Beauties on board....Sarawak Boleh 168

Happenings in Central Region in 2008

Baleh Kapit Raft Safari 2008
Date : 19 - 20 April 2008
Venue : Rg Gare, Sg Kain & Rh Milang, Sg Sepaku, Kapit
Organiser: Kapit Resident Office
Tel: 084-796242 Fax: 084 - 796932
Website: www.kapitro.sarawak.gov.my

Mukah Kaul Festival 2008
Date: 24 - 27 April 2008
Venue: Pantai Kuala Dana, Mukah
Organiser: Mukah Resident Office
Tel: 084 - 872596 Fax: 084 - 873408
Website: www.mukahro.sarawak.gov.my

Borneo Cultural Festival 2008
Date: 27 June to 5 July 2008
Venue: Sibu Town Square, Sibu
Organiser: Sibu Municipal Council
Tel: 084 - 333411 Fax: 084 - 320240
Website: www.sibu.gov.my

Tips for visiting Iban longhouse

SOME IBAN PHRASES
· Aku I
· Kami or kita We
· Nuan You
· Selamat pagi Good Morning
· Selamat tengahari Good Afternoon
· Selamat malam Good Night
· Selamat tinggal Good bye
· Ari ni penatai nuan? Where are you from?
· Siapa nama nuan? What is your name?
· Berapa pintu kita serumah ditu?
How many doors (meaning families) do you have in the house?
· Sapa Tuai Rumah kita ditu?
Who is the Headman of your longhouse?
· Tau aku ngambi gambar nuan?May I have your photograph taken, please?
· Berapa umur nuan? How old are you?
· Ulih aku nanya nuan? Can I ask you something?

SOME DO’s AND DONT’s
· Wear flat shoes and wear suitable clothing
· Take off your foot-wear before sitting on the mat in the longhouse.
· Ask for water for washing if you need it.
· Do not stretch your legs when sitting on a mat. If you have to do so for one reason or another, ask for a permission from your host. This also applies during meal time.
· Do not spit, or blow your nose, or utter anything vulgar during meal time.
· Do not feel shy but be at home with your host, particularly at meal time.
· The more you talk or the more questions you ask, the happier would be your host.
· Do not hesitate to ask for any information that you would like to know e.g. the Iban way of Life, customs or traditions.
· Do not hesitate to try speaking a phrase or two in Iban language. This will give your host an impression that you feel at home. The more you feel at home the more you can learn about the people.

Sibu Civic Centre's Heritage Mini Museum

An exhibit includes the early beginnings of Sibu, the coming of early Chinese migrants from the various dialect groups and also those of the ealiest ethnic tribes. Several section of the museum had been renovated to resemble the homes of some of the ethnic tribes, with mannequins fully dressed in traditional costumes. From the Iban longhouse where genuine skulls are hung, reflecting the tribes’ warrior past to the seafaring Melanaus’ tools and early signs of Malay culture, this is a must see for visitors. Another very impressive feature in this museum is the nice collection of Chinese porcelain and clay vase. These vases, some of which carries with them great sentimental value to the owners, are by far the most tangible link, which the Chinese here have with Imperial China. From time to time, new exhibits are added to give variety. This is when visitors can get to among others, view stuffed rare animals from around the world and those found in the heart of Borneo, such as the moon rat, the rhinoceros hornbill or even the gigantic Orang Utan.

Chiang Chuan Garden, Sibu

This newest garden is poised to attract visitors with its many uniques features. Located at the riverfront near the famed Tua Pek Kong Temple, its farthest point is some 50 meters from the river’s retaining wall. The garden walls are inscribed with carving and statues of early Chinese settlers and instruments they had brought with them from China. Three expert carvers from Fujian Province were specially employed to add the finishing touches to the Garden. Its attractive features include two pavilions and a path, named Nine-Bend Walk, which is 75 meters long and a perfect place to unwind amid the cool river air and two Moongates, booth emblazoned with dragons and others Chinese zodiac signs.

From a humble beginning of barter trading with the indigenous people, Chiang Chuan clansmen expended their trading network to the rest on the Rejang Basin with someeven spreading as far as Kuching and Singapore. The Chiang Chuang Garden is built as a mark of respect and a reflection of the pride Chiang Chuan members have for those pioneers.

The Seven-Storey Goodes of Mercy's Pagoda

An attraction in its own rights, the Pagoda is part of the Tua Pek Kong Temple, which was particularly destroyed by bombs during the Second World War, Just ask for the key to the Pagoda from the temple guards and you can climb up to see levels after levels of the various aspects of Buddhism. From the top level, you will also get a panoramic view of the town and a breathtaking sight of Malaysia’s longest river during sunset.

There is also a stage next to Pagoda serving as the venue for Chinese operas or local activities.

