VOL.58 OCT-DEC 2020
Charming Sarawak Sematan
- whenever you’re ready Take the stress and worries out of travelling. Hornbill Skyways private jet charters guarantee a more comfortable and hassle-free travel, at any time convenient to you. www.hornbillskyways.com
HEAD OFFICE (KUCHING) North Pan Hangar, Kuching International Airport, 93250 Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia. T: +60 82 455 737 (8 Lines) F: +60 82 455 736 REGIONAL OFFICE (MIRI) Miri International Airport, P.O. Box 1702, 98008 Miri, Sarawak, Malaysia. T: +60 85 611 066 F: +60 85 614 066
Yang Berhormat Datuk Haji Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Sarawak & Minister of Youth and Sports Sarawak
Renewed
HOPE
It has been a very challenging year for all of us in the tourism industry in Sarawak, such as it has been everywhere around the world. But let us not look back at the past and think instead about the future. Sarawak is in the midst of rebooting its tourism sector, which is one of the most important contributors to
Venture into the Melanau Heartland – Mukah. See gorgeous sites in and along the way to Kampung Sting. Experience the magic of Silabur Cave, dubbed Avatar Cave by some. You can visit and experience all these wonderful places, now at up to half of the original prices.
our State economy. And as such, many efforts have been taken by my Ministry, Sarawak Tourism Board
Besides these wonderful destinations highlighted in
(STB) and all the tourism industry players towards the
STB’s ‘Sia Sitok Sarawak’ campaign, holidaymakers
revitalisation of our tourism industry, and I am happy
are also encouraged to visit many other attractions
to see everyone working hand in hand to get through
in Sarawak, well known as well as those located off
these troubled times.
the beaten path. But of course, all must be done while observing SOPs that are in place, just to be
To entice holidaymakers to come back to our
sure. You can also pick up BorneoTalk magazine, or
many places of attraction and tourism hotspots
visit their website borneotalk.com, and social media
beginning with intra-state, STB introduced its ‘Sia Sitok Sarawak’ campaign that offers up to 50% discount off selected destinations, tours and activities in Kuching, Sibu, Mukah, Bintulu, Miri
platform (FB, Instagram, YouTube) for ideas on where to visit next. BorneoTalk does not only offer articles on our tourism destinations, but also where to go for food, gifts and cultural experiences.
and Mulu. These include daytrips, non-overnight tours as well as multiple-day trips complete with accommodation and meals. These are great
I am confident that with the uniqueness and diversity we have to offer to tourists, along
packages that allow you to stretch your feet, let
with continued efforts to actively promote our
your hair down and just enjoy a holiday right in
destinations and tourism products, Sarawak
our own backyard.
tourism will be up and running at full capacity again very soon.
This is the perfect opportunity for you to go on a discovery of wonderful local attractions at
Last but most definitely not least, I would like to
reasonable prices. And Sarawak has plenty of those.
take this opportunity to wish everyone a very Merry
Enjoy a golden sunset on board Sarawak River
Christmas and Happy New Year. Here’s to “renewed
Sunset Cruise from the Kuching Waterfront. Go
hopes” for 2021, where Sarawak tourism will be
dolphin-spotting on the Irrawaddy Dolphin Cruise in
more focussed, energised and ready to offer the
Santubong. Explore Tanjung Datu National Park.
best experiences yet. Enjoy discovering Sarawak!
Oct-Dec2020BorneoTalk | 3
Roxy Sematan
Live the life of the beach at
Come and discover a fantastic oceanfront escape at the one and only Roxy Sematan Canopi. Built along an alluring goldensandy beach that disappears into the beautiful azure waters of the South China Sea, Roxy Sematan Canopi is an idyllic destination for a tropical beach holiday.
This intimate beach retreat, officially opened in March 2019, values the privacy of its guests, therefore boasting only five exotic ‘Canopis’ and 10 urban ‘Tentainers’.
Each one of the ‘canopis’ offers generous space, with two fabulously chic hammocks perfect for sundowners. One of the ‘canopi’ rooms at Roxy Sematan Canopi
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Roxy Sematan
Roxy Villa swimming pool
Roxy Villa
Aerial view of ROXY Sematan
Roxy Sematan Canopi
Set in the heart of the resort’s focal point, Cha Cha Moon restaurant is caressed by the cooling sea breeze, which carries the tantalising scent of seafood dishes from the kitchen. It sets the perfect tone for a Sarawak culinary journey on a lovely terrace overlooking the ocean. The sunrise and sunset are not to be missed, especially with panorama being the main highlight of this beachside resort.
ROXY Sematan Villa
Whether you are looking for an intimate oasis for emotional wellbeing or a romantic beach getaway, Roxy Sematan Canopi will whisk you away on a journey of discovery and relaxation. Here, one can enjoy activities like E-Bike, scooter, volleyball, and a boat ride that takes you to the secluded Talang-Talang Islands.
The first phase of the ROXY-branded residences feature 68 units, complete with a sexy swimming pool at the ritzy new villa. Conveniently located near Roxy Sematan Canopi, going to the beach from the Villa is a breeze.
With rates starting from only RM200 per night including breakfast, there really is no excuse to delay your #RaonRaonSarawak holiday trip to Roxy Sematan Canopi.
Once the Pan Borneo Highway is complete, travelling time from Kuching to Sematan will be cut by one hour, making ROXY Sematan the perfect address outside of Kuching City for those seeking elegant spaces and utmost privacy.
ROXY Sematan Villa is a lush and luxurious new property you will be proud to call home. Tecktonic and Sons, the Kuching-based property developer for ROXY Sematan Villa has created amazing residences that offer luxury and comfort, within close proximity to the gorgeous Sematan shoreline.
For room reservations, please call Roxy Hotel at +60 82 241 414 roxyhotelkuching.com.my/roxy-sematan-canopi/. For Property enquiries, please contact Tecktonic & Sons Holdings Sdn Bhd at Sublot 30, Jalan Datuk Tawi Sli, 3rd Exchange Commercial Centre, 93250 Kuching, Sarawak. +60 82 572 414 @tecktonicandsons Oct-Dec2020BorneoTalk | 5
21 - 23 October 2020, Singapore
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Roxy Sematan 4 #Raonraonsarawak 8-37 News 39 Lifestyle 42-49 Heart Of Borneo 50 Museum 52-55 Webinar 56 Food 58-65 ArtS & Culture 66-71 Library 72-77 Hotel 6,32,38,40,78 People 46 & 79 Health 80 Borneotalk BorneoTalk is published since 2006 by Bumi Serasi. The contents of the magazine may not be reprinted or reproduced without prior written permission. The publisher is not liable for statements made and opinions expressed in the publication.
Editorial Team Editor-In-Chief Ivy Pan Editor Lester Geres Marketing Ashley Pan, Ivy Pan Administration Ajariah Umar, Nur Hazimah Contributors S C Goh, Farihah Fuaad, Samuel Langgi, Dr Nur Hazrina binti Iskandar, Dr. Selva Kumar Design & Art Direction ST.Y Photography Lester Geres, Ashley Pan, David Joseph, Farihah Fuaad, STB, Tourism Malaysia, STIDC, KPJ Miri, KPJ Sibu, PUSTAKA, Sarawak Forest Department, Sarawak Forestry Corporation, Hornbill Skyways, Sarawak Museum Department, Shawn Chai, Tecktonic & Sons Holdings Sdn Bhd, Freepik, Social Media Front Cover Image Charming Sarawak - ROXY Sematan Printer BHS Book Printing Sdn Bhd, Lot 4, Lorong CJ 1/1/B, Kawasan Perindustrian Cheras Jaya, 43200 Cheras, Selangor, Malaysia. Winner of 4th Sarawak Hornbill Tourism Award 2009/2010 and 5th Sarawak Hornbill Tourism Award 2011/2012 for outstanding media contribution. BorneoTalk magazine is a publication audited by The Audit Bureau of Circulations (Malaysia) Write to us at BorneoTalk, 242E, Lorong Green No. 3, Jalan Green, 93150 Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia. T: +60 82 427 423, 238 968 F: +60 82 235 152 E: ivypan.bumiserasi@gmail.com The next issue of BorneoTalk will be out in January 2021. John 3: 16-17
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Teluk Serabang
#RaonRaonSarawak
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#RaonRaonSarawak
Approximately 134/136 kilometres away from Kuching City (depending on which route you take) lies Teluk Serabang beach. It is a stretch of sandy beach near the tip of Borneo, where the sand is powdery gold, the surrounding is lush and green, and the water is a beautiful blue.
The beach is located in the village of Teluk Serabang, Lundu, and is easily accessible via AskSuri Beach Guesthouse & Café just by the beach itself. It offers an escape from your daily routine and is an ideal pick for your #RaonRaonSarawak weekend travel plans.
Road less travelled Getting to Teluk Serabang involves a journey of approximately 2hrs 30mins from Kuching City, on familiar routes and then onto roads less travelled. For a bit of adventure, we recommend taking the Matang route, which will take you to Rambungan Ferry jetty at Jalan Selang. The journey to the ferry jetty takes 45 minutes, over 37.6km. Driving along this route is for the most part pure joy, especially if you love road trips. With little traffic along the way, it’s great to just put your car on cruise control so you can rest your foot, except when you need to step on the brakes. You might also want to turn off the radio and just enjoy a smooth and quiet drive. Once you are out of the city area, the views along the way get more interesting and oftentimes calming. You will be surrounded by trees, bushes and hills, and the occasional advertisement boards on the roadside to advertise nearby beverage stalls and local restaurants. Here the road demands more attentive driving before you can finally rest your feet again once you reach the scenic road that leads all the way to Telok Melano.
Go with the flow Forty-five minutes later at the Rambungan Ferry jetty, you will need to drive your car onto the ferry, which will take you across the Rambungan River to Sempadi Terminus on Jalan Sampadi. The fare is a minimal RM1 – a very small price to pay for a bit of excitement thrown into your #RaonRaonSarawak experience. It’s a short trip to the other side of the river, but since you are required to exit your vehicle while travelling on the ferry, you can take the opportunity to admire the view outside and maybe take some pictures/selfies. Once you arrive on the other side of the river, rows of stalls where local merchants sell titbits and cold beverages under colourful parasols are just begging to be explored.
So drive off the ferry, park your car at the side of the road for a few minutes, grab something to munch or drink and just enjoy the fresh air. If you need the loo, there are makeshift lavatories near the terminus.
Refreshing views From Sempadi Terminus, continue your journey along Jalan Sampadi. This stretch of hilly road provides a pleasant drive, with lots of greenery on both sides and mountain views in the distance as you approach the bridge that crosses Sungai Ahong. If you have time, make a stop at Kampung Sampadi just before the bridge, about 15km away from the terminus (about 17 minutes’ drive). You can see the junction into Kampung Sampadi on your right, about five minutes after you drive past Kem Bina Negara Sampadi. There’s a jetty near the village’s clinic, from which local fishermen head out on fishing trips. The muddy shores under the jetty teems with life, mostly small fiddler crabs with their oversized pincers on one side, and peculiar looking mudskippers with neon blue dots along their slimy bodies. Several feet from the jetty, a signboard warns everyone of the presence of crocodiles in the river. Facing the river is a row of stalls where local fishmongers and vendors market their products for both locals and visitors. They may not sound like much but sometimes travelling is about the little things that you discover along the way.
Onwards to Teluk Serabang Teluk Serabang beach is another 80.5km, or approximately 1hr 11mins left from Kampung Sampadi. At the “Selamat Datang Ke Sematan/Lundu” sign about 27 minutes later, turn left and make your way to Sematan. Drive a further 22.1km (25 minutes) until you see SMK Sematan secondary school. You will be driving on uneven roads along this route, past oil palm plantations and numerous villages along the way. At the time this article was written, road upgrading works Oct-Dec2020BorneoTalk | 9
#RaonRaonSarawak
Telok Melano is another popular attraction in the area
were being carried out along the route, so the drive was not super smooth. But then again, that is all part of a #RaonRaonSarawak experience. Make a left at the junction just before the school. From there, it is just another 29km (21 mins) left until you reach your destination. And from this point on, the drive is just splendid. You will be greeted by breathtaking views of evergreen hills and blue skies, and the road is so smooth that the drive becomes so enjoyable. Chances are there will be little to no traffic at all. Bliss!
Secluded beach The junction into Kampung Telok Serabang will be on your right. Make your turn and drive on until you reach another junction. Take a right and drive straight past some houses in the village until you see the beach up ahead. Next to an open area where you can park is AskSuri Beach Guesthouse & Café, where beachgoers have the option of spending the night there and join in the various activities offered at AskSuri.
Take the Rambungan ferry for a bit of adventure
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While the guesthouse is the nearest access point to the beach, it is also separated from the beach by water. Fret not. There is a wooden bridge that connects AskSuri’s café and the beach. The bridge is also great for photos, selfies or wefies. At low tide, you can see a cast of fiddler crabs hanging out under the bridge, along with some mudskippers and schools of small fish. Teluk Serabang beach is quite secluded though very famous especially with families looking to spend a relaxing day at the beach on the weekend. The beach, with its golden sand, disappears into the sea at high tide, but is seemingly endless when the water is low. But low tide presents a different photo opportunity for those who are looking for cool shots for their ‘Gram, with a mirror effect when the light is just right. Fishing boats stranded on the beach also make cool photographs for your Flickr account. In the distance, there is a rock formation with shrubs growing on it. The locals call it “Batu Berjambul”. It is usually partly submerged, but at low tide, you can literally walk right up to it.
Picnic huts for rent at Teluk Serabang beach
AskSuri Beach Guesthouse & Café
#RaonRaonSarawak
Activities galore There are several activities to enjoy at Teluk Serabang beach, such as kayaking, beach volleyball and of course swimming! If you prefer relaxing activities, there is a wooden watchtower on the beach, from which you can enjoy the scenery from a higher vantage point. You can also sit on a large swing just next to the watchtower and enjoy the sea breeze. The swing, that can comfortably fit two persons, screams Instagram! Go under the cluster of shady trees nearby, where wooden picnic huts can be rented if you wish to have a barbecue by the beach. The grassy picnic grounds are also perfect for camp-outs. Pitch a tent, build a campfire, and enjoy a fun time sleeping under the stars, waking up the next day to the sounds of waves crashing onto shore. Imagine that!
Nearby attractions If you do decide to spend the night, be sure to check out some places of interest nearby either during your stay or on your way back from Teluk Serabang beach. The nearest attraction is Telok Melano, a must-visit also for its beautiful beach and it being kilometre zero – the starting point of the Pan-Borneo Highway project. It’s just four minutes away from Teluk Serabang beach and is a famous weekend hotspot in the area. While you’re in Telok Melano, do not miss out on the popular Bakso Bom from one of the food stalls near the beach. You can also visit the small town of Sematan, famous for its beaches and fresh seafood. Otherwise, head to Lundu, about an hour away from Teluk Serabang beach. This town is famous for its fresh seafood as well. Here, you can buy some locally made keropok for the trip back home. If you have the time and energy, head to Gunung Gading National Park for a hike to one of seven waterfalls at the park. Check https://gading.my/ to find out when is the best time to visit the park for a chance to see the rafflesia flower in bloom. If you choose to visit Lundu, take Jalan Stunggang Melayu Baru, which will take you directly to Batang Kayan Bridge. At the end of the road before you drive up to the bridge, there is a cluster of small wooden shops selling local titbits including keropok (fish, prawn, or cuttlefish crackers) and local kuih. The coconut shake from the stall at the end of the cluster of stalls is extremely refreshing!
Time well spent
Now that you’ve had your fun at the beach, visited places on roads less travelled and supported local businesses by buying some munchies from their stalls, it’s time to hit the road, cross the Batang Kayan Bridge and make your way back home. And if you like, you can always come back for more sand, sun, and sea at Teluk Serabang beach.
Telok Melano Beach
How’s that for #RaonRaonSarawak? Teluk Serabang beach is certainly an ideal pick for a short getaway. But besides that, all the other things you discover and experience along the way make your trip to Teluk Serabang even more worthwhile.
