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ISSN 1823-9625 | PPK380/03/2011(029247)<br />
Sarawak • Borneo • Malaysia<br />
VOL.16 APR-JUN 2010<br />
A Kingdom of<br />
Unexpected Treasures<br />
Highlight<br />
Brunei Darussalam<br />
Health
Health<br />
Optimax<br />
Eye Specialist Centre for<br />
better vision, beauty and freedom!<br />
Sight is certainly one of the most<br />
important aspects of our daily lives<br />
and like most of our body organs,<br />
our eyes too can age, resulting in<br />
poor visions and other eye diseases.<br />
Most people resort to wearing<br />
glasses or contact lenses but there<br />
are new options now available<br />
from Optimax, the eye specialist<br />
organisation.<br />
A pioneer in Malaysia’s eye care industry,<br />
Optimax has been in Malaysia since<br />
1995 – we are celebrating 15 years of<br />
success in improving peoples’ vision.<br />
Optimax provides specialist eye<br />
treatments utilizing modern laser<br />
technology in 14 outlets nationwide<br />
as well as in Singapore and Brunei.<br />
As the only ISO 9001-2000 certified<br />
specialist, Optimax gives vast<br />
options in eye corrective surgery<br />
including short and long-sightedness,<br />
astigmatism, presbiopic (ageing<br />
eye), cataracts, glaucoma, diabetic<br />
retinopathy, paediatric and amblyopia.<br />
All you need to do is walk into any<br />
one of the outlets and discuss with the<br />
specialists present on the conditions<br />
of your eyes, types of corrective works<br />
that you want and they will do the<br />
rest, like analyzing your eyes and giving<br />
professional advice on the types of<br />
treatments available at Optimax. A<br />
schedule will then be arranged for you<br />
to go for the treatment and follow up<br />
advice as well as any touch up which<br />
are all free.<br />
Most treatments involve Lasik, All-laser<br />
Lasik, Epi-Lasik, Lasik XP conducted<br />
by specialists which are safe, effective<br />
and can reduce or eliminate use<br />
of glasses, contact lenses thereby<br />
providing greater convenience,<br />
freedom and even confidence! For<br />
the more beauty conscious ones,<br />
eye lid surgery and botox treatments<br />
are available too. As for all treatments,<br />
prior consultations will be necessary<br />
and Optimax consultant specialists<br />
will duly provide answers to all<br />
such enquiries to the satisfaction of<br />
customers.<br />
Currently, only Optimax offers<br />
free touch-ups and upgrades for life<br />
to all its lasik surgery customers.<br />
For more information, please log onto www.optimax.com.my or call toll free: 1-800-88-1201<br />
OPTIMAX EYE SPECIALIST CENTRE SDN BHD (329776-D) • No.59 & 61, Ground Floor, Jalan Tun Jugah, 93350 Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia.<br />
Tel: (6) 082 579085, 579086 Fax: (6) 082 579087 Email: kuching@optimax.com.my<br />
2 | <strong>BorneoTalk</strong>Apr-Jun2010
Yang Berhormat<br />
Datuk Amar Haji Awang Tengah<br />
Bin Ali Hasan<br />
Minister of Planning and Resource Management II<br />
& Minister of Public Utilities<br />
Welcome to Sarawak!<br />
Borneo is one of seven most abundant biodiversity regions in the world and<br />
we are justifiably proud that Sarawak has set aside vast protected areas of<br />
land and sea under National Parks and Sanctuaries to ensure that future<br />
generations will benefit from these biodiversity rich areas. Today more than<br />
three-quarters of our land mass is still covered with forest and will continue<br />
to be so as the state practices sustainable timber harvesting in accordance<br />
with international standards.<br />
In accordance to the state development plans, the government has designated<br />
areas for different categories of industries, agriculture and residential to<br />
ensure orderly and sustainable development for the well being of the people.<br />
The Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE) is a long-term development<br />
plan to boost the state’s economic base and to position it as one of the most<br />
green, industrialised areas in the nation in the next twenty years. New industries<br />
and employment opportunities from SCORE will propel the state towards<br />
developed status which will ensure the state is able to continue to safeguard<br />
its protected areas and provide clean environment for the people here.<br />
As mentioned in the inside pages of this issue of Borneo Talk, Limbang and<br />
Lawas districts contain some of the most pristine destinations like the Mount<br />
Murud which is Sarawak’s highest peak and Ba’Kelalan in the highlands<br />
where nature’s beauty is at its apex. In addition, both districts straddle part<br />
of the Sultanate of Brunei, which continue to see visitors coming into these<br />
northern towns of Sarawak. Similarly neighbouring state Sabah is just next<br />
door and together the region is a vast hinterland for tourism and adventure<br />
ranging from jungle trekking to white water rafting and caving to mountains<br />
climbing!<br />
Come! Let us explore, discover and enjoy Sarawak, and the neighbouring regions<br />
of Borneo together with Borneo Talk as the “Companion to Discovery”.<br />
Happy Reading!<br />
Datuk Amar Haji Awang Tengah Bin Ali Hasan<br />
Apr-Jun2010<strong>BorneoTalk</strong> | 3
Brunei Darussalam<br />
Majestic<br />
Soas Mosque<br />
Lagoon Panoramic<br />
Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah<br />
Foundation Complex<br />
Welcome to Brunei Darussalam! As<br />
our tag line says, Brunei, the Abode<br />
of Peace best describes this small,<br />
sovereign oil rich Sultanate located at<br />
the corner of Borneo Island facing the<br />
South China Sea. This land of vast<br />
opportunities is uniquely free from<br />
daily hassle of traffic jams, crowded<br />
malls or rude sales people as the<br />
excellent infrastructure of roads, sea<br />
and air, world class communications<br />
systems with English widely used<br />
everywhere makes Brunei distinctly<br />
different and fantastic for a visit.<br />
As the only remaining Sultanate in<br />
South East Asia, which stretches<br />
back since 1363AD, it is also one of<br />
only three world Monarchies ruled<br />
nations under a dynasty claiming<br />
descent from Prophet Mohammad.<br />
Here, grand mosques with iconic<br />
structures stand, as tribute to the<br />
holy prophet and each is a majestic<br />
place to visit and experience the calm<br />
interior sanctuaries used for prayers.<br />
In fact, most of these grand mosques<br />
are located within the main districts<br />
of Muara, Tutong and Belait and are<br />
easily accessible by roads. Visitors<br />
should take note that Fridays are the<br />
busiest time at these mosques when<br />
the faithful converge for prayers.<br />
A visit to Brunei is never complete<br />
without a glimpse of the Istana<br />
Nurul Iman, the residential palace of<br />
the Sultan, which is recorded as the<br />
world’s largest residential palace with<br />
1,788 rooms, horse stables, polo<br />
field and heliport among the rich<br />
array of amenities. It is only opened<br />
to the public for three days each year<br />
during the Sultan’s birthday which<br />
falls on 27 August this year and like<br />
in previous years, it is expected to be<br />
crowded with visitors making a tour<br />
of the palace and snapping pictures<br />
of their visits for souvenirs and boasting<br />
rights!<br />
Downtown Bandar Seri Begawan<br />
or Bandar to locals is the capital and<br />
administrative centre, home to almost<br />
Jerudong Park<br />
4 | <strong>BorneoTalk</strong>Apr-Jun2010
Brunei Darussalam<br />
Brunei<br />
beckons!<br />
Style, opulence and openness await every<br />
visitor to the only sovereign nation in Borneo<br />
Theatre Masjid Jamek Empire Course<br />
2/3rds of the nation’s population<br />
and most foreigners working in the<br />
sultanate. As an almost tax free<br />
haven, Brunei naturally attracts<br />
professionals and businesses taking<br />
advantage of the high literacy rate of<br />
the people as well as high standard<br />
of living conditions with subsidised<br />
health care, education and most<br />
social services, basic food items,<br />
petrol, electricity and water. Bandar<br />
oozes with range of boutique shops in<br />
department stores featuring branded<br />
goods from all over the world; these<br />
include grown ups ‘toys’ like luxury<br />
cars, bikes and many others. Local<br />
made handicrafts are of excellent<br />
quality, especially the unique Kain<br />
Tenunan and Jong Sarat, the latter an<br />
expected formal wear for weddings<br />
and other national events.<br />
Naturally you can expect to find<br />
the most exotic international food<br />
available in Brunei, especially in<br />
Bandar. Specialty outlets featuring<br />
unique range of food from Europe to<br />
Asia, Latin America to Australia occupy<br />
conspicuous addresses around the<br />
city together with international chain<br />
restaurants while local favourites<br />
are found in almost any corner food<br />
outlet. The national dish, Ambuyat<br />
is made from sago and eaten with<br />
pungent sauces can be found at<br />
various locations which is a favourite<br />
among the locals. Most food outlets<br />
are closed after 9pm and late suppers<br />
or snacks have to be sourced at<br />
places like Gadong Night market<br />
and coffee shops catering for the<br />
night revelers. Despite the absence<br />
of sale of alcoholic beverages in<br />
the nation, eating out is still an<br />
enjoyable experience with wide<br />
range of choices of the finest and<br />
freshest food anywhere in Asia!<br />
Increasingly more visitors have come<br />
to know about Brunei’s world-class<br />
medical facilities found in Jerudong<br />
Park Medical Center, part of the<br />
massive Jerudong Park, which<br />
includes polo field, golf course and<br />
recreational area located right in the<br />
capital Bandar. The medical center with<br />
its specialists’ clinics is in a convenient<br />
and easily accessible location to cater<br />
to the large population from around<br />
the Asian region, which explains<br />
its attractions and rising popularity.<br />
Incidentally, Brunei is free of tropical<br />
diseases and pollution free almost<br />
everyday of the year due in large<br />
part to the lush greenery all around<br />
the country. It has very low statistics on<br />
crime rate and strict immigration laws<br />
that thwart undesirable individuals<br />
from entering and thus preserving<br />
the peace and loving nature of the<br />
kingdom. Beholden of all these<br />
jewels Brunei is indeed ‘A Kingdom<br />
of Unexpected Treasures’, a Borneo<br />
haven waiting to be discovered in<br />
the 3 rd largest island in the world.<br />
Ambuyat<br />
www.bruneitourism.travel<br />
Apr-Jun2010<strong>BorneoTalk</strong> | 5
Brunei Darussalam<br />
Canopy-Walk Merimbun-Walkway Kampung Ayer<br />
6 | <strong>BorneoTalk</strong>Apr-Jun2010
Brunei Darussalam<br />
Jetski At Empire Beach<br />
Temburong River<br />
Merimbun<br />
Pilong Rock<br />
The sights, sounds and lush of Brunei<br />
Just about everyone wants a home<br />
by the sea, enjoying the sun rise in<br />
the morning and its fading glory<br />
at the end of each day, gentle sea<br />
breezes and lapping of the waves<br />
on the shore. There is in fact such<br />
a place in Brunei and its called<br />
Kampung Ayer, the world’s largest<br />
human settlement of homes built<br />
on stilts above the sprawling water.<br />
Some 30,000 residents call it home<br />
and it has been there for over 1,000<br />
years as this was the original fishing<br />
villages that gave rise to what Brunei<br />
is today!<br />
Self-contained with its own schools,<br />
clinics, police station, fire brigade<br />
and mosques, Kampung Ayer is<br />
actually a cluster of small kampung<br />
packed closed together and linked<br />
by complex walkways and bridges.<br />
Easily accessible from Bandar or BSB<br />
by water taxis (speed boats) it is a<br />
unique and interesting place for<br />
those who have never been on a<br />
house built on top of water.<br />
Another famed Brunei address is the<br />
Empire Hotel and Country Club, 180<br />
hectares of prime land facing the<br />
South China Sea with facilities for<br />
the rich and famous including private<br />
beach, a Jack Nicholas designed<br />
18-hole floodlit championship golf<br />
course, 9 pools, 700 seat theatre, 3<br />
screen Cineplex, 8-lane 10-pin bowling<br />
alley, 7 food and beverage outlets,<br />
shopping gallery, spa, meeting<br />
facilities and 523 rooms comprising<br />
suites, and villas.<br />
Further out in the district of Temburong<br />
lies the world famous Ulu Temburong<br />
National Park where nature lovers will<br />
simply fall in love with the splendour<br />
and majesty of the pristine rainforest<br />
and its myriad of wildlife inhabitants.<br />
Experience the canopy walk above<br />
one of the last remaining virgin<br />
forests in Asia and discover first hand<br />
the complex ecosystem of tropical<br />
rainforest from the lowland mangrove<br />
swamps to hilltop dipterocarp forest<br />
of giant trees comprising different<br />
Lagoon Panoramic<br />
species, all at your own pace and<br />
preference! It is no wonder that<br />
many visitors have often tagged<br />
this the 2nd smallest country in the<br />
world, which is not an island in itself<br />
as ‘Asia’s Best Kept Secret.’ The<br />
Brunei government is committed to<br />
preserving 58% of its land area to<br />
a multi-national conservation effort<br />
under the Heart of Borneo initiative,<br />
which ensures the perpetual reign<br />
of nature here. As such, nature<br />
tourism is envisioned to be the most<br />
promising new draw for Brunei to<br />
foreign visitors and currently the<br />
relative small number of visitors here<br />
means that outdoor enthusiasts<br />
often have the pleasure of the whole<br />
forest to themselves. It is advisable<br />
to make prior arrangements with the<br />
relevant local guides before embarking<br />
on the trip here as the ancient forest<br />
reserve is devoid of luxurious facilities<br />
and modern amenities for those used<br />
to city living.<br />
For further information, please contact BRUNEI TOURISM at Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources, Jalan Menteri Besar, Bandar Seri Begawan BB3910,<br />
Brunei Darussalam. Tel: (673) 238 2822, 238 2832 Fax: (673) 238 2824 Email: info@bruneitourism.travel <strong>Website</strong>: www.bruneitourism.travel<br />
Apr-Jun2010<strong>BorneoTalk</strong> | 7
Cover Story (4 – 9)<br />
Brunei Darussalam<br />
Inside<br />
borneotalk.com<br />
20<br />
4<br />
Soas Mosque<br />
22<br />
Destination (10 – 16)<br />
Limbang • Lawas • Sibu Central Market •<br />
Sarawak Museum<br />
Events (17 – 23)<br />
Miri International Jazz Festival 2010 • Borneo<br />
Cultural Festival 2010 • Padawan Fest 2010 •<br />
Sarawak Regatta 2010 • Borneo International<br />
Kite Festival 2010<br />
Hotel (24 – 30)<br />
Merdeka Palace Hotel & Suites • Grand Margherita<br />
Hotel • 360 Hotel • 360 Xpress • The Regency<br />
Plaza Hotel • The Regency Rajah Court Hotel •<br />
Borneo Tropical Rainforest Resort • Tanahmas Sibu<br />
35<br />
Food (31 – 40)<br />
Atok Kopitiam • Little Hainan • SCR Corporation<br />
Sdn Bhd • Zest • Hong Kong Pau Café • Little Italy<br />
• Aha Organic<br />
Map (36 – 38)<br />
Sarawak - Kuching, Miri and Sibu • Brunei<br />
Darussalam - Bandar Seri Begawan<br />
Health (41 – 53)<br />
Adventures in WEIGHTloss • Kuching Specialist<br />
Hospital (KPJ) • Sarawak Health Department<br />
• London Fertility Centre • Timberland Medical<br />
Centre • PROSTAR • Tjantek Spa • Rangillia Spa<br />
Education (54 – 57)<br />
Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) • UCSI<br />
University • Baking Industry Training Centre<br />
Singapore<br />
Books (58)<br />
MPH Bookstore<br />
Library (59)<br />
Sarawak State Library (PUSTAKA)<br />
Beauty (60)<br />
Pretty Women<br />
Shopping (61 – 63)<br />
Wisma Sanyan • Bintang Mega Mall<br />
Products (64 – 65)<br />
AVS Resources Sdn Bhd • Wee Hua Boo Trading<br />
Sdn Bhd<br />
Movies & What’s On (66)<br />
Star Cineplex<br />
Pets (67)<br />
My Home Pet Care<br />
People (68 – 69)<br />
Dr. Zulkifli Jantan • Dr. Sim Kui Hian<br />
Absolute Essentials (70 – 71)<br />
Monster’s Tongue • Somerset Gateway • TM<br />
• KFC<br />
17<br />
Month (Kuching) Temperature<br />
April 2010 20.4˚C - 35.5˚C moderate<br />
May 2010 20.6˚C - 36.0˚C moderate<br />
June 2010 20.2˚C - 35.7˚C moderate<br />
Weather Forecast (April - June 2010) For Kuching, Sibu, Bintulu & Miri<br />
Rainfall Month (Sibu) Temperature Rainfall Month (Bintulu) Temperature Rainfall<br />
April 2010 19.2˚C - 35.8˚C moderate April 2010 21.6˚C - 36.0˚C less<br />
May 2010 20.3˚C - 36.6˚C less<br />
May 2010 21.7˚C - 35.9˚C less<br />
June 2010 18.0˚C - 36.4˚C less<br />
June 2010 21.1˚C - 35.4˚C less<br />
Weather forecast provided by courtesy of Meteorological Services Department of Malaysia.<br />
<strong>BorneoTalk</strong> is published by Bumi Serasi. The contents of the magazine may not be reprinted or reproduced without prior written permission. The<br />
publisher is not liable for statements made and opinions expressed in the publication.<br />
Month (Miri) Temperature Rainfall<br />
April 2010 20.9˚C - 35.5˚C less<br />
May 2010 21.0˚C - 35.8˚C less<br />
June 2010 21.2˚C - 34.5˚C less<br />
Editor-In-Chief Ivy Pan Executive Editor S C Goh Marketing Ivy Pan, Jasmine Wong, Nancy Shukri Administration Rebina Noh<br />
Contributors Grace Balan-Law, S C Goh, S I Ten, Andy C, Mark Jacobson, Japri B Masli Design & Art Direction Steven Yap Photography David<br />
Joseph, Jasmine Wong, Mark Jacobson, Sarawak Information Department, Brunei Tourism Front Cover Image Masjid Jamek, Brunei Darussalam<br />
by Brunei Tourism Printer Teknik Print Sdn Bhd, Malaysia<br />
SIGNED, SEALED, DELIVERED,<br />
Write to us at <strong>BorneoTalk</strong>, 242E, Lorong 3, Jalan Green, 93150 Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia. Tel: (6) 082 427423, 238968, Fax: (6) 082 235152<br />
email: iconnec@pc.jaring.my<br />
The next issue of <strong>BorneoTalk</strong> will be out in July 2010.<br />
Endorsed by<br />
Ministry Of Urban Development Sarawak Tourism Board<br />
& Tourism Sarawak<br />
8 | <strong>BorneoTalk</strong>Apr-Jun2010<br />
To Advertise In This Publication Call<br />
6 082 427423
Brunei Darussalam Health<br />
Hotel of choice<br />
Orchid Garden Hotel Brunei brings the pleasure of<br />
comfortable stay away from home to travellers<br />
When in Brunei for business or<br />
pleasure, Orchid Garden Hotel is the<br />
ideal place, with exemplary service,<br />
convenience and choice rooms that<br />
cater to every needs of guests. Just a<br />
short hop away from the international<br />
airport, it offers safe, comfortable rooms<br />
ranging from Standard, Deluxe to<br />
various Suites with standard facilities<br />
like tea/coffee making facilities, a<br />
refrigerator, sofa, and private toilet with<br />
shower as well as the added benefits<br />
like flat-screen LCD TV, high speed<br />
wireless Internet access, and features<br />
like kitchenette, dining area, microwave<br />
oven in all Suite rooms.<br />
Upon checking in guests will be<br />
served complimentary welcome<br />
drinks. The hotel’s Amanha Spa,<br />
equipped with Brunei’s largest<br />
heated Jacuzzi, is the place to sooth<br />
muscles and aches after a long trip<br />
or day of meetings. Alternatively<br />
work out at the Hotel Gym with a<br />
wide range of strengthening, toning<br />
equipment or take a dip in the Hotel<br />
swimming pool; all these facilities are<br />
for guests’ pleasure and convenience.<br />
The Hotel has two Food & Beverage<br />
outlets in its premises; The Goldiana<br />
Café & Lounge is a 24 hour coffee<br />
house where breakfast is served daily<br />
while The Vanda Chinese Restaurant<br />
is one of the Premier Chinese<br />
restaurants in Brunei offering ala<br />
carte and also Dim Sum. Goldiana<br />
Café features nightly International<br />
Buffet from Mondays to Fridays and<br />
the popular Steamboat buffet on<br />
Saturday nights. Breakfast comes<br />
complimentary with the room and<br />
on Sundays, the Vanda serves dim<br />
sum buffet brunch with superb<br />
range of choices.<br />
The Hotel’s, lobby lounge and<br />
restaurants are equipped with wireless<br />
Internet which is complimentary<br />
for all Hotel guests. There is a<br />
complimentary hotel shuttle service<br />
for Hotel guests who may wish to<br />
go to the main City centre or the<br />
commercial areas and for those who<br />
drive, parking bays are provided in<br />
the hotel’s underground parking.<br />
Orchid Garden Hotel is a favourite<br />
venue for many organisations and<br />
individuals to organise seminars<br />
or meetings in the function rooms<br />
available, namely the Caesar Grand<br />
Hall, Caesar I and II. All of them are<br />
well-equipped and can accommodate<br />
up to 700 guests at any one time,<br />
depending on your preferred style<br />
of arrangement. Whatever your<br />
needs and requirements are, be it for<br />
pleasure or business, Orchid Garden<br />
Hotel is the place in Brunei for you!<br />
Orchid Garden Hotel Brunei • Lot 31954, Spg. 9, Kg. Anggerek Desa, Jalan Berakas, Bandar Seri Begawan BB3713, Brunei Darussalam<br />
Tel: +673 2335544 Fax: +673 2335444 Email: reservations@orchidgardenbrunei.com<br />
www.orchidgardenbrunei.com<br />
Apr-Jun2010<strong>BorneoTalk</strong> | 9
Destination<br />
Limbang<br />
Rafting at Ulu Sungei Limbang<br />
Terikan River<br />
Sarawak’s famed World Heritage<br />
site, Gunung Mulu National Park<br />
has attracted visitors from all over<br />
the world to its myriad of caves and<br />
wildlife adventures since its opening<br />
in 1985. Many of these visitors also<br />
converge on Limbang town, sited<br />
along the river with the same name,<br />
