the modern and opened area.

Visitor also have a chance to get a great view of Kuching City during the night time..very nice.. Let the picture story everything.. :)

Sarawakian may know Kapit by word only, and some of non local Kapit are less info about this place. Kapit is one of the smallest city that i know la.. Till now the main transport to get their is by express boat, that u can get it from Sarikei Port or Sibu Port.

Kapit Division is a mountainous region mostly (80%) covered by dense primary forests. Low lying plains are found in Sungai Tunoh, Sungai Melinau, Sungai Tiau, Sungai Mujong, Nanga Merit and Nanga Lajan areas.

Undulating low hills are also found in areas between Bakun Resettlement Scheme in Sungai Asap and Tabau.

From Sibu, you can start travelling to Kapit and Belaga. There is no road and air access to Kapit. The town is accessible only by fast riverboats (locally called express boats) plying between Sibu, Song and Kapit. The services start as early as 0545 (from Sibu) / 0640 (from Kapit) and end at 1430 (from Sibu) / 1515 (from Kapit) daily. The express boats berth at Sibu Express Boat Terminal beside Rejang Esplanade. The one-way fares for Sibu-Song trip are between RM17.00-RM20.00 and for Sibu-Kapit trip, the fares are between RM20.00-RM40.00.











Express Boat

Passenger Express Vessel Daily Operation Schedule Sibu/Song/Kapit

No. Vessel ETD (Sibu) ETA (Song) ETA (Kapit) Passenger Capacity Remarks 1. Asian Vision 0545 0745 0845 94 2. Success Vision 0615 0815 0915 90 3. Wah Wah No.3 0700 0900 1000 76 4. Sarawak Boleh 168 730 - 1015 131 Direct 5. Khai Kiong Express 0830 1030 1130 85 6. Kapit Boleh 268 0930 1130 1230 96 7. Bahagia 2002 1000 1200 1300 97 8. Husqvarna Kita 1045 1245 1345 60 9. Wawasan Kapit 1145 1345 1445 100 10. Sibu Boleh 168 1230 - 1515 96 Direct 11. Public Express 95 1300 1500 1600 114 12. Bahagia 2020 1345 1545 1645 104 13. Good Success 818 1430 1700 1815 96

Passenger Express Vessel Daily Operation Schedule Kapit/Song/Sibu

No. Vessel ETD (Kapit) ETA (Song) ETA (Sibu) Passenger Capacity Remarks 1. Wawasan Kapit 0640 0725 0925 100 2. Public Express 95 0715 0800 1000 114 3. Sibu Boleh 168 0730 - 1000 96 Direct 4. Good Success 818 0800 0845 1045 96 5. Bahagia 2020 0900 0945 1145 104 6. Asian Vision 0930 - 1200 94 Direct 7. Success Vision 1030 1115 1315 90 8. Wah Wah No.3 1130 1215 1415 76 9. Sarawak Boleh 168 1230 - 1500 131 Direct 10. Khai Kiong Express 1315 1400 1600 85 11. Bahagia 2002 1345 1430 1630 97 12. Kapit Boleh 268 1415 - 1645 96 Direct 13. Husqvarna Kita 1515 1600 1800 60

Passenger Express Vessel Daily Operation Schedule Kapit/Belaga

No. Vessel ETD ETA Passenger Capacity Remarks 1. Bakun Mas No.3 / Bakun Mas No.4 / Burung Mas 5 / Burung Mas 8 / Kawan Mas 0900 1430 64 Only one vessel departs daily

Passenger Express Vessel Daily Operation Schedule Belaga/Kapit

No. Vessel ETD ETA Passenger Capacity Remarks 1. Bakun Mas No.3 / Bakun Mas No.4 / Burung Mas 5 / Burung Mas 8 / Kawan Mas 0730 1230 64 Only one vessel departs dailyily

What's Attract Kapit

There are few most attractive place when u planning to go to Kapit,
The place are as follows.. you may click to the link below for more details

1. Belaga
2. Fort Sylvia
3. Handicrafts Shop
4. Iban Tattoo Studio
5. Kapit Museum
6. Longhouse Tour
7. Pelagus Resort
8. Rumah Lulut Homestay
9. Sebabai Park
10. Teresang Market
    

The best memory that i never forget is when i was in medical trip jobs. During that time i was helping my oldest brother to finished his studied about soil virus, we both staying every single longhouse in Kapit for a period of 2month!!!, taking all blood sample for his study. From that particular time, i get myself to learned and to get know everything they have. They bring me fishing, collect some Durian, and what really surprissed me that one of the family long house member at age of 11-years-old boy owned a porcupine with weigth of 3kg(very big!!!) as his Pet!! wow.. 1st time i saw it i was too afraid of it.. wonder if the porcupine shot me by its torn!!!



The cool thing about Kapit is, even this place were far from big city like Sibu or Kuching, they got their own website and that showed Kapit is not 'DI ANAKTIRIKAN' in Sarawak development. You may click to the link for more details about Kapit. All information were there, just a click away! ... >>> Go To Kapit Now!!! <<<

Have a nice trip guys!

P/s - Once u visit there u will know how cool it was.. even ur mind set ala... sama la di kampung aku.. hahaha.. no no.. this is diferent. Totally different.