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#RaonRaonSarawak
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#RaonRaonSarawak
Sree Jadamuniwaran Temple
Standing on the slopes of the pristine Mount Matang in Kuching is the earliest known Hindu temple in Sarawak, the Sri Maha Mariamman temple. Also known as Matang Temple, it was established in 1867 and is thought to be the only Hindu temple in Southeast Asia dedicated to the goddess Sri Maha Mariamman that is built out of ironwood. The temple has been relatively
Colourful stairs leading to Sri Maha Marimman Temple
unknown among most of Sarawak’s nonHindus. But that is changing as more visitors from all walks of life are coming to hike a distance of 3km to get to this temple.
Oct-Dec2020BorneoTalk | 13
#RaonRaonSarawak
Canopy of Mount Matang
Historical ties to Matang Coffee Estate The history of Sri Maha Mariamman temple goes way back to the arrival of Sarawak’s Indian forefathers on the second half of the 19th century. They were coffee and tea plantation workers recruited from South India and Sri Lanka, brought to work for Sir Charles Brooke’s Matang Coffee Estate plantations on the mountain slope. Over time, more settlers from Sri Lanka and South India were brought into Sarawak, until eventually the number of Tamil plantation workers accumulated to around of 2,000 people. The early settlers, who were predominantly Hindu, found
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no place to worship here at the time. So, they got together to build the Sri Maha Mariamman Temple in the Coffee Estate. According to historical records, the initial crop of Arabica coffee at Matang Coffee Estate was a failure. Because of this, a second species, Liberica coffee was introduced and planted in the 1870s. Unlike Arabica, Liberica adapted better to the climate and topography of Sarawak, resulting in a productive yield. At the peak of the estate’s success, there were about 1,000 ethnic Indians working here.
#RaonRaonSarawak
Lost for half a century The plantation was eventually closed down due to unknown reasons in 1912. Some of the workers went back to their home country while the rest decided to stay and make Sarawak their new homeland. And the temple? It was abandoned and passed out of all knowledge for more than 50 years. Then, a native hunter named Abi Benggali rediscovered it in 1967 while he was seeking shelter in the ruins of the ironwood temple during a thunderstorm. Inside, Abi found an elephant statue, which he took home and brought back to the temple the following day. After catching word of Abi’s discovery, the Hindu community in Kuching quickly made their way to the site. Much to their surprise, they beheld a dilapidated temple whose walls and roofs were covered in forest creepers after decades of abandonment. Had it not been built out of ironwood, the harsh weather and the wild growths of the rainforest would have completely ruined its structures beyond recognition. A great place for a leisure hike
Since then, much effort has been put by the Sarawakian Indian community into restoring the building to its original condition - keeping its structure intact. Craftsmen from India were brought in to carve intricate designs onto the ironwood walls, doors, pillars, statues, and furnishings of the temple. Sri Maha Mariamman Temple was officially reopened on Dec 4, 1970.
Steady hike to the temple To reach Matang Temple, one needs to hike 3km up Mount Matang. The trail’s path has a clear access, because it is an actual tar sealed road wide enough to fit a 4x4 vehicle. There is only one route to the top, so you would not need to worry about reading map trails at all here. The relatively easy journey starts from the foothills of the first shrine: Sri Munisperan Temple. This shrine hosts the guardian deity of the same name. To the right of the shrine is a clear view of Mount Santubong. Shortly before you reach the second shrine, Sree Jadamuniwaran Temple, you’ll stumble upon a concentration of jungle
Selunsur tree - did you know!
Oct-Dec2020BorneoTalk | 15
#RaonRaonSarawak
Resam stem
Nephentes Rafflesiana
ferns, with a backdrop of the Matang Range sandstone mountains: Serapi Mountain, Selang Mountain and Sendok mountain. The view here looks like it’s straight out of a postcard. Two paths branch out at the second shrine, which lies at the 2.5km mark on the mountainside. The usual wide path takes you to Sri Maha Mariamman Temple while the smaller path leads to Vallembrosa - the Second Rajah and the Ranee’s bungalow within the estate. An additional excursion here requires the guidance of the local people because currently, only the site of the bungalow remains. If you wish to visit Vallembrosa, ask the locals stationed at the parking spot below for a guided-trip before you start hiking.
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#RaonRaonSarawak
A panorama of resam ferns with Mount Serapi at the back
Finally, colourful stairs, spectacular views of the plains and the one-of-a-kind, ironwood Sri Maha Mariamman Temple await visitors at the top of Mount Matang. With such interesting encounters, it makes sense why a hike to Mount Matang Sri Maha Mariamman Temple is such a rewarding endeavour. Not only do you get to witness an important piece of Sarawak’s history from the Colonial era, but you’ll also enjoy a moment of quiet reflection while connecting with nature at the Matang mountainside. For more information, check out: https://www.facebook.com/Mount-Matang-Sri-MahaMariamman-Temple-Kuching-Sarawak-200262026677821/
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#RaonRaonSarawak
An escape from the daily grind Bau is an ideal destination for a weekend getaway, where you get to spend a relaxing time in the outdoors with your family or friends. Bau also offers opportunities to discover local cultures, nature and a bit of adventure in between. Make plans to head out early, or better yet take Friday off so you can add an extra day to your weekend escape.
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#RaonRaonSarawak
Sleep to the sounds of nature Get out of the city and make your way to Libiki Bamboo Resort, where you are literally surrounded by the jungle. The resort is a 50-minute drive from Kuching International Airport, with plenty of parking space for convenience. From the parking space, you will cross a suspended bridge that takes you across a pristine river, where the resort owner carries out fish conservation via ‘tagang’ system. That’s already quite an experience itself. What’s special about Libiki Bamboo Resort is its guest houses built mostly using bamboo. They cater to a maximum of four guests in their Bori Ganek and Sri Ondai single unit lodgings, and up to 20 persons in their family unit (Bori Bamboo). Their Ara Tree House accommodates up to six persons and is located right next to the river. Libiki Bamboo Resort is a peninsular shaped resort surrounded by the river on both sides. Sleeping at night
here will be an absolute delight, with the cool night breeze as well as the soothing sounds of the flowing river and the cheerful chirping of crickets combined to create nature’s beautiful symphony. Here, you can find ultimate relaxation. Everywhere you look is just lush greenery and refreshing views that will calm your mind, body and soul. But there’s also fun to be had. Libiki Bamboo Resort is perfect for family outings, corporate retreats, or sporting events, with plenty activities offered. Enjoy a breezy barbecue by the river, karaoke-ing to your favourite songs, ride an ATV (All-Terrain Vehicle), go jungle trekking, play beach volleyball and mini beach soccer at their sand-covered court, or partake in various river activities such as swimming, bamboo rafting and fishing. Call Eddy at +60 13 800 7300, send an email to libikiresort@gmail. com or visit libikibambooresort.com to know more.
Play some tunes on the sape About an hour’s drive away at Kampung Atas is another splendid option for a weekend getaway. Set amidst a wonderful natural surrounding is Lan E Tuyang Homestay, owned and operated by the famous sape master Matthew Ngau. The longhouse style stay offers an experience of culture, where you get to learn about the traditional lifestyles of the Orang Ulu and Bidayuh people through music, art, food and through a handful other activities. While at the homestay, expect to see a sape demonstration by the master himself, or even partake in some sape lessons to see if you can quickly pick up some sape playing skills. Sample traditional food like pansoh manok, upak pantu, tubu kasam, umai and stir-fried midin and finish off with the quintessential tuak! If you’re into art, you would probably want to try your hand at painting the Tree of Life, together with Matthew.
Call +60 16 816 8525 or check out facebook.com/ Lanetuyanghomestay/ for more info. Now that you’ve got your weekend stay sorted, perhaps you’d like to explore more of Bau and its many attractions. Of course, three days will not give you enough time to see all of the attractions within the area. So perhaps you would want to consider checking out some of the must-go places first for the weekend and save the rest for another time.
In addition to all that, the homestay itself is an interesting place to explore. The structure is made out of bamboo and wood and fashioned in the style of an Orang Ulu longhouse. There is a ‘baruk’ style area on one end facing outwards that makes for a great place to relax and mingle with other homestay guests. Oct-Dec2020BorneoTalk | 19
#RaonRaonSarawak
Of myths and monsters When in Bau, it’s almost a sin to not check out Tasik Biru! It’s the area’s most famous attraction for both domestic visitors and foreign tourists. Literally meaning “Blue Lake”, Tasik Biru is a man-made lake that started life as a gold mine in 1898. It is said that the world’s most beautiful and best quality gold was found here. Mining operations had to be halted following a great flood in 1921. The water-filled mine was then called Tasik Tai Parit before it was renamed as Tasik Biru in the 1970s. Tasik Biru was immensely beautiful even back then, with its blueish hue as a result of high arsenic content in the lake. But it soon turned into a lake with a fearsome reputation, especially after a bus loaded with 28 students and two training teachers plunged into the lake in 1979, killing everyone on it. There were also supposed sightings of three monsters measuring three metres
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each, moving beneath the glassy surface of the clear blue water in 1988. A famous legend tells of the sighting of a golden tortoise by some miners when the site was still a mine. They tried to catch the tortoise, but it kept digging deep into the mine, until suddenly water shot out of the ground and quickly flooded the mine. Only when a shaman pushed a white man into the water did the water stop rising. Those aside, the 91-metre-deep Tasik Biru is today a huge crowd-puller for Bau. People come from near and far to enjoy the scenic views at the lake and engage in various recreational activities, including a cruise on the lake and remote-control boat races among other things. But with high arsenic content, swimming, fishing, and drinking water sourced from the lake is a definite no-no.
#RaonRaonSarawak
Otherworldly realms Bau is known for its caves. And the thing about this is that there is a huge difference between the environment outside and inside the cave. Once you arrive at the cave, you park your car outside. You take a look around. Nothing out of the ordinary. But step inside the cave and you’ll immediately think otherwise. The caves here are just so fascinating. The Wind Cave Nature Reserve for example, is believed to have been so named because of the constant gushes of wind travelling throughout its chambers. Step onto its plank walk and enter a cold, dark world of stalagmites and stalactites that formed through the ages. Although walking through the caverns is easy as pie, thanks to purpose-built plank walks, a powerful torchlight is a must because it is pitch black inside. You’ll discover bats and other cave dwellers as you make your way through the cave. And when you arrive at the other end, a small river beach invites you for a picnic if you’re up for it. The Wind Cave Nature Reserve is located just 11.8km (14 mins) from Libiki Bamboo Resort and 16.8km (24 mins) from Lan E Tuyang Homestay. Even more popular is the Fairy Cave just 7.1km (9 mins) away from Wind Cave Nature Reserve. The cave, located inside Gunung Sireh, has a beautiful large main chamber reachable via staircases that lead to the cave entrance. Wooden and cement walkways make it easy to explore the caves. Enter the smaller chambers to
discover peculiar stalagmite and stalactite formations, including one that resembles a fairy. A mysteriously huge footprint too? Interesting! Unfortunately, the cave is temporarily closed for upgrading works. But it’s a good one to include in your to-do list for next time. Meanwhile, Gunung Sireh is also famous among rock climbing enthusiasts. There are over 80 climbs to try. If you happen to love rock climbing, the Batman Wall, Stage Wall, Fairy Cave Wall, Nepenthes Wall are a must. There’s also Zoo Wall on the other side of the mountain. Speaking of otherworldly realms, one upcoming attraction is a relatively newly discovered place of interest in Bau, located 6.6km (11 mins) away from Fairy Cave. The locals call it the Sleeping Lady, which you might have already guessed is a mountain. It resembles, well, a sleeping lady and is best viewed from across a lake that served as a water catchment for gold mining activities in the 19th century. The clear, serene lake is located at Bratak Oma, about 700 metres away from the base of the mountain and compliments the whole Sleeping Lady view. Walk about 100 metres straight past the lake and you’ll reach an old mine. Feel the cold air from the mine as you get closer to its opening. It’s definitely a fascinating place to visit, provided you have a guide with you. Otherwise, you best not venture into the mine. It is, however, a perfect place to get some cool shots for the ‘gram.
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Cultural discovery
If you’re into culture, we recommend going on a cultural discovery of Bau. Bung Jagoi Heritage Centre near Kampung Duyoh (19.5km from Libiki Bamboo Resort / 30.3km from Lan E Tuyang Homestay) along Jalan Bau-Lundu, and Bung Bratak Heritage Centre (29.3km from Libiki Bamboo Resort / 15.5km from Lan E Tuyang Homestay) are most definitely recommended. They are the two earliest Bidayuh settlements, offering scenic views and a look into the lifestyle and culture of the Bidayuh people in the area.
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Gumbang Heritage Centre is another option. The centre is located at Kampung Gumbang, about 24km from Libiki and 35.5km from Lan E Tuyang Homestay. For a more authentic experience, visit the original baruk (round house) in the village itself. Alternatively, you can go to the newly opened heritage centre not far from the village itself as well.
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Souvenir shopping Sure, souvenirs can be found at shops all around Kuching City, but why not buy them closer to where they are produced? Located in the centre of Bau Town and housed in Bangunan Baru Bukit Emas Food Court, one-stop souvenir centre Bau Handicraft House provides a space for local artisans to promote their products. The gallery is bright and spacious, with individual stalls offering everything from rattan handbags, beaded necklaces, tambok, replica of baruk, bemban mat and many other traditional Bidayuh crafts. The gallery opens from 9am to 4pm every Sunday to Thursday, and from 9am to 5pm every Friday to Saturday. Go to facebook.com/ BauHandicrafHouse/ for more information. While you’re out there shopping for souvenirs, take time to tour Bau Town as well. You’ll be surprised what interesting things you can find in this charming old town famous for its history of gold mining in the past.
Feasting in Siniawan End your weekend trip to Bau with a chilled-out dinner at the old town of Siniawan. Famous for its old shophouses built over 100 years ago, Siniawan provides an enchanting backdrop for unforgettable dinner outings with your friends or family. Head there before sunset and take a walk down to the pier, where you can take beautiful shots of passenger boats crossing the river from the other side, reflected clearly in the river especially when the water is still. The river here is unique as it connects Chinese, Malay and Dayak villages. The beautiful scenery along the river is further enhanced as the sun makes its descend, highlighting the trees with its golden ray to create a magical view at sunset. The golden hour is a perfect time to take photos of the old town itself, especially with the golden and blue hues of the sky, the warm lighting emanating from old wooden shophouses, the strings of red lantern and the overall chilled setting of the tables and chairs outside the surrounding restaurants. There’s plenty to eat here, from kolo mee and grilled seafood to local kuih and oyster omelette. It’s like a carnival in Old Siniawan Town at night. What a great way to end a wonderful weekend in Bau. Overall, Bau provides a perfect escape from the daily grind. A cure for that itch you’ve been having ever since the MCO started on March 18. With that said, we wish you a fun and relaxing weekend! Oct-Dec2020BorneoTalk | 23
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Every once in a while, our inner voice tells us to drop everything we do and head out on a journey to find solace. Different people have different things to do and places to go to find that solace. Depending on your idea on what solace is, here are three places in Sarawak that might offer what you have been longing for especially this year with everything that has been going on.
Merarap Hot Spring, Lawas A hot spring is one of nature’s wonders that continues to intrigue us to this day. The water in a hot spring is rich in minerals and is therefore claimed to have therapeutic properties. It is no surprise then, that hot springs are popular with both locals and tourists alike. If you’re on a hunt for hot springs, there are several of them that you can check out in Sarawak. The best one can be found deep in the valley next to the mighty and fast flowing Trusan River in Lawas’ mountainous region. Merarap Hotspring Lodge is a beautiful retreat completely surrounded by nature. It sits approximately 67 kilometres away from Lawas town – that’s almost two hours’ journey on 4x4, and more than half of that journey is on logging roads. There are four hot spring pools of varying sizes and depths. Each one is filled with crystal clear, naturally blue spring water of different temperatures, sourced from the nearby mountain springs, and piped straight into the pools. A dip in Merarap’s hot springs is just so relaxing, especially in the morning and towards late evening when the weather is chilly and the water at the lodge is too cold for showering in comfort. As a bonus, you get nature’s soundtrack playing in the background throughout your entire stay at Merarap Hotspring Lodge. The roaring of rushing water of Trusan River, the occasional crackling calls of hornbills … ahhh, bliss!