as part of the itinerary of their tour in<br />
Sarawak’s most northern frontier<br />
bordering neighbouring Sabah<br />
state and the kingdom of Brunei<br />
Darussalam. In fact, Limbang division,<br />
which includes the districts of<br />
Limbang and Lawas cover an area of<br />
7,012 km, encircling part of Brunei in<br />
between them and sharing common<br />
border with Kalimantan Indonesia at<br />
the southern part.<br />
Babulang Festival<br />
10 | <strong>BorneoTalk</strong>Apr-Jun2010<br />
Gunung Murud<br />
Tahai Salai Fish<br />
Since the takeover of Limbang by<br />
James Brooke in 1890, the town has<br />
undergone tremendous transformation<br />
following the independence of<br />
Malaysia and the emergence of<br />
Sarawak. Much of the early economic<br />
activities here were centered around<br />
the timber trade which had started<br />
since 1932 but gave way to the<br />
more prominent oil palm cultivation<br />
that stretches over 29,571 hectares<br />
today with a sprinkle of rubber, padi,<br />
coconut and fruit farms as well as<br />
livestock activities. Local inhabitants<br />
were mainly fishermen etching out a<br />
livelihood along the coastal waters of<br />
Brunei Bay, originally in small paddled<br />
boats and later with outboard<br />
engines and bigger boats. Today,<br />
cage cultures of fish have become a
Destination<br />
Batu Lawi<br />
Sarawak’s northern frontier town promises sights<br />
and thrills not available anywhere else in Sarawak!<br />
common feature along the tributaries<br />
in the division. First time visitors to<br />
Limbang or Lawas should try out the<br />
famed Ikan Tahai (smoked fish with<br />
coconut milk) which is one of the<br />
main drawing features for visitors from<br />
Brunei to Limbang. Equally attractive<br />
for many visitors to Limbang is the<br />
weekly Farmers market, held every<br />
Thursday where mainly bumiputera<br />
farmers with their jungle produce<br />
and local vegetables come out in full<br />
force to sell and go home with clutch<br />
of necessities bought in the town.<br />
With a population of over 40,000,<br />
Limbang is a multi-ethnic center as<br />
Malays, Iban, Bidayuh, Melanau,<br />
Chinese, Bisaya, Lun Bawang and<br />
others together make it an interesting<br />
confluence of cultures and traditions<br />
in a modern setting.<br />
In and around Limbang, there are<br />
many other activities for visitors too.<br />
The most adventurous ones will<br />
attempt the Headhunters Trail to<br />
Mulu National Park that transverses<br />
river, jungle trekking and staying over<br />
in longhouse along the way. Equally<br />
challenging adventures include trips<br />
to Sarawak’s highest peak at Gunung<br />
Murud and the enchanting Gunung<br />
Batu Lawi with its trademark feature<br />
of jagged rocks pointing to the<br />
sky. Closer to town is the Limbang<br />
Regional Museum, which was once<br />
a fort built during the colonial era<br />
and now a showcase of history of<br />
local people and their cultures. There<br />
is also the Bukit Mas recreational<br />
park, site of a once flourishing gold<br />
mine and a hot-spring mud pool in<br />
Meritam. The whole town comes<br />
alive whenever the speed boat races<br />
are held here as it involves many<br />
related activities like longboat<br />
races for locals and foreigners, pole<br />
wrestling and host of others. The<br />
one race that all visitors should see<br />
and participate in is the buffalo race,<br />
usually held in conjunction with the<br />
ethnic festival on June 4-6, which<br />
promises a lot of spills and thrills<br />
as the various categories of races<br />
Mud vacano-MUD POT<br />
at Kampung Meritam<br />
involve the hardy animals with mainly<br />
local riders.<br />
Limbang is blessed with modern<br />
infrastructure, which makes travelling<br />
an easy task to either the Sultanate<br />
of Brunei or towns like Lawas, Miri,<br />
Bintulu or even Kota Kinabalu. The<br />
fast way is to fly in and begin your<br />
adventures with a tour of the town,<br />
which features many new hotels and<br />
inns for travellers with different needs.<br />
It is also one of the most frequented<br />
places for visitors from Labuan, the<br />
international offshore banking island,<br />
which is just a short boat ride away.<br />
Anyone who has never been to<br />
Limbang certainly has not seen the<br />
beauty of the area with its serene<br />
surroundings and immense adventure<br />
possibilities!<br />
Bukit Mas Recreational Park<br />
LIMBANG Resident office<br />
Tingkat 6, Bangunan Limbang Plaza, Jalan Buangsiol, 98700 Limbang, Sarawak, Malaysia. Tel: (6) 085 202106 Fax: (6) 085 211005<br />
Apr-Jun2010<strong>BorneoTalk</strong> | 11
Destination<br />
Ba’Kelalan Apple<br />
Lawas Festival<br />
Ba’Kelalan<br />
Lawas Festival<br />
This border town between Sarawak and<br />
Sabah is a thriving center with huge potential<br />
for development and adventure tourism<br />
Strange as it may sound, people in<br />
Lawas are more familiar with Sabah’s<br />
visitors than those from Sarawak<br />
even though it is located in Sarawak!<br />
Geographically situated closest to<br />
the border between Sarawak and<br />
Sabah, Lawas is the last town on the<br />
northern fringe before one enters<br />
into the neighbouring Sabah state and<br />
together with Limbang, it straddles<br />
a part of the Sultanate of Brunei<br />
in between them, the two districts<br />
making up the Limbang division. On<br />
any visit here, expect to find visitors<br />
from Sabah and Brunei as these are<br />
among the main contributors to the<br />
town’s economic activities.<br />
Lawas has slightly over 30,000<br />
people comprising a mix of Malays,<br />
Kedayan, Chinese, Lun Bawang, Tagel<br />
and others scattered over the district<br />
with the majority centered on the<br />
town located along the Lawas River.<br />
Traditionally a fishing outpost with<br />
mainly Malay fishermen harvesting the<br />
rich Brunei bay area of the South<br />
China Sea, Lawas is now a modern<br />
administrative centre with modern<br />
infrastructure and facilities to link<br />
with the rest of the state and whole<br />
12 | <strong>BorneoTalk</strong>Apr-Jun2010<br />
Tahai Fish
Destination<br />
Merarap Hot Spring<br />
especially during the early morning<br />
and late evening sun’s reflections<br />
on the water. During the peak of<br />
the wet padi growing season when<br />
harvesting is about to begin, the<br />
surrounding lowland in between the<br />
various highlands are a sea of green<br />
with lush golden heads of padi, every<br />
photographers’ dream session for<br />
idyllic landscape shots. As in many<br />
parts of Lawas and Limbang, water<br />
buffalos play an important role in the<br />
farms here and these two northern<br />
towns are the only places in Sarawak<br />
where you can ride on one of these<br />
huge animals. The annual buffalo race<br />
held in the month of June is one that<br />
should not be missed if buffalo racing<br />
is on your list of must see and do.<br />
Kampung Awat-Awat<br />
world. Off shore fishing is now<br />
supplemented by fish cage culture<br />
in areas like Kampung Awat-Awat,<br />
Kuala Lawas and Kampung Punang<br />
while land-based activities are centered<br />
around oil palm plantations, padi,<br />
rubber and livestock rearing. When<br />
in Lawas, take a short visit to the<br />
town’s farmer market held every<br />
Wednesday to sample the wide<br />
varieties of jungle produce and other<br />
exotic food made available by the<br />
rural farmers and gatherers. Like in<br />
Limbang, the Ikan Tahai (smoked<br />
fish with coconut milk) is among the<br />
most sought after items by visitors<br />
from far and near as the taste is both<br />
unique and great! An experimental<br />
apple farm in the interior highland<br />
town of Ba’Kelalan has flourished<br />
to become a tourist attraction apart<br />
from the cool and spectacular highland<br />
scenery there.<br />
With the close proximity to Brunei,<br />
Labuan, Sabah and Kalimantan,<br />
Limbang and Lawas are also the<br />
main entry and exit points for visitors<br />
and goods between the neighbouring<br />
nations and state. A number of<br />
customs checkpoints and CIQs are<br />
also set up which provide an orderly<br />
inspection and clearance of goods,<br />
which in turn provide further boost<br />
to the local economy here. To cater<br />
to the growing tourism potential of<br />
the town, Lawas is now a booming<br />
center for hotels and other related<br />
activities, including handicrafts and<br />
guided tours to the interiors. Sri<br />
Malaysia Hotel, Lawas, the only Sri<br />
Malaysia Hotel in Sarawak which is<br />
owned by the Ministry of Tourism is<br />
expected to be opened in September<br />
this year. Lawas airport makes visiting<br />
the town relative easy and is also a<br />
major transit point for visitors from<br />
Sabah, Brunei and Labuan to other<br />
towns and cities of Sarawak.<br />
Incidentally, the Malay fishermen<br />
village of Kuala Lawas, Punang and<br />
Awat-Awat are built on stilts and<br />
actually are floating villages, which<br />
are unique and interesting for any<br />
visitor. Ba’Kelalan on the fringe<br />
international border with Kalimantan<br />
Indonesia is a highland adventure<br />
destination that is both refreshing<br />
and scenic. Take a stroll along the<br />
Lawas Waterfront and be serenade<br />
by the beauty of the surroundings<br />
Karangan at Hulu Ba’Kelalan<br />
Lawas Waterfront<br />
Kampung Punang<br />
LAWAS District office<br />
Jalan Gaya, 98850 Lawas, Sarawak, Malaysia. Tel: (6) 085 283103 Fax: (6) 085 284553<br />
Apr-Jun2010<strong>BorneoTalk</strong> | 13
Destination<br />
Sibu CENTRAL MARKET<br />
Convergence of<br />
The Prime Minister of Malaysia, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak being given ‘mata kuching’<br />
to try by a native trader during his recent visit in 2010<br />
Often the best place to visit in a new<br />
country or city is the local market;<br />
this is best exemplified by the Central<br />
Market in Sibu, Sarawak’s largest<br />
town in the central region. Touted to<br />
be the largest market of its kind in<br />
Malaysia, some 1400 traders ply their<br />
trade in this huge complex right in<br />
the midst of the sprawling town. It is<br />
literally alive the whole day – the early<br />
Sibu Municipal Council chairman Datuk Tiong Thai<br />
King briefing Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun<br />
Razak on the operation of the central market<br />
14 | <strong>BorneoTalk</strong>Apr-Jun2010<br />
morning crowd shopping for daily<br />
necessities followed by the afternoon<br />
shoppers comprising workers just<br />
coming off their shifts and the night<br />
crowd mainly for a relaxing drink and<br />
chat with friends.<br />
Spread over two floors, the market<br />
is ideally suited for both shoppers<br />
and traders; the lower level being an<br />
open area divided into sections for<br />
various wet and dry goods while the<br />
upper floor has food and drink stalls,<br />
retail outlets and even boutique and<br />
beauty shops! Since it’s opening in<br />
1998, it has been graced by visitors<br />
from all over the world, dignitaries<br />
from far and near as well as locals who<br />
flocked to it for almost everything<br />
they need. A quick tour of the<br />
ground floor guarantees one to meet<br />
with daily surprises ranging from an<br />
exotic fruit to strange looking fish<br />
or the biggest live chicken you have<br />
ever seen! In addition to housing the<br />
largest collection of fresh vegetables
Destination<br />
Surprises and<br />
Plentitude<br />
The Sibu Central Market is truly amazing for its varieties<br />
and convenience<br />
in one single location in Sibu, visitors<br />
to the market can also get to meet<br />
native entrepreneurs cum farmers<br />
who ply their traditional varieties<br />
side by side with the mainly Chinese<br />
vendors. The dry goods choices too are<br />
just as astounding, mainly salted fish<br />
and other sea products, mushrooms<br />
of different shapes and sizes and<br />
dried, preserved vegetables and<br />
meats. The smell of the market can<br />
be over-powering at times but this is<br />
what makes it comes alive everyday,<br />
rain or shine and always exciting and<br />
unpredictable!<br />
Walk up to the first floor and choose<br />
from the varieties of local delicacies<br />
available here; the ever popular<br />
Foochow ‘kam pua’ mee (noodles<br />
cooked with lard) or Malay fried<br />
mee, vegetarian dishes to sea food<br />
meals and certainly whatever is<br />
available fresh of the day from the<br />
traders on the lower floor of the<br />
market. Equally impressive are the<br />
types of drinks served, from hot and<br />
cold beverages to local favourites like<br />
chengdol with coconut milk, glass<br />
jelly with sarsi, red beans with milk<br />
as well as different brands of beer.<br />
Normally, these drink outlets operate<br />
for about 16 hours daily, a convenience<br />
that most shoppers take for granted.<br />
Conveniently sited close to the busiest<br />
jetty in Sarawak, the Sibu express<br />
boats wharf, the market is a natural<br />
place for upriver inhabitants to shop<br />
and sell local produce, mainly fruits<br />
and vegetables and bring back basic<br />
necessities of sugar, flour and oil. Local<br />
folks often venture to the market<br />
in the hope of getting the seasonal<br />
fruits freshly brought down by these<br />
natives and begin the usually rounds<br />
of bargaining, adding to the busy<br />
and noisy atmosphere there. There<br />
is certainly no other market like the<br />
Central Market of Sibu in Malaysia as<br />
it exemplifies the true picture of the<br />
country of different cultures, races<br />
and religions, all converging in one<br />
location in perfect harmony!<br />
For further information, please contact Sibu Municipal Council at Level 19-24, Wisma Sanyan No. 1, Jalan Sanyan, 96000 Sibu, Sarawak, Malaysia.<br />
Tel: (6) 084 333411 Fax: (6) 084 320240<br />
Apr-Jun2010<strong>BorneoTalk</strong> | 15
Destination<br />
Sarawak Museum Department<br />
A step back in time<br />
The Sarawak Museum invokes memories of<br />
grand traditions and life forms, which provide useful<br />
lessons for tomorrow<br />
One of Asia’s most famous museums, the Sarawak Museum has one of the best collection of artifacts<br />
and specimens that is unrivaled on display for public viewing. Admission is free! The massive<br />
collections have warranted the expansion of the museum into various venues throughout Kuching<br />
city as well as smaller museums in other towns in the state. Among the most frequented ones are<br />
the iconic Old Sarawak Museum, standing majestically on top of the hill, the Arts Museum on the<br />
adjacent hill slope at the same venue and the Textile Museum, located in the equally impressive Pavilion<br />
Building of British style architecture built in 1907.<br />
Old Sarawak Museum<br />
This was originally known as the Sarawak Museum though<br />
it was also popularly referred to as the Old building, which<br />
to many is appropriate as it remains an iconic site in Kuching<br />
City. A rich collection of mammals, birds, reptiles specimens<br />
from Sarawak are on mounted display on the ground floor<br />
and these represent only about 15 percent of the collections of<br />
the museum! The top floor showcases collections of artifacts<br />
of indigenous peoples of Sarawak, including unique ear-rings,<br />
carvings, basketry and others.<br />
Arts Museum<br />
Comprising three buildings in one, the<br />
first one built in 1892, next to the Old<br />
Museum, was originally the Curator’s<br />
house. Interestingly it was even used as<br />
the British Council in the 1960s and this<br />
was connected to the other building,<br />
the Curator’s office, with an annex in<br />
1965. The Curator’s office building was<br />
built in 1907 and together, these three<br />
buildings today becomes the Art Museum.<br />
Numerous art pieces are on display inside<br />
ranging from sculptors to moulds and<br />
paintings from days gone by.<br />
Textile Museum<br />
Here Sarawak’s famed Pua Kumbu<br />
made by the Iban is among the<br />
hundreds of textile items on display.<br />
Of interest to many are the numerous<br />
motifs and designs which are the<br />
trade marks of the different ethnic<br />
groups as each has specific<br />
characteristics attributed to them.<br />
As the materials used in most of the<br />
creations were all locally sourced, the<br />
early weavers were actually going<br />
‘green’ even before today’s realisation<br />
of doing just that!<br />
Sarawak Museum Department • Tun Abang Haji Openg Road, 93566 Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia. Tel: (6) 082 244232 Fax: (6) 082 246680<br />
Email: museum@po.jaring.my <strong>Website</strong>: www.museum.sarawak.gov.my<br />
16 | <strong>BorneoTalk</strong>Apr-Jun2010
Events<br />
the music has just begun!<br />
14 th - 15 th May 2010<br />
Amina Figarova<br />
Jazz fans, music lovers – make double<br />
sure that 14 th - 15 th May you are in<br />
Miri, Sarawak for the annual Miri Jazz<br />
Festival. The ensemble party for the<br />
coming Fest features a list of musicians<br />
of multiple talents with legendary<br />
backgrounds and all coming together<br />
in this Resort City!<br />
US Blues Hall of Fame inductee James<br />
Cotton and his Blues Band who had<br />
shared the stage with legends in the<br />
music industry like B.B. King, Johnny<br />
Winter, Santana, Led Zeppelin and<br />
Grateful Dead, will be performing live<br />
and this is a music legend that’s not to<br />
be missed! Michael Shrieve, inducted<br />
into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame<br />
(1998), was the original drummer for<br />
Santana and had done recordings with<br />
greats like Mick Jagger, Pete Townsend,<br />
George Harrison and Steve Winwood<br />
is another performer who will send<br />
audience jumping for more.<br />
Closer to home are the teams from<br />
Thailand and Indonesia featuring<br />
Mellow Motif pair of Eugene Ang and<br />
Natasha Patamapong who has cut<br />
albums with Warner Music as well as<br />
teaching professor at Rungsit University<br />
Conservatory, Thailand. Indonesian<br />
SimakDialog team, with five albums to<br />
their credit, had extensive tours with rave<br />
reviews in Singapore, Malaysia, Nepal<br />
and will be touring USA in November<br />
with support from the Indonesian<br />
government, further showcasing their<br />
rich repertoire of talent.<br />
Holland’s Amina Figarova with more<br />
than a dozen recordings, has been a<br />
globe trotting musician with her rich<br />
array of funk fusion to classic post-hop<br />
to avant-garde, thrilling audience from<br />
Europe to Asia and the Americas. Swiss<br />
guitarist Jeremy Tordjman can go from<br />
ballads to jazz, blues to rock and funk<br />
to classic and has been active with<br />
African influenced music to give a mixed<br />
array of music that’s both pleasing and<br />
energetic.<br />
Norbert Susemihl and his New Orleans<br />
All Stars comprise five outstanding<br />
musicians from Europe and America<br />
coming together for a compelling fusion<br />
of music featuring both old school and<br />
Revival to Calypso, Swing, Dixie and<br />
traditional jazz. Violinist extraordinary<br />
Ricardo Herz serenades with his<br />
explosive rhythms of Brazilian jazz<br />
incorporated into the music, creating<br />
new sensations for audiences around<br />
the world. In his first ever visit to Asia,<br />
Miri Jazz Fest is indeed the venue to be<br />
when these great musicians take to the<br />
stage in a show to remember!<br />
Sarawak Tourism Board (STB), Visitors’ Information Centre Miri, Sarawak, Malaysia. Tel: (6) 085 434181 Fax: (6) 085 434179<br />
www.mirijazzfestival.com • www.sarawaktourism.com • www.TicketCharge.com.my<br />
Apr-Jun2010<strong>BorneoTalk</strong> | 17
Events<br />
An extraordinary<br />
July in<br />
Sibu<br />
16 th - 25 th July 2010<br />
Visit the annual Borneo Cultural Festival and<br />
Trade Expo happening in central Sarawak<br />
Each year, in July, foreign visitors<br />
descend onto Sibu in huge numbers<br />
for the Borneo Cultural Festival<br />
(BCF), the one and only ethnic<br />
cultural extravaganza in Sarawak.<br />
The entire week is devoted to a<br />
showcase of the diverse races of<br />
people in Sarawak, highlighting their<br />
costumes, dances, food and games,<br />
all in one location, the Town Square.<br />
Convenient and easily accessible,<br />
the festival provides every visitor the<br />
opportunity to get close up to the<br />
performances on stage and sample<br />
the exotic dishes and drinks as well<br />
as engage with the performers. This<br />
year’s highlights will also include<br />
Kumpulan Akasha, a musical group<br />
from KL, cultural groups from Ningde<br />
City of China and also Taiwan.<br />
In each of the three corners of the<br />
Town Square will be found the<br />
Dayaks, Malay/Melanau and Chinese<br />
displays with distinct costumes and<br />
sets while the main stage will be<br />
used on the last three final nights of<br />
the festival to showcase combined<br />
performances, which reflect the rich<br />
diversity and harmony of the people<br />
in Sarawak. The Dayaks group is<br />
made up of various sub-ethnic tribes<br />
including Iban, Bidayuh, Orang Ulu,<br />
Penan and their different costumes,<br />
dances are showcased to give<br />
visitors a sample of these diverse<br />
rich cultures.<br />
Visitors with limited time will find<br />
the festival an eye opener and also<br />
enriching experience as they will<br />
get a sample of the various ethnic<br />
communities’ cultures in one single<br />
location. In addition the festival brings<br />
together many samples of local dishes<br />
of these people and guests can<br />
get first hand knowledge of their<br />
preparations as well as gain invaluable<br />
