Glorious Food & Najib's NEM

( Tang Hoon Soup with meat balls, stuffed tauhu, minced meat & vegetables. It costs RM3.50 a bowl)


( Sold at Sunny Hill Ice Cream parlor @ 3rd Mile costs RM2.50 for a bowl)

I sometimes wonder if I can afford all these delicacies when the purchasing power is so weak like now? These days, what can you buy with your RM10?

My Perodua Kancil 660 needs RM18 a day & our Nissan Frontier needs at least RM25 a day as we travel the length and breadth of Kuching in search of past customers and new clients?

The NEP (New Economic Policy) formulated many, many years ago ( around 20 years or more) didn't help at all though I'm a Bumiputra.
(It means "sons of the soil" folks.)

Some bankers say "our nature of business is categorised as high risk" but can any readers in here tell us which nature of business that has No Risk?

All businesses have risks. And all business people are risk-takers.

Even if you're given a Government contract on a silver platter, there are still risks involved.

I just pray Prime Minister Najib knows what he is trying to accomplish if that can help the 1Malaysia's cause and not contradicting Perkasa's stand. ( Folks, you have to refer and read our local newspapers to learn more about this story behind Perkasa's statement & stand)

The NEM (New Economic Model) has just been introduced (barely a day when this is written) and we have yet to see how the people are judging it.

Personally, I hope this Policy won't create more "zombies" or rather "ali babas" or more cronyism, perhaps?

I was reminded by a friend, Dr. Dusit who says "this NEM should be good for MFSB" and I truly hope he is right!

"Cari makai" is never an easy task for all of us. We sometimes shed tears but still life goes on and it's fair we have a tiny fraction of the shares as we are also law-abiding & tax-paying citizens.

Cheerio, folks.


(4th Mile "char kueh" or fried carrot cake costs RM3.80 for a slightly larger plate)

Visiting a "fighting" Rooster Game Farm

(Picture shows the "imported" roosters mostly from The Philippines)

Over the week end, I accepted an invitation to come to this "great place" and have a 1st hand look at a Game Farm, resembling like those found in The Philippines.

Not many of us were fortunate that day as the Owner is not that "friendly" towards strangers. It’s for Invited Guests only. Not open to public viewing and it’s very far away from the city area.

There must have been hundreds of "fighting" roosters of all sizes. The ones with a marking (a clip) on their wing are "imported" birds.

The selling price could reach RM 5,000 for the imported roosters and the "local ones" cost RM500! The local birds have imported "parents" so you can't really tell the different.

You have to rear them for about 2-3 months before they peak, because you have to look at their current fighting form before you dare venture and answer the challenge!

These days are unlike those of yester-years where during most Gawai Dayak Festival, the Government authorities will issue a Permit, sometimes for up to 3 months.

If you're caught cock-fighting today, the Fine can be costly in the region of RM200-800 and probably you have to spend a night or two in a Police cell, to add insult (salt) to injury!

Today, the lovers of these bloody-sports have specially designed "hide-outs" where only the invited guests can join the game. The session is held mostly in the afternoon after lunch hour. On Sunday, they start early till evening.

The "organisers" are mostly gangsters (if I may use the Term) who control and act as Head. Usually they have other forms of gambling while waiting for the next round of fight.

The Ibans love the sports. It is a part of our Culture and NO MONEY are involved then.

Nowadays, the Chinese are betting up to RM50,000 into each fight, sometimes even more.

This Game is BIG Money today, although the authorities keep on pursuing them wherever they go.

This Game involves all walks of life, a YB, a Dato … anybody who loves this bloodied sports!





(This is where they are left to fend for themselves against all-weather conditions, as a part of their "training")


(The "young ones" are placed here until ready to face the outside world)


(The "Flying Pen" is for those that are ready for a fight, as a part of their "training" and they are kept here for about a week or two before transfered to a cage)


( Some of the "locals" but they have "imported parents")


(This is where they breed them, and mostly the "daddy" is of imported pedigree with imported "wives")

I apologise to those Animal Lovers out there. You will say "this is cruel" but what others do for a living, its is their right to earn a livelihood through the sports.

The industry provides opportunities & work like any businesses around us today although gambling is illegal in Malaysia!

I would not say I support this sports, so its entirely up to you to think what's right or wrong.