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Jade Dragon Temple, Sibu For some, solace is found in spiritual edifices. And there are many of those in various places here. Sibu’s Jade Dragon Temple is one of the most special, especially due to its sheer size. It is arguably the largest Chinese temple complex in Southeast Asia. Also known as Yu Lung San Tien En Si, the temple is located over 25km away from Sibu Town. It was built in 2004 at a cost of RM60 million, and with building materials mainly imported from China. There are several buildings within the temple complex, each boasting a hall that houses Buddha statues and other Chinese deities. The temple also has a hall of sutras, 7 Heavenly Sisters feature, and a Chinese zodiac garden among others. What’s most fascinating is that it combines Buddhism, Confucianism and Taoism under one roof. Even if you’re not here for spiritual attainment, Jade Dragon Temple is a great tourism attraction with wonderful architectural features that make perfect pics for the ‘gram. Of course, you need to observe the rules and respect the place.
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Sultan Iskandar Planetarium, Kuching Yes, you read right! A planetarium is, for some, a place where they can relax their minds and marvel at the magnificence of our great big universe! Many people don’t know this, but Kuching is home to Malaysia’s very first planetarium. It was declared open just five months after Kuching was officially declared a city on Aug 1, 1988.
Launched by then Yang di-Pertuan Agong Almuttawakkil Alallah Al-Sultan Iskandar Ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Ismail, Sultan Iskandar Planetarium (PSI) made waves as Kuching at the time owned what was only expected in more advanced countries. Sit back, free your mind of any stress or worry, and be mind-blown as the stars, the moon and the planets are projected on a giant dome via a Zeiss M1015 projector, complete with special visual effects, and witness as the universe unfolds before your very eyes. Specially intended for educational purposes, the shows at PSI offers an experience of being in outer space – a perfect place for those of you seeking solace.
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REKINDLE With Nature
Kenyalang Rig Wreck
Miri-Sibuti Coral Reefs National Park As a state blessed with vast wilderness and thriving wildlife, Sarawak has a flourishing ecotourism scene, packed with amazing national parks, some of which are world-renowned. The State is home to lush tropical rainforests and peculiar wildlife, all of which can be found in these natural parks.
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A hidden underwater paradise, Miri-Sibuti Coral Reefs National Park is a fast emerging premier diving destination located some 15 nautical miles offshore Miri in Northern Sarawak. Officially gazetted as a National Park on 19th April 2007, it is also the second largest Marine Protected Area (MPA) in Sarawak, with a total size of 186,930 ha (water bodies). The whole park itself is divided into two reefs complexes namely Miri Complex (39,180 ha) and Sibuti Complex (12,200 ha). With the average visibility of 10-30 metres, diving enthusiasts can find a diversity of hard and soft corals, including marine life lingering around the reefs such as Angel fish, gorgonians, anemones and trigger fish. Miri-Sibuti Coral Reefs National Park offers more than 30 dive sites, which makes diving easy and convenient. There are more than 30 dive sites here. Among the popular ones are Seafan Garden, Anemone Garden, Siwa Reef and Sunday Reef. Besides its pristine patch reefs, the park is home to Kenyalang Rig Wreck an oil platform converted to an artificial reef and two wreck sites: Seri Gadong Wreck and Atagomaru Wreck, a WW2 Japanese warship. Note: Diving season usually takes place in between March until October.
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Tanjung Datu National Park The charms of Tanjung Datu are seemingly limitless. From the juxtaposition of rugged mountains sweeping down to the crystalline turquoise sea, where olive ridley turtles come out of to lay eggs on shore, it is no surprise that this park is dubbed ‘Heaven of Borneo’. Located on the westernmost tip of Sarawak’s coastline, two hours away from Kuching city, Tanjung Datu is one of the smallest national parks in Sarawak, at just 13.8 sq km in size. It is only accessible by boat. Flourished by the streams flowing swiftly from the mountains into the clear blue sea, the colourful fringing coral reefs growing close inshore here are a rare feature in Sarawak. This makes the translucent waters of Tanjung Datu a great place to snorkel - an untapped diving spot. Other available activities include hiking, stargazing and night walks to see animals like civets and bearded pigs.
Tanjung Datu National Park
Kuching Wetlands National Park Gazetted as a national park on Feb 10, 2002, Kuching Wetlands National Park covers an area of 6,610 hectares and is mainly composed of coastal, marine and freshwater ecosystems. The site is also one of the last remnants of the formerly extensive Sarawak Mangrove Forest Reserve, which once covered an area of approximately 17,000 hectares and was first protected in 1924. Now, this predominantly saline and deltaic mangrove system includes an extensive network of tidal creeks and marine waterways, formed by the interconnecting rivers of Sibu-Laut, Batang Salak and Santubong. Only some small patches of heath forest are found within the park. Kuching Wetlands National Park is one of the best places in Sarawak to search for the rare marine mammal, Irrawady Dolphin. Also calling this habitat home are Kingfishers, Estuarine Crocodiles and Proboscis Monkeys, to name a few.
Kuching Wetlands National Park
Santubong National Park Every keen trekker needs to experience the feeling of climbing the majestic Mount Santubong. Great for a day visit, Santubong is located on the Damai Peninsula, 35km north of Kuching. Popular activities here include hiking to Mount Santubong summit and taking a dip in the cool bathing pool nestled amidst towering trees. On most days, Mount Santubong is visible from Kuching city. Also visible from the sea level is its irregular forestcovered peaks that rise steeply to a height of 810m, forming a catchment for a diverse range of flora and fauna. Mount Santubong also provides a spectacular backdrop to the surrounding hotels, resorts, local fishing villages and the Sarawak Cultural Village, giving off a sense of mystique like the legend of Princess Santubong. Be sure to ask the locals about this tale when you’re in Santubong!
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There is no better time to discover the hidden jewels of Sarawak than now. From snorkelling amidst rich marine life to a hike in the mystical rainforest or a historical walkabout, there’s bound to be something in Sarawak for every kind of traveller. What’s more exciting is that in the Sia Sitok Sarawak (which means “here and there”) intra-state campaign, you can enjoy up to 50% discount on over 30 enticing tours, activities and attractions within the beautiful State of Sarawak!
Listed here are the Sia Sitok Sarawak packages available for booking. For more details, such as on items and meals included in the packages, head to the booking website at siasitoksarawak.rezgo.com
to the earliest known Hindu temple in Sarawak, Sri Maha Mariamman, also known as the Lost Temple of Matang. (Starting from RM45 per person)
World War II Historic Tour @ Batu Lintang
and Fairy caves and catch a glimpse of the local wildlife. (Starting from RM238 per person)
Kg Sting (Bengoh) Adventure Overnight Venture across the beautiful Bengoh Lake, which now serves as Kuching’s water catchment, and experience a pleasant above-the-clouds getaway amidst nature. Cold dips in the Kling and Susung waterfalls await! (Starting from RM150 per person)
Take in the sights, sounds and colours of the vibrant Kuching riverbank on the Sarawak River Sunset Cruise. The cruise departs at 5.30pm from Friday until Sunday only. (Starting from RM25 per person)
This informative tour showcases the remnants of World War II such as the Japanese cemetery, Heroes’ Memorial and artefacts like equipment belonging to the Japanese army in the museum located at Teacher Education Institute of Malaysia in Batu Lintang campus.(Starting from RM45 per person)
Kuching Heritage Walk
Padawan Kayak Tour
This walk unravels Kuching’s rich heritage as you stroll along bustling streets like India Street and Gambier Street, as well as iconic highlights such as The Old Courthouse, Indian Muslim Mosque and Giant White Cat Statue. (Starting from RM45 per person)
Enjoy the tranquillity of nature as you paddle your way along Semadang river, which is known for its pristine waters, picturesque surrounding and lush rainforest. (Starting from RM110 per person)
The shallow coastal waters at Santubong and Salak rivers are home to shy and rare Irrawady Dolphins. They are best seen frolicking near the local fishing boats, as these marine mammals can swim around the open water less than 30 metres deep. (Starting from RM75 per person)
Mountain Bike Gold Mine & Cave Discovery Package
Bird watching at Kubah National Park
Cycle along the beautiful countryside of Borneo and discover some of Borneo’s oldest gold mines. You’ll also get to visit Sarawak’s famous Wind
Sarawak is a birding paradise. At Kubah National Park, colourful forest birds including the Rufous-collared Kingfisher, Maroon Woodpecker and
Sarawak River Sunset Cruise
Maha Mariamman Temple Visit @ Matang This 3km easy hike along the Matang mountain slope lets you discover a thriving biodiversity along your journey 30 | BorneoTalkOct-Dec2020
Irrawaddy Dolphin Cruise at Santubong
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Chestnut-naped forktails are often heard and seen within the park’s boundaries. (Starting from RM125 per person)
Fun Dive Daytrip at Satang Island Perfect for beginner open water divers, the surrounding reefs at Satang island are home to colourful undersea life. You may encounter sea turtles and migrating lobsters while you dive amongst thriving marine species like puffer fish and mangrove jack. (Starting from RM225 per person)
Evening Kuching Wetland Tour At Kuching Wetlands National Park, you get to see an extensive network of marine waterways comprising of saline mangrove systems that are home to fascinating wildlife like White-bellied Sea Eagles and Estuarine Crocodiles.(Starting from RM100 per person)
Bako National Park Bako National Park is the perfect introduction to Sarawak’s rainforest and wildlife. Look out for the iconic sea stack, and the endemic proboscis monkey with its oversized nose. (Starting from RM280 per person)
Batang Ai Rainforest Experience 3D2N Get a feel of Borneo’s rainforest with the 3D2N stay at Batang Ai. Begin with an upriver longboat journey from Kuching to Nanga Sumpa for an overnight stay. Continue with a hiking journey to the scenic Enseluai Waterfall for a relaxing swim and riverside BBQ
lunch by friendly Iban hosts. (Starting from RM600 per person)
Best of Kuching Bike Tour Explore 85% of Kuching’s iconic sights the healthy and eco-friendly way! Move at a slower pace and discover villages and monuments. Indulge in the local street food at Kubah Ria open-air market, with this bike tour. (Starting from RM190 per person)
Full-board Tanjung Datu National Park Tour Step out into the wild and explore nature’s wonders at Tanjung Datu national park. Be amazed by its stellar line-up of nature’s superstars like the Bearded Pig, beautiful coral reefs, and Olive Ridley Turtle. (Starting from RM300 per person)
Daytrip Fishing (Min 4 pax) Home to many species of fish, the coast of Santubong is a good spot for fishing. This location approximately 13 nautical miles out will test your patience as you try to reel in that big catch! (Starting from RM250 per person)
Fuzhou Heritage Trail Discover 120 years of development in Sibu and Rajang Basin in this trail, where you’ll get to listen to stories on how the Foochow community from Fujian, China became one of the major groups of Chinese settlers in Sibu. (Starting from RM45 per person)
River and try your hand at fishing by the river or weaving rattan mats. You might hear tales from ancient times from your foster Iban family! (Starting from RM80 per person)
Bintangor & Sarikei Countryside 70km from Sibu, Sarikei division is dubbed Sarawak’s ‘food basket’. Tantalise your taste buds with the sweet and juicy Sarikei pineapples, and enjoy a scenic road trip past hilly terrains and expansive pepper plantations. (Starting from RM90 per person)
Bintulu Explorer (Downtown & Similajau) This 2D1N trip gives travellers the opportunity to enjoy local produce sold at native market Tamu and mingle with the locals, on top of a natural expedition to Similajau National Park. (Starting from RM340 per person)
Mukah: The Melanau Heartland (3D2N) Journey by speedboat from Sibu to Lamin Dana Telian Mukah, where you’ll experience life of the Melanau tribe. You can also see how sago is processed. (Starting from RM740 per person)
Miri City Tour Among the attractions in this tour are the Coco Cabana lighthouse, Miri Heritage Centre, Miri City Fan and the Grand Old Lady. (Starting from RM34 per person)
The Mighty Rajang River & Longhouse
Lambir Waterfall National Park
Experience life of the Iban community at Bawang Assan longhouse along Rajang
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many birds, mammals, insects and invertebrates. (Starting from RM64 per person)
Iban Longhouse Tour Spend time in an authentic Iban longhouse known as Entulang, and get acquainted with the Iban people, once feared for their headhunting practices. While you’re there, don’t forget to have a sip of their locally brewed rice wine called tuak! (Starting from RM64 per person)
Niah Caves National Park Embark on a caving adventure at three of Niah’s majestic caves: The West Mouth of the Great Caves where a 40,000-year-old human skull was excavated; Moon Caves – the domain of the bats; the Painted Caves, where Borneo’s only red haematic paintings are found. (Starting from RM114 per person)
Fun diving for certified divers 3 fun dive daytrip Experience close encounter with a variety of marine life on pristine reefs within the Miri-Sibuti Coral Reef Marine National Park. Among gorgeous reef species that can be seen are stingrays, parrot fish and angel fish. (Starting from RM225)
Miri Golfing at Eastwood Golf Club Miri Tee off in a place of unspoilt beauty in Miri. Designed by USAbased Nickels Golf Group Ltd of San Francisco, the golf course at Eastwood Valley is an International standard golf facility with magnificent greens and man-made lakes. (Starting from RM375 per person)
Mulu 2 Show Caves Tour (Marriott) (3D2N) Discover the stunning show caves of Mulu and see millions of bats
taking flight at dusk in this 3D2N tour. You’ll also get a chance to try out the blowpipe at the nearby Penan settlement. (Starting from RM600 per person) Note: • For day trips, a minimum of 2 pax is required • For multi-day trips or fishing trips, a minimum of 4 pax is required. • Priority treatment will be given to Sarawak frontliners and relief workers who dedicated their time and energy in the fight against COVID-19. A show of working ID during bookings is required. • Discounts are applicable for Non-Sarawakians, with working permits. • This campaign is open for booking until Oct 15, 2020, for travelling period between Aug 1 and Nov 30, 2020. • Bookings can be made at siasitoksarawak.rezgo.com
Interstate packages for travelling to Sarawak are also available!
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Kampung
B o ya n A charming kampung IN the city Kuala Lumpur has Kampung Baru, Kuching has Kampung Boyan - a rustic riverside Malay kampung (village) in the city with a certain charm about it. In Boyan, kek lapis Sarawak is churned on the daily, salted terubok fish are sold in bulks, and timehonoured traditions are waiting to be experienced. Just half a day spent wandering around Kampung Boyan is enough to give you a quick yet authentic feel of this charming village.
Go old-school with a nostalgic penambang ride The best place to begin your Kampung Boyan tour is right across the Sarawak River, at Kuching Waterfront’s bustling landing jetty. Travelling back and forth through the river is Kuching city’s iconic penambang, a classic mode of transportation in the form of a wooden boat with a pitched roof. Today, the penambang remains one of Kuching’s most popular traditional means of public transport, connecting the Malay kampung on the north bank and the city centre on the south bank of the river. Although also accessible by road, it’s still best for you to get to Boyan on the penambang, where you will discover a world beyond the shiny buildings of modern-day Kuching. Also, travelling on board the penambang is a peaceful, but can be rather shaky with the boatman using the oars to manoeuvre the penambang into course following the tide of the river. One penambang has a capacity of five to six passengers, and a one-way penambang ride to Kampung Boyan takes around six to seven minutes. A more worthwhile penambang experience is getting onboard one that meanders along the Sarawak River for about 30 minutes to an hour. This means that you’ll have to make a deal with the boatman and rent the whole penambang for your entourage. This longer penambang ride affords you a fascinating view of the vibrant Malay villages, the Colonial-looking Astana and fishermen waiting for their catch of the day.
Tambang boat
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Note: Do inform your penambang boatman that you wish to go to Kampung Boyan as the usual route takes you to the Astana. And also make an appointment for a return trip because the penambang generally stops operating at dusk.