tips on medicinal plants. As always,<br />
local fruits are always available in the<br />
markets around Sibu, especially at the<br />
Central Market.<br />
A BCF Trade Expo comprising private<br />
and public sectors teams and<br />
organisations will also be held at the<br />
Town Square as part of the activities<br />
during the week. With the large<br />
number of visitors expected during the<br />
BCF, you can be sure that the number<br />
of new products and services on show<br />
will be extraordinary too! Just next<br />
to the Town Square is the Lau King<br />
Howe Hospital Memorial Museum, a<br />
showpiece of the once busy hospital<br />
for the town. The museum displays<br />
unique instruments of days gone by<br />
and a reminder of the sacrifices of the<br />
early founders in bringing health care<br />
to the people of Sibu. Start making<br />
plans for these exciting events coming<br />
up in July this year in Sibu and bring<br />
the family for a memorable experience<br />
in this busy riverine town that’s home<br />
to the rich and diverse groups of people.<br />
For further information, please contact:<br />
Sibu Municipal Council • Level 19-24, Wisma Sanyan No. 1, Jalan Sanyan, 96000 Sibu, Sarawak, Malaysia. Tel: (6) 084 333411 Fax: (6) 084 320240<br />
Email: smc@smc.gov.my <strong>Website</strong>: www.sibu.gov.my Sarawak Tourism Board • Tel: (6) 082 423600 Fax: (6) 082 416700<br />
Visitors’ Information Centre Sibu • Tel: (6) 084 340980 Fax: (6) 084 341280<br />
18 | <strong>BorneoTalk</strong>Apr-Jun2010
Events<br />
Padawan Fest<br />
2010<br />
Fiesta for All!<br />
Shows, events and competitions make<br />
the annual fest a success!<br />
Get ready! The annual Padawan Fest<br />
is here again!<br />
This annual fixture of fun and games,<br />
exhibitions and fairs held in the<br />
Padawan municipality is a festival<br />
for locals and visitors to enjoy and<br />
participate in. The events are held in<br />
various venues to expose these unique<br />
places and people to visitors, fostering<br />
friendship and providing insights of<br />
the charms of the municipality, which<br />
is one of the three that makes up<br />
Kuching City.<br />
A challenging feat is the Padawan<br />
Nature Challenge, requiring cycling<br />
and trekking skills in jungle terrains<br />
that is also opened to both amateurs<br />
and professionals. Participants will<br />
get to enjoy the Borneo Highlands<br />
Resort with its lush rolling golfing<br />
greens and cool temperatures while<br />
experiencing the great hospitality<br />
of the Annah Rais longhouse of the<br />
Bidayuh people during the course of<br />
the event.<br />
Experience white water river rafting<br />
race and get close up with nature in<br />
the Padawan Raft Safari as the route<br />
takes participants along rushing rivers<br />
with tropical forests on either side.<br />
Opened to amateurs and experts<br />
in team events, many take this<br />
opportunity to enjoy river rafting in a<br />
safe, organised manner, which by the<br />
way is also economical!<br />
A number of cultural performances<br />
featuring the diverse groups of<br />
people of the Padawan municipality<br />
will also be held. This is a photo<br />
taking opportunity for visitors of the<br />
different costumes of these groups<br />
of performers and at the same time,<br />
enjoy the music coming from the<br />
traditional instruments.<br />
The Padawan Fair held at the Batu<br />
Kawah New Township is always a busy<br />
affair with families taking advantage of<br />
the great number of fun stores, rides<br />
and games for children and adults.<br />
Food vendors showcasing their varieties<br />
will also be at the Fair as it provides the<br />
ideal exposure for their products.<br />
Residents of Padawan are not left out<br />
of the festivities as they can participate<br />
in the Landscape Competition opened<br />
to all residing in the municipality.<br />
Officers will go on their rounds to<br />
inspect the different locations to<br />
determine the winners who will be<br />
awarded prizes and recognitions. The<br />
Padawan Invitational Football League<br />
is another competition for the younger<br />
residents to look forward to.<br />
Check out the dates for these events<br />
and participate!<br />
Padawan Fest 2010<br />
• Padawan Invitational League April-June | MPP Stadium, Siburan<br />
• Padawan Fair June-July | Batu Kawah New Township<br />
• BHR Padawan Nature Challenge 2010 4 July | Kampung Annah Rais &<br />
Borneo Highlands Resort<br />
MPP Chairman Challenge Trophy (open)<br />
- 10KM Cycling – Annah Rais to BHR Plateau • 15KM Trekking within BHR<br />
Trekking Group I (open)<br />
- 15KM Trekking within BHR<br />
Trekking Group II (open)<br />
- 10KM Trekking within BHR<br />
Trekking Group III (Ladies Category)<br />
- 10KM Trekking within BHR<br />
• Padawan Landscape Competition May-September<br />
• Padawan Raft Safari 31 October | Kampung Danu & Kampung Git, Jalan Borneo Heights<br />
PADAWAN MUNICIPAL COUNCIL • Kota Padawan, Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia. Tel: (6) 082 615566 Fax: (6) 082 611832<br />
Email: mpp@tm.net.my <strong>Website</strong>: www.mpp.gov.my<br />
Apr-Jun2010<strong>BorneoTalk</strong> | 19
Events<br />
The<br />
Malaysia<br />
The Sarawak Regatta is a race of genuine cultural<br />
diversity in unity in the pursuit of team glory<br />
Bang! They are off! Putting every<br />
muscle into their oars, the paddlers’<br />
dig into the water in unison as the<br />
long, sleek and beautifully decorated<br />
boats glide over the water towards<br />
the finish line. Welcome to Sarawak’s<br />
Regatta, the premier boat race with a<br />
proud tradition dating back to 1872.<br />
Now an annual event, this spectacular<br />
race is a cultural gathering of sorts as<br />
boats associated with the different<br />
ethnic races come together to vie for<br />
the special prizes at stake.<br />
Held along the scenic Sarawak River<br />
with the new iconic state Legislative<br />
building and British-styled Astana in<br />
the background, the weekend races<br />
by the famed Kuching Waterfront are<br />
a crowd puller. Young and old, locals<br />
and foreigners flock to the races,<br />
captivated by the sheer energetic<br />
splashes of the participants in the<br />
race to glory. Apart from the races,<br />
spectators are treated to cultural<br />
performances and even to open<br />
houses by the Malay community<br />
on the other side of the river. The<br />
entertainment includes display of<br />
various dances associated with<br />
the Malays and accompanied by<br />
traditional drums, gongs and even<br />
violins! Guests are encouraged to<br />
participate in these dances and to<br />
sample some of the delicacies specially<br />
made for the occasion like traditional<br />
cakes, curries and snacks. Many small<br />
makeshift stalls are set up to sell drinks<br />
and other food items during the<br />
regatta weekend apart from the<br />
established food and beverages<br />
outlets facing the Waterfront. The<br />
spectators are certainly spoilt for<br />
choice in the range of food available.<br />
Just how big is the regatta Well,<br />
last year over 6,000 participants took<br />
part in the races under the different<br />
categories in over 300 teams of both<br />
men and women events. Coming from<br />
far and near, these race enthusiasts<br />
are out for a taste of this spectacular<br />
race that features boats of different<br />
shapes and designs as well as a splash<br />
of colours. Even more intriguing are<br />
some of the costumes of these racers<br />
which range from traditional gear to<br />
modern slick cuts and designs and<br />
array of hats, caps to captivate the<br />
hordes of photographers busy shooting<br />
amazing pictures of the races,<br />
participants and crowd.<br />
The Sarawak Regatta has come to<br />
signify the spirit of the nation as<br />
1 Malaysia in the sheer number of<br />
participants from different ethnic<br />
groups as well as members of the<br />
participating crowd. There are<br />
certainly no barriers to mixing during<br />
the event and equally promising is<br />
the extent of sharing and participating<br />
in the different categories by the<br />
various groups of people. Organising<br />
this annual event is the team from<br />
the Kuching Resident Office and<br />
District Office who take pride in<br />
the ever growing significant of the<br />
regatta as a unifying factor for the<br />
state and nation as well as putting<br />
Sarawak on the global tourism map.<br />
With the ever increasing number of<br />
participants and crowd each year, the<br />
organising committee has faithfully<br />
added more events and shows as well<br />
as other performances throughout<br />
the day and night to make the<br />
weekend event a showpiece for all<br />
to remember and take home with<br />
a smile. After all, Sarawak is a land<br />
20 | <strong>BorneoTalk</strong>Apr-Jun2010
Events<br />
Boat Race<br />
. . . the race for peace<br />
31 st July - 2 nd August 2010 •<br />
Kuching Waterfront<br />
of smile wherever one goes to and<br />
this unique feature is ever present<br />
throughout the weekend despite all<br />
the frantic pursuit of the races!<br />
To get the best shot of the Sarawak<br />
Regatta this year, make sure that you<br />
are well versed with the different races.<br />
With more than 6,000 participants<br />
in over 300 teams taking part, it is<br />
certainly no easy task to get the best<br />
of these races. The final day races are<br />
certainly the most fervent and eagerly<br />
anticipated ones but equally significant<br />
are the races over the other days. The<br />
committee have the various races<br />
spread out to give every spectator the<br />
opportunity to see these inspiring boats<br />
in their glory during the races.<br />
The various categories of races are<br />
based on the types of boats, number<br />
of rowers and also gender while the<br />
speed category involve the jet ski<br />
riders racing with style and grace<br />
on their machines. For spectators,<br />
the Bidar boat races are the most<br />
spectacular; with over 30 paddlers in<br />
a boat of over 72 feet long and three<br />
feet wide cutting across the water<br />
with white sprays coming from both<br />
sides in the pursuit of the coveted<br />
trophy. Various categories ranging<br />
from men, women, government<br />
agencies, corporate and even VIPs<br />
have been planned for Bidar boat<br />
races for the regatta this year as<br />
they have proven to be popular and<br />
captivating for both participants and<br />
spectators alike. These Bidar boats<br />
were the main means of transport<br />
for the upriver Ibans in Sarawak and<br />
the tradition has been passed down<br />
over generations, culminating in their<br />
revival in the Sarawak Regatta.<br />
The other races will see the traditional<br />
Malay Balok boats with seven<br />
participants each racing one another<br />
while the Kenyalang boat will feature<br />
corporate and varsity teams. Each<br />
Kenyalang boat can accommodate<br />
15 to 20 paddlers and last year a<br />
special tourists race was also staged<br />
in a Kenyalang boat to get foreigners<br />
to participate in the regatta. For<br />
soloist and teams of two in the kayak<br />
categories, the races are open to any<br />
individual and team to add to the<br />
excitement of the event. As the kayak<br />
is a popular sport in other countries<br />
and in the Olympics, this event will<br />
encourage more to take up the sport<br />
here.<br />
The regatta is not complete without<br />
some hilarious events like the duck<br />
catching and pole climbing categories.<br />
Always a crowd pleaser, these events<br />
are also open to the public and have<br />
always been popular among the<br />
younger generation who excel in<br />
these sports. For more insights into<br />
what the organisers have planned<br />
for this year’s events, you just have to<br />
show up and watch the antics of the<br />
enthusiastic crowd in the hilarious<br />
events categories!<br />
There is certainly no better weekend<br />
than the Sarawak Regatta event where<br />
the spills and thrills are all part of the<br />
fun, excitement and harmony of the<br />
people here. Unlike many cultural<br />
events, this is one where the crowd is<br />
able to participate and cheer for their<br />
favourites and get to enjoy other<br />
cultural extravaganzas all in one<br />
place, right here in Kuching, capital<br />
of Sarawak, Malaysia’s largest state.<br />
For further information, please contact:<br />
Organised by:<br />
RESIDENT’S OFFICE<br />
KUCHING DIVISION<br />
Jalan Barrack, 93300 Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia.<br />
Tel: (6) 082 422263 Fax: (6) 082 244435<br />
Supported by:<br />
Sarawak Tourism Board (STB)<br />
Tel: (6) 082 423600 Fax: (6) 082 416700<br />
<strong>Website</strong>: www.sarawaktourism.com<br />
www.sarawakregatta.com<br />
Apr-Jun2010<strong>BorneoTalk</strong> | 21
Events<br />
Flying fest<br />
22 | <strong>BorneoTalk</strong>Apr-Jun2010
Events<br />
The<br />
6 th Borneo International<br />
Kite festival in Bintulu once<br />
again brings thrills and spectacular<br />
aerial displays in the heart of the Gas Town<br />
30 th September - 3 rd October 2010 • Bintulu, Sarawak<br />
Kite flying is certainly one activity<br />
where age does not matter; the<br />
Borneo International Kite Festival in<br />
Bintulu this 30 th September to 3 rd<br />
October will once again showcase<br />
the fun, exciting gathering of young<br />
and old, men and women from all<br />
over the world. These enthusiasts,<br />
some whole family, will display<br />
the most intriguing, colourful and<br />
magnificent kites to take to the sky,<br />
right in the middle of this Gas Town<br />
in northern Sarawak.<br />
Stunt kites are those that can really<br />
do unbelievable maneuvers in the air<br />
and under the skillful hands of these<br />
experts, you will be thrilled by these<br />
aerial displays. Yes, you can even try<br />
your hands at it as it only takes a few<br />
minutes of watching these stunning<br />
kites of all shapes and sizes in the sky<br />
to immediately fall in love with the<br />
sport! Always graceful and dignified<br />
when in the air, these kites can ‘wow’<br />
spectators with their incredible dives,<br />
climbs and ‘dance’ routines, which<br />
ultimately lift everyone’s spirits for<br />
the day! It’s never a boring day<br />
when at the festival as these stunning<br />
kites soar with everyone’s spirit and<br />
make moves that bring smiles and<br />
appreciation on all the faces in the<br />
crowd.<br />
Spectators can mingle with these<br />
experts and learn about kite flying<br />
during the festival and at the same<br />
time, make their own kites as<br />
workshops are also conducted at<br />
the venue for those interested in the<br />
artistry and construction of these<br />
magical kites. Malaysia’s famous<br />
Wau, the traditional kites common in<br />
the east coast of peninsula will also<br />
be among those taking to the air and<br />
in previous years, the craftsmen were<br />
also present to show the intricate<br />
steps taken in making the Wau. First<br />
timers to the festival will no doubt<br />
be surprised to learn firsthand that<br />
some of these kites are so complex<br />
that it takes two handlers to fly one!<br />
Hence, the workshop is an ideal<br />
place to rub shoulders with these<br />
experts and gain knowledge of the<br />
interesting sport of kite flying.<br />
Also held in conjunction with the<br />
festival are cultural shows and also<br />
displays and exhibition of products as<br />
well as food stalls featuring traditional<br />
food to exotic ones. The event is<br />
like a carnival gathering and equally<br />
interesting will be the many types of<br />
kites put up for sale with the necessary<br />
gears that go with them. Children<br />
are rewarded for their colouring<br />
skills in the competition held at the<br />
festival. The Borneo International<br />
Kite festival is always interesting and<br />
eventful. Since it started in 2005,<br />
the event has continued to grow in<br />
number of participants and crowd, as<br />
the downtown venue is so convenient<br />
and accessible to everyone.<br />
For more information on the event, please contact the Bintulu Development Authority at Wisma Bintulu, No 1 Jalan Tanjung Kidurong<br />
or call (6) 086 334680 / 3322277, fax: (6) 086 330099 and website at www.bda.gov.my or www.borneokite.com<br />
Apr-Jun2010<strong>BorneoTalk</strong> | 23
Hotel<br />
Kuching’s first international hotel,<br />
the Grand Margherita Hotel recently<br />
had extensive renovations of its<br />
lobby, Orchid Garden Coffee House,<br />
Rajang Lobby Lounge and Sadong<br />
meeting room.<br />
GRAND MARGHERITA HOTEL CELEBRATES<br />
COMPLETION OF MAKEOVER<br />
lobby<br />
The Hotel’s new interiors now feature<br />
an elegant contemporary design and<br />
guests now enter into a spacious and<br />
lively lobby enhanced with stylish<br />
furnishings, striking and cheerful<br />
coloured carpets and artworks. To add<br />
a sensory experience for guests at an<br />
emotional level, a scent machine has<br />
been installed to diffuse an invigorating<br />
scent that relaxes the body and mind.<br />
Located at the lobby, the hotel’s<br />
Business Centre has also been<br />
tastefully done up and includes a<br />
conference room and internet station.<br />
A favourite dining place for many, the<br />
hotel’s Orchid Garden Coffee House<br />
has been totally revamped. The 150-<br />
seat venue allows diners to whet up<br />
their appetites in a comfy yet trendy<br />
ambience featuring contemporary and<br />
sleek furnishings, wooden panels and<br />
sheer glass treatments. A key feature<br />
of this dining outlet is the expanded<br />
Show Kitchen, which now has more<br />
distinctive open kitchens, hence<br />
enabling patrons to dine among<br />
the live culinary action creating an<br />
interactive restaurant experience.<br />
Serapi Wing Mock-up Room<br />
Rajang Lobby Lounge<br />
Looking chic in bold hues of red and<br />
black, regulars to the hotel’s Rajang<br />
Lobby Lounge will welcome the<br />
dramatic change of this lounge. Aside<br />
from the overall new look, new<br />
additions included the glass-walled<br />
cellar featuring a fine wine selection<br />
and a stage tucked at the far end for<br />
live band performances.<br />
Meanwhile, the Sadong meeting room<br />
has been enlarged and now offers<br />
more flexibility to cater to various<br />
small to medium-sized functions.<br />
Cardio Exercise Room<br />
Maximizing the hotel’s prime location<br />
with the Sarawak river as its backdrop,<br />
floor-to-ceiling glass walls and doors<br />
have been used extensively throughout<br />
the lobby, Orchid Garden Coffee<br />
House and Rajang Lobby Lounge to<br />
take advantage of the scenic view of<br />
the hotel’s poolside and the river, and<br />
exude a sun-kissed environment.<br />
Other improvements carried out in<br />
the last 12 months included new<br />
equipment for the hotel’s Cardio<br />
Exercise Room, new beds and LCD<br />
TVs in all guestrooms. The Grand<br />
Margherita Hotel has also introduced<br />
a new service by engaging a partner<br />
to operate the Borneo Odyssey Spa<br />
at its former Tribes Restaurant.<br />
Orchid Garden Coffee House<br />
Phase 2 of the hotel’s upgrading<br />
program, which has started since<br />
January 2010, involves the renovation<br />
of 139 guestrooms including rooms on<br />
its Executive Club floor and Lounge at<br />
the hotel’s Serapi Wing. It is expected<br />
to be completed by end of May 2010.<br />
The renovation of the Grand Margherita<br />
Hotel reinforces the hotel brand<br />
amongst Kuching’s most wellestablished<br />
hotels. It also marked<br />
the hotel’s commitment towards<br />
improving its product and services<br />
on par to international standards to<br />
ensure it continues to offer its guests<br />
the definitive hotel stay.<br />
In addition to its website (www.<br />
grandmargherita.com), the hotel<br />
has introduced its mobile reservation<br />
service - m.gmh.my. The first hotel in<br />
Sarawak to offer this service, travellers<br />
can now securely reserve a room,<br />
view, change or cancel an existing<br />
reservation at Grand Margherita, while<br />
on the go using their web-enabled cell<br />
phone or mobile device. Furthermore,<br />
mobile users can also use the portal<br />
to get information on hotel facilities<br />
and services.<br />
A name you can trust!<br />
www.grandmargherita.com / m.gmh.my<br />
Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman, P.O. Box 2362, 93100 Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia. Tel: (60 82) 423 111 Fax: (60 82) 426 169 Email: contact@gmh.my<br />
Kuching Central Reservations Office | Tel: (60 82) 418 911 Fax: (60 82) 236 041 Email: reservations@gmh.my<br />
Apr-Jun2010<strong>BorneoTalk</strong> | 25
Hotel<br />
5 Star rooms<br />
at affordable price<br />
Rates from<br />
RM135++*<br />
* terms & conditions apply<br />
Hock Lee Centre, Hotel Tower, Jalan Datuk Abang Abdul Rahim, 93450 Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia.<br />
Tel: (6) 082 484888 Fax: (6) 082 484999 Email: reservation@360kuching.com <strong>Website</strong>: www.360kuching.com<br />
26 | <strong>BorneoTalk</strong>Apr-Jun2010
Hotel<br />
Luxury for Less…<br />
Wisma Phoenix, Jalan Song Thian Cheok, 93100 Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia. Tel: (6) 082 236060 Fax: (6) 082 237070<br />
Email: reservation@360xpress.com.my <strong>Website</strong>: www.360xpress.com.my<br />
Latest budget boutique hotel in Kuching City<br />
Be among the first to experience the clean, warm and<br />
comfortable rooms of this brand new hotel in the heart of<br />
Kuching City and be captivated by its charm. Comprising<br />
98 rooms in the Wisma Phoenix building, 360Xpress<br />
