History of Aviation in Sarawak Part 2
Rural airstrips built by missionaries In this three-part series, we will look back at the 100-year history of aviation in Sarawak, which started from the Brooke era, through the Colonial…
Author Archives: James Alexander Ritchie
Lest we forget!
Sarawakians should count their blessings that the haze is over and must thank Mother Nature as she prepares to send the annual northeast monsoon (landas season locally) our direction starting…
History of the Sarawak dilemma
It was interesting to hear Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad blaming the Malays for the predicament of being left in the backwaters. Speaking at the ‘Malay Dignity Congress’ in…
Exciting life of an investigative reporter
If I were to write my memoir, I would have a million and one stories to tell, especially as an investigative reporter. And I must mention a few iconic journalists…
S’wak’s ‘mission impossible’
I was quite disturbed to read in the newspapers about the use of English to teach Science and Mathematics to Year 1 pupils in Sarawak next year. Early this week,…
Journey towards a ‘New M’sia’
It was like a breath of fresh air to see Sarawak remind the country that 56 years ago, our pioneers brought together two regional entities straddling the South China Sea…
Celebrating Sarawak’s World War 2 Heroes
End of a reign of terror On September 11 1945, Sarawak was liberated from the Japanese who occupied the state in a reign of terror for almost four years. It…
S’wak a forsaken stepchild?
As Sarawak prepares to celebrate Malaysia Day on Sept 16, it’s time to reflect on the noble ideals of our forebears who fought for our independence. After 100 years under…
Recalling the history of Lumba Kuda area
In those days, horse racing was one of the most important sporting activities where even Malay businessmen and Chinese “towkays” owned horses. W.J. Chater in “Sarawak Long Ago” said that…
The Brave Sikhs of Borneo
Ending the blooshed A Chinese man from Kuching, Albert Kwok Guo Hengnan established a Chinese guerrilla force in the Menggatal area in Sabah in an effort to start a rebellion…