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A thriving cottage industry Arrive at Boyan Jetty and begin your hunt for Sarawak’s prized souvenirs: Kek lapis Sarawak (layer cake) and salted Terubok (Tenualosa toli) fish. You can get them from pretty much all major wet markets in Sarawak. But nothing beats getting freshly packed ones in Boyan. Kek lapis Sarawak is a traditional Sarawakian delicacy usually served during festivities. This layer cake comes in a variety of colours, patterns and flavours. The designs range from something plain like a two-coloured layer cake to more complex multicoloured ones with overlapping grids. Kampung Boyan and neighbouring village Kampung Gersik are particularly famous for producing some of the best Kek lapis Sarawak in Kuching. Making kek lapis is no easy feat. The Malay ladies of Boyan put hours of their time into baking the cake, waiting for each individual layer to cook before adding a new layer. Despite this arduous process, kek lapis home bakeries at Boyan are always coming up with new innovative recipes with names like ‘Frozen’ (as in the animated movie) and ‘Ngap Sayot’ (Sarawak football club’s slogan). The taste? As good as they look! Apart from Kek lapis Sarawak, the roadside stalls at Kampung Boyan also offer salted terubok fish when in season. The flesh of terubok is musky and creamy, and is lined with bones as fine as hair. Salted terubok is a perfect souvenir because it lasts up to six months in the refrigerator. Oct-Dec2020BorneoTalk | 35
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An evening at Boyan’s only Baruk Don’t even think about leaving Boyan without spending an evening at My Village Barok, a rustic Malay restaurant with Bidayuh-inspired theme, hence the name ‘Barok’. Since its establishment in 2004, the restaurant has been serving delicious native food like linut, umai and manok pansoh. You can request for the restaurant owner, Sofian, who is always seen in full traditional attire, to prepare these dishes on the spot, at your table. A meal here is incomplete without witnessing demonstrations by the villagers, who perform a series of traditional dances (usually held on weekends at dinner) and cook traditional cakes known as ‘kuih bahulu’ in hot copper baking moulds. The restaurant is an ode to the owner’s fascination towards Bidayuh culture and the village’s historical significance. Everything about My Village Barok mirrors the cultures of old: wooden staircases, bamboo-clad walls, kerosene lamps, woodcarvings and vintage, grainy photographs. Out of all the interesting time-honoured structures at the restaurant, the protruding ship conjoined to the frontage of the restaurant is what stands out most. Sofian constructed this ship as a reminder of how Kampung Boyan was formed: a settlement established in the early 19th century by Indonesian migrants from the island of Bawean. Stay back after sunset to witness how the villagers translate the story of Kampung Boyan’s humble beginnings into an entertaining ‘Sekonyer Boyan’ performance. Note: With RMCO still in effect due to COVID-19, it is recommended that you make earlier arrangements with the restaurant at +60 16 870 7021 if you wish to have the full My Village Barok experience, traditional performances and all.
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Serabai
Bahulu
Must eat Loosen up your belt buckle, because it’s time to dig into these mouth-watering delicacies! All of these foods are made fresh on the daily at My Village Barok: Serabai is a traditional kuih typically served during a wake at a Malay house. Cooked thinly like a pancake, Serabai is made of rice flour, eggs and pandan seri kaya (pandan flavoured coconut jam). Bahulu is a traditional sponge cake similar to the Madeline. It is crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. Linut is an iconic Melanau food with a chewy glue-like texture, as a result of mixing sago flour with boiling water. It is common to eat linut with sambal belacan. Sarawak’s very own version of Nasi Ayam Penyet, the Nasi Ayam Ketok features chicken that is marinated in special spices and grilled over charcoal. Served with ulam salad on the side. Bandung Goreng - crispy on the outside and smooth on the inside - is a traditional deep-fried tapioca snack. Enjoy as is or dip it into Nasi Ayam Ketok
sambal belacan (spicy shrimp paste dip or gula apong syrup) - delicious! Pisang Cheese or rather,
Pisang Cheese
cheesy banana fritters, is one of Malaysia’s many food crazes. It’s not uniquely local but worth the mention for its utter deliciousness! Topped with a generous amount of grated cheese, this crunchy freshly-fried banana fritter will be a delight to the taste buds.
Bandung Goreng
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News
Board member photo call with new Chairman, Mr. Dennis Ngau (3rd from left) and Minister of Tourism, Arts & Culture Sarawak (MTAC), Datuk Haji Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah (centre) and Assistant Minister of Tourism, Arts & Culture Sarawak (MTAC), Datuk Sebastian Ting (3rd from right).
Full speed ahead for STB As the nation recovers from the global pandemic affecting
Taufik Abdul Ghani, and Lee Khoi Yan. They are joining
the world in 2020, Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) is going
STB’s other ongoing Board of Directors for a two year term,
full speed in driving the recovery of the tourism industry in
effective July 2020.
Sarawak. This will undoubtedly be a challenge for Dennis Ngau, who was recently appointed STB’s new Chairman.
To celebrate Dennis’s appointment as Chairman as
Dennis is a member of the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly
well as STB’s newly appointed Board of Directors, STB
(ADUN) serving the Telang Usan State constituency since
organised a welcoming dinner at Imperial Hotel Kuching
2010, and he is well versed and highly knowledgeable in the
recently. Speaking at the welcoming dinner, STB’s Chief
area of tourism and hospitality. Therefore, his appointment as
Executive Officer, Sharzede Datu Haji Salleh Askor said
Chairman of STB is timely and apt.
everyone at STB was delighted to be working together with the new Chairman and Board of Directors in
STB also appointed new Board of Directors members,
bringing Sarawak to the forefront despite the current
including Datu Antonio Kahti Galis, Tuan Haji Mohamad
situation.
STB’s Chairman of the Board and MTAC’s Minister and Assistant Minister as well as Permanent Secretary, Hii Chang Kee (right) with STB’s CEO, Sharzede Datu Haji Salleh Askor (left) and department heads.
Oct-Dec2020BorneoTalk | 39
Dive deep into tranquility amidst the city’s hustle and bustle at Dorset Boutique Hotel. Ideally located in Kuching’s Central Business District, Dorset offers up-to-date amenities that fit the modern lifestyle of their guests. Specifically designed for comfort and peace of mind, you’re guaranteed to feel re-energised.
Book now for leisure and relaxation.
Experience the best of Sarawakian hospitality at Tanahmas. Just a few steps away from a wide range of mouth-watering F&B establishments and Sibu’s prominent attractions, Tanahmas will make you feel right at home. Have your choice of their well-equipped ballrooms, function rooms and poolside for that special event.
No. 175, 175A-C, Jalan Sekama, 93300 Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia. T: +6082 347 799 F: +6082 346 799 E: reservations@dorsetboutiquehotel.com Lot 277, Block 5, Jalan Kampung Nyabor, P.O. Box 240 96007 Sibu, Sarawak, Malaysia. Tel: +6084 333188 Fax: +6084 333288 Email: info@tanahmas.com.my www.tanahmas.com.my
Online booking, log on to www.dorsetboutiquehotel.com
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3 Oct-Dec2020BorneoTalk | 41
Lifestyle
Sleek songket pantsuit. Perfect for any occasion.
Satin cocktail dress with intricate songket bodices. A perfect example of contemporary meets traditional chic.
Heritage rebirthed Fly-away jacket with exaggerated flare and wide songket enhanced lapel for the formal yet playful look.
A view of the interior of Songket and Keringkam Gallery.
Centre of Technical Excellence Sarawak • Jalan Sultan Tengah Santubong, 93050 Kuching, Sarawak. 42 | BorneoTalkOct-Dec2020
+60 82 846 408
www.centex-sarawak.my
CENTEXS Commercial was established in 2019 as the marketing arm for CENTEXS (Centre of Technical Excellence Sarawak) and its products. With the commencement of its operations starting July 1, 2019, CENTEXS Commercial set out to expand, implement and carry out commercial and marketing activities by CENTEXS’s alumni and Old Kuching Smart Heritage (OKSHE), among which is the promotion of heritage-related products handmade by CENTEXS trainees from its sulam (for Keringkam) and tenun (for Sarawak songket) training programme.
Driving Sarawak’s entrepreneurship CENTEXS Commercial’s vision is to lead the way to the future of entrepreneurship in Sarawak to the world and to become globalised. With commitment to quality and constant innovation, CENTEXS Commercial is passionate about helping businesses reach and maximise their business dreams. Its mission is to supply a wide range of Sarawak products and services as well as to ensure that the Sarawak brand and products are of outstanding quality and are valuefor-money. CENTEXS Commercial also connects people, businesses, and communities towards a better future.
Showcase of Sarawak’s fine heritage products Early March this year, CENTEXS Commercial launched its Songket and Keringkam Gallery located at Jalan Masjid in Kuching, as part of the State’s effort to preserve the rich heritage of the people of Kuching. The idea of setting up the gallery was mooted by the Chief Minister’s wife, Datuk Amar Hajah Juma’ani Tun Tuanku Haji Bujang. Datuk Amar is also the patron of Songket and Keringkam Heritage Innovation Project. Officiated by Chief Minister, Datuk Patinggi (Dr) Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari bin Tun Datuk Abang Haji Openg, the gallery showcases precious and intricate songket weavings of Sarawak as well as traditional keringkam embroidery, complete with their history and live demonstrations by master weavers and embroiderers of Sarawak. Here, visitors will also find a variety of other products showcasing the rich heritage of the Sarawakian Malay folk. Products at the gallery are not just for display, but for sale as well. From luxurious apparels made with the finest threads to gorgeous footwear and accessories, the gallery has helped make these fine heritage products more accessible to the general public, especially those keen to add them to their personal collection. Come visit the gallery and discover the exquisite heritage that have survived the test of time and made a bold comeback.
Keringkam head-piece ideal with an evening gown or a traditional outfit for weddings or formal events.
Lifestyle
Bright red hand embroidered keringkam headpiece for that wow factor, even over a simple tee.
Oct-Dec2020BorneoTalk | 44
Lifestyle
Make a statement with this Sarawak songket facemask.
Silk Sarawak batik stole lends a touch of elegance to any outfit with songket pants.
Cardigan-style casual songket enhanced jacket with matching songket facemask for OOTD. Model: Francisca Luhong James - Miss Universe Malaysia 2020 Hair & Make-up: Cinta canduri Photography: Lester Geres Artistic Director: Ashley Pan, Azariah Umar
45 | BorneoTalkOct-Dec2020
It was the evening of 5 September 2020, in th
Damansara, Petaling Jaya, when Francisca Luhong James was crowned Miss Universe Malaysia 2020 by Shweta Sekhon, her predecessor. It was a proud moment not just for Francisca but for Sarawak as well. But what drove this 25-year-old PR and marketing executive from Kuching to sign up for the pageant in the first place? It is the same action many of us would take when making life-changing decisions, which is to “follow your heart.�
People
Fun facts about Francisca Favourite colour: Blue, white, pink, and any earthy tones Favourite food: Ayam Pansuh and Umai Francisca’s definition of a perfect holiday: By the beach with fun water activities like snorkelling One thing Francisca can’t live without: Family
After months of preparation and persistence, the Sarawakian beauty finally won the coveted Miss Universe Malaysia 2020 title, beating 17 other contestants in a live-streamed Miss Universe Malaysia Gala Night (e-Gala) full of pomp, grilling Q&As and inspiring speeches. BorneoTalk had the opportunity to have a little chit chat with the Kenyah-Kayan-Iban lass, where we gained insight into what’s coming next for our newly-crowned Miss Universe Malaysia 2020. “I am ready! A bit nervous, but that keeps me going. I also want the universe to recognise Malaysia as a multicultural country full of culture and essences to offer,” Francisca beamed with excitement as she spoke of representing Malaysia in the world finals, Miss Universe 2020. The pageant is expected to be held sometime in the first quarter of 2021. Francisca described her win to BorneoTalk as a “once-in-alifetime dream”, which comes with huge responsibilities. “I still can’t believe it but am slowly accepting the fact that I am Miss Universe Malaysia 2020. It is an honour. For me, this gives me the platform to voice out and share issues in regard to women’s rights and create something greater for women in Malaysia,” she said. The e-Gala night saw Francisca dolled up in a shocking pink dress by RIZMAN RUZAINI, resulting in her win in the Best in Evening Gown category. According to her, the shocking pink colour symbolises what she wholeheartedly stands for: @womenrise.my, a women empowerment movement she is actively promoting. Francisca is no stranger to the pageantry world. She had previously competed in Miss World Malaysia in 2016 and 2018, and was the second runner-up in Miss Cultural Harvest Festival 2015. For Francisca, pageantry is all about being comfortable in your most authentic self, letting it shine through.
to always trust the process, trust yourself and you will achieve your goals. There is always a way. You just have to believe and work on it,” she advises those who are thinking of competing in pageants. Francisca has three mottos that help her through the ups and downs of life:
“Have faith, trust the journey, trust yourself.” • “Rise up every time you fall, no matter how hard you fall.” •“If it’s meant to be, it’s up to me,” quoting Miss Universe Malaysia Organisation (MUMO) National Director, Datin Elaine Daly. The 175cm tall Dayak beauty also took home the Miss Auto Bavaria Elegance subsidiary title, a mesmerising ‘Reflection’ crown by Habib along with a 10-carat diamond set in white gold worth RM2.38 million, cash and sponsored prizes valued at RM180,000 including a full education scholarship from HELP University. Staying true to her words, Francisca showed us her true personality during our photoshoot session with her at the Songket and Keringkam Gallery at Jalan Masjid in Kuching, some time prior to the e-Gala. Not only was she confident, graceful, and elegant, but the softspoken and charismatic beauty was also extremely easy to work with, making for an interesting and engaging photoshoot session. She is indeed a role model to young women looking to set out to make their dream a reality. Francisca modelled exquisite collections from the Songket and Keringkam Gallery with beauty and grace, displaying every luxurious piece ever so elegantly. Francisca Lu with Team hong James BorneoTalk
“Know that you have a purpose in this world, you are different in your own way. It’s okay to feel vulnerable because we are humans, not robots. But remember Oct-Dec2020BorneoTalk | 47
Lifestyle
Sky’s the limit
With its tagline “Wings To Your Destination”, Hornbill Skyways has been at the forefront of aviation services in Sarawak since decades past. It was established in May 1977 but officially took to the skies on March 1, 1978, operating out of its airbase in Kuching first with just one fixed-wing Cessna 421 and two Bell 206B Jet Ranger helicopters.
The 1980s saw increased growth and expansion of Hornbill Skyways, eventually leading to a restructuring of the company with Sarawak Timber Industry Corporation (STIDC) and Sarawak Foundation as its major stakeholders. This meant further growth for the company, which has now grown to become the premier provider of aviation services in Sarawak.
48 | BorneoTalkOct-Dec2020
Lifestyle
Today, on top of its main base at Kuching International Airport (KIA) and corporate office at Yayasan Sarawak building at Jalan Masjid in Kuching, Hornbill Skyways also maintains a hangar at Miri International Airport. The company owns 2 units of Bell 206 Jet Ranger (B3), 2 unit of Bell 206 Long Ranger (L4), 5 units of EC 135, 1 unit of EC 155, 1 unit of Beechcraft 200 (Super King Air), 2 unit of King Air 350i and 1 unit of Executive Jet (Challenger 605) in its fleet.
For travellers who hate to wait in long queues at the airport, Hornbill Skyways’ private jet charter makes things a lot easier for them. Boarding the aircraft is a breeze, without you having to stand in line and wait until the passengers in front of you are all settled with their seats and cabin bags, etc. In essence, flying on Hornbill Skyways’ private jet offers the public a faster, fuss-free travelling experience from the moment they book their flight to when they arrive at their destination.
Skip the long queues, travel in your own time
Diversified services
Not many people know this, but Hornbill Skyways also provides passenger flight services via private chartered aircrafts for the public. This means that you can travel in style and comfort, at a time convenient to you. With no airline schedules to adhere to, you can choose when you wish to fly, not having to worry whether you’ll make it in time to your destination or arrive too early, unlike commercial airlines that stick to schedules.
Hornbill Skyways’ passenger flight service adds to their extensive list of aviation services, using different aircrafts (planes and helicopters) to fulfil different requirements, from data gathering to filming. Their array of services includes Aerial Survey, Aerial Mapping, Aerial Photography/Filming & Documentary, Timber Survey/Reinforcement, Emergency Medical Evacuation (MEDEVAC), Freight & Cargo Transport, Sightseeing Tours/Joy Rides & Golfing, and Powerline Surveys. With a vision to be the leading general aviation service provider in Malaysia, Hornbill Skyways ensures the products and services they offer are nothing short of top-notch, with a team that stays committed and takes great pride in the services they offer. They also comply to high standards of safety and regulatory requirements to ensure safety and peace of mind to their customers. With highly qualified professionals and experts in the field of aviation, Hornbill Skyways’ reputation today is no less than legendary. A true pride of Sarawak.