I hope all of you have enjoyed reading this article

"Pirates" on our turf .....

(Picture shows the lady asking potential passengers where they are heading ....)

I must apologise for the “poor quality” of these pictures taken.

I snapped it earlier this morning with my cellular phone when I was waiting for LadyJenn, at the bus stand near Bank Islam, Jalan Kulas.

These days we have plenty mode of transportation to get us around.

You can choose to go by bus, taxi or motorcycles. No, we don’t have LRT or something similar yet. Those are found only in West Malaysia, or rather Semenanjung Malaysia.

Bu to get you somewhere, if you’re in Kuching even using this “old” beat up Saga will give you a surprise.

This is exactly what this lady is doing. She is soliciting for customers.

I “caught” her on pictures as she was about to leave after getting enough passengers to board her “taxi.”

She is one of the many un-licensed operators in Kuching city! Others are using vans.

Now, my question is how safe are these vehicles? To apply for a license to operate this service is not as simple as said.

But its definite these passengers are taking a great risk because by using these services, they are not covered by any insurance coverage if any accident was to happen to them?

The authorities should look into this matter with greater concern as problems may arise later if these matters are not tackled properly.



(After she has gathered enough passengers, off she went with them to their destination)

Toyota Liteace: Sold to a Chinese buyer from Bau district

(Pictures shows Mr.Ang, the "new" owner happily driving the Liteace back to Bau)

This unit though just taken in but immediately sold to its "new" owner from Bau for cash!

Yesterday in the afternoon, we traveled up to Bau to meet Mr.Ang & family, who is hunting for a replacement as their "older" Liteace van is condemned due to engine & other technical problems.

WE were introduced by a mutual friend from Desa Wira, Batu Kawa where we regularly hang-out over most week ends.

The market price in KG is around RM17-20k for this model but we sold ours well below that price as the van is in a bad shape. (the body needs respraying and welding works)


(Picture shows Mr.Andrew Jelani, formerly a technician with Utama Motors, now wroking for Puspakom, Pending)



(The Toyota Liteace, which kept us busy especially today)

Mr.Danggat the former owner is now looking forward buying the Perodua Alza.
And we have made an appointment to test drive the unit today. (25th Mar)

22nd of Mar: An Eventful Day!

(Picture shows, LadyJenn, Chaong Sandang from MD Motor & Rawing Labang, MF's cousin who just bought his Saga BLM from MFSB)


(Mr. Rawing posing in front of MD Motor Show room in Stutong after taking delivery of his unit)

22 Mar @ 3:00pm: It’s delivery time. This time the unit belongs to Rawing Labang, my 1st cousin from Penunus, Rimbas, Debak in Sri Aman.

This is his 2nd unit. Believe it because it is true, folks.

I first, sold him a re-conditioned Toyota stationwagon more that 25 years ago which is still under his care. And the unit is still in tip-top condition.

This unit is taken from MD Motors, Stutong as our regular supplier Utama Motors have no stocks available at the moment of mention.

Rawing waited less than a week for the registration.

And this is the 2nd unit MFSB sold to Penunus’ folks.
Hopefully, more to come soon.

We would like to express our gratitude to Mr. Rawing and Family for their continued support and encouragement.

We wish you all the best for the future.




(A game of "Sikipoi" in session, Desa Wira in Batu Kawa)


(Sikipoi is one of the "hottest" game amongst gamblers. The betting is up to the individual, using playing cards and sometimes, dices)






(Usup "skinning" the chopped up python or ular sawa, caught by a Chinese friend)

















22nd Mar @ 9:30am-12:00pm: Oh, what a day! LadyJenn & I started our day rather early since school re-opens for its 2nd Term after a week long holidays.

After sending the kids off to school, we quickly changed into our office attire and off we go ….

That was before getting a call from a friend, making an appointment where to meet to discuss intention buying a “new” Perodua Viva Elite.

(For the readers’ information, MFSB is taking in his Toyota Liteace van which is about 18 or more years old. When writing this, I’ve yet to see the Registration Card.)

We decided to meet at our regular haunt, in Desa Wira, Batu Kawa. Had something light whilst continue discussion about the Viva.

And so the adventures began from there on!

Some friends called asking us to drop by Mr. Kalachi’s house somewhere along Lorong 20.

There, we met few others who are about to “let-off” their prized fighters. It’s cock-fighting session, on a Monday morning!