Citycenter promises guests a top-notch stay with its range<br />
of facilities at budget prices.<br />
Every room has direct internet access, shower facilities,<br />
air conditioning, channel TV services, tea/coffee making<br />
facilities and more; all these come complimentary when<br />
you check in. In addition, the hotel uses only high quality<br />
linens with anti dust 5 star quality beds and guests can<br />
also make complimentary use of the washing machines<br />
and dryers in the laundry room. Great care and much<br />
thinking has been incorporated into the concepts for this<br />
boutique hotel to ensure guests will enjoy their stay and<br />
make return trips often!<br />
For those new to Kuching City, Wisma Phoenix is<br />
adjacent to the Central Business District and in close<br />
proximity to places of interest and recreation; in fact, all<br />
are within minutes walk away while restaurants, food,<br />
boutiques and entertainment outlets are also all conveniently<br />
nearby.<br />
Facilities and Amenities:<br />
- Ensuite bathrooms<br />
- 24 hours reception<br />
- Complimentary use of air<br />
conditioning units<br />
- Complimentary use of hair dryer<br />
- Complimentary use of towels<br />
- Complimentary toiletries (soap<br />
Richard and shampoo) S.K.Wong<br />
Hotel Manager<br />
HP - : +6017-222 Complimentary 0533 use of minibar<br />
E-mail<br />
fridge<br />
: richardwong@360kuching.com<br />
- Complimentary use of wired<br />
internet access in every room<br />
- Complimentary use of wifi in<br />
hotel lobby<br />
- Complimentary use of washing<br />
machines and dryers in laundry<br />
room<br />
- 32”LCD TV with more than 20<br />
local, cable and satellites channels<br />
- Security room safe<br />
- Bottled drinking water<br />
- Luxury shower<br />
- 5 star beds and satin cotton<br />
sheets<br />
- Tea & coffee making facilities<br />
- Airport transfer (minimum<br />
charge)<br />
- RFID Security Door Locks<br />
Rates from RM 49.99 nett *<br />
MAS<br />
Secret Recipe<br />
Tune<br />
Hotel<br />
* terms & conditions apply.<br />
Apr-Jun2010<strong>BorneoTalk</strong> | 27
Hotel<br />
Familiarity, trust and<br />
reliability<br />
Regency Plaza Hotel Bintulu is the choice destination when in Bintulu, Sarawak<br />
Anyone who is a regular of Bintulu will testify that for<br />
variety and constantly changing offering of delectable<br />
dishes, The Regency Plaza Hotel Bintulu will always be<br />
the place of choice. Culinary delights ranging from local<br />
favourites and other Asian delights to exquisite western<br />
dishes are specially prepared to whet the appetites of<br />
even the most discerning guests. Business treats or<br />
families get-together can be arranged at a reasonable<br />
cost in a very pleasant ambient surrounding. Be it for<br />
business or pleasure, with its central location in this<br />
bustling Gas Town, The Regency Plaza Hotel is the<br />
prime convening venue.<br />
Corporate events and seminars are routinely held here<br />
as the facilities available are comprehensive. With 161<br />
rooms ranging from Superior to Deluxe, to suit different<br />
budgets and requirements, the choices are aplenty and<br />
each comes equipped with TV, IDD phone, coffee/tea<br />
making facilities, 24-hour room service and more. Guests<br />
are welcomed to utilise the Business Centre and the<br />
Coffee House as well as facilities like the swimming<br />
pool for entertaining clients and friends. The warm<br />
and courteous staff too will make your stay at the hotel<br />
a most pleasurable and memorable experience.<br />
PLAZA HOTEL • BINTULU<br />
SARAWAK • MALAYSIA<br />
Within walking distance from The Regency Plaza Hotel<br />
are located shopping, banking and entertainment<br />
centres plus other amenities, providing ease and<br />
convenience to all.<br />
The Regency Plaza Hotel Bintulu has over the years<br />
established itself as the premier address for business<br />
and group tours to this town. Continuous upgrading<br />
of its rooms and facilities with its modern layout and<br />
settings have rendered the hotel even more endearing<br />
to guests and patrons from far and near. As a pioneer<br />
in the hotel industry here, it has built a solid rapport<br />
with guests from all over the world making it a<br />
preferred destination for many.<br />
To further explore this northern part of Sarawak, the<br />
nearby Similajau National Park is a good starting point<br />
to enjoy the splendour of nature or head for the nearby<br />
beach to enjoy a day in the sun. Not forgetting of<br />
course is the mini zoo where exotic wild animals are<br />
to be found. For ideas on the best places to visit, the<br />
hotel staff are always available to assist.<br />
116, Taman Sri Dagang, Jalan Abang Galau, 97000 Bintulu, Sarawak, Malaysia. Tel: (6) 086 335111 Fax: (6) 086 332742 Email: rihbtu@yahoo.com<br />
28 | <strong>BorneoTalk</strong>Apr-Jun2010<br />
www.theregency.com.my
Hotel<br />
Cosy and<br />
refreshing<br />
dining<br />
experience<br />
The White Rajah Restaurant beckons you<br />
to a new level of dining out experience!<br />
There’s now one more good reason to stay or visit the Regency<br />
Rajah Court Hotel, Kuching! A newly renovated restaurant<br />
has emerged from the old place and presents a new indoor<br />
and outdoor dining experience for guests, corporate clients<br />
and the public. The warm lighting with modern contemporary<br />
interior decor and furnishings immediately makes for a very<br />
welcoming and cozy atmosphere. Adorning the walls are<br />
paintings of the White Rajahs of Sarawak, in reference to the<br />
hotel’s namesake, giving the modern restaurant a touch of<br />
colonial and historical appeal.<br />
Inside, the restaurant seats 210 guests at any one time<br />
in a relaxing setting and there are also two private<br />
rooms, offering guests the option of dining without the<br />
usual buzz and chatter from other patrons. Food served<br />
includes varieties of Western, Chinese, Indian and Malay<br />
favourites, served in ala carte and international buffet<br />
styles. The salad bar is a new addition to the menu selection<br />
in the restaurant and it changes daily giving guests a<br />
wide choice of fresh and nutritious salads from local and<br />
imported vegetables. As in most new concept restaurants<br />
today, the open kitchen system is in place here, allowing<br />
guests the opportunity to see their food being prepared<br />
in front of their eyes, and picking up cooking tips at the<br />
same time too! The White Rajah Restaurant opens daily<br />
from 6.30am to 1am and apart from the varieties of<br />
food, it also serves drinks ranging from local favourites to<br />
exquisite international blends.<br />
The 62-seat outdoor setting is also a preference to many<br />
as guests will be dining around the hotel’s swimming<br />
pool and its cascading waterfall, a sight reminiscent of a<br />
great getaway in a tropical paradise. The entire restaurant<br />
is tastefully finished and great emphasis is placed upon<br />
cleanliness here; from the kitchen to the serving staff to<br />
the presentation of food. The White Rajah Restaurant<br />
is one place that should be high on your list should you<br />
prefer dining in a great ambient setting and with a wide<br />
choice of tantalizing delights.<br />
RAJAH COURT HOTEL<br />
KUCHING • SARAWAK • MALAYSIA<br />
www.theregency.com.my<br />
For enquiries and reservations, contact us at The Regency Rajah Court Hotel • Lot 6115, Section 64, Jalan Tun Razak, 93450 Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia.<br />
Tel: (6) 082 484799, 484791 Fax: (6) 082 482750 Email: rihkch@yahoo.com<br />
Apr-Jun2010<strong>BorneoTalk</strong> | 29
The center point with<br />
newly refurbished<br />
rooms in bustling Sibu<br />
Set in the midst of a lush tropical rainforest, Borneo<br />
Tropical Rainforest Resort is the place for pleasure and<br />
adventure; the “In” venue for everyone.<br />
“Interesting” – Place for relaxation, simple pleasures and<br />
whole lot of Nature!<br />
“Inviting” – Always something new to learn and<br />
explore, always welcoming<br />
“Invigorating” – Refresh yourself and family by living next<br />
to Nature.<br />
“Incredible” – Facilities for family stay and corporate<br />
team building exercises that match<br />
expectations and more!<br />
It’s ‘inexcusable’ not to make your next outdoor adventure to<br />
Borneo Tropical Rainforest Resort for both pleasure and<br />
bonding with nature that’s so close and personal!<br />
Located right in the heart of the bustling town,<br />
Tanahmas Hotel is about as close to the<br />
center as you can get here. Everything, from<br />
shopping to entertainment, business to pleasure,<br />
is just around the corner or mere walking<br />
distances away. Convenience is staying in this<br />
strategically sited hotel!<br />
Adorned with awards for its facilities and<br />
services, Tanahmas Hotel is the choice for<br />
corporate and family visits with 120 newly<br />
refurbished deluxe rooms to choose from<br />
and ample facilities, amenities to satisfy every<br />
needs! Check out the hotel at its website<br />
(www.tanahmas.com.my) or call for reservations.<br />
Lot 277, Block 5, Jalan Kampung Nyabor, P.O. Box 240 96007 Sibu,<br />
Sarawak, Malaysia. Fax: 6 084 333288 Tel: 6 084 333188<br />
Email: tanahmas@streamyx.com <strong>Website</strong>: www.tanahmas.com.my<br />
KM36 Miri-Bintulu Road, Lot 15, Block 2,<br />
Sibuti Land District, Miri, Sarawak, Malaysia.<br />
Tel: (6) 085 407198, 019 8852193<br />
Fax: (6) 019 8340113<br />
Email: info@borneorainforestresort.com<br />
Miri Office: Lot 101, Airport Road,<br />
98000 Miri, Sarawak, Malaysia.<br />
Tel: (6) 085 613888 Fax: (6) 085 613808<br />
www.BorneoRainforestResort.com
Food<br />
Freshness & goodness<br />
you can taste<br />
Atok Kopitiam offers traditional<br />
and local favourites in the heart of the city<br />
An unusual name for a coffeeshop,<br />
Atok Kopitiam is itself unique as it<br />
offers only home made dishes at<br />
reasonable prices. The spicy and hot<br />
traditional fares as well as the common<br />
offerings all come with the coffeeshop<br />
own special sauces, cooked in house<br />
and fresh each day!<br />
Opened daily from 7am to 6pm,<br />
Atok’s location at DUBS Commercial<br />
Office, Jalan Petanak, Kuching is<br />
a rendezvous for those into early<br />
breakfast of toast and eggs or nasi<br />
lemak while the lunch crowd are<br />
mostly from surrounding offices in<br />
the area. Late afternoon crowd are<br />
mostly those taking quick breaks<br />
and looking for light snacks like<br />
sausage rolls or toasts. Some come<br />
for take-away for dinner when too<br />
tired for cooking after a long day in<br />
the office and also to miss the traffic<br />
jam at 5pm.<br />
“Most of our dishes are not too spicy<br />
or hot as we know not everyone<br />
like their food that way. However, if<br />
customers want their orders more<br />
spicy or hot, we can always do so,”<br />
Khairel added. According to him,<br />
many customers were surprised that<br />
the coffeeshop serves all the local<br />
favourites of Kuching city folks like<br />
kolo mee, kway teow or bihun which<br />
are common features in mostly Chinese<br />
run outlets. As a halal eatery, it<br />
welcomes everyone to try out their<br />
tantalizing dishes and also comfortable<br />
setting right in the heart of the city.<br />
For those unfamiliar with the location,<br />
it is just a stone’s throw away from<br />
the city’s main mascot, the White<br />
Cat at the end of Padungan street,<br />
easy walking distance from the major<br />
hotels and center business district of<br />
Kuching.<br />
“Even the meatballs are freshly made<br />
and we pride ourselves on giving only<br />
our own style of sauces for all our<br />
dishes, from everyday nasi goreng<br />
(fried rice) to curry flavoured ones,”<br />
said Khairel Anwar, who shares the<br />
proprietorship with his brother Khairul<br />
Azizi. “I would say that it is quite<br />
difficult to find another shop like ours<br />
with the varieties and all prepared fresh<br />
using traditional recipes. Of course we<br />
have also added more modern styled<br />
ones to give younger crowd their<br />
favourite dishes so we actually achieved<br />
a balance between the two,” laughed<br />
the enterprising young man.<br />
L1-01 Ground Floor, DUBS Commercial Office, Jalan Petanak, 93400, Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia. Tel: (6) 013 8416621<br />
(Open daily from 7am to 6pm)<br />
Apr-Jun2010<strong>BorneoTalk</strong> | 31
Food<br />
Hainanese<br />
Chicken Rice and more!<br />
The Hainans are one of the many<br />
Chinese sub-groups in Malaysia and<br />
traditionally one of the main<br />
entrepreneurs of coffee shops in<br />
the early years of independence. An<br />
equally well known trait of the<br />
Hainans is their aromatic chicken<br />
rice, served with salted vegetable<br />
soup, slices of pickled cucumber,<br />
juicy steamed chicken and diced<br />
chilly/garlic sauce. Now, varieties of<br />
this traditional recipe are found in<br />
many chicken rice shops but Little<br />
Hainan in Kuching is one place<br />
where the age-old style is faithfully<br />
preserved. Located along Jalan Tun<br />
Ahmad Zaidi Adruce, this bold red<br />
and grey exterior façade is distinctive<br />
while its interior quintessence décor<br />
brings back nostalgic memories of<br />
Hainanese coffee shops of yesteryears.<br />
As for the food, it’s simply authentic<br />
Hainan chicken rice; the ‘chief cook’<br />
has been preparing the dishes based<br />
on traditional recipes passed down<br />
from generations! A single order<br />
comes with serving of steamed<br />
aromatic rice, mouth-watering juicy<br />
steam chicken slices, pickles, sauce<br />
dip and soup. For varieties patrons<br />
can choose from the assortment of<br />
cuts available like barbeque pork, ‘lou’<br />
pork and eggs (cooked with traditional<br />
combinations of spices) to go with the<br />
steam chicken rice. In addition, you<br />
can also order the curry chicken sauce<br />
which goes well with the assortment<br />
of meats or just plain curry chicken rice.<br />
It’s all down to whichever is your<br />
preference and the place is ideal for<br />
small group of friends to family<br />
gathering for lunch and dinner as it<br />
can comfortably accommodate 60<br />
patrons at any one sitting.<br />
Breakfast servings start from 8:30 daily<br />
(close on Monday) with laksa and<br />
kolo mee as the most sought after<br />
items as well as chicken and char siew<br />
dumplings while chicken rice will be<br />
available from 11:00am to 2:00pm<br />
and 5:30pm to 8:30pm. For tea time<br />
from 3pm to 5.30pm, customers will<br />
get to enjoy servings of freshly homemade<br />
local kueh delights and the<br />
ever-popular kaya toast. Assortments<br />
of popular drinks are available too,<br />
including steaming hot coffee and tea,<br />
iced drinks to cordial varieties.<br />
Impressive too is the restaurant’s<br />
cleanliness and upkeep; the tables<br />
are carefully cleaned and set ready<br />
for the next customers while the<br />
washrooms are well maintained. The<br />
waitresses and waiters are pleasing<br />
and polite, knowledgeable of their<br />
work and quick on their rounds, which<br />
makes eating out here a pleasurable<br />
experience. Little Hainan is reminiscent<br />
of a proud tradition of home-style<br />
cooking in a modern setting!<br />
Ground Floor, SL 6, Lot 3023, Jln Tun Ahmad Zaidi Adruce,<br />
93150 Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia.<br />
Tel: (6) 082 239899 Email: little.hainan@gmail.com<br />
( Open daily except Monday )<br />
32 | <strong>BorneoTalk</strong>Apr-Jun2010
Food<br />
It’s always<br />
a surprise at<br />
Well-loved for its exciting array of<br />
local and international contemporary<br />
cuisines, its list of fine wines and<br />
other beverages (both alcoholic and<br />
non-alcoholic), and not to mention a<br />
décor that will whet anyone’s appetite<br />
even before one takes a peek at the<br />
menu, Zest has certainly made a name<br />
for itself since it opened last year.<br />
True to its tagline “A new dining<br />
experience”, Zest never fails to impress<br />
both regulars and diners who come<br />
here for the first time with cuisines of<br />
exceptional quality and taste as well<br />
as good service right from the moment<br />
they step into the restaurant. Chef<br />
and owner Chung Ngek Chun makes<br />
sure that these standards are met.<br />
“Here at Zest, we put great emphasis<br />
on our food. Our waiters are also<br />
well-trained, which is something<br />
that’s important in every restaurant,”<br />
he shares with Borneo Talk recently.<br />
Forever the passionate man when it<br />
comes to food, Chung is constantly<br />
experimenting with new ideas for his<br />
cuisines. In fact, as a result of these<br />
“experimentations”, he has created<br />
tantalising new dishes to be included<br />
in the eatery’s new dining menu,<br />
which will be introduced in April.<br />
If you don’t know by now, Zest is<br />
among very few eateries in Kuching<br />
that offer semi-fine cuisines at very<br />
affordable prices, without compromising<br />
on quality and taste, of course. The<br />
ingredients used are as fresh as they<br />
can get and attention to detail is evident<br />
in every single dish that comes to the<br />
table. These are among the key factors<br />
that have people coming back to this<br />
eating establishment for more.<br />
Old favourites will still be available in<br />
the new dinner menu, such as prawn<br />
bisque, and many others. New<br />
additions come in the form of the<br />
unique coffee crusted lamb racks<br />
served with a generous helping of<br />
creamy mashed potatoes and fresh<br />
greens, yellowtail snapper on a bed of<br />
potatoes and served with fresh greens,<br />
grilled-black cod, the enticing chicken<br />
crepe ‘Asian Recipe’ topped with<br />
prawn roe and a whole lot more.<br />
A must-try for meat lovers is the pan<br />
seared beef steak, which is served<br />
on a bed of mashed potatoes and<br />
topped with fresh salad. What’s unique<br />
about this steak is that it is served<br />
not with your typical mushroom or<br />
black pepper sauce, but with an<br />
accompaniment of teriyaki sauce,<br />
chilli sea salt and curry sea salt.<br />
If you’re into cheese and mussels, the<br />
baked mussels topped with cheese<br />
will surely hit the spot. A serving of<br />
fresh salad complements this dish.<br />
Choose from a selection of fresh juices,<br />
mocktails, refreshing milkshakes and<br />
smoothies to end your meal with. There<br />
is of course the must-try Obama Coffee,<br />
which is made with mocha coffee and<br />
Zest coffee. Otherwise, spoil yourself<br />
with the fabulous Chocolate 3 Way, a<br />
dessert creation featuring chocolate<br />
prepared in three different ways<br />
and is truly decadent. This is just one<br />
of so many fantastic desserts Zest is<br />
famous for.<br />
No MSG (monosodium glutamate)<br />
is added to any of the food served at<br />
the eatery, which is a definite plus,<br />
and the fact that it serves no pork<br />
means that everyone can come and<br />
savour the taste of Zest.<br />
Zest provides catering for birthday<br />
parties, annual dinners and bachelor<br />
parties as well. Whatever your wish<br />
is, Chung will make it happen for<br />
you. After all, at Zest, it’s all about<br />
customer satisfaction.<br />
We provide catering for birthday parties, annual dinners and bachelor parties • Opening hours: 11am - 11pm (Monday to Saturday, closed on Sunday)<br />
No. 43, Ground Floor, Block C, Wisma Nation Horizon, Jalan Pertanak, 93100 Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia. Tel: (6) 082 253848 Email: chunzest@gmail.com<br />
Add us in FACEBOOK: basket3214@gmail.com<br />
34 | <strong>BorneoTalk</strong>Apr-Jun2010
Food<br />
Great taste<br />
& varieties galore<br />
Hong Kong Pau Café provides convenience<br />
and wide choices of food for everyone<br />
Living in Kuching city means having the luxury of trying<br />
out different types of food whenever you want to; Hong<br />
Kong Pau Café at Stutong is certainly one of these places<br />
you must experience. Firstly, convenience as it opens<br />
daily from 6.30am to 11pm, starting with early morning<br />
dim sum dishes and “pau” (steamed dumplings), which<br />
are one of its trademark dishes. In fact, Hong Kong Pau<br />
Café’s sister branch at Padungan Street first started as a<br />
“pau” shop, progressing into a choice bakery shop for<br />
pastries and dim sum. Secondly, the new Stutong outlet<br />
comprises two shop lots, provides comfort for guests in a<br />
clean and pleasant ambience.<br />
From 10.30am onwards rice dishes are served, comprising<br />
succulent Hainanese chicken rice, marinated stew pork<br />
leg in claypot style, BBQ pork and fresh vegetables of the<br />
day cooked in Cantonese style. Curry lovers should also<br />
try out the curry chicken, which is cooked in traditional<br />
Chinese style with thick sauce and slight chilly hot.<br />
Manning the kitchen is a chef from Johor with years of<br />
experience in Chinese style dishes so you can be assured<br />
of consistency in taste daily.<br />
Tea time can be more interesting at Hong Kong Pau Café<br />
as the varieties of buns here surely satisfy everyone’s palate,<br />
from freshly baked ones to steamed “pau”. The ham bun<br />
is among the top selling item with its unique taste while<br />
the baked crispy pork “pau” is exquisite as the marinated<br />
meat literally flows out from the bun with the first bite!<br />
The Hainan steamed “pau” is also another special item<br />
from the shop that is value for money as it is filled with<br />
big chunks of tasty assorted meat, sausage and egg.<br />
In addition to the steam and cooked items, Hong Kong<br />
Pau Café is well stocked with baked items like egg tarts<br />