HEAD OFFICE (KUCHING) North Pan Hangar, Kuching International Airport, 93250 Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia. T: +60 82 455 737 (8 Lines) F: +60 82 455 736 REGIONAL OFFICE (MIRI) Miri International Airport, P.O. Box 1702, 98008 Miri, Sarawak, Malaysia. T: +60 85 611 066 F: +60 85 614 066 Oct-Dec2020BorneoTalk | 49
Heart of Borneo
HoB: uncovering nature’s wonders Forest Department Sarawak (FDS) has organised scientific expeditions into Sarawak’s pristine jungles since 2008, exploring their exceptionally rich biodiversity of flora and fauna. Numerous scientific expeditions have been carried out in alignment with the Heart of Borneo (HoB) Initiative, with focus on its pillar Number 3 - the Conservation of Biological Diversity.
Heart of Borneo Sarawak Scientific Expeditions
Locality map of the scientific expeditions conducted within HoB Sarawak
The expeditions were aimed at documenting the wildlife as well as flora and fauna in the HoB area to assess future needs for conservation there. They are also targeted at creating awareness on conservation, inspiring local participation in flora and fauna conservation, studying the effects of tourism on the HoB area, and boosting the conservation value of the area. Finally the expeditions include systematic studies on the sociology and anthropology of local tribes. The expeditions took place in areas with challenging terrains that demanded both physical and mental durability. FDS in collaboration with various stakeholders including local Government institutions, universities, NGOs and international bodies have allowed for knowledge and experience exchange in the pursuit of scientific discovery. Achievements from the expeditions included discovery of new records, rare and new species. These have enabled the publication of HoB Series and research studies from multidisciplinary sciences, as well as seminars where valuable findings were shared. Aimed at providing extensive references and information to the public and relevant stakeholders, scientific expeditions are important in enhancing the conservation and preservation of these precious gems in Sarawak. FDS hopes to conduct more scientific expeditions into the Heart of Borneo in the future, to previously unexplored areas that may hold more interesting finds and provide more information on the State’s forest heritage.
50 | BorneoTalkOct-Dec2020
Heart of Borneo
Journey into the wilderness of Sarawak Sample Collection and Documentation as Evidences of the Research Studies
Several Significant Discoveries from the Scientific Expeditions New species
New Records
Fauna Diversity
Entoloma nigriensis
Calyptomena hosii
Mapania sapuaniana Alpinia epiphytica Rhinolophus trifoliatus
Begonia papyraptera
Neofelis diardi
Rare and ‘Jewel’ Orchid
Hellenia borneensis
Rafflesia arnoldii
Macodes petola
For further inquiries, please contact Forest Department Sarawak at Bangunan Baitulmakmur II, Medan Raya, Petra Jaya, 93050 Kuching, Sarawak. forestry.sarawak.gov.my Oct-Dec2020BorneoTalk | 51
Museum
Into the world of Islamic civilisation
Batu bersurat
Wooden chest from Central Java
Sarawak has a thriving museum scene for the keen eyed and the curious minded people. One of the fine museums we have is the Islamic Heritage Museum, located at Jalan P. Ramlee in Kuching.
The museum building previously served as James Brooke Malay College of Madrasah Melayu Sarawak (1930). The building made of concrete and timber was used for training teachers in Malay studies. It was then renovated and reopened as the Islamic
Officially opened to public on May 22, 1992, each of the seven galleries in the museum exhibits artefacts and illustrations under the following: The Coming of Islam to Malay-Indonesian Archipelago; Islamic Architecture; Islamic Science, Technology, Economy, Education and Literature; Music and Costumes; Weaponry; Decorative Arts & domestic Utensils; Holy Quran collection. Upon entering the museum, visitors will be greeted by the first gallery, located between two separate inner courtyards housing the remaining six galleries. In the first gallery, an immaculately built replica of the State Mosque and two large maps greet visitors. One of the maps illustrates how Islam was spread and introduced to Sarawak, once part of the Brunei empire before it became a separate entity under the Brookes (1841-1910).
Heritage Museum, dedicated to showcase the rich historical heritage and culture of the Muslim community in Sarawak and throughout the Malay-Indonesian Archipelago. 52 | BorneoTalkOct-Dec2020
While in Gallery 1, don’t forget to check out the beduk, a large barrel drum that was used in the State mosque from 1952-1967. In the olden days, the beduk was beaten as a wake up call as well as call to prayer during the month of Ramadhan. Other noteworthy attractions that provide clear evidence of Islam in
Museum
Astrolabe
Beduk
Borneo are an original Islamic tombstone from Limbang and a batu bersurat stone from Brunei, with inscriptions in jawi (writing system based on the Arabic script) on it. Fans of geometry and architecture will appreciate the various elements of Islamic architecture displayed in Gallery 2. In this gallery displaying workmanship of the finest quality, architecture geeks can find Jarli window shutters from the Moghul period; goldish-red door leaves lavishly illustrated with naturalistic motifs belonging to the Malay nobleman of the 15th and 16th centuries; and the model of the earliest known mosque in Sarawak, which was made out of ironwood. On top of all that, visitors will learn about the central role of tiles in Islamic architecture plus the different status the various tiles represent, from Samarkand to Damascus (present-day Syria) to Safavid period in Persia (present-day Iran). Muslim scholars also contributed significantly to Medicine, Science, Technology, Economy, Education and Literature, all showcased in Gallery 3. Present in this gallery are Islamic-influenced innovations such as Ibn Sina (Avicenna)’s medical texts, calligraphy art made using chicken feathers and coconut shells, copper gantang (cup) used to measure rice and astrolabe - an astronomical device vital for fixing the time, altitude of stars, and even measuring mountains. Also, be sure to marvel at a miniature copper cannon once used in the barter trade system in Sarawak! The fourth gallery pays tribute to music and costumes, which have long been part of the Islamic culture, as long as they are practised in moderation. Find instruments played during Malay weddings such as gendang and tar (otherwise known as kompang in Peninsular Malaysia), made of animal skin and fur, displayed in this gallery. Plus, it’s also hard to overlook the array of personal ornaments such as belts, armlets and bracelets bedazzled with floral motifs. In general weapons are symbols of strength, war and ferocity. In Islam, the use of weapons is only necessary when there is no other solution available in defending the purity of the religion and the good name of the
Muslim community. The museum houses a variety of weapons like steel body armour, shields, spears, saddles and the Malay Keris in the fifth gallery. With a history that can be traced back from 600 years ago, the wavy keris dagger is so iconic to the Malays, that it has become the Malay rulers’ regalia. The personal keris collection belonging to Tun Datuk Patinggi Haji Ahmad Zaidi Adruce in this gallery is worth perusing. Decorative arts and household utensils showcased in the sixth gallery reflect the ideals, and traditional ceremonies of the Islamic civilisation. Usually, any form of decorative arts and carvings connected directly to the religion appear in mosques, prayer mats and gravestones. However, they also appear in household utensils, portraying Islam’s very own definitive concepts about decorative art: produced in a balance between beauty and virtue, aesthetics and ethics, as well as harmony of colours, thus avoiding excess that remains within the moral limits of the religion. The star attraction of this gallery is a wooden chest from Central Java in Indonesia, heavily embossed in Arabic calligraphy. Other attractions include Chinese ceramic plates with Islamic motifs, wooden box used for dowry in Malay weddings and a variety of antique brass kettles. The seventh gallery is meant to house the museum’s collection of Holy Quran. The gallery is currently undergoing upgrading and refurbishment works, but once open, the public will be able to witness a vast collection of Quran through the centuries. Truly fascinating. Before you leave the Islamic Heritage Museum, spend some time checking out its courtyards. Plastered on the exterior walls are posters honouring Sarawakian Muslim scholars and their contributions to the religion. Familiar names include Sohibu As-Samahah Datuk Haji Abdul Kadir Hassan and Sheikh Othman Abdul Wahab. Plus, it’s the perfect place for a ‘Gram shot, especially with Borneo Culture Museum standing majestically in the backdrop. The Islamic Heritage Museum is open daily (weekdays from 9am to 4.45pm and weekends from 10am to 4pm). It is closed on public holidays.
For more information of Forts in Sarawak, log onto museum.sarawak.gov.my Oct-Dec2020BorneoTalk | 53
Museum Cranial
Excavation in progress in Occupation Sector, Niah West Mouth during 1966.
N
Barbara Harrisson’s ‘A Classification of Stone Age Burials from Niah Great Cave, Sarawak’.
i a
Fragments of “deep skull” found in 1958 about 2.5m deep in “Hell Pit” dated to 40,000 BP; earliest evidence of anatomically-modern human remains anywhere in the world then (Homo sapiens).
Niah Cave (West Mouth) Formal archaeological research started when Tom Harrisson was appointed curator in 1947.
Femur 54 | BorneoTalkOct-Dec2020
Burial features at Niah Cave (West Mouth).
h Datuk Haji Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Sarawak and Sarawak delegates at University of Florida 2020.
Museum
Niah Skeletal Remains returns home after half a century Many associate the Niah Caves in Miri with the discovery of 40,000-year-old Deep Skull by Tom Harrisson in 1958. This discovery put Sarawak on the world map in the pre-historic research field, and as one of the most important archaeological sites in Southeast Asia. But what many do not know is that this discovery had also initiated a chain of important events. One discovery led to another, researchers continue to carry out further excavation works and study the archaeological materials recovered at this world-famous site ever since. One of the important discoveries is the skeletal collection recovered from the West Mouth in Niah Cave, a collection of 122 bone fragments from the Neolithic era cemetery dating back between 4500 and 2000 years, which somehow ended up in the United States of America for 53 long years until mid-March 2020. The question remains: How did these important archaeological materials stay in the US for such a long time? The story of Niah Skeletal Remains began in the mid-1960s, when biological anthropologist Dr Shaleigh Brooks and archaeologist husband Dr Richard Brooks were invited to assist Barbara Harrison with the excavation on these West Mouth burials and lead specialised biological anthropology analysis on the human skeletons. Excavation works ended in 1967, resulting in the shipping of a fair number of these burial features (60-70% of the assemblage) to Las Vegas, Nevada via ocean freight. To be exact, 112 skeletal remains were ‘on loan as Sarawak Museum property’ to the University of Nevada for research purposes, where the Brooks at that time were starting their new jobs. The shipments containing these skeletal remains were sent in two batches. The first shipment in 1966 included 11 boxes containing the skeletal remains, while the second shipment (1967) contained 19 boxes of skeletal remains, along with soil samples, books, and ethnological specimens. Altogether, 30 boxes arrived safely on Feb 14, 1967 and kept at the Social Science Division in University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). The skeletal remains stayed in Las Vegas for a while, with the Brooks at their home for them to conduct their research findings, which resulted in the publishing of several important papers in the late 1960s and 1970s. John Krigbaum (then a graduate student at New York University), approached the Brooks in 1994 and began enquiring about the ‘on loan’ status of these Niah Cave skeletal remains. In 1998, he managed to convince the couple to transfer these remains to a more suitable place for curation and study, in a lab located at the Department of Anthropology, UNLV. Over the last few decades, Sarawak Museum Department has made several initiatives to bring back the ‘lost assemblage’ of the Niah skeletal remains. But the two events that prompted real discussions on bringing back these remains were the June 2004 visit by Prof. Emeritus Datuk Zuraina Majid at UNLV
and the keynote speech delivered by The Right Honourable Tun Pehin Sri Haji Abdul Taib Mahmud during International Bornean Archaeology Seminar. In his speech, the former Chief Minister expressed Sarawak’s earnest interest to bring back the State’s archaeological treasures from abroad, particularly Niah Cave Skeletal Remains for future generations to view and conduct further research and analysis on. Discussions on possible repatriation process happened in 2016 at UNLV. Led by Sarawak Museum’s former director, Ipoi Datan, with the presence of Dr. Debra L. Martin from University of Nevada, Las Vegas and Dr John Kirgbaum, University of Florida (UF)’s archaeologist, it was agreed upon discussion that UNLV would pass the boxes to the UF for the purpose of documentation, inventory and conservation. Another reason why the bone collections had to be transferred to UF was because Florida’s climate stability was similar to Malaysia’s. The second delegation visit took place on March 8, 2017. This time, two Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were signed to officially release the boxes to UF. For three days straight, Mohd Sherman bin Sauffi (Assistant Curator of Archaeology, Sarawak Museum) and Dr. Krigbaum transported the 122 precious skeletal remains across seven states in the US, from Nevada to Florida. In preparation for their long journey home to Sarawak, detailed inventories and careful packaging of the remains commenced in late 2019, facilitated by facilitated by UF students Ashley Deutsch and Rachel Lotze under Dr. John Krigbaum’s supervision. By March 7, 2020, just in time before the Movement Control Order (MCO) took effect, all 122 skeletal remains excavated at West Mouth, Niah Caves safely returned to Sarawak, finally reunited with their parent assemblage, after half a century being abroad. Sarawak Museum plays a vital role in continuing to maintain and preserve its archaeological collections for future archaeologists to conduct research on. With the planned renovations and expansions of the Sarawak Museum through the upcoming Borneo Cultures Museum, Sarawak Museum is working closely together with local and international universities to study the skeletal remains further. This is in line with Sarawak Museum Department’s vision to be ‘a globally engaged museum of history and heritage centre’. Note: Archaeologists can study further these Neolithic burials in Barbara Harrisson’s ‘A Classification of Stone Age Burials from Niah Great Cave, Sarawak’, from The Sarawak Museum Journal, Vol. XV, No 30-31 New Series.
For more information of Forts in Sarawak, log onto museum.sarawak.gov.my Oct-Dec2020BorneoTalk | 55
RIGHT TIME, RIGHT NOW! Take The Step Forward DESIGN • INDUSTRY • PASSION • NEW HOPE Explore your potential in furniture design, Explore the many career opportunities. Don’t miss out! Registration is FREE and open till 21.10.2020. Register NOW @ https://bit.ly/2FmYFBU
DREAM IT! FIND IT! LOVE IT!
Webinar
Road to Sarawak Young Designers (SayD’SignersSarawak)
21.10
2020
Scan me to Register now!
conducted in English, Bahasa Malaysia & Bahasa Indonesia
Webinar
UNCOVERING NEW
TALENTS There is so much potential for design here in Sarawak, with many talents yet to be uncovered and raw potentials still untapped. Sarawak Timber Industry Development Corporation (STIDC) is looking to help develop this pool of talents, especially young university graduates looking to set a career path in design, through its Sarawak Young Designers (SayD’SignersSarawak) programme. It offers specially tailored training courses, developed specifically for SayD’SignersSarawak. The programme equips trainees with all the knowledge and skills they need to venture into the furniture design industry, and trainees continue their final year at the prestigious Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB), Bandung Indonesia.
One of the webinar’s highlights will be a special session titled “Young Designers – New Hope and The Way Forward”, where members of the panel, will discuss and explore ideas and opportunities in the design fraternity as well as on how university graduates can carve a path to a bright future and a successful career for themselves in furniture design. Importantly, discussion will also stress on how to position oneself to move forward despite major challenges and set backs such as COVID-19.
SayD’SignersSarawak webinar aimed at uncovering new design talents
Step forward into new possibilities In garnering the interest of young graduates towards the SayD’SignersSarawak programme, STIDC, in collaboration with Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) and ITB will be holding the “Road to Sarawak Young Designers (SayD’SignersSarawak): Design, Industry, Passion and New Hope” webinar (virtual seminar) on Oct 21, from 9am to 1pm. Themed “Good Art Is A Talent, Good Design Is A Skill”, the webinar promises to be an eye-opening experience to young and talented university graduates with keen interest in furniture design and beyond. It is also aimed at creating awareness on SayD’SignersSarawak and at the same time encourage companies and industry players to be part of the programme.