Other attendees were seen busy having a “BBQ” nearby.

The menu consists of pork and “ular sawa” or python, about 10 ft long. It was given by a Chinese friend, who caught it as it was busy trying to swallow our friend’s chicken.

Of course, the langkau (local moonshine/arrack) can’t be far away when this bunch grouped together. To them, it’s a delicacy. It goes down well with the “langkau.”

We soon left them around noon time as we have to fetch our kids from their respective schools.

I Saw, Heard and was There!

(This appears in The Borneo Post Mon 15/03/2010)

Hey folks, we are making the local news. Thank you Borneo Post for highlighting it.

The Ibans must be united to have a strong voice and to become a potent force. We must unite All Dayaks if possible under "1-Banner."

Those days, SDNU represented everyone until the others broke away. Now, we're so divided and we have far too many Organisations until we can't speak as ONE Voice anymore!

Politics is killing our brotherhood. "United we stand, divided we fall" is rightly said about our peoples. And the minority is using these tactics to cling on to power.

Do we still feel inferior to others just because somebody calls you a "lakia?"

We must instill that fighting spirit back into our younger generations so that they will know their basic rights, as why we decided to be a part of Malaysia in the 1st place.

I'm sorry if I sounded patriotic folks, and I'm not trying to incite our people to rebel or go underground. It is just that we have to understand our present predicament as to why we are so far behind in terms of development although we have achieved Independence almost into its 50th year now!

I think I've written long enough and I'm no politician. But I demand better treatment as I'm a Bumiputra and I've my rights as a tax-paying Citizen of Malaysia.


(Picture shows a unruly bunch of Kuching drivers parking their vehicles indiscriminately somewhere in Kuching city!)

The Kuchingites' driving styles are amongst the worst around. They do not cultivate the civic-mindedness in their children when teaching them how to drive.

Living in a plural society, we must have respect and have tolerance for one another.

And if you honked a "wrong" character, you'll get the stare that will make you want to vomit, because the guy could be saying something impolite to you though he is the main culprit and offender!

So folks, be extremely careful when you're behind the wheels. We have cases of "road bully" killing someone due to un-control rage. It was highlighted in the local papers and even on Television. How frightening it have become.

In most fights, people just stood by without involving themselves and in some case the policemen even turned away their cheeks as if nothing had happened.

This comment made is not trying to scare anyone when driving in Kuching, but as a guidelines when you're on the road.

There are still people living in the stone-age residing in Kuching.


(Picture of Asam Fish Fillet cooked in Claypot, a bowl costs RM5.50 and it's very much like mum's cooking)

I love eating fish. You can have it deep fried, steamed or anyway you like. This Asam Fish Fillet cooked in claypot is a must for me at least once a fortnight.

Some hawkers are selling RM7 per bowl, depending on the variety of fish used as the main ingredient.

So folks, if you like fish when in Kuching let me know and I'll show you around.

SDNU's Installation Night/Dinner @ Tanahmas Hotel in Sibu & other stories

(Picture shows the Welcoming Banner at the Tanahmas Hotel's main entrance)


(The Guest of Honor for the night, YB Dato Seri William Mawan)

13th Mar @ 7pm: The Night and the day we have been waiting for. It is the SDNU’s Installation Night/Dinner at the same time!

I shared table with Dr.Dusit’s lovely children. The Honorable Guest that night was
Dato Seri William Mawan, a local Minister who graciously stayed back till the end of the function.

I must give a big Thank You to the Sibu organizers for a splendid job. It took them two weeks to prepare for this great event.

A fantastic job, fellas.

As for me, a night to remember for a very long time.

A big “Thank You” to Major Moses Ripai, who is the Chairman for the event, ably assisted by the rest of the SDNU’ Sibu branches.

I was touched by YB Dato Seri’s message.
I accepted the challenge put up by the Honorable Dato, and I told him that personally.

And now it is up to the SEC to decide if we are ready to face up to the challenge.

May our Gawai Day feastivities this 2010 be the merriest than the previous years with Dato Seri’s backing!

Thank You Dato.