to cheese, butter, black bean and wheat bun and a<br />
host of others that appeal especially to children. This can<br />
easily be the place where the whole family can have their<br />
favourite food.<br />
Hong Kong Pau Café is a place for families, individuals<br />
and groups to enjoy their favourite dishes in a friendly<br />
environment and also for take-away.<br />
Opening Hours: 6.30am – 5.30pm (Padungan) • 6.30am – 11.00pm (Stutong)<br />
Hong Kong Pau CafE Sdn. Bhd. • No. 83 & 84, Ground Floor, Block II, Stutong, Jalan Setia Raja, 93350 Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia. Tel: (6) 082 368366<br />
Apr-Jun2010<strong>BorneoTalk</strong> | 35
Food<br />
Kota Kinabalu, Sabah<br />
Be charmed by the choices available,<br />
authentic taste and pleasant surroundings<br />
The name says it all for Little Italy – it serves Italian dishes<br />
based on traditional recipes and pizzas baked in authentic<br />
stone oven for that special taste. An award-winning<br />
restaurant from Sabah Tourism Board for its fantastic<br />
dishes, it is the pride of Kota Kinabalu city, Sabah as one<br />
of the main places for bringing guests and family for a<br />
sumptuous meal. Don’t worry about the Italian names of<br />
the choices in the menu as your waitress will guide you<br />
through for a truly satisfying gastronomical experience.<br />
There are eight appetizers to choose from and another<br />
five choices in the Spring Pasta that more than overwhelm<br />
patrons. Those in favour of home-made, classical recipes<br />
can opt for one of the fifteen styles of pasta they have<br />
here. When it comes to pizzas, the choices are again<br />
amazing; select your favourite sauce for the crispy crust<br />
and whatever else on top as the cheese comes in generous<br />
portions!<br />
Main courses here are a delight for food lovers as the<br />
tender slices of New Zealand beef fillet (Filetto ai funshi)<br />
in fresh mushroom sauce melts in the mouth. Grilled lamb<br />
chops and chicken dishes make the varieties available<br />
here even more difficult to decide on the choice which<br />
explains why many patrons are repeat customers back for<br />
more sampling of the courses found in the menu. Fresh<br />
ingredients and daily-prepared pastas and sauces are the<br />
secret behind the great taste as the family run business<br />
only wants the best for their customers.<br />
Nothing beats the great taste of daily fresh cooking which<br />
is a proud tradition of Little Italy and everyone compliments<br />
the size of the servings, which are simply large!<br />
Little Italy has a cozy setting with ample spaces between<br />
tables in the tradition of Italian restaurants. The place<br />
is a must visit for many foreigners to the city and locals<br />
frequent it for the authentic and fresh taste of its food.<br />
Its location on the ground floor of Capital Hotel provides<br />
convenience and natural attraction for customers as the<br />
area is the main entertainment centre of the city. Pleasant<br />
on the outside and conducive inside, Little Italy has been<br />
delighting patrons for years in scenic Kota Kinabalu where<br />
good food, great taste and varieties of choices make it a<br />
natural hot spot for everyone.<br />
Ground Floor, Hotel Capital, Jalan Haji Saman, 98813 Kota Kinabalu. • PO Box 146, 89407/Likas, Kota Kinabalu,<br />
Sabah, Malaysia. Tel/Fax: (6) 088 232231 Email: emiliano.kl@gmail.com (Open 10.30am – 11.00pm daily)<br />
www.littleitaly-kk.com<br />
Apr-Jun2010<strong>BorneoTalk</strong> | 39
Food<br />
All things organic<br />
is a restaurant<br />
specialising in organic food<br />
and more<br />
Cooking in Asian style and without<br />
using a single drop of oil It sounds<br />
impossible but is actually right here<br />
in Kuching city along Jalan Tabuan.<br />
Aha Organic is a restaurant serving<br />
only organic food which started out<br />
as an outlet serving healthy food.<br />
The idea to set up Aha Organic came<br />
about when Ling Mio Ting, decided<br />
to help her family and friends stay<br />
healthy through food.<br />
“Absolutely everything served here<br />
is organic, and we cook our food<br />
without using a single drop of oil.<br />
Even our seasonings are organic,”<br />
Ling explains. The beauty of using<br />
organic ingredients is that they have<br />
more flavour than non-organic ones.<br />
“People tend to have a misconception<br />
about healthy food, often thinking<br />
that they are dull and tasteless when<br />
it’s not necessarily that way,” she<br />
says of her offerings like Bee Hoon,<br />
Fried Mee, Mee Mamak and even<br />
spaghetti. “We also have our healthy<br />
organic curry, which is cooked with<br />
soy milk instead of coconut milk,”<br />
Ling adds.<br />
The cooking methods used ensure<br />
that the dishes are both tasty and<br />
healthy and these include grilling<br />
and stir-frying in a non-stick pan and<br />
bio-clay pots. Water is used to fry the<br />
aromatics, such as garlic, onion and<br />
ginger, as a substitute to cooking oil.<br />
Since the restaurant opened its door<br />
in August 2007, it has been receiving<br />
a steady stream of customers for lunch<br />
and dinner. “Some of them come and<br />
eat here while most of my customers<br />
pre-order their food and come to pick<br />
them up,” she says, adding that her<br />
restaurant also provides delivery and<br />
catering services.<br />
Besides serving food, Ling also sells<br />
organic food ingredients where some<br />
are from Kuala Lumpur and Singapore<br />
while the rest are from local suppliers.<br />
She also owns a farm where everything<br />
is naturally grown and she prefers<br />
using ingredients grown in her own<br />
farm in her restaurant.<br />
On the first floor of Aha Organic there<br />
is a small section where artists can<br />
come and explore their creative juices<br />
using recyclable items with the main<br />
objective to share this value through<br />
creative art classes. “We also sell things<br />
that are good for the environment<br />
as well as biodegradable items. Our<br />
bowls, spoons and chopsticks are<br />
all made from rice husk and we also<br />
use oxo-biodegradable plastic bags<br />
here,” she explains.<br />
For those who really want to lose<br />
those extra pounds and lead a<br />
healthy lifestyle, Ling offers her<br />
Adventures In Weightloss programme,<br />
which requires a blood test report,<br />
plus applicant form with detail medical<br />
information and photo of applicants<br />
that will be sent to Australia for<br />
evaluation by Dr. Ryan, a doctor<br />
with over 30 years experience in<br />
environmental medicine. If an applicant<br />
is eligible, he will receive a customised<br />
eating plan which will help him lose<br />
weight effectively,” she adds.<br />
Ling says that those who join the<br />
programme will be guided by our<br />
experienced consultants on how to<br />
prepare their own healthy meals.<br />
“Once you are on this programme,<br />
you’ll not require any other weight<br />
loss products as this is a very effective<br />
programme,” she concludes.<br />
Aha Organic • No.36, Section 47, Jalan Tabuan, 93100 Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia. Tel: (6) 082 420808<br />
www.ahaorganiccafe.blogspot.com | www.adventuresweightloss.blogspot.com<br />
For more information, call Ling Mio Ting at (6) 016 8893622<br />
40 | <strong>BorneoTalk</strong>Apr-Jun2010
Health<br />
Adventures<br />
in Weightloss<br />
Losing weight and staying at the<br />
optimal weight is the hope and aim<br />
of many people; most fail to maintain<br />
the ideal after the initial stage and<br />
simply gave up. Adventures in<br />
Weightloss comes packaged to<br />
individual’s special needs and as no<br />
two person are alike, each programme<br />
is just for you to achieve that goal<br />
of getting rid of the excess fat.<br />
Clients go through 3 phases in the<br />
programme; phase 1 continues till<br />
you have achieved the target weight<br />
and then moving into phase 2 which,<br />
prepares your body for lifelong<br />
health, weight maintenance. Finally<br />
phase 3 gives you tools and support<br />
for life after the programme.<br />
Any weight loss programme must<br />
address the 4 essential keys for a<br />
life-long success; effective personalise<br />
eating plan, nutritional supplements,<br />
mindset and psychology as well as<br />
increase physical activities. Adventures<br />
in weightloss specialists who have<br />
extensive experience will guide you on<br />
these four aspects. Eating healthily<br />
and the right amount of certain food<br />
is necessary as well as nutritional<br />
supplements to ensure that your body<br />
A natural,<br />
stress free<br />
programme to<br />
get rid of that<br />
excess weight<br />
will not be adversely affected by the<br />
weight loss experienced. A trained,<br />
experienced psychologist will work<br />
with each client in the area of mindset<br />
to guide and prepare the person for<br />
the programme to be successful while<br />
increase physical activities can ensure<br />
that you will continue to enjoy a<br />
healthy lifestyle.<br />
After completing an extensive medical<br />
questionnaire the person will require<br />
a blood sample report, which will act<br />
as the guidelines in the design of the<br />
programme for you and you alone; no<br />
one else should follow the same<br />
programme as every individual is<br />
different and it may be harmful to the<br />
person to follow your programme!<br />
Follow up blood testing every 6 weeks<br />
until the optimum weight is achieved<br />
ensures the client is continuously<br />
updated on the response to the<br />
programme and makes the necessary<br />
adjustments over time. Adventures in<br />
Weightloss is a very specialised and<br />
individual programme which requires<br />
professionals to service individual<br />
client like a boutique business where<br />
personalised attention to detail is<br />
everything. If you are committed to<br />
the idea of losing weight and staying<br />
off those excess kilos, Adventures in<br />
Weightloss has the programme to do<br />
so! For more details on the programme<br />
and Adventures in Weightloss,<br />
contact the representative below for<br />
consultation.<br />
No.36, Section 47, Jalan Tabuan,<br />
93100 Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia.<br />
Tel: (6) 082 420808, (6) 016 8893622 - Ling Mio Ting<br />
www.ahaorganiccafe.blogspot.com<br />
www.adventuresweightloss.blogspot.com<br />
Apr-Jun2010<strong>BorneoTalk</strong> | 41
Health<br />
KUCHING SPECIALIST HOSPITAL<br />
(A Member of KPJ Healthcare Berhad Group)<br />
Care for Life<br />
KPJ Kuching Specialist Hospital (KcSH) is the 12 th network of private specialist hospital in KPJ Healthcare Berhad<br />
Group. The 4-storey hospital compact in design and equipped with the state-of-art technology is located within<br />
the Setia Raja Commercial Centre, Tabuan Laru and is approximately 10km from Kuching City.<br />
KcSH is a one-stop hospital offering a wide range of outpatient and inpatient specialist services ranging from prevention,<br />
diagnosis and treatment of a wide range of diseases and medical conditions to anaesthetics procedures.<br />
All our rooms are designed and fitted with modern furnishings, to provide comfort of living and a restful environment<br />
for our clients.<br />
Our Main Clinical Disciplines<br />
• Anaesthesiology<br />
• Cardiology<br />
• Dermatology<br />
• Gastroenterology<br />
• General and Internal Medicine<br />
• General Surgery<br />
• Nephrology<br />
• Neurology<br />
• Obstetrics and Gynaecology<br />
• Occupational Medicine<br />
• Ophthalmology and Ophthalmic Surgery<br />
• Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery<br />
• Otorhinolaryngology (Ear, Nose & Throat)<br />
• Paediatrics<br />
• Pathology<br />
• Pharmacology<br />
• Physiotherapy<br />
• Plastic Surgery<br />
• Psychiatry<br />
• Radiology<br />
• Urology<br />
State-Of-The-Art Facilities<br />
• 24 Hours Accident & Emergency<br />
• Cardiac Catheterisation Laboratory (Cathlab)<br />
• Special Outpatient Clinic Services<br />
• Diagnostic Imaging (X-Ray,Fluroscopy,<br />
Mammogram, Ultrasound)<br />
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)<br />
• 64-slice MSCT Scan<br />
• Occupational Risk Assessment Services<br />
• Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation Unit<br />
• Special Diagnostic Services<br />
• Laboratory<br />
• Pharmacy<br />
• Intensive Care Unit<br />
• Neonatal Intensive Care Unit<br />
• Operating Theater Services<br />
• Maternity Ward<br />
• Paediatric Ward<br />
• Surgical Ward<br />
• Home Nursing Services<br />
• Haemodialysis Unit<br />
Lot 10420, Block 11,Tabuan Stutong Commercial Centre, Jalan Setia Raja, 93350 Kuching, Sarawak<br />
Tel: (6)082-365777 Fax: (6)082-364666 Emergency No: (6) 082-365030 Email: kcsh@kcsh.kpjhealth.com.my<br />
42 | <strong>BorneoTalk</strong>Apr-Jun2010<br />
www.kcsh.kpjhealth.com.my
Health<br />
Healthy living starts with you<br />
The changing lifestyle of Malaysians<br />
with rapid economic developments<br />
since independence has in fact led to<br />
some unhealthy trends like obesity,<br />
stress and bad habits like smoking<br />
and drinking. From an agrarian<br />
society, which was focused on food<br />
producing and consumption, it has<br />
now become an exporting economy<br />
of food-based products to computer<br />
chips, cars to natural resources like<br />
timber and oil. All these led to massive<br />
construction and booming of towns<br />
and cites with most of the people<br />
involved in white collar jobs and<br />
becoming sedentary while factory<br />
workers were mainly rural based<br />
people with little education and<br />
often misplaced in an urban settings,<br />
leading to alcoholism, gambling, and<br />
other vices. Generally, the lifestyle of<br />
people were deteriorating in terms<br />
of health and diseases like heart<br />
attacks, obesity and others which<br />
contributed to the higher rate of<br />
hospital patients and fatalities.<br />
The Ministry of Health Malaysia has<br />
long advocate healthy lifestyle for<br />
people but majority of people tends<br />
to ignore these guidelines until it<br />
was too late for many of them. The<br />
ministry to address the issues of<br />
healthy lifestyle has carried out many<br />
publications, adverts and public<br />
awareness campaigns but these were<br />
often falling on deaf ears. At least<br />
until recently when more educated<br />
younger population who had been<br />
exposed to these lifestyle guidelines<br />
began to take them seriously and also<br />
helped by the growing awareness<br />
worldwide on going green and<br />
leading a responsible life in relation<br />
to the earth and society. As a result,<br />
more Malaysians are now taking up<br />
healthy living more seriously and also<br />
encouraging others to do so, a trend<br />
that augurs well for the country.<br />
Healthy living is actually quite simple<br />
as it only requires a person to take<br />
up some form of physical activities<br />
on a regular basis while eating<br />
healthy food, managing stress<br />
smartly and not taking up bad habits<br />
like smoking or drinking. Physical<br />
activities need not take up a lot of<br />
time too as these can involve walking<br />
up stairs instead of taking the lift,<br />
stretching exercises while at work,<br />
walking regularly or even breathing<br />
deeply 5-10 times within two hours.<br />
It is even better if you were to take up<br />
lessons or classes in physical exercises<br />
with instructors to ensure that your<br />
body stays in top condition.<br />
Malaysians are a spoilt lot when it<br />
comes to food, as the variety available<br />
is enormous; choosing the right<br />
ones is the key to healthy eating<br />
habits. Varieties of food is good in<br />
moderation, especially based on the<br />
Malaysian Food pyramid while less<br />
consumption of fried and fatty ones<br />
is encouraged as well as less intake<br />
of sugar. It is essentially true that you<br />
are what you eat – the healthier your<br />
food intake, the healthier you will be<br />
and vice-versa. At the same time, the<br />
smoking and drinking habits should<br />
also be cut off.<br />
Working can lead to stress in some<br />
environment, especially if there is no<br />
social support in the workplace. The<br />
best ways to reduce stress while at<br />
work are to practice rational and<br />
positive thinking, communicate<br />
effectively while managing criticism<br />
sensibly. Anger should be acknowledged<br />
and managed with the correct<br />
relaxation techniques while one<br />
should always practice effective time<br />
management. After all there is only<br />
24hours in a day and no matter how<br />
efficient the person is there is simply<br />
not enough time to do everything<br />
so prioritising work is important for<br />
workaholics. In almost all workplaces<br />
stress is always present and overcoming<br />
it is the key to a successful work<br />
environment.<br />
For further enquiries, please call Sarawak Health Department at Jalan Tun Abang Haji Openg,<br />
93590 Kuching, Sarawak. Tel: (6) 082 256566 Fax: (6) 082 424959<br />
Email: sarawakhealth@moh.gov.my or you may also visit website at jknsarawak.moh.gov.my<br />
Apr-Jun2010<strong>BorneoTalk</strong> | 43
Health<br />
Doctors<br />
The health care services<br />
provided in Malaysia are<br />
amongst the best in<br />
developing countries and<br />
with constant upgrading of<br />
personnel, equipment and<br />
delivery system; the Ministry<br />
of Health envisions a nation of healthy communities<br />
enjoying high quality of life in every corner of the country.<br />
Towards achieving this vision, the ministry encourages the<br />
public to work together with the various health facilities like<br />
hospitals, poly and community clinics, outpatient, maternal,<br />
child health and dental clinics as well as the various health<br />
centers throughout the nation. Sarawak, Malaysia’s largest<br />
state, presents a unique set of requirements due to the size<br />
of the area, diverse population centres with low density per<br />
area, and physical features making some areas inaccessible<br />
by conventional means except the flying doctor services.<br />
Despite these physical, technical and administrative<br />
difficulties, nevertheless, close to 90% of the people in the<br />
state are served by these health personnel, the majority of<br />
them in urban and rural health centres.<br />
In the promotion of healthy living lifestyles for people in<br />
Sarawak, the state health department focuses on preventive<br />
measures, early treatment/referral and rehabilitation through<br />
its network of 290 centres and facilities state-wide. The 12<br />
hospitals in the state are of three-tiers, the smallest district<br />
hospitals are manned by medical officers, next those with<br />
specialists and the largest with subspecialists facilities, the<br />
Sarawak General Hospital in Kuching. Family Medicine<br />
specialists providing general outpatient care, maternal and<br />
44 | <strong>BorneoTalk</strong>Apr-Jun2010
Health<br />
at your service<br />
The Sarawak Medical Health Department provides<br />
services with dedication despite limited resources of<br />
personnel and facilities<br />
childcare, dental care as well as laboratory and radiological<br />
services man most of the large polyclinics. There are 12 such<br />
polyclinics in the state with another 194 rural health clinics<br />
that function as “one-stop” family health centres, providing<br />
an integrated service comprising maternal & child-care,<br />
general outpatient care and environmental sanitation. All<br />
clinics have rest beds and birthing facilities to facilitate safe<br />
delivery among rural mothers. The most recent addition to<br />
the department’s list of clinics are the 1Malaysia Clinics, set<br />
up in urban large population areas to give better access<br />
to medical facilities for minor ailments including wound<br />
dressings. Paramedics man these clinics and doctors will<br />
make regular rounds. They are opened daily from 10am to<br />
10pm. The locations in shop lots make them easily accessible<br />
and where necessary, referrals will be made for those needing<br />
more specialised treatments.<br />
tuberculosis or malaria from blood samples. Started in 1981,<br />
the programme currently has 2,956 volunteers serving about<br />
271,182 people in 1,664 villages in the state.<br />
To facilitate the provision of health services to the people,<br />
the department has also established the ‘Home-Based’<br />
health records for the people. These records comprise the<br />
child-health card, antenatal card and outpatient card, which<br />
provide medical history of each patient for easy reference like<br />
immunisation given to children and continuity of treatment<br />
where necessary. Though the doctor: patient ratio in Sarawak<br />
is still low, the department continues to strive to bring the<br />
best possible medical care for the people and recruits more<br />
personnel to the cause.<br />
In addition to these established health centres, the<br />
department also has mobile clinics made up of Village<br />
Health teams and the Flying Doctor service. On foot, by<br />
boat or helicopters, these dedicated teams visit rural and<br />
out-of-reach communities, which total about 70,000 people<br />
in 175 locations. The Village Health Promoter programme<br />
is unique in Sarawak as two volunteers from each remote<br />
village are given training to enable them to provide first-aid,<br />
do health promotion and detect signs of diseases like<br />
For further enquiries, please call Sarawak Health Department at Jalan<br />
Tun Abang Haji Openg, 93590 Kuching, Sarawak. Tel: (6) 082 256566 Fax:<br />
(6) 082 424959 Email: sarawakhealth@moh.gov.my or you may also visit<br />