Meanwhile, the keynote speakers will share information on SayD’signersSarawak, which is a two-year Training Programme on Furniture Design developed and implemented by STIDC and ITB, Bandung, Indonesia. Other programme include a session on SayD’SignersSarawak: I say “Good Art is a Talent, Good Design is a Skill”, talks, virtual exhibitions, video presentations and an introduction of a new music composed by Dr Imam especially for SayD’SignersSarawak. The webinar aims to highlight the importance of designing as the way forward and SayD’SignersSarawak as a stepping-stone for university graduates who wish to pursue a career in furniture design. The SayD’SignersSarawak programme has earned support from the Sarawak Government, and in fact the State intends to build a design centre as a support mechanism in building an ecosystem of designers in Sarawak. Do not miss the opportunity to explore the many possibilities of design. Register now for the “Road to Sarawak Young Designers (SayD’SignersSarawak): Design, Industry, Passion and New Hope” webinar.
For more information, contact Sarawak Timber Industry Development Corporation (STIDC) at Wisma Sumber Alam, Jalan Stadium, Petra Jaya, 93050 Kuching, Sarawak. +6082 473 000 +6082 441 169 / 442 691 www.sarawaktimber.gov.my Oct-Dec2020BorneoTalk | 57
Food
Weekend feasting at Grand Margherita Hotel Kuching Weekends are meant to be enjoyed. There’s no time to scroll down the web or think hard about where to go for dinner or breakfast and all that hoopla. When that happens, an hour or two, maybe even half the day is already gone just trying to decide where to eat! Don’t fret, for Grand Margherita Hotel Kuching has the answer to your dining dilemma.
Dinner with a view For a fuss-free dinner with plenty of options and a relaxing environment to match, head to the hotel’s Poolside Pavilion on Saturdays from 6.30pm to 10pm for their Chef’s Parade buffet. Pick a seat nearest to the edge of the Sarawak River and witness as the sun sets and the multicoloured lights come to life. The air is filled with amazing aromas that lure you to the hawker style food stalls and BBQ stands dotting the venue.
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Food
The choices are aplenty and are mostly prepared before your eyes, so freshness is guaranteed! Choose from BBQ meats & seafood, local favourites, sushi and sashimi, salads, sweet desserts and even soft serve ice-cream! Enjoy these in a cosy dining setting by the pool and the Sarawak River. Grab their special vouchers that lets you dine here at just RM78.40 nett per adult. Available online at bit.ly/2BPS3dG. Diners at Chef’s Parade can also enjoy special room offer of RM168 nett per room per night (breakfast for two included) every Saturday and Sunday. Meanwhile, BorneoTalk Privilege Card users can enjoy 20% off their total bill when they dine at the Chef’s Parade at the Poolside Pavilion.
Yum Cha at Orchid Garden Coffee House Head on over to Orchid Garden Coffee House for a Yum Cha session with your friends or loved ones between 8am and 2pm every Sunday. The hotel recreates an authentic experience of push-cart style dim sum where you get to just sit back relax and wait for your dim sum to come to you. Delicious Chinese dim sum are on offer, along with Chinese tea for that complete Yum Cha experience. Additionally, you may order from the live cooking stations, with dishes like Sarawak Laksa and rice porridge among many things offered. The buffet counters also offer fried morsels and dessert if you’re feeling like eating heavy on a Sunday. Speaking of eating heavy, dishes from their Meisan Chinese restaurant are also available to order, including roasted duck/chicken, noodles and vegetables in various selected cooking styles. Orchid Garden Coffee House’s Sunday Yum Cha is priced at RM70 nett per adult and RM35 nett per child. Book on the Insiders Club app (bit.ly/3j2B2Nz) to enjoy double reward points. Please be reminded that strict SOPs are to be observed during this pandemic season. For more information, call +60 82 532 111 ext 1158. Oct-Dec2020BorneoTalk | 59
Food
Whether served in a rich broth or stir-fried, noodle is a cherished comfort food in many cultures around the world. Sarawak has its own versions of noodle dishes, some of which are internationally recognised like the Sarawak Laksa and Kolo Mee. But have you heard of or tried the lesser known but equally delicious Mee Jawa (Java noodles)?
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The origin of this beloved hawker dish of Sarawak is unclear. Some claim that it originated in Central Java, Indonesia. Nonetheless, with the long-standing history of Javanese migration to Malaysia in the early 19th century, plus the name of the dish itself, one might deduce that Javanese descents that had assimilated into local Malay culture introduced Mee Jawa. Technically, when it comes to overall appearance, Mee Jawa looks pretty close to Mee Rebus (boiled noodles). However, the secret to the taste of Mee Jawa lies in its star ingredient: sweet potato. It lends the Mee Jawa that natural sweetness in its thick gravy that is yellowish-orange in colour. Topping the dish are sliced meat and crispy tofu, among other things. Some hawkers even serve Mee Jawa with satay on the side. Mee Jawa is normally eaten for breakfast, therefore usually sold in the morning at hawker stalls throughout Sarawak. Alternatively, you can try cooking it at home! Mee Jawa is an easy-to-make noodle dish that is also perfect for lunch or teatime. With that said, here’s a step-by-step recipe you can follow to make your very own Mee Jawa.
Main Ingredients 1kg yellow noodles (blanched) 500g beef meat [boiled and sliced) 300g bean sprouts 2 green onions (sliced) 5 red chilli (sliced) 3 pieces fried tofu (thinly sliced) 3 boiled eggs (sliced into half) Fried onions
For the Gravy 500 g of sweet potato (boiled & blended) To sauté (finely grounded): 3 cloves garlic 5 cloves shallots 3 stalks lemongrass 1cm ginger 1cm galangal 100g dried shrimp 2 tablespoons ground chilli 3 tablespoons meat curry powder
Method 1. Boil beef until tender. Set aside leftover beef stock. 2. Boil the sweet potato. Once the potatoes have soften, blend until smooth. Set aside for later. 3. Heat cooking oil in a saucepan. 4. Sauté blended ingredients, spices & chillies until fragrant. 5. Add blended sweet potato and beef stock to desired consistency. Stir well until the gravy thickens. (Optional: Add cornstarch if the gravy is not thick enough) 6. Season with a bit of salt and sugar to taste. 7. Once the gravy is cooked, serve with noodles, sliced ingredients, fried onions and bean sprouts.
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Food
Delicious halal
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Food
non-Malay dishes Like your favourite ice-blended cold drink, Sarawak blends and mixes the tastes and cultures of all its residents, local and foreign, to create a unique fusion of flavour that is displayed in Sarawakian food. People from all backgrounds that have journeyed to and settled in Sarawak have had a hand in lending flavours from their motherland to create new types of food and delicacies uniquely Sarawakian for all of us to enjoy. As Sarawakians live harmoniously in unity, love happens and so do intermarriages, and not only do these give birth to racial harmony among Sarawakians, it also translates to what we put in our plates. Today, it’s not difficult to find halal versions of food that are originally non-halal, especially Chinese cuisine. Here are some examples:
Kampua Mee
Kacangma
Bao
Kampua Mee has Foochow origins and uses straight noodles instead of curly ones. Kampua Mee is usually coated either in soy sauce or chilli sauce, or you could have it white. Halal ones are topped with chicken slices instead of pork. So, the next time you want to try something different for breakfast, give the Kampua Mee a shot.
What started as a Hakka confinement dish is now regarded as one of Sarawak’s most unique and must-try food. Halal versions are now available too, without cooking wine added in.
This quintessentially Chinese steamed bun is traditionally white in colour and packed with a delicious meat filling. Halal versions of Chinese steamed buns have been around for a while now, filled with a variety of sweet or savoury fillings such as black pepper chicken, BBQ chicken, chocolate and many others.
Aroma Cafe • 126, 122, Jalan Tabuan, Taman Budaya, 93100 Kuching, Sarawak . Tel: +60 82 417 163
Sadiqin Lim Kampua • Jalan Kampung Tupong Batu, Kampung Tupong Tengah, 93050 Kuching, Sarawak . Tel: +60 16 666 3278 YS Café • Kampung Nangka, 96000 Sibu, Sarawak (open every day except Friday from 7:30 am to 4:30 pm) . Tel: +60 19 876 4848
Tomato Crispy Mee A sizzling thick, sweet and sour tomato gravy is poured over deep-fried crispy noodles. The heat of the gravy will soften the noodles as they soak up the tasty tomato sauce. This might take a couple of minutes, but it’s worth the wait! Tomato Mee Kampung Stampin Baru • Lor 4, Kampung Stutong Baru, 93350 Kuching, Sarawak (opening time: everyday 6:30 am to 10:30 pm)
Ang Ku Kueh Resembling a tortoise, Ang Ku Kueh is made from glutinous rice flour with a sweet mung bean, red bean or sometimes peanut butter paste filling. Banana leaf on which it is placed lends a beautiful aroma to the ‘kueh’. Halal ones are easily available now and are a favourite for teatime.
Yoo Tiao One of the more famous street foods in Sarawak is the Yoo Tiao or Cakoi. It is a very simple yet delicious Chinese delicacy. It is basically a strip of dough, deepfried until golden brown and enjoyed as a snack or with a bowl of rice porridge. I Love Yoo • Permaisuri Imperial City Mall, Jalan Merpati, 98000 Miri, Sarawak . (open everyday from 10 am to 10 pm)
Min Chiang Kueh (Apam balik) It may come as a surprise to many people that the apam balik actually originates from China, despite having a widely known Malay name. Made halal by the Malays, the apam balik is now one of Sarawak’s favourite desserts and can be found easily in many street markets of Sarawak.
Dim Sum & Co. Kuching • 92, Lor Duranta 2, Taman Sejoli, 93050 Kuching, Sarawak (opening time: Sunday to Thursday from 4 pm to 10:30 pm . Friday and Saturday from 4 pm to 11 pm)
Mee Sua This almost thread-thin noodle has been adopted and altered by the Malays to accommodate the community’s beliefs. The halal version is served in light chicken broth, mushrooms, egg, scallions, and a chicken drumstick, minus the Chinese cooking wine. Sadiqin Lim Kampua • Jalan Kampung Tupong Batu, Kampung Tupong Tengah, 93050 Kuching, Sarawak . Tel: +60 16 666 3278
Wonton Another Chinese classic is the famous wonton. While it originally contains pork and shrimp, the halal version is made using chicken instead, with chicken broth poured over it.
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Food
Golden goodness of Nipa Palm Trees Sarawak’s famous gula apong or nipa palm sugar is a type of sugar that comes from the nipa palm tree (Nypa fruticans), which grows abundantly in the coastal areas of Sarawak. The sugar can be easily distinguished by its golden caramel colour (and in some cases dark reddish brown) and natural sweet taste that is said to be less intense than white or brown sugar.
Gula apong is produced from the sap of nipa palm tree that is extracted by making a cut on the flower bud of the tree. The collected sap will be boiled and stirred for six to eight hours to allow the liquid to evaporate, leaving behind a thick caramel. The caramel is then left to cool down and stored for packaging. In this art of making palm sugar, boiling time plays an important role. The longer the palm sap is boiled, the darker and richer the sugar becomes. Depending on how the sugar is processed, the end product can range from pale brown to almost black. In terms of consistency, gula apong can be soft and crumbly or hard. Approximately one kilogramme of palm sugar can be produced from 10 litres of sap.
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Food
Kuih sarang semut
Gula apong Sarawak
Ice cream gula apong
Kuih celorot
In the past, palm sugar was widely produced and used in coastal villages of Sarawak, where nipa palm trees grew abundantly. The villagers used palm sugar as sweeteners for their food and drinks instead of white sugar as the latter was more expensive and difficult to come by due to limited road access into the villages. However, as time went by and roads were built leading into the coastal areas, white sugar began to replace palm sugar. Today, it is produced on demand by small scale producers in small towns across Sarawak.
no chemicals are used, and gula apong requires minimal processing. In stores, gula apong is normally available in blocks or liquid form.
Palm sugar is considered to be healthier than white and brown sugar as it is an unrefined sugar, meaning it is richer in vitamins and minerals, making it more popular among households these days. It is also a natural sugar as
These days, palm sugar is seen as an artisanal product that requires patience, passion and craftsmanship to produce.
Some traditional products that use gula apong are the Iban penganan iri, sarang semut and kuih ros, all of which are still in demand and can be found in coastal towns. Other than that, it is also used in making curries, sauces, syrups, spreads, desserts and even ice-creams and puddings.
Shops selling gula apong ice creams DP Ice Cream Gula Apong
R.G. AIS KRIM BERGULA APONG
~ Jalan Chan Chin Ann, 93100 Kuching, Sarawak +60 12 540 4128
~ No.11 Tower 93000, Wet Market & Hawker Centre, 93100 Kuching, Sarawak +6016 891 0001
#SupportLocal
Jazz up your meals and drinks with deliciously sweet Gula Apong products by our enterprising local entrepreneurs! Zam Afiq Agro and Food Industries @ZamAfiqAgroandFoodIndustries SPL Food Industries Sdn Bhd @splfoodindustries Oct-Dec2020BorneoTalk | 65
Arts & Culture
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Arts & Culture
Time-honoured tradition of gendang and bermukun How can one entertainingly express festivity, appreciation for life and politeness all at once? The Malay, Melanau and Kedayan of Sarawak know how: through bermukun, a folk entertainment ensemble encompassing dancing, gendang (a local percussive instrument) beats, and a melodic reciting of the pantun - a traditional oral expression of the Malays.
Age-old art form Normally performed at night on weekends, usually at a wedding, bermukun is easy to organise in people’s homes. It begins with the beating of the gendang, which signals the start of the ‘buying and selling’ of pantun between the mak gendang and penopeng (male dancers). Sometimes, instruments such as an accordion or a violin are played too.
hallmark of the Malays, the pantun is a quatrain, recited according to alternating rhythm, in A B A B arrangement. Among the common rhythmic themes of bermukun are Laila Majnun, Sayang Sarawak, Selendang Mayang and Bercerai Kasih.
It is customary for a woman, called mak gendang or seh gendang, to play the gendang. Traditionally, the women drumming up the gendang would sit behind a curtain while the men took to the floor and danced to the beat and rhythm of the gendang.
The brief quatrain carries within it elements of a Malay man’s life, expressing the traditions, beliefs, wisdoms and feelings of all sorts. Besides its purpose as an oral expression that celebrates triumphs and joys, pantun also acts as a medium for an individual or a community to express their ideas and ideals, which can in turn promote good societal behaviours.
The tandak (dance) in bermukun is characterised by its slow pace and easy-to-pick-up movements. In the dance, you can find repetitive push and pull movements between two dancers, who are traditionally men, styled from head to toe in traditional garment complete with their embroidered felt or velvet songkok (oval hat).
When listened to intently, there are good values (nilai murni) found in the message of a pantun during bermukun. Among them are responsibility, sincerity, unity and truth. These good values help reaffirm a sense of belonging, community spirit and strengthen social interaction amongst the community taking part in bermukun.
Bermukun was an activity for the youths looking to find a partner. Back in the olden days, the male dancers were known as penopeng because they had to cover their face with a topeng (masked cloth), which can be either batik or a pelikat cloth. The curtain cloth, covering the female participants and the masks on the male dancers help conceal their identities. These help the male dancers to get to know the ladies they might be interested in, through the act of ‘selling’ in the pantun.
In other cases, pantun can deliver suggestions to the leader in charge of a certain area too. For example, when the villagers request for a better road, what better way to do so politely than through a pantun in bermukun during an official event.
In the event that the girl behind the veil accepts the ‘question’ pantun of the masked man, she will ask the mak gendang to ‘buy’ the question with another pantun. This was a courteous way for a man to talk to and meet a lady in the community. If things go well, the man will proceed with a betrothal ceremony (merisik). A lot has changed since then… Nowadays, menopeng is no longer practised, mak gendang don’t beat up their gendang behind the curtain anymore, and the women can dance too.
The beauty of pantun The heart of bermukun would have to be its pantun recital between mak gendang and penopeng. A
Reciting the pantun during bermukun requires genuine talent to deliver creative emotions, and someone who is quick to come up with catchy pantun replies tossed between the mak gendang and penopeng. Thus, an accomplished poet is one who can vividly convey his complex emotions, hints, and imaginations attributed to the melodic verses of a pantun.