(Picture shows our SDNU's President Mr. Mengga Mikui giving his speech)


(Sitting L to R: Anthony Jiram, Thony Badak & Stephen Dass.
Standing behind L to R: A friend, Edward Awan Jawa, Anthony Banyan, Joshua Jabeng & Dr.Dusit Jaul)


(Picture shows Anthony Jiram AKA Gerama Engkabang of Ruaikitai.Com & Edward Awan AKA Eawan also of Ruaikitai.Com, along with Mrs Thony Badak & Mrs Anthony sitting close to him)


(Picture of Antu Jukat enjoying this moment dueting with our Iban singer, Stella Philip)


(Picture shows L to R: Mrs.Anthony Jiram & friend, standing behind them Cr.Chambai Ak Lindong & Augustine Merikan, our "veteran" Iban Singer and a local Bank Manager)


(How a Kompia looks like, a piece costs 0.70 sen. Eating it can be addictive, a version of a Foochow "burger" that's what I called it)

14th Mar @ 9am: Had “kompia & fried dumpling” for breakfast at the Medan Café next to the Pahlawan Bus Terminal.

Our BusAsia is 10am. Kompia is a Foochow’s favorite bun with minced pork served in a rounded shape deep-fried bun. If eaten hot, it’s very tasty indeed!

The fried dumpling is much different although it’s also fried. The ingredients made up of thin-slices vegetables & a tiny shrimp all lumped together and deep-fried!
14th Mar @ 9am: Had “kompia & fried dumpling” for breakfast at the Medan Café next to the Pahlawan Bus Terminal.

Our BusAsia is 10am. Kompia is a Foochow’s favorite bun with minced pork served in a rounded shape deep-fried bun. If eaten hot, it’s very tasty indeed!

The fried dumpling is much different although it’s also fried. The ingredients made up of thin-slices vegetables & a tiny shrimp all lumped together and deep-fried!

A piece of kompia costs 0.70 sen and the fried dumpling if you’re buying a minimum of 5 pieces cost RM3.

It’s best when eaten steaming hot. But watch out for the excessive frying oil in it.



(Delicious Fried Dumpling @ RM3 for 5 pieces)







14th Mar: Toyota Prado vs. Proton Saga BLM @ Sebangkoi:- We soon left Sibu after 10am from the Bus Terminal. The Prado overtook us (as if in a great hurry) after the Nyelong Bridge (at Jakar, Sarikei) before it met with an accident in less than 8 minutes. (It happened around 11:40am)

As we passed the scene, I tried my best and managed to take these horrible pictures from inside the Bus, though a bit blurry. But then what can you expect from a cellular phone camera? And mine is a bit outdated?

I hope someone is not badly hurt but I can see blood gushing from an old man’s eye brow (presumably that) as we slowly passed them. One person was seen lying motionless on the side of the road.

Both vehicles were badly damaged from the crash.

At that moment in time, there were already others attending to their needs and some were seen frantically making calls from their cellular phones.

And we finally reached Kuching after 6pm.

Wow! What a week that was. I have never been invited into any organisation before this and naturally I feel proud being given the chance to serve my people, especially the Dayak/Ibans.

Thank You to the Sarawak Dayak National Union’s President Mr. Mengga Mikui and his deputy, Dr.John Brian for the trust, faith and hope they have placed in me.

It’s so sad that SDNU have been viewed as a clandestine organization by certain quarters out to gain some political mileage. Someone must be noticing and thinking of us a big threat to their existing positions.

The Ibans must make their stand known and be united in confronting these nonsensical comment. Let us show our true warrior spirit again and shout out loud the infamous battlecry “ agi idup agi ngelaban” to show we still have what it take to get us back to that glorious days of yester-years!

To our Leaders, I promise to serve to the best of my capacity.

“Idup Iban”

Panoramic Sibu

(Picture shows Jen & the children)


(Picture shows behind the row of trees, AM Bank & Tanahmas Hotel where we stayed during our visit to Sibu)


(Another "beautifully designed building" and Sibu have plenty ...)

13th Mar @ 8am: A wet morning. We decided to get up much earlier. Folks, I’m sure you remember that we didn’t eat much when we reached Sibu due to circumstances beyond our control!

We took a short stroll across the road to have our breakfast.

Today in Sibu was Regatta Day. It is boat (sampan) racing time, folks. I can’t go as I have to attend our 1st SEC Meeting at 9:30 at the Tanahmas Hotel.

My children walked from Tanahmas Hotel to nearly all the shopping complexes. Naturally, it is good for them instead of staying indoors all day long.