Lin's Garden

Meanwhile, The Lin Clan Association has voluntarily built the RM200,000 swan structure at the Sibu Gateway. Since the completion of the project, locals and visitors have been flocking to this mini park.

What is special about this park is its artistic features. The 12 Chinese zodiac are built round the structure to guard “the swan”. There are concrete benches for visitors while they admire the three-storey high swan.

Kutien Memorial Garden, Sibu

The Sibu Kutien Associaton, participating in the joint government-private sectors beautification programme, championed by Sibu Municipal Council, had in 2004, adopted Bukit Lima Garden at Jalan Lanang and turned it into Kutien Memorial Park. It not only provides an avenue for leisure and recreational activities but the association’s history is engraved in a special monument in the Park so that future generations would know their origin. The Park is specially dedicated to the Kutien clansmen for their role in helping in the development of Sarawak, and the country as a whole.

The kutien Clan, originally known as Sibu, Kutien Association, was founded in 1928, as a overseas branch of the School Board of Kutien Secondary School in Kutien County of Fukien Province in China, The association;s duties were to manage rubber estates and collect donations from the clansmen concerned with the estate of education back in China.

A total of 114 clansmen donated RM11,170 to the association for purchasing a 44-acre rubber estate at Ho Choon Guan. Profit derived from the estate were used for education purposes.

According to the engravings on the monuments, the Kutien County was the highest learning institution in China.

Rajang Esplanade & Hii's Association Playground

The Esplanade, the first in the State was set up in 1996. Measuring about a kilometer in length, it will be developed as part of overall Sibu’s Marina Development. The World’s Hii’s Convention in 2002, set up a children’s playground in response to the local government’s call for more local participation in the greening of Sibu.

The perfect venue to watch the interesting scenery of the Rajang from beautiful sunset, the passing vessels, the splashing waves or simply enjoying a favorite drink at one of the drinking outlets. This garden can lay claim to being the first community park here when it was completed in 2000. And due to its huge popularity, nine other parks have sprouted.

The garden was built to commemorate the first ever World Hii Convention held here in 2000 and attended by over 1,000 delegates throughout the world. Penang’s Chief Minister, Dato’ Seri Dr Koh Tsu Koon, flew in to officially open the garden before the start of the convention proper. The garden was built in recognition of the Hii Clan, numbering about 20,000 from 40 families.

Bukit Aup Jubli Park

Taman Jubli Bukit Aup located about 5 kilometer from Wong Nai Siong Memorial Garden. Its nationally acclaimed park carved out of a mining pool has won awards after awards at the national level. It features an Iban burial ground, recreational facilities and suspension bridge and is among the favourite spots for locals to unwind. In its vicinity are also a few Iban longhouses where inhabitants happily welcome you to sample their way of life in a natural setting.

Bukit Aup is considered a scared place by the indigenous people of Borneo especially among the Dayaks. According to them, their ancestor descended from Bukit Aup and this would also be the place where they will do in their after life.

Naga Bari, a beautiful Iban Princess, was once regarded as the guardian of Bukit Aup. Her beauty enchanted the local folks. At the mid slope of Bukit Aup was once a stream that flowed into a scared pool, still remains to this day. If you are lucky, you may see Naga Bari bathing in the pool in the early morning. This Naga Bari pool ia believed to help any couple wishing to conceive (bear a child).

There were once six tombs at the top of Bukit Aup. The tombs were believe to belong to some Iban warriors. Those warriors, together with Naga Bari, had been protecting the community of the area in the early days. However, the tombs have since been removed to a nearby longhouse during the development of Jubilee Park.

Bukit Aup is associated with good spirit. Some Iban will come here and perform some rituals during the harvest festival. They perform the thanks-giving ritual of “miring” with offerings being made to Naga Bari. Bukit Aup is widely recognized all over Borneo for its mystical power for good fortune and health. Blessed are those who set foot in Bukit Aup.

World Fuzhou Herritage Gallery

Fuzhou is a provincial capital of Fujian Province in China. Fujian Province in short is called Min and also known as Ban Min. Fuzhou is an ancient city that has 2200-year of glorous past. This area is blessed with a favourable climate, rich resources and talents and is our acntral homeland. In the past, Fuzhou was called Ye Cheng and was a t different times known as Wu Zhu Cheng, Min Du, Zuo Hai, He Sha, San Shan or Rong Cheng. But it is generally acknowledged as the “Cultural City by the Sea”. Under the old governance, it was divided into 10 districts and under the jurisdiction of the Fuzhou Prefecture. They were Min Hou, Fu Qing, Chang Le, Lian Jiang, Luo Yuan, Min Qing, Yong Tai, Gu Tian, Ping Nang and Pin Tan.