website at jknsarawak.moh.gov.my<br />
Apr-Jun2010<strong>BorneoTalk</strong> | 45
Health<br />
46 | <strong>BorneoTalk</strong>Apr-Jun2010
Health<br />
Looking for the<br />
bundle<br />
ofjoy<br />
The London Fertility Centre<br />
can assist couples in having a<br />
successful pregnancy<br />
Holding a baby in one’s arms is a joy most people take for granted; among<br />
childless couples, it is a sad reminder of their frustrations in being unable to<br />
conceive and have that bundle of joy. In Sarawak, there is hope for these<br />
couples at the London Fertility Centre, which aims to help them achieve their<br />
wish of having a baby of their own.<br />
The centre, established since 1999 by Dr Chieng Hock Tiew, offers a full<br />
range of fertility services of International Standard but at local price. This is<br />
one of the main reasons why it has consistently been a preferred centre for<br />
many couples, many of them childless but also others who have been unable to<br />
have more children despite earlier successes. Regardless, the centre attempts<br />
to fulfill their dreams and wishes of having babies of their own by providing the<br />
skills and facilities at their doorstep in the city!<br />
Dr Chieng was trained and worked in London, England for over 20 years, five<br />
of those years in fertility training before coming back to set up the practice<br />
here. In addition, he had also done research and trained in laboratory work for<br />
four years, the bulk of which is aimed at choosing the ‘best’ egg to match the<br />
‘best’ sperm, ‘grow’ them well before returning the fertilised egg to the<br />
womb. It is generally true to say that most doctors are not trained to work<br />
in laboratory and so these additional hands-on experience further enhanced<br />
his skills in this specialty. Unknown to most patients who have visited him<br />
at the centre, Dr Chieng actually is one of the pioneers who helped with the<br />
‘single sperm injection’ technique (ICSI). This method guarantees 100% that<br />
the sperm enters the egg while at the same time enables him to choose the<br />
best sperm for the next generation. All these practical skills are what make the<br />
centre one of the most preferred ones in the fertility specialty profession. To<br />
a large extent, success in inducing pregnancy comes from heredity and element<br />
of luck too as no one can guarantee success if it was not meant to be. But by<br />
trying out the methods used at the centre, couples can significantly improve<br />
their odds and have better chance of achieving success.<br />
For further information, please contact KUCHING - 1 st Floor, Lot 2753, Central Park, Kuching,<br />
Sarawak. Tel: (6) 082 232222 • SIBU - 1 st Floor, Lot 7, Pusat Tanahwang, Jalan Pedada,<br />
Sibu, Sarawak. Tel: (6) 084 366666 • MIRI - 1 st Floor, Lot 512, Pelita Commercial Centre,<br />
Miri, Sarawak. Tel: (6) 085 422299 • H/P - (6) 019 8177111<br />
Apr-Jun2010<strong>BorneoTalk</strong> | 47
Health<br />
“I uit!”<br />
Getting rid of the smoking habit can be<br />
rewarding in many ways<br />
In recent surveys conducted in Asian<br />
countries, including Malaysia, it was<br />
stated that more women were taking<br />
up smoking than ever before, which<br />
was a worrying trend. Almost every<br />
country in the region has increased<br />
taxes and imposed strict measures<br />
on packaging and other means to<br />
curb the smoking habit of people but<br />
these have little impact to date. As<br />
part of the effort to reduce smoking,<br />
especially among younger adults,<br />
the Ministry of Health Malaysia has<br />
also encouraged numerous activities<br />
including going to schools for talks<br />
and banning smoking in government<br />
buildings, air-conditioned public places,<br />
public transport systems to taking<br />
out adverts in mass and print medias.<br />
Surprisingly, about 80% of smokers<br />
who managed to quit did so on<br />
their own without much help from<br />
authorities or others which points to<br />
the fact that the human will power<br />
can be that much stronger than any<br />
nicotine crave that smokers have.<br />
The benefits of quitting the smoking<br />
habit are obvious – better quality of<br />
life without poisoning yourself and<br />
those around you, healthier looking<br />
skins, fresher breaths, whiter teeth,<br />
savings and environmentally friendly<br />
as there will be more fresh air and less<br />
accidental fires caused by careless<br />
smokers and their cigarettes butts<br />
or matches. In fact, it has also been<br />
medically documented that quitting<br />
smoking can add to fertility among<br />
men with reduction of occurrence of<br />
impotence or dysfunction.<br />
Interesting too for many heavy smokers<br />
who managed to quit is that they<br />
immediately noticed their heartbeat<br />
and blood pressure dropped to<br />
normal rate and their sense of taste<br />
improved while the fertility rate of<br />
both men and women increased.<br />
Initial reactions from quitting include<br />
coughing, dizzy spells, headaches<br />
to numbness of muscles which are<br />
actually positive signs as they mean<br />
that the lungs are working well<br />
again, more oxygen is reaching all<br />
parts of the body, including the head<br />
and some exercise will lessen muscle<br />
aches caused by the improved blood<br />
circulation to the affected areas.<br />
Once you have managed to quit,<br />
always make it a point to never<br />
again take another puff, watch body<br />
weight and think positive and stay<br />
focus on the reasons for your quitting.<br />
Everyone can say, “I can do it!” as far<br />
as quitting smoking is concern as there<br />
is actually not even one reason why<br />
smoking is good for anyone.<br />
Malaysia’s 12D practices<br />
to quit smoking<br />
1. Delay smoking<br />
2. Drink lots of water<br />
3. Deep breathes<br />
4. Do something<br />
5. Distant yourself from smokers<br />
6. Do chew something<br />
7. Do wash your hands<br />
8. Do bathe frequently<br />
9. Do stretching exercises<br />
10. Do meditation<br />
11. Distract yourself from<br />
situations, which encourage<br />
smoking<br />
12. Do pray<br />
For further enquiries, please call Sarawak Health Department at Jalan Tun Abang Haji Openg,<br />
93590 Kuching, Sarawak. Tel: (6) 082 256566 Fax: (6) 082 424959<br />
Email: sarawakhealth@moh.gov.my or you may also visit website at jknsarawak.moh.gov.my<br />
48 | <strong>BorneoTalk</strong>Apr-Jun2010
Health<br />
Timberland Medical Centre<br />
An acute-care specialist centre<br />
Timberland Medical Centre (TMC) is a private medical centre<br />
wholly owned by Mestika Unik Sdn Bhd. It is located at 3 rd<br />
Mile, Jalan Rock, Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia.<br />
TMC started its operation in April 1994. Today there are<br />
over 40 resident and visiting consultants dedicated towards<br />
delivering quality patient care services. We continually<br />
strive to improve and acquire the latest technology and<br />
equipment to provide the most up-to-date medical care<br />
for our clients.<br />
Operating in the most critical parts of the human body<br />
namely the brain, the spine and the nerves, is much safer<br />
in this day and age thanks to the availability of modern<br />
facilities such as operating microscope, ultrasonic aspiration<br />
device, and nerve monitoring facility.<br />
Various neurological tests can be done here through imaging<br />
study like an X-ray, computerised tomography (CT scan),<br />
magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), electroencephalogram<br />
(EEG) and electromyogram (EMG). A sleep laboratory is<br />
available in TMC to perform sleep studies, measuring the<br />
brain wave activity, heart rate, electrical activity of the heart,<br />
breathing, oxygen in the blood, body position and leg<br />
movements during sleep study.<br />
With advanced technologies such as 64 slice MSCT scanning<br />
machine, patients with claustrophobia can now undergo<br />
comprehensive screening without fear of enclosed spaces.<br />
In November 2007, TMC commissioned a new digital<br />
angiogram machine, officially declared open by YB Dato’<br />
Yong Khoon Seng. It is capable of demonstrating both cardiac<br />
and vascular applications, e.g. brain, heart, chest, intestines<br />
and legs. With the arrival of this machine, TMC is able to<br />
provide a wider range of diagnostic examinations to patients.<br />
Not forgetting its corporate social responsibility, TMC<br />
together with University Malaysia Sarawak, successfully<br />
straightened the legs of Winnie Wong, a child born<br />
with severe leg deformities, on November 6, 2009. The<br />
operation cost was borne by TMC in consideration that<br />
Winnie’s parents who earn a meager income, could not<br />
afford the cost. On other note, TMC had sponsored 200<br />
mammogram services last year, other than free health<br />
screening and public health forums.<br />
Specialist Outpatient Clinic<br />
• Brain & Nerve Specialist Clinic<br />
• Ear, Nose & Throat Specialist Clinic<br />
• Eye Specialist Clinic<br />
• Clinic For Women<br />
• General Surgical Specialist Clinic<br />
• General & Colorectal Surgical Specialist Clinic<br />
• Gut & Liver Specialist Clinic<br />
• Orthopaedic Specialist Clinic<br />
• Medical & Cardiac Specialist Clinic<br />
• Medical Specialist Clinic<br />
• Medical & Kidney Specialist Clinic<br />
• Plastic Surgical Specialist Clinic<br />
• Psychiatric Specialist Centre<br />
• Skin Specialist Clinic<br />
• Specialist Clinic For Children<br />
• Urology Clinic<br />
• Neuro Surgical Clinic<br />
Clinical Specialties<br />
• Anaesthesiology<br />
• Cardiology<br />
• Colorectal Surgery<br />
• Dermatology<br />
• Ear, Nose & Throat Surgery<br />
• Eye Surgery<br />
• Gastroenterology<br />
• General Surgery<br />
• Haematology<br />
• Internal Medicine<br />
• Micro Surgery<br />
• Neurology<br />
• Neuro Surgery<br />
• Nephrology<br />
• Obstetrics & Gynaecology<br />
• Orthopaedic & Traumatology<br />
• Paediatrics<br />
• Plastic Surgery & Burns<br />
• Psychiatry<br />
• Radiology<br />
• Urology<br />
FACILITIES & SERVICES<br />
• 24 hours Accident & Emergency Service (A&E)<br />
• 24 hours Ambulance service<br />
• 24 hours Laboratory service<br />
• Blood Bank services<br />
• Operating theatres<br />
• Delivery suites<br />
• Neonatal intensive care unit<br />
• Coronary care unit<br />
• Intensive care unit<br />
• Health Screening Service<br />
• Pharmacy<br />
• Radiology (X-Ray) services<br />
- Plain x-Ray<br />
- Ultrasound<br />
- Mammography<br />
- Fluoroscopy<br />
- Open super conducting magnetic<br />
resonance imaging (MRI)<br />
- 64 Slice MSCT Scanner<br />
- Interventional radiology services<br />
• Invasive Angiography services<br />
• Cardiac Investigation Services<br />
• Endoscopy<br />
- Gastroscopy<br />
- Duodenoscopy<br />
- Colonoscopy<br />
- Bronchoscopy<br />
- Ear Nose and Throat endoscopy<br />
- Nephroscopy<br />
- Ureteroscopy<br />
- Arthroscopy<br />
• Neuro Diagnostic Services<br />
- Electroencephalography (EEG)<br />
- Sleep Studies<br />
- Nerve Conduction Studies<br />
• Laparoscopic and endoscopic surgery<br />
- Removal of gall bladder<br />
- Removal of prostate<br />
- Removal of ovarian cysts<br />
- Stone blasting<br />
- Joints surgery<br />
• Haemodialysis services<br />
• Physiotherapy services<br />
- Mobilisation<br />
- Therapeutic treatments<br />
- Exercise regimes<br />
- Traction<br />
- Electro therapeutic<br />
- Treatments (Ultrasound, interferential<br />
short wave)<br />
For further enquiries, please call TMC at 082-234466 ext 718 (Ms. Chai), or email tmcmktez@gmail.com.<br />
You may also visit TMC website at http://timberlandmedical.com/web_timberland/<br />
TIMBERLAND MEDICAL CENTRE<br />
Lot 5164- 5165, Block 16, LCKD, 2½ Mile Jalan Rock, Taman Timberland, 93250 Kuching, Sarawak.<br />
Apr-Jun2010<strong>BorneoTalk</strong> | 49
Health<br />
Taking aim<br />
at youths<br />
’s programmes arm youths with the right spirit to become<br />
leaders and ambassadors among their peers<br />
Malaysia as an emerging developing nation is experiencing<br />
rapid growth and with that comes some social problems<br />
and issues which have to be addressed. One of these is<br />
that of youths, especially those between 13-25 years old,<br />
who may be disoriented by the change in environment from<br />
small kampung to big cities, rural schools to urban ones<br />
and lack of friends in work environments. In taking note<br />
of this issue, the Ministry of Health has been introducing<br />
programmes to guide youths and others on overcoming<br />
these social ills and giving them avenues to seek help and<br />
not be drawn into the world of depression, drugs and<br />
other vices. Prostar is a Youth Health Programme which<br />
basically is ‘from youth, through youth and for youth’<br />
which aims to bring awareness of healthy lifestyles,<br />
practices, attitudes, spirit of volunteerism and support for<br />
fellow troubled youths.<br />
In practice, the initial groups are given extensive information<br />
on healthy lifestyles and communication skills with<br />
knowledge to plan programmes to become effective<br />
ambassadors for a brighter future among youths who<br />
have stumbled along the way. By working as individuals<br />
and groups, their efforts will have that multiplier effect<br />
which can reach out further and affect more respondents<br />
through economic activities, training, arts and culture,<br />
recreational, communications and social work. Jobs and<br />
expectations that come with them can make youths feel<br />
responsible and change their way of thinking as well<br />
as providing them with a steady income for a brighter<br />
future. As training is provided to unskilled youths, they<br />
have the opportunity to become skilled labour or even<br />
self employed like artists, business entrepreneurs or<br />
trainers eventually; all the activities and programmes of<br />
Prostar are in collaboration with existing relevant agencies<br />
and non-governmental organisations which provide a<br />
wide network of opportunities for youths to excel in<br />
various fields and to lead a healthy lifestyle. The most<br />
common habits of wayward youths are smoking, drugs and<br />
drinking which can be overcome with the right counseling,<br />
motivation and change of lifestyle. Other serious problems<br />
include prostitution and anti social behaviours, which<br />
include diseases like Aids and other transmittable ones as<br />
well as unwanted pregnancies and abandoned babies not<br />
to mention criminal activities too. Prostar is the programme<br />
that will transform youths into mature, responsible and<br />
knowledgeable citizens who will contribute to the growth<br />
of the nation and inculcate healthy lifestyle among the<br />
masses. The Ministry of Health and its partners in the<br />
programme welcome all those who wish to contribute<br />
and be part of the programme as with wider participation<br />
from all sectors and levels of society, the nation will be<br />
able to progress faster and further with the same spirit<br />
and aspirations.<br />
jknsarawak.moh.gov.my • www.prostar.gov.my<br />
50 | <strong>BorneoTalk</strong>Apr-Jun2010
Health<br />
Aromatherapy Javanese Back Facial Asmara Tjintha Massage Javanese Totok Facial<br />
Revitalisation:<br />
Tjantek-style<br />
“A true authentic Javanese style spa is<br />
here in Kuching! Once a closely guarded<br />
secret kept under wraps is now an<br />
open secret to help rejuvenate the<br />
mind, body and spirit”<br />
Though once a closely guarded secret kept under wraps<br />
behind the Javanese palace walls, these beauty rituals can<br />
now be fully indulged at Tjantek (pronounced ‘cantik’<br />
and means ‘beautiful’ in old Indonesian spelling) Spa,<br />
an idyllic retreat offering the perfect antidote to help<br />
rejuvenate the mind, body and spirit.<br />
“All facial and massage treatments have been created<br />
luxuriously so that each person can thoroughly experience<br />
and enjoy the authentic Javanese ritual of relaxation<br />
and pampering,” said spa founder Surainee Abdul<br />
Latif, who first established Tjantek Spa in Miri before<br />
setting up the second branch here in February this year.<br />
Under the caring hands of three highly experienced<br />
therapists from Java, clients are assured of a rewarding<br />
ritual through the spa’s variety of holistic services using<br />
traditional Javanese massage techniques that incorporates<br />
thumb and palm pressure in an intense, medium to<br />
strong, deep-tissue massage. For complete body bliss,<br />
Surainee recommended the invigorating Javanese full<br />
body massage to stimulate blood circulation and improve<br />
energy flow, and body lulur, one of the signature<br />
treatments available here.<br />
“The body lulur is a whole body exfoliation treatment<br />
where lulur paste is applied to exfoliate the skin and<br />
slough away dead skin cells,” said Surainee. “After<br />
the body has been exfoliated, home-made yoghurt is<br />
applied to the body to maintain the pH balance of the<br />
skin. As a result, one’s skin will definitely feel smooth<br />
and soft after the treatment.” According to Surainee,<br />
the lulur are made fresh using only natural ingredients<br />
and clients will be able to select from eight types such<br />
as Bali coffee, lavender and vanilla, floral sea salt, cocoa<br />
butter, mangir herbal, mocha spice, coconut honey and<br />
orange coconut, each of which are highly beneficial in<br />
their own way.<br />
Other treatments available include the aromatherapy<br />
Javanese back facial, the first of its kind at the spa that<br />
comprises of a back wash, back scrub, full masking and a<br />
soothing back massage as well as Javanese totok facial,<br />
a full facial massage that concentrates on the acupressure<br />
point of the face and is well-known to improve blood<br />
circulation and promote healthy facial glow.<br />
At Tjantek Spa, freshly brewed jamu are also available<br />
where in Indonesia, the concoction herbal drink is<br />
known for its health attributes. “Usually taken by women,<br />
we have six types of jamu such as jamu sehat wanita,<br />
tolak angin, awet ayu, kuku bima, empot2, and rapet,<br />
each of which promotes attributes such as improving<br />
blood circulation, skin complexion and so on,”<br />
explained Surainee.<br />
In line with the spa’s value-for-money proposition,<br />
Tjantek Spa has a variety of spa packages tailored to<br />
their clients with price starting from only RM125 such<br />
as the Royal Essential Touch package for instance, that<br />
lets client choose from either a choice of Javanese<br />
body massage, Javanese facial, Javanese cream bath or<br />
Bolus herbal pack and also includes the body lulur.<br />
Javanese Post Maternity package is available for new-mums,<br />
who are looking for some quality ‘me’ time will therefore<br />
be able to indulge in treatments specifically tailored,<br />
as per Javanese traditional confinement practise such as<br />
“Javanese Bengkung Wrap”. For Brides-to-be, indulge in a<br />
line of royal bridal treatments to prepare one for his/her big<br />
wedding day such as “Lulur” and “Intimacy Care”.<br />
In the care of Tjantek Spa, one thing’s for sure, the<br />
spa experience rejuvenates the body and spirit through<br />
a relaxing yet rewarding session set in a wonderful<br />
tropical spa.<br />
TJANTEK SPA<br />
• 1 st Floor, Lot 421, Section 5 KTLD, Jalan Kulas, Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia.<br />
Tel: (6) 014 7090079 Email: surainee.abdul.latif@tjantekspamiri.com <strong>Website</strong>: www.tjantekspamiri.com<br />
• No 9, 1 st Floor, Piasau Garden Shophouse, Miri, Sarawak, Malaysia. Tel: (6) 013 8425533<br />
Javanese Fresh Jamu<br />
Javanese Intimacy Care<br />
Apr-Jun2010<strong>BorneoTalk</strong> | 51
Health<br />
A natural<br />
52 | <strong>BorneoTalk</strong>Apr-Jun2010
Health<br />
spell<br />
Rangillia Spa’s traditional massages and<br />
body scrubs using only natural ingredients will<br />
get you coming for more!<br />
Every woman knows that aches and<br />
pains can occur in their bodies from<br />
work, stress and age; overcoming these<br />
through traditional body massages<br />
is one of the most relaxing, soothing<br />
and rewarding experience!<br />
“Massaging with traditional oils made<br />
from herbs and spices flushes out<br />
the toxins from the body, rejuvenates<br />
it and makes one feels refresh and<br />
light,” says Zaliha Ismail, a masseur<br />
with almost 30 years of experience.<br />
Operating her own Rangillia Spa in<br />
Kuching, Sarawak, under the help<br />
and sponsorship from Entrepreneur<br />
Development Unit (UPUB) she had<br />
taken traditional massage to a new<br />
level as her products are all natural,<br />
organic and more importantly, certified<br />
by Sirim, the Malaysian certification<br />
authority. Processing most of the<br />
products by herself, she assures the<br />
effectiveness of each, like the facial<br />
cleanser, herbal and foot baths, face<br />
mask and salt soap in providing the<br />
expected results to her clients.<br />
“Most of my clients are from word of<br />
mouth, especially those from Brunei,<br />
West Malaysia and locally who have<br />
seen the wonderful changes in their<br />
friends’ complexion and beautiful<br />
hair after undergoing sauna, body<br />
scrub and the traditional massage<br />
which I do personally,” she points<br />
out, adding that she had learned<br />
the art from her elders. Each session<br />
can last anything from two to four<br />
hours depending on the condition of<br />
the individual’s body, which explains<br />
why she stretched her appointments<br />
forward, giving herself adequate<br />
time for each and to recuperate in<br />
between as well!<br />
“I have to always take care of my<br />
own body to do all these and as I<br />
travel a lot in meeting clients and<br />