And we finished at 4pm. What can I do except to go back to my room 511 to catch up on my lost “zzzs.” The previous night I didn’t get much sleep. I always have that problems adjusting to the surrounding environment whenever I go traveling out of Kuching. I miss my bed, perhaps? Maybe so!

Many issues were discussed during the course of the Meeting. We started by introducing ourselves, especially the “newbies” including myself. There eight of us.

Later, it was sort of an induction course for the new SEC members.
(SEC or Supreme Executive Council is the highest body in the SDNU organization)

Thank You Cikgu Nora

12th Mar: We were already on our way to Sibu when this Myvi was finally registered belonging to Cikgu Nora of Bangkit Ijok, Paku in Sri Aman. She waited for over a month for this unit to reach our shores.

MFSB finally handed over this unit last Mon.15th Mar but since I was busy that afternoon, the job was taken over by LadyJenn & Co.

Since everyone was in a hurry, they forgot the most important assignment given to them, that is to “take picture” with the owner & her immediate family members.

They will be driving this unit to Miri come Wednesday this week where she is teaching.

MFSB wishes Nora many happy hours driving this unit.

And a big Thank you for believing in our struggles.

In Sibu already?

(Picture shows the inside of the BusAsia, the one we "hopped" on today)

The 4 of us (Jen & the kids Stephanie, Jared) left Kuching Bus Terminal at 2:00pm today heading to Sibu.

The journey took us more than 7 hours and the Bus were moving steadily in no hurry to get to Sibu. We had a long stop/break at Jelukong, Engkilili before proceeding to Sibu.

By the 7:30pm we were passing a wet & rainy Sarikei. The weather was fine throughout the journey except for that particular moment.

After we arrived, we tried to take down some food at the Medan Cafe next to the Hotel but the food were so difficult to consume, even for the kids. Pity them not getting the real treat.

I always avoid Foochow-style of cooking. Very sad to say, not to my liking & taste. I still say Kuching have better choices when it come to food, glorious food!


(Picture which I took of my wife & I "looking into the future & beyond" ....)

As I look at this picture, I remember a friend of mine who has married & divorced many times. I still have the same feelings for my wife as when we first met some 15-16 years ago after being introduced to one another by a close friend. That time, I just lost someone (she didnt die,) whom I loved dearly but the relationship didn't last as expected.


(Picture shows Uncle Harold's recently resprayed BMW, which he bought from MFSB recently. Nice colour & expensive, too!)

Uncle Harold AKA Pipitmanchal of Ruaikitai.Com sent me this MMS this afternoon. He had the BMW resprayed Blue and what a beauty it turned out to be. Yes uncle, I'll try make that trip to Miri soon and we will be taking it out for a spin around Luak Bay.


(Picture shows Jared posing for the camera inside our Tanahmas Hotel's room)

We checked in at Tanahmas Hotel which is at the centre of town where the shopping complexes are easily accessible. From the Medan Bus Terminal to the Hotel, the cab driver charged us RM12, maybe because its at night.

The Ticket (Bus Fare) using BusAsia to get here (Sibu) is RM40 and half-price for a youngster below 6, if i'm not mistaken.

The Room with a King-sized bed & I asked for an extra bed costs us around RM180 per night. Not too expensive for an average income person like us.


(Picture shows Jared fiddling with the computer. Better to start them early, and kids are fast learners.)

As I said, kids are fast learners. Speaking of computer, during my time in schools there were hardly any around. Yes, I've heard of Apple, IBM and other brand names but I'm not familiar with those "things."

Even a fax machine! Kinda funny as I've to adjust my life or get left behind. I told myself I'm not going to learn and here I'm today and now tapping this laptop to give you this story.

I have to go-off for now folks. I hope you have enjoyed reading this post, all the way from Sibu's Tanahmas Hotel. The wi-fi is free and very fast ...

Getting sleepy, and I've a Meeting to attend in the morning before the SDNU's Installation Night/Dinner tomorrow.

But I'll be back with more news update for all of you.

Yes! We finally registered a Perodua Myvi today belonging to Ms. Nora Grijih, a teacher at Chung Hua School in Miri. I'll try get her to pose besides her car soon, God willing. Thank You to her brother as well, who shared MFSB's vision.

Idup Dayak!

Wish me luck, guys.