Author: Valentine Tawie Salok

It is a pity that there still exists a majority of Iban parents in the rural areas, especially those staying in longhouses or in individual kampung houses, who are not making full use of their resources to the fullest. By this I mean they are not maximising the economic potential

Just imagine if you are short-sighted and the pair of glasses you are using breaks or one of the lenses falls down or worse still the whole set you are wearing falls down to a deep river or – in the worst of scenarios – at sea. These are some

While on the way to Kapit for a singing engagement not so long ago, I stayed overnight in Sibu at my favourite hotel and made my elder brother Edward, now fully residential in Sibu, doubly happy. We caught up on many subjects, reminiscing the late 60s, 70s and 80s as

Early last Monday I received a call from State’s Deputy Chief Scout Commissioner Haji Mohd Said Bolhassan, a well-decorated scout leader whom I have known for almost 40 years. As usual, though I have tendered an official resignation as a commissioner – my last post was as State’s Assistant Chief

With a lot of push and sacrifices not to mention undergoing through the lows and highs, a person might achieve some degree of success in his or her chosen pursuit, career and fields of interest. Many achieve success beyond their dreams and are amazed that they have come to such

 Despite having done quite a number of interesting sketches, I have not done any batik painting in the last four years or for that matter, painting of any kind. Any inspiration is long overdue. The last batik painting was commissioned by a wealthy housewife. It was an imaginative painting of

Road accidents of any kind, fatal or not, always bring change or changes to one’s life, the environment, even to society, especially if it involves any death. Not everything remains status quo. When I received an early phone call from my cousin brother Paul, 37, of Miri on Sarawak Day,

As expected, the reunion dinner for SMK Saratok Alumni Association last Saturday at Hilton Kuching saw the presence of many distinguished members of the community. Five former principals of the school who kindly responded to the invitations with their attendance added bliss to the event. In the first reunion gathering

Last Saturday 1 July, my longhouse Kedap in Saratok officially closed Gawai Dayak for this year with a symbolic simple yet joyful Ngiling Tikai do. Held in the early evening, the affair involved our longhouse residents only. It was certainly a far cry of the very grand Gawai do held

School days are formative years and ones that we cherish and commit to everlasting memory. Mine were limited to just three schools only namely one primary and two secondary schools between 1962 and 1974. This coming Saturday 8 July, Saratok Secondary School Alumni Association or Persatuan Alumni SMK Saratok (PASMS)