producers, it helps to have a healthy<br />
body. That’s why I also take jamu,<br />
our herbal tonic drinks which are<br />
all natural and can be taken by the<br />
whole family for a healthy lifestyle,”<br />
Zaliha remarks. The ingredients<br />
for the jamu had been part of her<br />
family tradition for generations and<br />
combined with what she had learned<br />
from courses, they have become a<br />
potent nourishing source for the body.<br />
Puan Zaliha Ismail<br />
“Not everyone is aware of the natural<br />
potential of the body to heal, recuperate<br />
and remain healthy through body scrub<br />
and massages but once discovered,<br />
they will always plan for more,” she<br />
assures with her wide smile.<br />
Zaliha also participated in the “Satu<br />
Daerah Satu Industri” (One district<br />
one industry) programme under the<br />
Bumiputera Entrepreneur Development<br />
Unit (UPUB) in Malacca December<br />
last year.<br />
To contact Rangillia Spa located at Lot 459, Kampung Temenggong, 12.5 mile Jalan Matang,<br />
Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia. Please call (6) 019 8668232 or fax at (6) 082 448232<br />
Insertion by courtesy of BUMIPUTERA ENTREPRENEUR DEVELOPMENT UNIT (UPUB)<br />
12 th Floor, Wisma Bapa Malaysia, 93502 Petra Jaya, Kuching, Sarawak, East Malaysia. Tel: (6) 082 492453 Fax: (6) 082 449079<br />
Apr-Jun2010<strong>BorneoTalk</strong> | 53
Education<br />
Shaping minds<br />
of young medical doctors<br />
Tan Sri Datu Dr<br />
Haji Mohamad<br />
Taha Arif shares<br />
his vast experience<br />
in public health<br />
with upcoming<br />
grads in Sarawak<br />
in UNIMAS<br />
Very few doctors in Sarawak are<br />
familiar with remote settlements<br />
outside of main towns and cities<br />
due mainly to inaccessibility and<br />
size of the state; fortunately this<br />
is not the case of the Dean of<br />
the Faculty of Medical and Health<br />
Sciences, University Malaysia<br />
Sarawak. Having started his career<br />
serving the rural communities in<br />
Sarawak under the flying doctor<br />
services, he had visited numerous<br />
out of reach areas in trying<br />
circumstances, a unique experience<br />
which he shared with students<br />
and colleagues. Moreover, his<br />
specialty is public health, a passion<br />
that grew from interest in disease<br />
control which led him to become<br />
Director of Institute of Medical<br />
Research, Director of Disease<br />
Control of Health Ministry and<br />
until his retirement in 2005, as<br />
Director-General of Health apart<br />
from stints as state medical director<br />
in various states in Malaysia.<br />
Throughout his career he was actively<br />
involved in bringing up young doctors<br />
in his capacity as member of Board of<br />
Directors of National University<br />
Malaysia, Board of Studies for<br />
Faculty of Medicine at University<br />
Darul Iman Terengganu and National<br />
Defence University Malaysia. He also<br />
coauthored in 25 publications, 12<br />
documents and books for Ministry<br />
of Health and other presentations<br />
nationally and overseas while actively<br />
involved in research activities on<br />
communicable diseases and control.<br />
In return he has earned recognitions<br />
from states, nation, Fellowships as well<br />
as honours, degrees over the years.<br />
Having come full circle in his medical<br />
career as Dean of Health faculty, he<br />
now oversees the building of new<br />
facilities in the university and coming<br />
back to the place where he still calls<br />
home after 33 years of dedicated<br />
service and commitment in public<br />
health.<br />
54 | <strong>BorneoTalk</strong>Apr-Jun2010
Education<br />
Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences<br />
Rumah Setia<br />
The Faculty of Medicine and Health<br />
Sciences (FMHS) started in 1994 and<br />
the foundation dean was Professor<br />
Dr Syed Hassan Al-Mashoor. The first<br />
faculty office was located at Rumah<br />
Setia, Taman Budaya Kuching and<br />
two main programmes offered then<br />
were medicine and nursing. In 1995,<br />
the faculty received 28 students who<br />
enrolled for medicine programme<br />
and this first batch of medicine<br />
students graduated in 2000. In 2002,<br />
the faculty relocated to its third<br />
faculty building which is well known<br />
as Lot 77; after moving out from a<br />
shop lot at Bormill Commercial Centre.<br />
Currently UNIMAS’, medicine and<br />
nursing programmes are in great<br />
demand.<br />
The mission and educational philosophy<br />
of the faculty emphasised on the total<br />
development of highly competent<br />
doctors and nurses who will be<br />
imbued with high moral and ethical<br />
values as well as aesthetic sensibility,<br />
and to become an integral part of<br />
the community and sensitive to its<br />
needs. This mission and educational<br />
philosophy will only be achieved<br />
through an innovative, broad-based,<br />
student-centred, and problem-based<br />
educational programme that is<br />
community and practice oriented<br />
which will balance the science and<br />
the art of medicine.<br />
The faculty comprises fourteen<br />
departments, one Malaria Research<br />
Centre and a Medical Education<br />
Unit. With the strength of over 100<br />
academic staff in various fields and<br />
specialities, it supported the faculty’s<br />
teaching-learning activity and<br />
contributed to research activity.<br />
Though undergraduate programme<br />
is becoming the core-business in the<br />
faculty, FMHS also offers postgraduate<br />
programme by research in various<br />
fields of medicine and nursing. In<br />
2004 the faculty started offering its<br />
first masters programme; Master of<br />
Public Health (Health Promotion) with<br />
five registered students. By 2011, the<br />
family medicine department will start<br />
offering master programme in family<br />
medicine.<br />
Faculty members are also actively<br />
involved in various fields of research<br />
ranging from basic medical sciences<br />
to clinical sciences. A few academic<br />
staff are active in inventing various<br />
instruments related to clinical field<br />
and some of these are awaiting<br />
patenting approval.<br />
In future, the faculty will be having its<br />
own faculty complex which is located<br />
in the main campus at Kota Samarahan<br />
and also a teaching hospital. The<br />
faculty will always take proactive<br />
action to improve the teaching-learning,<br />
hostel and others facilities.<br />
Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (unimas) • Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences | Lot 77, Seksyen 22 Kuching Town Land District,<br />
Jalan Tun Ahmad Zaidi Adruce, 93150 Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia. Tel: (6) 082 416550, 292111 Fax: (6) 082 427716 <strong>Website</strong>: www.unimas.my<br />
Apr-Jun2010<strong>BorneoTalk</strong> | 55
Education<br />
Study in Singapore and Shape Your<br />
Future to be a Global Pastry Chef<br />
The Baking Industry Training Centre (BITC) was formed as a partnership<br />
between Prima Limited and SPRING Singapore (formerly known as the<br />
Singapore Productivity & Standards Board) in 1993. The training centre<br />
was established to elevate Singapore’s baking industry into a modern<br />
regional baking hub. Since its’ inception, BITC has continually strived<br />
to provide and promote the highest standards of training within the<br />
baking industry and has established itself as the leading baking academy<br />
in Southeast Asia.<br />
Professional Courses<br />
BITC provides professional training courses and consultancy services for<br />
both professionals and personal creative development, leveraging on<br />
BITC’s reputation as the hub for training excellence for the baking<br />
industry in the region. All courses are offered in English, where Mandarin is<br />
used upon request. All courses are delivered in full-time and part-time<br />
basis for local students and international students mainly from Malaysia,<br />
Indonesia, Brunei, Hong Kong, Myanmar, India and China.<br />
Facilities<br />
The centre also boast of three practical labs, a reference library and<br />
lecture rooms with modern training peripherals and IT facilities, as well<br />
as storage facilities that cover an area of more than 750 square metres.<br />
Recognition<br />
BITC courses are internationally recognised in the region. Over the<br />
years, we have collaborated with various tertiary institutes to provide<br />
professional skills-based courses such as the NITEC in Baking &<br />
Advanced from Singapore’s Institute of Technical Education (ITE),<br />
Diploma in Patisserie (7065) from the City and Guilds, Workforce Skills<br />
Qualifications (WSQ) Higher Certificate in Bakery Specialization from<br />
Singapore’s Workforce Development Agency (WDA).<br />
COURSES OFFERED<br />
DIPLOMA<br />
• Diploma in Baking & Pastry Arts<br />
• Diploma in Patisserie (7065)<br />
City & Guilds<br />
CERTIFICATES<br />
• NITEC In Baking / Advanced<br />
• (6 modules)<br />
• Certificate of Proficiency in Baking<br />
• Certificate of Asian Pastry Making<br />
• Certificate of Cake Decoration &<br />
Wedding Cake Decoration<br />
• Certificate of Noodles Making<br />
• Baking Principles<br />
(6 modules)<br />
• WSQ Higher Certificate in F&B<br />
Prepare Basic Bread<br />
• WSQ Higher Certificate in F&B<br />
Prepare Basic Cake<br />
• WSQ Higher Certificate in F&B<br />
Prepare Short-Crust Pastry<br />
For courses details, please contact BITC Admin Office at<br />
Address: 201, Keppel Road, Level 11 Annexe Block, Singapore 099419. <strong>Website</strong>: www.bitc.com.sg<br />
Tel: +65 62766337 Fax: +65 62766608 Email: bakingskills@bitc.com.sg<br />
Apr-Jun2010<strong>BorneoTalk</strong> | 57
Books<br />
Gals Read at MPH The Curve<br />
A Bookstore with Women in Mind<br />
women. The card entitles the holder<br />
to point accumulation, discounts<br />
and exclusive invitation from MPH<br />
Bookstores for all women-related<br />
subjects. This card can also be use at<br />
other outlets of MPH nationwide<br />
MPH The Curve projects to become<br />
the country’s first ever women concept<br />
bookstore. Everything in-store is<br />
set to be women focused, from the<br />
products to the food and right down<br />
to the ambience.<br />
Various categories can still be found<br />
here but with emphasis to women’s<br />
interest such as business and<br />
management books for women,<br />
autobiography on prominent female<br />
leaders, chick-lits, cookbooks and<br />
more. Some of these books will be<br />
featured under Gotta Have It!, a<br />
section dedicated to card members<br />
with discounts from 20% up to<br />
50%. The card aptly named Gals<br />
R.E.A.D.S., which stands for respected,<br />
empowered, admired, desired and<br />
smart, the values on this card signifies<br />
and reflect the achievements of today’s<br />
Stationery vendor, MOOF, will also be<br />
bringing in something a little special<br />
– wedding stationery, made available<br />
only at this particular outlet. Blue Inc,<br />
one of the largest female magazine<br />
publishers around will come in as a<br />
media partner and there will surely<br />
be plenty of exciting events, talks,<br />
book club, and even workshops to<br />
look forward to.<br />
When hungry simply head over to<br />
Espressoup. This first of its kind food<br />
operator specialises in soups serve in<br />
bread but also have salad, sandwiches<br />
and pasta in their menu.<br />
For enquiries, please contact MPH Bookstores Sdn Bhd at (6) 03 77811800 or email to marketing@mph.com.my<br />
The Leader<br />
Who Had<br />
No Title<br />
Author: Robin Sharma<br />
ISBN: 9781439190968<br />
Publisher: Freepress<br />
RM59.90<br />
This book is powerful, engaging and<br />
packed with real-world lessons that<br />
will help any business person realise<br />
extraordinary results and reach their<br />
potential. Sharma distills over 15 years<br />
of working with high performing<br />
business people, as well as authentically<br />
successful human beings. The Leader<br />
Who Had No Title is meant to engage<br />
people, inspire them, and deliver realworld<br />
tools that will help them live<br />
better both at work and at home.<br />
We will offer these selected titles featured in this issue at<br />
20%* discount to <strong>BorneoTalk</strong> readers. Readers to cut-out<br />
coupon from the magazine or download and print from www.<br />
enjoy365.com and present it at MidValley, Subang<br />
Parade, Megastore (1 Utama), Great Eastern Mall (Jalan<br />
Ampang), KLIA Airport, The Spring to enjoy the special offer.<br />
• Only original coupon or downloaded coupon from<br />
www.enjoy365.com is accepted<br />
• This offer is valid at MPH Bookstores indicated above<br />
• Not valid with any other offers or promotions<br />
• This coupon is not exchangeable for cash<br />
• Valid until 30 th June 2010<br />
TIGER<br />
The Real Story<br />
Author: Steve Helling<br />
ISBN: 9780306819292<br />
Publisher: Da Capo Press<br />
RM99.90<br />
Before the scandal, the world knew very little<br />
about Tiger Woods. After the scandal, they<br />
knew him even less. ‘Hello, World,’ he said.<br />
‘Are you ready for me’ The world was ready.<br />
For the next thirteen years, Tiger nearly lived<br />
up to his parents’ outsize expectations. He<br />
conquered the world of golf with skills the<br />
sport had never before seen. He became a<br />
global icon and a Madison Avenue darling,<br />
earning more for his squeaky clean persona<br />
than he earned for his sport. He settled down<br />
with a beautiful Swedish model and started<br />
a family. His net worth approached a billion<br />
dollars. Everything was going according to<br />
plan - until the scandal hit. As the media<br />
breathlessly mixed news with speculation,<br />
Tiger became the poster boy for selfdestruction.<br />
Corporate America exercised its<br />
fickle option and Tiger Woods was suddenly<br />
transformed from a commercial spokesman<br />
into a tabloid King. But for all the media<br />
reports on this or that revelation, Tiger’s true<br />
character remains a mystery.<br />
58 | <strong>BorneoTalk</strong>Apr-Jun2010<br />
MPH BOOKSTORES THE SPRING • Lot 114, 1 st Floor, The Spring Shopping Mall, Jalan Simpang Tiga, 93350 Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia.<br />
Tel: (6) 082 244 800 Fax: (6) 082 244 801 <strong>Website</strong>: www.mphonline.com Business hour: 10.00 am - 10.00 pm
Library<br />
Illiterates of the 21 st Century<br />
Time and again we read<br />
in the newspapers about<br />
people being duped to<br />
depart with their life<br />
savings by unscrupulous<br />
individuals or syndicates.<br />
In one of the cases the<br />
victim received a phone call informing<br />
him that he just won a lottery worth<br />
millions. And in order for the prize<br />
money to be transferred into his<br />
account, he has to deposit, into a given<br />
bank account number, some amount<br />
of money to cover administrative and<br />
processing costs. After the victim<br />
obliged, the culprit will ask for more<br />
money by giving more excuses as<br />
justification until the victim lost all his<br />
savings or until he realised that the<br />
whole thing is just ridiculous. And<br />
by that time it is already too late to<br />
avoid monetary lost. After that the<br />
contact person vanished and the<br />
victim will be left to wonder what<br />
step to take next.<br />
These types of scam only happen<br />
to uneducated and greedy people.<br />
Well, there may be some truth in this<br />
statement but mind you there are<br />
professionals like lawyers, university<br />
lecturers and many more unsuspecting<br />
good citizens also fell victim to these<br />
fraudulent schemes.<br />
The popular methods used by the<br />
syndicates are e-mail, sms and phone<br />
call to first get the fraudulent<br />
information to their prospective victims.<br />
After they received a favourable<br />
reply all communications that follows<br />
will use the same medium of<br />
communication. By using, or more<br />
appropriately abusing, communication<br />
technology the culprit managed to<br />
contact thousands of prospective<br />
victims in a very short time with<br />
minimal cost. As the law of averages<br />
has it surely some people will respond<br />
and few people will be cheated. This<br />
few people are enough to motivate<br />
the syndicate to continue with their<br />
illegal activity, as the amount of<br />
money involved is usually quite big.<br />
But why don’t the victims be suspicious<br />
in the first place when they first<br />
received such fraudulent information<br />
Is there any way to improve our<br />
“immunity” so that we can reduce<br />
if not eliminate the chances of being<br />
cheated by malicious and fraudulent<br />
information lurking in today’s<br />
information networks Thank god<br />
the answer is yes! Unfortunately it<br />
is not some kind of vaccine that we<br />
can just inject into our body and<br />
automatically we are protected. It is<br />
actually information literacy skills. A<br />
new literacy (not so new indeed) of<br />
the 21 st century. Alvin Toffler stopped<br />
short by saying that “The illiterate<br />
of the 21 st century will not be those<br />
who cannot read and write, but<br />
those who cannot learn, unlearn,<br />
and relearn.” President Obama<br />
has more to offer in explaining the<br />
most basic skills needed for the new<br />
millennium.<br />
On the 1 st October 2009, President<br />
Barack Obama signed a proclamation<br />
declaring October as National<br />
Information Literacy Awareness<br />
Month for the United States of<br />
America. He proclaim that “Rather<br />
than merely possessing data, we<br />
must also learn the skills necessary<br />
to acquire, collate, and evaluate<br />
information for any situation. This<br />
new type of literacy also requires<br />
competency with communication<br />
technologies, including computers<br />
and mobile devices that can help in<br />
our day-to-day decision making.....<br />
Though we may know how to find<br />
the information we need, we must<br />
also know how to evaluate it. Over<br />
the past decade, we have seen a crisis<br />
of authenticity emerge. We now live<br />
in a world where anyone can publish<br />
an opinion or perspective, whether<br />
true or not, and have that opinion<br />
amplified within the information<br />
marketplace. At the same time,<br />
Americans have unprecedented<br />
access to the diverse and independent<br />
sources of information, as well as<br />
institutions such as libraries and<br />
by Japri Bujang Masli<br />
universities, that can help separate<br />
truth from fiction and signal from<br />
noise.... In addition to the basic skills<br />
of reading, writing, and arithmetic, it is<br />
equally important that our students<br />
are given the tools required to take<br />
advantage of the information available<br />
to them. The ability to seek, find, and<br />
decipher information can be applied<br />
to countless life decisions, whether<br />
financial, medical, educational, or<br />
technical.”<br />
The more advance our information<br />
and communication technology,<br />
and the more information being<br />
published every second; the more we<br />
need information literacy skills. We<br />
really need to learn new knowledge.<br />
We really need to unlearn old and<br />
outdated knowledge. We really need<br />
to relearn similar knowledge that has<br />
evolved and advanced over time. Ever<br />
since the phenomena of information<br />
explosion started with the advancement<br />
of ICT at the end of the last century<br />
and the development of the Internet,<br />
information literacy has become the<br />
most basic literacy skills needed by all in<br />
order to optimise their potential in life.<br />
The borderless world created by<br />
technological advancement also<br />
contributed into growing numbers<br />
of k-society worldwide. An informed<br />
and knowledgeable society will value<br />
more and more the freedom of<br />
choice. This is already evident in the<br />
developed nations. Others including<br />
Malaysia are also going the same<br />
way. Sooner or later, each individual<br />
will have to make his or her own<br />
decisions about so many things in life.<br />
Merely following others is just too<br />
risky to do. In fact, by having choices<br />
each of us are also accountable to<br />
our own decisions. Choosing not to<br />
choose is actually also a decision. So,<br />
think carefully and ask yourself, do<br />
you really want to be an illiterate of<br />
the 21 st century<br />
Pustaka Negeri Sarawak conducts<br />
free information literacy skills classes.<br />
Sarawak State Library (PUSTAKA) • Jalan Pustaka, Off Jalan Stadium, 93050 Petra Jaya, Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia.<br />
Tel: (6) 082 442000 Fax: (6) 082 449944 E-mail: librarian@sarawaknet.gov.my <strong>Website</strong>: www.pustaka-sarawak.com<br />
Apr-Jun2010<strong>BorneoTalk</strong> | 59
Beauty<br />
Rest, Relax<br />
and Look Good!<br />
Mother’s Day<br />
and Gawai Festival Specials<br />
7 th , 8 th & 9 th May 2010<br />
Indulge and pamper your Mum and yourself in a blanket of luxury with our<br />
invigorating unique signature treatments and special deals. What better<br />
way to express your appreciation and love to your Mum this Mother’s Day.<br />
Package A<br />
Purchase an RM100 voucher NOW to enjoy the followings:<br />
Valid from April-June<br />
• Perfecting facial treatment worth RM120<br />
• 20% discount on all Skin Care Products at Pretty Women<br />
• Free Skin analysis and consultation<br />
Valid 7 th , 8 th & 9 th May<br />
• 20% discount on all Skin Care Products + a rebate of RM100 for<br />
purchases RM1000 and above<br />
• Free Gift of one box of Enlighten Me Ampoule product (3ml X10)<br />
worth RM180<br />