In the middle of May, 1990, the descendents their forefathers were from these 10 districts officially founded the World Federation of Foochow Association Limited in Singapore, an organization outside of mainland China. Sibu also known as New Fuzhou is the place where in 19901, Wong Nai Siong led the pioneers from these 10 Fuzhou districts founded the Settlement. There was a Fuzhou clan organization formed the Settlement. There was a Fuzhou clan organization formed in Sibu as early as 1902 and this is the oldest Fuzhou clan organization in the world. Therefore, the New Fuzhou Settlement has the most histories significance among all the overseas Fuzhou clan associations and also is where the Fuzhou culture is preserved and handed down.

For this reason, the World Federation of Foochow Association Limited decided to site association permanent premise within the “Sibu Foochow Settlement Centenary Memorial Buildings” and made financial contribution from the collected funds. It occupies an area 3,000 square feet. In co-operation with the Sibu Foochow Association, the premise is named as the “World Fuzhou Cultural Centre”, a place for the Fuzhou descendents to recognize and identify with their own culture.

In restrospect, it is a pensive moment to think of the pioneers who founded the Settlement. They ploughed through the thorny forest in beating rain and biting storm to lay the foundation for today’s prosperity. History and culture are designated as the two main themes of the Centre in rememberance of their rough pioneering encounter and also not forgetting their contribution. The collections displayed here, be it ordinary or refine artifacts all bear a strong Fuzhou context. The exhibited objects are closely-linked to the Settlement history and all of them exhibit the Fuzhou unique quality of perseverance and courage which is the essence of the Settlement.

The Centre has five displaying sections namely: The Pioneers and The Settlement, Traditional and Culture of the People, 100 Years of Turbulent, The Innovative Fuzhou and the Valuables. This would avail the visitors a glimpse of the immense Fuzhou culture.

Selfless dedication and passion of the Fuzhou countrymen enabled the successful setting up the Cultural Centre. Their contribution and good works shall always be remembered together with this Centre and the Settlement.

Wong Nai Siong Memorial Garden

A ten- minute ride from the heart of Sibu will bring you to this memorial garden right next to the Red River, where Foochow pioneers first set foot and change the landscape of Sibu. See for yourselves how this landing point has developed into a quaint bazaar and learn of the struggles of the early Foochows in this part of the world.

This site of Wong Nai Siong’s first landing in Sibu has enhanced the satellite town’s aesthetics ambiance. Extremely popular with visitors is the Sungei Merah Heritage Walk, just next to the park. It offers an opportunity to reminisce the history of the place. One thing unique about Sungei Merah is its colour, changing from dark red to yellowish brown, depending on the weather.

A “Wong Nai Siong Memorial Park” was built and the memorial depicting the 100-year struggle and growth of Foochow settlement was put up.

Wong Nai Siong was born in the Couty of Ming-Ching of Fujian Province, China. He left mainland China for Nanyang due to the chaotic condition in China. His signing an agreement with the second Rajah of Sarawak enabled him to establish a Foochow settlement in Sibu. All in all he helped to bring in over a thousand Foochow pioneers from China.

Born on 25th July 1849, Kang-Chu passed away on 22nd September 1924. To commemorate the Centenary Celebration of Foochow settlement in Sibu, this statue of Kang-Chu (at World Fuzhou Heritage Gallery) was built in hounour and in rememberance of him.

All the beauties posing on the cruise and inside the cruise

The beauties at the Iban longhouse and posing in front of Sibu Central Market

Feature writing by Mr Johnson Yong from United Daily News

Sibu in the eyes of the world and its been selected as a venue for Miss Tourism Pageant 2007 final round. On Sunday 25 November 2007, 25 beauty pageant from 25 countries was having breakfast at Sibu Central Market. Their tight schedule never stop them to enjoy the unique culture of Sibu. The beauties was very impressed with the local food and they realy enjoy the morning program especially the market tour. On the afternoon, the group was proceed by cruise to visit Iban longhouse in Bawang Assan area,Sibu.

The organiser have line up various activities including charity program for this beauty queen.

They will visiting some of the places of interest in Kuching, Miri and Mukah. The final round will held at RH Hotel Sibu.

Welcome to Sibu, The Gateway to Central Region Sarawak, Malaysia. Swan is the icon of Sibu. The graceful swan on the Rajang Riverside esplanade is an ancient Chinese symbol of good fortune and health, an auspicious omen for a community living in harmony, peace and goodwill. A swan is said to have been fed by the townsfolk of Sibu, long ago, even when they themselves were starving. The grateful bird showed them how to extract edible starch from wildsago to end the famine-one good turn deserves another.

Welcome to Rudy Paradise

Welcome to my memories paradise. Glad to share with you all my memories in the land of mighty Rejang River. This is the first day i create my blog with help of my friend Mr Johnson. If you can read Chinese please log in to his blog at yongsun101.blogspot.com. He got plenty of stories to share with you outside there. Stay tune and there will be more to come. Be patient......cheers