An enjoyable folk entertainment With an appeal in many ways stronger than other types of performing arts, the simple tandak accompanied with gendang beats and pantun recital make bermukun an enjoyable entertainment for people from all walks of life. It is also a cultural symbol that reflects on the civilisation of the local people. That is why bermukun, from long ago to this very day, still makes special appearances on auspicious occasions like the night before a wedding and official public or private events and ceremonies.
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Arts & Culture
Tracing the thread in Gedong Chances are you’ve never heard of Gedong. Wedged in between Serian and Asajaya, this quaint sub-district is a place few travellers to Sarawak know about, let alone visit. Here in Gedong, where time seems to pass by slower than in the city, is where Malay women artisans produce exquisite Sarawak Songket whose beauty will last a lifetime.
Sarawak’s precious textile Derived from the term ‘sungkit’, meaning ‘knitting’ in Malay, songket is an exquisite piece of fabric elaborately interwoven with gold and silver threads. In ancient times, songket was only worn by specific groups usually associated with Malay royalty, and at certain functions only. Nowadays, songket can be worn by anyone, and is especially popular during Malay weddings or other traditional and even non-traditional functions. Sarawak Songket has come a long way. It is a valued textile with centuries-long influences from the beginning of the
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Arts & Culture
Srivijaya Empire to the Brunei Sultanate, up until today. This traditional Malay garment is much revered today, with an incomparable heritage status in Sarawak. The art of traditional songket making is still practised in Sarawak, although the number of songket weavers have shrunk over the years. Most of them are women who inherit their weaving skills and techniques from their ancestors. Songket weavers can be found all over Sarawak, mostly in rural areas. Gedong is one of those areas. What makes Seri Gedong Songket in Simunjan so special?
A continuation of Sarawak Malay heritage Founded by master weaver Ramtiniwaiti Ramlee in 2016, Seri Gedong Songket (SGS) is more than an artisanal songket centre. As one of Sarawak’s focal points in guarding and continuing this Malay heritage, this place provides a closer look at the rich songket for Sarawak visitors. It also operates as a training ground for the young generation of Sarawak weavers, which helps rural women artisans in Gedong earn a living. In total, there are currently nine Malay weavers that produce high quality songket textiles at SGS under Ramtini’s guidance.
Ancient technique At SGS, 10 distinct laborious steps are involved in the making of a single songket fabric; involving human input from a different expert for each step. Because of their intricacy and complexity, some of these processes can take weeks to complete. Before this multi-step process even takes place, a songket pattern is designed on graph paper, as reference for the weavers. The ‘dots’ on the grid of the graph paper help the weavers determine the exact amount of thread needed for the loom (dukan tenun). It is also equally important to first understand the two songket weaving terms: loseng (warp) and pakan (weft) yarns. The combinations of these two yarns are used to make the fabric for the songket. The loseng yarn lies parallel to the fabric’s edge (selvage), while the weft yarn lies perpendicular to the selvage. A wooden loom facilitates the interlace of these yarns. The process begins with the colouring of the yarns in natural dye. Once the dyed yarns are ready, the following steps will be winding, warping, rolling, sleying the reed, connecting old and new warp yarns, tying the ends of the warp yarns to the loom at an even tension, supplementary weft weaving (menyongket) and weaving (menenun). These multi-step processes are
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Arts & Culture
Ramtiniwaiti Ramlee (left) showing off a completed piece of songket Sarawak.
then repeated until the songket fabric is completed. Supplementary weft weaving, or menyongket is the most complex step throughout the entire songket weaving process. The weaver counts the thread one by one, in a chronological order with a quill to create the motif. These motifs are then saved, following the drafted design, by tying several hand string loop leashes to form a button bonding (ikat butang). The saved patterns help the weavers to not repeat the steps of counting threads throughout the entire textile. What distinguishes Sarawak songket from its West Malaysian counterpart is the counting technique used. Sarawak songket uses a hidden thread technique that ensures the fabric of the songket is neatly woven, as if the yarn seems ‘invisible’ on the textile. Language plays a factor too. In Terengganu there is a motif called ‘bunga bintang’. In Sarawak, this same motif is called ‘pecah lapan’. The motif of the songket usually features geometrical patterns of Islamic influence, which also highlights the identity of the Malays. They also appear in stylised forms inspired by 70 | BorneoTalkOct-Dec2020
nature and their surrounding, such as starfish, ocean waves and flowers. According to Ramtini, the Ros Duduk (sitting rose) motif was created by local veteran songket weaver Dayang Zakiah Abang Hassan, making this motif inherently Sarawakian. Weaving a piece of songket, usually about 2.5m in length, typically takes at least two months. That depends on factors such as the amount of coloured yarns used and the intricacies of the motifs. If the motif is relatively simple to produce, the weavers of Gedong can easily produce as much as five to six inches of songket fabric in one day. Considering the countless hours needed by many dexterous hands to produce a finished songket fabric, it makes sense why one piece of songket can take up to three months to complete. It is not unusual for a superior songket at SGS, one that is interweaved with gold yarn, to sell at up to RM18,000 each.
The timeless designs of Sarawak songket Timeless elegance is personified in the classic Sarawak Songket cloth. The
enduring beauty of this woven fabric, with motifs that gleam with elegance and classiness, continues to appeal to the fashion forward women of modern-day Sarawak. At SGS, songket designs lean more towards a classic style. A defining characteristic of SGS’s design is their maskota motif, which resembles a crown. Ramtini was inspired to include the maskota motif in every SGS songket after discovering it on a rare Sarawak songket aged close to 200 years old. Visitors can find a variety of songket textiles available for sale at SGS. They include the double-sided kain belatak normally worn at weddings; kain bertabur, whose body textile features scattered motifs; the geometrically styled kain berturus; and kain penakan that features chequered patterns with vertical motifs. Customers here can choose the designs that are currently available for sale, or opt to have one custom-made especially for them. However, customisation means a longer waiting period. But, with the unreplicable beauty and quality, the fine Gedong-made songket from SGS is worth the wait.
Arts & Culture
Do as the locals do Have a taste of Gedong’s famed Mee Udang Load up on seafood goodness with a bowl of decadent mee udang in Gedong. This noodle dish is popular throughout the day, and is a must-have when you visit Gedong. The giant freshwater prawns are as fresh as they come, especially with Gedong located next to Sadong River. Cooked perfectly, the prawns are juicy and sweet. The delicious sweet and sour broth will have you licking the plate clean! Get your fill of Gedong’s famous Mee Udang at Fatimah Corner, inside Anjung Usahawan Gedong food court, or at Mee Udang Gumpey. https://www.facebook.com/fatimahcornerAUG/posts/antaramenu-kamisila2-la-berkunjung-ke-fatimah-corner-d-anjungusahawan-gedong/1809838019107511/ https://www.facebook.com/miudanggumpey/
Drive across Batang Sadong Bridge Travel back to Kuching from Gedong via the Q142 route that leads to Asajaya Expressway. This road will take you past Batang Sadong bridge, the longest bridge spanning over a river in Sarawak, at 1.48km. Before the completion of this dual-carriageway bridge in 2016, the residents of Simunjan and Sebuyau travelled across Batang Sadong River by ferry. The average wait time for queuing up back then? Two hours!
Explore the local roadside stalls at Asajaya As your approach Kota Samarahan, you’ll see more roadside stalls selling all sorts of local snacks. From banana chips, kuih ros, rusip (fermented anchovies’ sauce), coconut oil, bahulu to local fruits such as watermelon and pineapples, you will be spoilt for choice!
What you need to know For the most part, the roads to Gedong do not have lamp posts. So you best head to Gedong way early in the morning so you can make it back to Kuching city before nightfall.
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Library
Pustaka Sibu welcomes you to a world of infinite knowledge The much-awaited Sarawak State Library, Sibu campus (Pustaka Sibu) is now open, providing citizens of Sibu and surrounding areas unlimited access to knowledge, culture and information services. The Commencement of Service Ceremony for Pustaka Sibu was held on Sept 14, 2020 – a date that will be permanently etched in the historical timeline of Pustaka Negeri Sarawak.
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Library
Management and staff of Pustaka Sibu with CEO, Dr Rashidah Bolhassan.
Present to officiate at the ceremony was Sarawak State Library’s Chairman of the Management Board, Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr. Haji Hamid Bugo, with members of the Management Board and Chief Executive Officer of Pustaka Negeri Sarawak, Dr Rashidah binti Haji Bolhassan witnessing. Also present were the Chairman of the Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) and the Regional Manager, JKR Central Region Office. The next day, Sept 15, Pustaka Sibu finally opened to the general public. And in conjunction with the library’s official opening, Pustaka Negeri Sarawak held its 81st Management Board Meeting at the new library, the first of many more management board meetings to be held at Pustaka Sibu in the future. Meanwhile, in the months leading towards the opening of Pustaka Sibu, members of the public that were already eagerly waiting for the library to open its doors were treated to a breadth of activities. Highlights included Digital Community Centre Train of Trainers (ToT) Workshop, painting exhibitions featuring local artists, Reading Seeds kit exhibition, STEM activities, and Customer Day.
brand new sanctuary for lifelong learning in Sungai Merah features up-to-date knowledge facilities and infrastructure. Pustaka Sibu also provides facilities for rent, including Multipurpose Room, ICT Training Room and Seminar Room that are equipped with the latest amenities and ICT equipment.
Come experience Pustaka Sibu and all it has to offer now! Pustaka Sibu opens from 10am to 7pm on working days and from 9am to 6pm on weekends, and is closed on public holidays. Get up to speed with Pustaka Negeri Sarawak’s latest news and updates via social media @pustakaswk (Instagram) or pustaka.sarawak (Facebook).
Themed ‘Educate Yourself’ and with concept of a lifestyle library, Pustaka Sibu is a modern library with a unique interior design and calming green surrounding. The
Sarawak State Library (PUSTAKA), Sibu • Jalan Tun Tuanku Bujang, Sungai Merah, 96000 Sibu, Sarawak. +60 84 315 200 librarian@sarawak.gov.my pustaka.sarawak pustakaswk pustakaswk Oct-Dec2020BorneoTalk | 73
Library
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Library
Pustaka: Now live and virtual! 2020 is a special year for Pustaka, as the library celebrates its 20th year in operation since it first opened its doors to the public. To commemorate the library’s co-existence with its members and the public, numerous exciting activities were lined–up for a year long celebration at its campuses. Among them were concerts, Sarawakiana Carnival, Jazz & Busking, Book Run, International Knowledge Conference, Obtain Wisdom at the Library (OWL) and Makers Bootcamp, to name a few. However, in light of the Movement Control Order (MCO), a preventative measure by the Government to curb the spread of COVID-19 since March 18, all events and programmes had to be rescheduled or cancelled. However, this did not deter Pustaka from continuing with these events. Instead, they went virtual!
Since April, Pustaka has successfully conducted several scheduled events and activities via their official Facebook page (Pustaka Sarawak) and YouTube channel (pustaka. sarawak). They were Jom Baca 2020, World Quran Hour 2020, International Archives Week and Pustaka’s Integrity Day 2020. On top of these events, Pustaka also took the liberty to engage with public who had to #stayhome by providing fun and educational activities via their online platforms. Among the extensive online services on their Pustaka Sarawak Channel were: 1. Opac (online publication/ catalogue/ book research) 2. e-terbits 3. Electronic Databases 4. ARMS (Archival Records Management System) 5. Sarawak State Bibliography 6. Pay Bills Sarawak 7. e-knowbase 8. e-preservation 9. e-Sarawak Gazette 10. The Sarawak Dictionary of Acronyms & Abbreviations 11. PANDeI online courses (free to all participants) 12. Sharing Recipe from Pustaka’s staff 13. BookBear Services 14. Pustaka Sarawak Channel Services 15. Aesthetic Space (a space for individuals to learn about anything related to visual arts, creativity and imagination) 16. Beat Space (a dedicated musical space for Pustaka’s members, the general public and music enthusiasts to learn about various musical instruments)
With the success of the aforesaid programmes, Pustaka aspire to continue its online services’ initiatives, through its BookBear services, a direct-to-consumer book borrowing service, and its official YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/user/PustakaSarawak/. The aim of these initiatives is to encourage reading and lifelong learning, in line with the current transitioning period to a new normal world. COVID-19 has sparked numerous new trends online, pushing towards a digital future. Therefore, Pustaka hopes to optimise the potential of information and communication technology to the fullest, giving the public more benefits and access to materials related to the Library’s services and collections.
BookBear Services Borrowing a book from Pustaka just got easier! With its newest BookBear service, members of Pustaka and the general public can borrow books with just a tap on their smartphone screen. All you need to do is download Angka.sa2 app from Google Play Store or Apple’s AppStore, search for OPAC and ‘share’ the book you wish to borrow through Pustaka’s official WhatsApp (Kuching: +60 13 804 4220, Miri: +60 11 5882 0533, Sibu: +60 19 880 6966), together with your personal details (name, address and preferred pick-up or delivery time). You’re now all set to receive your book of choice! Operation hours: Monday – Saturday, from 9am to 5pm.
For a start, Pustaka Sarawak Channel will run its broadcast for 2 hours daily: Day
Time (10am – 11am)
Time (2pm – 3pm)
Monday
Community Talk (Ceramah Komuniti)
BeatSpace
Tuesday
Bicara Pustakawan
AestheticSpace
Wednesday
E-Literacy
Makerspace
Thursday
WOW Pustaka
Makerspace
Friday
Records & Archives Treasures (Khazanah Rekod & Arkib)
Makerspace
Saturday
Sarawakiana
Children’s Activities
Sunday
Bicara Karya
Children’s Activities
Sarawak State Library (PUSTAKA) • Jalan Pustaka, Off Jalan Stadium, 93050 Petra Jaya, Kuching, Sarawak. +60 82 442 000 +60 82 449 944 librarian@sarawak.gov.my pustaka.sarawak pustakaswk
pustakaswk
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Library
takes to the World Wide Web Despite the setbacks due to COVID-19, Pustaka Negeri Sarawak (Pustaka) successfully organised its annual Sarawak Authors Festival from Aug 27 to 29. This year’s festival, themed ‘Jiwa’ (Bahasa Malaysia for ‘Soul’) was done in a manner different from how it was usually organised in the past years.
How fitting that Pustaka decided to go virtual with Sarawak Authors Festival 2020, in keeping with the times and staying technologically relevant. It was a step forward for Pustaka in terms of dealing with complications caused by COVID-19, whereby mass gatherings and public events were not allowed for obvious reasons. Taking the festival to the Web meant that participants and the public were able to conduct and follow talks, workshops and exhibitions from the safety and comfort of their own home, office, and et cetera.
The heart and soul of writing The theme for this year’s festival, ‘Jiwa’ or ‘Soul’, was chosen to give emphasis to the immersion of one’s emotions, heart and soul in producing splendid written works. In fact, Sarawak author Haji Jais Sahok on Aug 6 interpreted ‘Jiwa’ as the act of writing in which the writer fully immersed himself in his written work and put his heart and soul into his writing. In that writing there is interest, impulse, a strong desire, as well as thankfulness after completing a written work. Such written work is produced using not just one’s wealth of knowledge but also one’s heart and soul - positive emotions.
Haji Jais Sahok
76 | BorneoTalkOct-Dec2020
Lasykar Seni
Sarawakiana Talk Series
Library
Authors’ sharing session Temenggong Elizabeth Deng
Golda Mowe
Lim Soo Sian
Mandarin and Khat writing workshops
Mary Anne Vaz Sarawak Authors Festival 2020 exhibition
Abang Median bin Abang Said
workshop on digital cartoon drawing for posters
Zainal Abidin bin Suhaili
Hadrah lyrics-writing workshop in Bahasa Melayu Sarawak Cassandra Eva Lau
Nur Azshieldha binti Sahran
Ko Yian Kim
Frankie Anak Latit
Interesting programmes Sarawak Authors Festival 2020 featured a variety of interesting programmes, conducted by specially invited authors, publishers, and other festival participants. Eighteen of them altogether, these activities and programmes provided hours of exciting online content, experienced via Pustaka’s Facebook Live broadcasts, official YouTube channel and Zoom sessions. The objective of these programmes were to encourage creative writing among local writers, especially in preserving Sarawak’s written heritage. Pustaka also hopes to inspire and create interest in writing among members of the community through this festival. Among the highlights of the festival were talks on ‘Digital and Media Literacy: The Way Forward’ and ‘Seni Ukiran Perkuburan Lama Jatti Miriek’ under the Sarawakiana Talk Series. The latter gave viewers a look at the intricate woodcarving of Miri’s Jatti Miriek ethnic Muslims for their wooden grave markers at Sungai Miri Muslim cemetery. Also held during the festival was the Sarawak Authors Highlight Exhibition, which ran from Aug 27-29. Aimed at highlighting Sarawak authors, their hopes and aspirations for the future of creative writing in Sarawak, the exhibition featured names like Lokman Hakim (‘Meliuknya Api Pelita Itu’, ‘Gerawan’, etc.), Golda Mowe (‘Iban Journey’, ‘The Laughing Monster’, etc.), and Harry Usup Umbar (‘Temuai Ari Langit’, ‘Gerila Rimba’, etc.). Other programmes included Pustaka’s Book Fair (Online), calligraphy exhibition, Hadrah lyricswriting workshop in Bahasa Melayu Sarawak, workshop on digital cartoon drawing for posters, Mandarin and Khat writing workshops, authors sharing session and special performances by Bossa’s Band and Lasykar Seni, among many others.
