Searching for dead lover in Sebayan
Stories, especially that of Iban folklore, sometimes have unexpected, surprising plots, twists and turns, even unusual ending. Perhaps this could be because in the olden days, Iban elders were still close to nature and were in contact with the spirits surrounding them, day and night. They were able to “communicate” with the spirits and some […]
Sad end of batik painting tradition
Love is like a batik created from many emotional colours, it is a fabric whose pattern and brightness may vary. – Diane Ackerman, American poet Teachers play a very important part in passing knowledge and skills to their students, especially pertaining to painting and drawing. For the first five years of my secondary school days, […]
Varsity’s orientation, ragging in the 70s
Ragging at its most harmless is embarrassing and silly, but at its worst, it attempts to prevent individual students from independent thinking, attempts, in fact, to eradicate freewill. – Debalina Haldar, author July 2, 1975 was a historic date for myself and two other Sarawakians. Zulwali Kifli Merawi, Babu Swen and I — all […]
Elvis is still alive — in our hearts
Frankly speaking, I don’t know much about rock music. But I enjoyed some when I was in college or high school. But I stopped listening after Elvis Presley! – Ban Ki-moon,eighth Secretary-General of the United Nations Two special days are usually observed annually the world over pertaining to the late King of Rock N Roll, […]
Short but rewarding broadsheet stint
You’re miserable, edgy and tired. You’re in the perfect mood for journalism. – Warren Ellis, British comic book writer Despite serving slightly more than four months in the Rajang Area Security Command (Rascom) starting Feb 1, 1975, the stint provided me first-hand knowledge of an office job, especially pertaining to journalism. Aged 20 years four […]
Never too late to say thank you
As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them. – JFK, 35th President of the United States The year was 1965, and the Indonesia-Malaysia Confrontation was at its height. At 11 years old, I was studying in Primary Four at a […]
Confrontation fighters’ visit
No military contractors should have a ‘shoot first’ culture that puts civilians or our brave military service members in danger. — Jan Schakowsky, US politician Back in 1963-65, during the Malaysia-Indonesia Confrontation, the sounds of Gloster Javelin and Hawker Hunter fighter jets underlined the hectic and anxious moments in Saratok and other areas in then […]
No accounting for illiterate ‘tali-jera’
The most effective way to do it, is to do it. — Amelia Earhart, American aviation pioneer and author In 1962, I was eight and studying in Primary One at Nanga Assam Primary School in Saratok. That was when my poor dad (Apai) was made “tali jera” (he couldn’t pronounce “treasurer”) of the school committee. […]
To some blind, music is their vision
Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything. — Plato, Athenian philosopher If one takes a look at numerous editions of global Got Talent shows, there are many blind or visually impaired contestants with special musical talent. Here in Sarawak, I have come across […]
Truly a painful loss
The world slides, the world goes, and death makes equal the rich and the poor. — Bangambiki Habyarimana, writer and blogger I was truly shocked when a friend sent a message on the evening of June 8 about the demise of a very good friend, Jimmy Adit. Subsequently, I spent some hours exchanging WhatsApp messages […]
