Malaysia Day do raises great expectations for national unity
Our flag is not just one of many political points of view. Rather, the flag is a symbol of our national unity. – Adrian Cronauer, US Airforce airman…
Author Archives: James Alexander Ritchie
A united Borneo by 2030?
FOR the last 30 years I have travelled to some of the remotest border towns of Indonesian Kalimantan, one of the most unexplored regions in the world. As a journalist…
Our forgotten Sarawak writers
Few Sarawakians pay attention to history and because of that they lose sight of their proud heritage. Old Kuching was enchanting for a long time but along the way the…
From a lost tribe to people of progress
One of Malaysia’s most backward districts is Lawas, Sarawak’s Northernmost region which is home of the Lun Bawang hill people. The prized possession of Brunei, it was a troubled region…
A tribute to Laila Taib and our dearest mothers
It’s never too late to say Happy Mother’s Day because mothers are there for us always – every single day. Sometimes, we don’t give them enough credit for their selfless…
In honour of BLTC’s pioneer rural teachers
For 100 years Sarawak under the Brooke government, the rural community was devoid of any rural teaching programme. Sir Charles Brooke felt that it was a waste of time educating…
Abang Johari – dare to be different!
It’s difficult being the leader of a developing country if you are at the mercy of people with negative comments and to whom you have to bow to their whims…
Life journey of an intrepid marine pilot
Fifty years ago a young Sabahan dreamed about travelling the world as his European and Chinese forebears did. Captain Lubin Chiew who is of English, Chinese and native ancestry set…
Strange encounters in Kota Kinabalu
Kota Kinabalu has never failed to excite me – it is a melting pot where thousands of illegal immigrants have fitted in well with the local inhabitants. Hemmed in by…
A ghost town called Ba’Kelalan
In the old days the border village of Ba’Kelalan with its friendly people, temperate climate and green valleys was touted as the “Shangri-La” of Sarawak. But in recent times it…