A night to celebrate authors and publishers This year’s Sarawak Authors Festival culminated in a special night to celebrate Sarawak’s authors and publishers. The Authors Celebration Day, held at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) at Kuching Isthmus, was graced by Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Sarawak (MTAC), Datuk Haji Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah. Speaking at the juncture, Pustaka Negeri Sarawak CEO, Dr Rashidah Haji Bolhassan expressed hope that the festival would provide plenty of opportunities and benefits to authors and publishers, as well as the people of Sarawak. She also stressed on the importance for authors, publishers, libraries, institutes of higher learning, as well as associations of writers and book industry to work together to encourage the culture of lifelong reading in everyone. The highlights of the night began with the presentation of special awards to authors and publishers who had generously contributed their written materials through the Legal Deposit, Sarawak State Library Ordinance, 1999. The night also saw the launching of eight new locally written and published books. A symbolic handover of the book titled Dyslexia Friendly Book, published by Pustaka Negeri Sarawak to the president of the Dyslexia Association of Sarawak concluded the night’s celebratory dinner.
Sarawak State Library (PUSTAKA) • Jalan Pustaka, Off Jalan Stadium, 93050 Petra Jaya, Kuching, Sarawak. +60 82 442 000 +60 82 449 944 librarian@sarawak.gov.my pustaka.sarawak pustakaswk
pustakaswk
Oct-Dec2020BorneoTalk | 77
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Bintulu (No.10) (at Wisma Li Hua Bintulu Sentral Bus Terminal) +6086 257 888 +6086 257 887
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FOR UCTS HOSTEL
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People
Ian Ng is an aggressive young man, who stepped up when all seemed lost during the MCO, like a phoenix rising out of the fiery ashes in a world stricken by the dreaded COVID-19. At just 32 years old, the Director of Dr Healthcare D. R. H. C company is an enviable success story and a man who is determined to bring about change in our society. And he
D.R. H.C “For me, the true meaning of MCO is Make Changes for Ourselves,” said Ian in an interview with BorneoTalk recently. Ever the enterprising man, Ian wasn’t one to give up and give in to the COVID-19 and MCO situation. Instead of moping and doing nothing throughout the entirety of the MCO period, he chose to make the best out of the situation in order for him to survive.
Yo u n g change entre p rene u r o u t
to
“I decided to start a Facebook page under the name Dr Healthcare to sell face masks and COVID-19 related healthcare supplies throughout Sarawak,” he shared. Besides Dr Healthcare, Ian also has another company namely Arki Cahaya Cleaning Enterprise, which provides comprehensive cleaning solutions and services throughout Kuching.
With an abundant stock of face masks and sanitisers, Ian was able to sell them at exceptionally low prices. His decision was also based on the fact that he wanted to ease everyone’s burden by making face masks and sanitisers more affordable. His confidence and tremendous results yielded in such a short period of time earned him the trust from many companies. Those companies are now collaborating with him by giving him various products to sell through his online platform.
Man with a vision Staying true to his motto “sharing is caring”, Ian aims to conduct free courses via Facebook Live. These free courses are aimed at helping and educating new and budding entrepreneurs on how to grow their business either using online or traditional methods.
i ns p i re
C O MP A NY
is all about positivity, even taking the acronym MCO (Movement Control Order) and giving it a new meaning.
“Everyone is encouraged to join my free courses, which I will announce on Facebook from time to time,” Ian enthused. This will serve as a follow up to his daily Facebook livestreams that he conducted during MCO, all meant to inspire change and encourage entrepreneurship within the local society.
The free courses will cover five different topics, each targeted at both up-and-coming entrepreneurs, and members of the public. The first will be a class on digital marketing, where participants will learn on video editing, photography and graphic design. Next is healthcare focussing on hair loss, diet and technology to help reduce body fat, and health supplements. Ian’s free online courses will also touch on financial planning advice (insurance and personal financing restructure), agriculture (organic plantation and aquaponic system) and finally the fashion industry (shipping fashion products bought online to different parts of the world, local style and fashion brands).
No stopping now Over the course of just a few months, Ian has gone from nobody to more than just a somebody. And he shows no sign of stopping, with many more business ventures still in the planning. A highly motivated man with confidence, charm and the drive to aim ever higher, Ian is well on his way to becoming one of the icons of success and change in Sarawak. Oct-Dec2020BorneoTalk | 79
Health
Ultrasound-Guided Needle Biopsy by Dr Nur Hazrina binti Iskandar
Consultant Radiologist MD (UPM), M.Med (Radiology) (USM)
What is ultrasoundguided needle biopsy? It uses sound waves to help locate a lesion or abnormality and remove some cells or a tissue sample from a suspicious area (breast, thyroid) or any suspected organs or structures in the body. It helps to identify and diagnose abnormalities in the cells that make up the lesion or lump, and is designed to obtain a sample of the abnormality for further analysis. The laboratory report from the biopsy can help determine further plans of treatment, management, or additional surgery.
Why ultrasound-guided needle biopsy? It is recommended if clinically or radiologically suspected abnormal tissue or suspicious lesions are detected.
the procedure. Patients will be positioned accordingly on the examination table. The radiologist will perform the procedure under aseptic technique. Under ultrasound guidance, a local anaesthesia will be injected into the skin and more deeply into the perilesional tissues, so that patients will feel numbness around this region. Patients must remain still during procedure. The radiologist will identify the lesion site with an ultrasound probe, then inserts the needle and advances it directly into the lesion. Tissue samples are then removed using those methods: 1) In a fine needle aspiration, a fine gauge needle and a syringe withdraw fluid or clusters of cells and 2) In a core needle or trucut biopsy, the automated mechanism is activated, moving the needle forward and filling the needle trough or shallow receptacle, with ‘cores’ of breast tissue. The outer sheath instantly moves forward to cut the tissue and keep it in the trough. As tissue samples are taken, you may hear clicks or buzzing sounds from the sampling instrument. This process is repeated few times. Once the biopsy is completed with enough sample taken, pressure will be applied to stop any bleeding and the opening in the skin is covered with a dressing. No sutures are needed.
Most common types of ultrasound-guided needle biopsy
Figure 1. Ultrasound-guided needle biopsy. Illustration of fine-needle aspiration (FNA) technique using suction by negative pressure created by drawing back on the barrel of the syringe only when the needle tip is in the mass or lesion to be aspirated.
Fine needle aspiration (FNA) to extract fluid or cells from the abnormal area, and core needle or trucut biopsy using a large hollow needle to remove one sample of abnormal tissue per insertion.
Benefits and risks of ultrasound-guided needle biopsy? There are benefits and risks with ultrasound-guided needle biopsy. It is a less invasive procedure involving a hollow needle compared to surgical biopsy, and leaves little to no scarring, with no exposure to ionizing radiation. It is also less expensive than other biopsy methods and reliably provides tissue samples that can show whether a lesion or lump is benign or malignant. After procedure, the recovery time is brief. However, there is a risk of bleeding and forming a haematoma, or a collection of blood at the biopsy site. The risk, however, appears to be less than 1% of patients. An occasional patient has significant discomfort, which can be readily controlled by non-prescription pain medication. Any procedure where the skin is penetrated carries a risk of infection. The chance of infection requiring antibiotic treatment appears to be less than one in 1,000. There is an extremely rare occurrence of needle passing through the deeper vital structures because the radiologist follows the motion of the biopsy needle as it moves through the tissue under ultrasound guidance.
Preparation before procedure Patients will be advised to stop taking aspirin, blood thinners or certain herbal supplements three to five days before the procedure to cut the risk of bleeding. Patients should tell the doctor about their recent illnesses or other medical conditions and any allergies, especially to anaesthesia.
How is ultrasound-guided needle biopsy performed? It is usually done on an outpatient basis and can be completed within 30 minutes to an hour. Patients will be awake throughout
Figure 2. Ultrasound-guided needle biopsy. Sonographic image showed long axis approach with needle inserted obliquely along path parallel to the imaging plane (tip and shaft of the needle continuously visualised during biopsy). The biopsy needle going through the mass or lesion.
What will patients experience after the procedure? If patients experience swelling and bruising following biopsy, they may be instructed to take an over-the-counter pain reliever and use a cold pack over the biopsy area. Temporary bruising is normal after biopsy. However, excessive swelling, bleeding, drainage, redness or heat in the biopsy site need to be reported to a physician immediately. Patients should avoid strenuous activities for at least 24 hours after the biopsy. The recovery time is short but may vary depending on the amount of bleeding and/or bruising. A core needle biopsy is more likely to result in bruising than a fine needle biopsy. Bruising from a tissue biopsy may take several weeks to completely resolve. The doctor in charge can discuss the expected recovery times and what to do to take care of the biopsied area.
Who will interpret the result? The tissue specimen is sent to a laboratory, where a pathologist will examine the sample using a microscope and special procedures. The pathologist prepares a report that is sent to the referring doctor, who will share the results with the patients and further discuss on the clinical management plan. In certain cases, the follow-up radiological assessment may be needed.
KPJ Sibu Specialist Medical Centre 80 | BorneoTalkOct-Dec2020
Health
WHAT WE NEED TO KNOW ABOUT NOSE ALLERGY by Dr. Selva Kumar ( Ear, Nosem Throat and Neck Surgeon ) MBBS (MAL), FRCS (IREL), FRCS (GLAS), MS ORL (MAL)
What is nose allergy? Nose Allergy is an inflammatory reaction to foreign particles (allergens) entering our nasal cavities, caused by our immune system overreacting to these allergens. The incidence of nose allergy in Malaysia is between 20 and 25%. This is thought to be related to the increasing pollution of our air, rivers and seas. How do we get allergies? People with allergy have a genetic predisposition to developing allergic reaction to allergens. Therefore, close family members may also suffer from this condition. Although not contagious, allergies cannot be entirely cured. What is an allergen? Allergens are foreign particles to which our immune system reacts when they enter our nasal cavities. Common allergens that cause nose allergy are wind-borne pollen (from grass and flowering plants), mould, dust mites, furry / feathered pets, and pests (cockroaches / rodents). Microscopic view of pollen
Microscopic view of a house dust mite
Mould growing on rotten fruit
In most people, allergens are harmless. When inhaled, the immune system removes them without causing any symptoms. In people with allergy, the immune system attacks the allergens with antibodies, causing an inflammatory reaction in the nasal tissues. These allergy antibodies stick to specialised immune cells and make them release chemicals that lead to local inflammation and tissue swelling, resulting in symptoms of allergy. When this happens in the breathing tubes of the lungs, it can cause asthma symptoms such as cough and wheeze. What are the common nasal allergy symptoms? Common allergy symptoms include runny nose with clear watery discharge, stuffy nose (nasal congestion), drainage down your throat (postnasal drip), sneezing, red watery eyes, itchy nose, eyes, ears, and throat, poor hearing (ear congestion), throat irritation with dry cough, as well as sinus pain that causes headaches and facial pain.
Congested Nasal Tissue with Deviated Septum
Congested Sinuses with infection
Conditions that may be mistaken for Nose Allergy Certain medical conditions with symptoms similar to nasal allergies are Non-allergic Rhinitis, nasal infections (i.e: common cold) caused by viruses, irritants and pollutants in the atmosphere such as petrol fumes or smoke, common home cleaning products, and certain medicines.
Outdoor exposure • Stay indoors when pollen counts are at their peak (midmorning / early evening). • Wear glasses or sunglasses outdoors to keep pollen from getting into your eyes. • Don’t hang clothing outdoors to dry; pollen may cling to them. • Try not to rub your eyes or nose.
It is advisable to consult a doctor to rule out some of these conditions, which may require different modes of treatment.
Exposure to pets • Avoid keeping pets. • Wash your hands and clothes when coming in contact with pets. • If you are allergic to a household pet, keep your pet out of your home if possible. If the pet must be inside, keep it out of your bedroom. • Replace carpeting with hardwood, tile, or linoleum.
How can allergy affect our lives? While nose allergy is not life threatening, it can negatively impact our life. Allergic rhinitis can be associated with reduced concentration and focus, decreased or delayed decision-making capacity, poor hand-eye coordination, irritability and reduced social interactions, sleep disorders such as snoring, fatigue and excessive day time sleepiness, missing work or school, more motor vehicle accidents, and more workplace injuries. Children with allergic rhinitis are more moody and irritable during allergy season. They may express their discomfort by behavioural changes and poor school performance. How can we diagnose nasal allergy? Consulting a doctor is the most effective way to diagnose and treat allergic rhinitis symptoms. A detailed history of your lifestyle, work and home environment along with family history can help pinpoint the cause of your symptoms. The frequency and severity of your symptoms can help the doctor prepare a treatment plan suited for your needs. Nasal allergic can be complicated by a deviated septum (curvature of the bone and cartilage that separate the nostrils) or nasal polyps (abnormal growths inside the nose and sinuses) and the existence of these can be detected by an Endoscopic examination. Finally, the doctor may recommend a skin prick or patch test to try and identify the allergens affecting the patient. Blood tests can also be used to detect the offending allergens but can be expensive. How do we treat nasal allergy? After identifying the offending allergens, avoidance measures should be taken. Indoor exposure to dust mites and mould Dust mites are the commonest allergens found mostly in bedding, sofas, carpets, or any woven material. They do not bite or cause direct harm to humans, other than by triggering allergies: • Keep windows closed and use air conditioning in your car and home. Make sure to keep your air conditioner clean. • Use “mite-proof” covers for pillows, comforters and duvets, and mattresses. Wash your bedding frequently, using hot water (at least 55 degrees Centigrade). Dry mattresses and pillows out under the sun regularly. • To limit exposure to mould, clean your bathrooms and kitchen regularly. If mould is visible, clean it with mild detergent and a 5% bleach solution as directed by an allergist. • Use a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter equipped vacuum cleaner. • Clean floors with a damp rag or mop, rather than dry-dusting or sweeping. Avoid carpets at home. • Children should not sleep with stuffed toys.
Medications Medications help reduce inflammation in the nasal tissue and therefore reduce symptoms. Symptoms may return if medication is stopped and exposure to allergen triggers recurs. Intranasal corticosteroids Intranasal corticosteroids sprays are the most effective drug class for treating allergic rhinitis. They can reduce all nasal symptoms. Antihistamines Antihistamines counter the effects of histamine, the irritating chemical released within your body when an allergic reaction takes place. Antihistamines help to relieve symptoms such as sneezing and an itchy, runny nose. Decongestants Decongestants help relieve the stuffiness and pressure caused by swollen nasal tissue. Nasal decongestant sprays work within minutes and last for hours, but cannot be used for more than a few days at a time. Saline nasal sprays Saline nasal sprays can help counteract symptoms such as dry nasal passages or thick nasal mucus. Saline nasal spray can be used as often as needed, even on children. Immunotherapy Immunotherapy may be recommended for people who don’t respond well to treatment with medications or experience unwanted effects from medications. It can be very effective, but treatment may take 3 to 5 years. Nasal surgery Surgery will not cure or alleviate all symptoms of allergic rhinitis, but may relief nasal blockage in patients with nasal polyps and large turbinates. It can also treat chronic sinusitis.
Nasal polyps
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