Each person is entitled to purchase one voucher only.<br />
Package B<br />
Purchase this hassle free package and enjoy an unlimited facial treatment<br />
valid for 6 months. Simply, drop in at Pretty Women and the consultants<br />
will explain on the treatments that will be required to restore that flawless,<br />
youthful look in you.<br />
• Entitle to as many treatments as possible for the period of six months<br />
upon purchase of package.<br />
* Packages are exclusively for ladies only<br />
For further information, please contact Pretty Women at<br />
1 st Floor, Lot 4911, Section 64, Jalan Upland, 93200 Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia.<br />
Tel: (6) 082 236523 H/P: (6) 019 8579233<br />
60 | <strong>BorneoTalk</strong>Apr-Jun2010
Shopping<br />
Shoppers<br />
delight<br />
and convenience<br />
Wisma Sanyan Sibu is the perfect<br />
place for everything this coming Gawai<br />
and Mother’s Day<br />
Sarawak celebrates<br />
the Harvest Festival<br />
or popularly known<br />
as ‘Gawai Dayak’ on<br />
1 st and 2 nd June each year with open<br />
house tradition whereby the Iban,<br />
Bidayuh welcome friends of different<br />
races to their homes for food and<br />
drinks. It is also a time of great merry<br />
making, especially in the longhouses<br />
as everyone return to share the festive<br />
joy with elders and friends who often<br />
work in different places and have not<br />
met for a year. Bringing gifts home is a<br />
must and each one travels with a huge<br />
number of packages for their love ones<br />
to the longhouses.<br />
Wisma Sanyan in Sibu is the ideal<br />
shopping centre for many as the<br />
diversity and numbers of stores here<br />
make shopping a fun and convenient<br />
experience. Significant too is that<br />
Ria by Parkson will begin its grand<br />
sale from 28 th May to 27 th June<br />
featuring great buys for home and<br />
personal items ideally suited for the<br />
festive holidays. Over the years it has<br />
become a tradition for many Iban,<br />
Bidayuh folks coming back to Sibu to<br />
shop at Wisma Sanyan before taking<br />
the express boats home to their up<br />
river longhouses.<br />
Sibu residents too make a beeline to<br />
Wisma Sanyan for many of their daily<br />
and personal needs and in view of<br />
Mother’s Day (9 th May), it is the best<br />
place to get that special gift for her.<br />
A set of golden earrings, bracelet or<br />
chain round the neck, kitchenette<br />
items or that beautiful silk dress.<br />
Wisma Sanyan is packed with shops<br />
that will satisfy your special gift for<br />
mum.<br />
In addition to the gifts, take her for an<br />
evening of great feast at the numerous<br />
outlets here like Blue Splendour, Sushi<br />
Tie, Manna Café Gallery or KFC, Pizza<br />
Hut all conveniently located in Wisma<br />
Sanyan. The pleasant restaurants are<br />
ideal for family gatherings and with<br />
great food served, they make for a<br />
Mother’s Day to remember! It is no<br />
wonder why Wisma Sanyan is known<br />
as ‘The Pride of Sibu’!<br />
Suite 26.02, Level 26, Wisma Sanyan, No.1,<br />
Jalan Sanyan, 96000 Sibu, Sarawak, Malaysia.<br />
Tel: (6) 084 349772, 349773 Fax: (6) 084 345772<br />
Apr-Jun2010<strong>BorneoTalk</strong> | 61
Shopping<br />
The Mall most<br />
Bintang Megamall Miri is the obvious<br />
choice for shopping experience and varieties<br />
as well as good food<br />
Sarawak’s Resort City Miri is fast<br />
becoming a preferred destination for<br />
shopping too with the opening of<br />
the biggest shopping mall there, the<br />
Bintang Megamall. Convenient and<br />
easily accessible from anywhere in<br />
the sprawling city, Bintang Megamall<br />
is actually a one-stop centre for your<br />
shopping needs; in fact, the newly<br />
opened mall is ideal for family and<br />
friends as it comes with everything<br />
shoppers look for. Retail outlets<br />
selling the biggest name brands,<br />
chic fashion boutiques, tech and<br />
electronics, daily necessities, bowling<br />
alley, Cineplex and definitely food<br />
corners all combined to give shoppers<br />
convenience and choices in one<br />
single location!<br />
62 | <strong>BorneoTalk</strong>Apr-Jun2010
Shopping<br />
preferred<br />
The mega brands in food specialties<br />
are all here in the Bintang Megamall;<br />
McDonalds, Sugar Bun, Kentucky Fried<br />
Chicken, MarryBrown, Secret Recipe,<br />
Big Apple Donut, Sushi King and Pizza<br />
Hut. Occupying huge floor areas, these<br />
mega outlets are complementary to<br />
one another in their offerings and<br />
provide just the right combination for<br />
a truly diverse and good selection<br />
of favourites. As expected, these<br />
super brands provide quality food<br />
at reasonable prices and with the<br />
added ambience of Bintang Megamall,<br />
the dining experience in the outlets<br />
is exceptional. Wi-fi connectivity<br />
is available anywhere in the mall,<br />
which explains why so many young<br />
people are ‘stuck’ inside these eateries<br />
at times with their buddies.<br />
A range of activities have also been<br />
planned at these outlets; check the<br />
dates and come for the fun and<br />
excitement with the crowd there. Sushi<br />
King will be having a sushi making<br />
competition in July so sharpen your<br />
sushi making skills now! Pizza Hut will<br />
launch their pizza eating competition<br />
in August, which means that great<br />
offers will also be coming. Big<br />
Apple Donut will have donut design<br />
competition in September and winners<br />
will walk home with fabulous prizes!<br />
KFC, Kids Fun Club will continue<br />
to organise colouring competition<br />
with Chicky that all young children<br />
should take part in. Other interesting<br />
and fun activities will be taking place<br />
in the mall throughout the year so<br />
watch out for them; just drop by<br />
and look at the programmes for the<br />
month and join in for a joyous time<br />
with other participants. Children will<br />
especially have the time of their lives<br />
mixing with friends and others in<br />
these happy events.<br />
Other food establishments found in<br />
Bintang Megamall include Taste Better<br />
(Ice cream and yogurt), Bintang Café<br />
(Light refreshments like sandwiches,<br />
juice bar), Kokoberry (Milk Tea<br />
corner), Cook & Chili (Asian food<br />
corner) with a few more expected<br />
to open soon. The varieties available<br />
here certainly add to the reasons to<br />
come more often as the mall offers a<br />
relaxing and conducive atmosphere<br />
for shopping and eating your favourites<br />
at the same time.<br />
With the rapid expansion of varieties of<br />
outlets specialising in particular range<br />
of merchandises, Bintang Megamall<br />
is fast becoming a specialised<br />
outlet for many different needs and<br />
expectations. The advantage is that<br />
everything is under one roof and<br />
that makes it more convenient<br />
complimented with ample parking<br />
facilities. The mall is just ideal for<br />
everyone. It has also become the<br />
preferred destination for many<br />
shoppers from neighbouring states<br />
due to the choices and prices, making<br />
Bintang Megamall Sarawak’s premier<br />
shopping destination for both locals<br />
and foreigners.<br />
BINTANG PLAZA Sdn Bhd • P.O.Box 491, 98000 Miri, Sarawak, Malaysia. Block 9, Jalan Miri-Pujut MCLD, Miri, Sarawak, Malaysia.<br />
Tel: (6) 085 438877 Fax: (6) 085 425852 Email: info@bintangplaza.com<br />
Apr-Jun2010<strong>BorneoTalk</strong> | 63
Product<br />
Authentic<br />
Indian Curries<br />
AVS brand curry powder ensure<br />
the best results for home and commercial cooking<br />
with the various ingredients for the<br />
different types of curry powders that<br />
are marketed under the AVS brand<br />
today. In fact, many restaurants in<br />
Kuching and elsewhere in Sarawak<br />
also get their curry powders from<br />
AVS because they can be assured of<br />
the consistent products and taste.<br />
The main reason why the consistency<br />
is maintained is because the ingredients<br />
are freshly processed and carefully<br />
packed in airtight bags.<br />
Curry lovers are among the fastidious<br />
food people in Malaysia; each one has<br />
very strong opinions on the best curry<br />
restaurants and outlets and nothing<br />
will persuade them otherwise! With<br />
hundreds of brands in the market so<br />
which one would be most authentic<br />
and always results in aromatic, rich<br />
flavour of original Indian curry<br />
Wonder no more as now throughout<br />
Sarawak you can get AVS brand<br />
curry powders for all your favourite<br />
curry dishes.<br />
Unlike others, AVS brand pride<br />
themselves in giving the best to the<br />
customers and ensure consistency<br />
in the various curry powders. Firstly,<br />
all of the ingredients are direct from<br />
India. Secondly, the powders are<br />
processed in their factory and mixed<br />
Many of the ingredients can also be<br />
found locally and in neighbouring<br />
countries but these lack the flavour<br />
and consistency of those found in<br />
India, especially when stored over a<br />
period of time. Naturally most people<br />
who buy these curry powders do not<br />
use the whole package in one session<br />
and the remaining powders are often<br />
left for sometime before being<br />
used again. This is where the pure<br />
ingredients come into play as they<br />
retain their aromatic and rich flavour<br />
even after a period of storage.<br />
To get the original taste and consistency<br />
of Indian curry, try AVS brand for<br />
beef, mutton, fish, chicken or other<br />
flavours and by just following the<br />
simple cooking instructions, anyone<br />
can cook up rich and inspiring Indian<br />
curry dishes!<br />
Other than curry powders, AVS<br />
Resources also produces many different<br />
spices that are commonly used for fine<br />
Indian dishes like turmeric powders,<br />
five-spice flavour and pepper to chili<br />
powders. These can be found in<br />
many local grocery stores and also<br />
in every AVS restaurants in Kuching,<br />
Demak Laut and Serian.<br />
For more information on AVS curry powders and spices, they can be contacted at:<br />
AVS Resources Sdn. Bhd. • Lot 1282, Block 3, Muara Tebas Land Disrict, Kampung Bako,<br />
PO Box 2182, 93744 Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia. Tel/Fax: (6) 082 432182<br />
www.avsresouces.com.my<br />
64 | <strong>BorneoTalk</strong>Apr-Jun2010
Product<br />
fabric to colours. We want to assure our customers that<br />
we are here for them and that picking the right furniture<br />
or accessory for their home is not as difficult as it may<br />
seem,” he explained.<br />
Bringing your<br />
home to life<br />
A name that is known to Kuching residents, WHB Furniture<br />
is synonymous with high quality furniture that brings your<br />
home to life. From modern, elegant and stylish furnishings,<br />
WHB offers a wide variety of furniture for every part of<br />
your home from the bedroom to living room, dining room,<br />
children’s room and patio.<br />
WHB also ensures customers are provided with as much<br />
information as possible on what is suitable for their<br />
homes and advice them on how to care for their furniture.<br />
According to WHB’s Marketing Manager, Nicholas Sia,<br />
their focus is to combine interior design, custom made<br />
furniture, home accessories and furnishings which will<br />
provide customers with plenty to select from. “We<br />
believe in offering a wide range for everyone from style,<br />
Located at Jalan Rock in Kuching, WHB offers a three floor<br />
showroom with the ground floor displaying a wide range<br />
of furniture for the living room, dining area, patio, garden,<br />
kitchen and more. On the 2 nd floor is bedroom furniture<br />
in various designs to suit everyone’s needs and taste<br />
while a section of the 3rd floor focuses on furniture for<br />
children’s bedroom.<br />
Accessories are an essential part of any home and at<br />
WHB customers will find a huge variety which will add<br />
dimension and comfortable look to every home. For<br />
example, cheer up a plain coffee table by placing a small<br />
bowl of bright flowers or fruits on it. Likewise, a touch<br />
of elegance will be added to a dining table with a candle<br />
chandelier in the centre. Art works or sculptures which<br />
are placed in the right spot will add characteristic to a<br />
home. All of this can be found here with the assistance<br />
from the staff of WHB.<br />
“What we aim for here is to ensure that every home gets<br />
that little bit of TLC so that it will be a lifestyle experience<br />
for the occupants. Our vision is to provide everyone with<br />
a living concept for each home to suit each customer’s<br />
taste and preference,” said Nicholas.<br />
For more information on your home furnishing, come visit WHB Furniture at Rock Road<br />
for the latest in design and concepts or call for appointment.<br />
WEE HUA BOO TRADING SDN BHD<br />
Lot 102, 2½ Mile, Rock Road, 93200 Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia. Tel: (6) 082 246641, 240775 Fax: (6) 082 240295 Email: weehuaboo@gmail.com<br />
Apr-Jun2010<strong>BorneoTalk</strong> | 65
filmPreview<br />
Tel: 6 082 234 077<br />
Tuesday | Ladies Day, Ticket only RM6<br />
(not applicable for male and public holiday)<br />
Wednesday | Movie Day, Ticket only RM5<br />
(not applicable for movie marked (“) and public holiday)<br />
Clash Of The Titans<br />
Genre: Action/Adventure and Remake<br />
Rated: PG In Cineplex: 1 st April 2010<br />
Synopsis:<br />
The ultimate struggle for power pits men against<br />
kings and kings against gods. But the war between the<br />
gods themselves could destroy the world. Born of a<br />
god but raised as a man, Perseus is helpless to save his<br />
family from Hades, vengeful god of the underworld.<br />
With nothing left to lose, Perseus volunteers to lead a<br />
dangerous mission to defeat Hades before he can seize<br />
power from Zeus and unleash hell on earth. Leading<br />
a daring band of warriors, Perseus sets off on a perilous<br />
journey deep into forbidden worlds. Battling unholy<br />
demons and fearsome beasts.<br />
Prince Of Persia :<br />
The Sands of Time<br />
Genre: Action, Adventure<br />
Rated: PG In Cineplex: 27 th May 2010<br />
Synopsis:<br />
Set in 9 th century medieval<br />
Persia, a young adventurous prince<br />
uncovers a dangerous artifact in<br />
a remote mountain kingdom and<br />
with the help of an enemy princess,<br />
must stop a despot from unleashing<br />
a sandstorm that could destroy all<br />
mankind.<br />
The Karate Kid<br />
Genre: Action Rated: PG<br />
In Cineplex: 10 th Jun 2010<br />
Synopsis:<br />
11 year-old Dre Parker (Jaden<br />
Smith) and his mother,<br />
Sherry, are forced to move to<br />
Beijing, China as a result of<br />
a job transfer. Dre struggles<br />
to adapt and finds himself<br />
in trouble with one of the<br />
toughest boys at school.<br />
Unknown to Dre, Mr. Han,<br />
his apartment building’s<br />
maintenance man and a<br />
retired karate instructor, has<br />
been secretly watching Dre’s<br />
struggles. Mr. Han steps in to<br />
defend Dre and becomes his<br />
mentor.<br />
*All booked tickets must be collected 45 min before show times.<br />
Sarawak<br />
What’sOn April – June 2010<br />
21 st - 25 th April<br />
Mukah Kaul Festival<br />
Pantai Kuala Dana, Mukah, Sarawak<br />
Kaul is a traditional festival celebrated by the<br />
Melanau living along the coast of Sarawak.<br />
The festival is a ritual of purification<br />
and thanksgiving as well as one of the<br />
propitiation for good fortune.<br />
May<br />
Miri May Fest<br />
Miri<br />
Various events and<br />
activities organised<br />
the whole month of<br />
May in-conjunction<br />
of Miri City day<br />
celebration.<br />
20 th May<br />
Miri City Day Celebration<br />
Miri<br />
14 th - 15 th May<br />
Miri International<br />
Jazz Festival<br />
The Pavilion, ParkCity Everly<br />
Hotel, Miri, Sarawak<br />
21 st - 23 rd May<br />
Miri International Deep Sea<br />
Fishing Tournament<br />
Marina Bay, Miri<br />
A yearly event organised by local anglers club for<br />
deep fishing maniacs in Miri.<br />
29 th - 30 th May<br />
World Harvest<br />
Festival<br />
Sarawak Cultural Village,<br />
Santubong<br />
A sacred cultural gathering<br />
of world communities that grow paddy and<br />
celebrates the harvest in a spirit of brotherhood<br />
and common understanding. Showcasing a theme<br />
play live drama and ethnic beauty pageant<br />
1 st - 3 rd June<br />
Lun Bawang Festival<br />
Lawas Town, Sarawak<br />
This festival is traditionally a celebration<br />
of the rice harvest, but now it showcases<br />
a variety of Lun Bawang culture and<br />
events such as Ruran Ulung (beauty<br />
pageant contest) and ngiup suling (bamboo musical<br />
instrument band)<br />
4 th - 6 th June<br />
Babulang Festival<br />
Kampung Batu Danau, Limbang, Sarawak<br />
Pesta Babulang is a buffalo race<br />
festival which is significant to Bisaya<br />
community in Limbang.<br />
19 th - 20 th June<br />
Balleh-Kapit Raft Safari<br />
Balleh River, Kapit, Sarawak<br />
A two-day rafting competition where participants<br />
get the chance to maneuvers the raft, once used<br />
by riverine communities and to experience the rich<br />
Iban culture in their most natural environment.<br />
(Note: Event dates are subject to change without prior notice) For further enquiries, please contact:<br />
Kuching North City Hall (DBKU) Tel: (6) 082 446688 • Kuching South City Council (MBKS) Tel: (6) 082 242311 • Padawan Municipal Council Tel: (6) 082 615566<br />
Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) Tel: (6) 082 423600 • Miri City Council Tel: (6) 085 424111 • Sibu Municipal Council Tel: (6) 084 333411<br />
66 | <strong>BorneoTalk</strong>Apr-Jun2010
Pets<br />
Home<br />
My<br />
Pet Care<br />
The place for animals and more!<br />
Pets like dogs and cats<br />
often are men’s best<br />
friends and children who<br />
grew up with pets often<br />
make them more friendly and kind to<br />
animals when they grow up. My Home<br />
Pet Care in Kuching is just the place<br />
to bring kids to have close up look<br />
of some of these wonderful cats and<br />
dogs as well as many other cute and<br />
strange creatures like rabbits, lizards,<br />
spiders and playful hamsters to liven up<br />
their spirit. Under the new management<br />
team, there are also plans for rare<br />
species of fish not found in other<br />
aquariums as well as other interesting<br />
pets. My Home Pet Care is also the<br />
distributor and seller for Hagen<br />
products which are famous for their<br />
pets’ care range of products as well as<br />
others like canned and packaged food,<br />
cages, accessories. In fact, the shop is<br />
also a boarding home for animals if<br />
owners have to be away on holidays<br />
and other emergency situations.<br />
My Home Pet Care is a little specialised<br />
from the usual pet shops as they carry<br />
more exotic animals like the geckos<br />
(lizards) from different parts of the world<br />
and hamsters of different breeds and<br />
sizes. If you wish for a particular breed<br />
of cat like Persian, Siamese, Norwegian<br />
or British shorthair they can source for<br />
you just like a special breed of poodle,<br />
Labrador, shin tzu or dachshund too<br />
can be ordered through<br />
them. Some pet owners<br />
also bring their cats and<br />
dogs for grooming here<br />
which also save time<br />
while giving their pets<br />
the right care at the same time. In fact,<br />
they encourage people to spend time<br />
looking at these animals in the shop<br />
as it can be therapeutic for people to<br />
be close to animals and also to learn<br />
about them. The sales person will also<br />
guide customers on the correct types of<br />
food for the various kinds of animals as<br />
the shop carries whole range of animal<br />
feed and medications too.<br />
If prices are what put you off pets, then<br />
My Home Pet Care is just the place to<br />
look for pets at reasonable cost. Their<br />
philosophy is based on the ideals that<br />
by lowering costs, the number of pet<br />
owners will increase which is good for<br />
the industry on the whole and which<br />
also leads to more happy people who<br />
enjoy time with their pets. In fact, if you<br />
smile more when you step into the shop,<br />
they will give you more discounts when<br />
you purchase something! Friendliness<br />
is part of their culture at the My Home<br />
Pet Care shop and this also translates<br />
into the care and attention they give to<br />
clients’ pets when boarding with them<br />
for short or extended stay.<br />
Just as each animal is different, each<br />
individual is different too so having a pet<br />
is a way of showing care and affection<br />
while admiring their distinct traits and<br />
characteristics unique in each of them.<br />
Come and have a look at the beautiful<br />
and wonderful animals in My Home<br />
Pet Care shop and be amused by their<br />
antics as well as strange behaviors.<br />
My Home Pet Care<br />
My Home Pet Care<br />
565 Jalan Wan Alwi, Tabuan Jaya, Kuching,<br />
Sarawak, Malaysia. Tel: (6) 082 363688<br />
Email: myhomepetcare@gmail.com<br />
Facebook: Home Pet Care<br />
(Opening hours: Monday – Sunday from 9am – 8pm)<br />
Apr-Jun2010<strong>BorneoTalk</strong> | 67
People<br />
Committed<br />
to his profession<br />
Dr Zulkifli Jantan wants medical<br />
professionals to serve society first and self<br />
interest as secondary importance<br />
Presently Director of Health Sarawak,<br />
Dr Zulkifli Jantan was born in<br />
Banting, Selangor but actually has<br />
spent more time in Sarawak, serving<br />
in various positions and locations<br />
since 1981 under the Ministry of<br />
Health. After graduation from<br />
University Kebangsaan Malaysia, he<br />
was immediately posted to Sarawak<br />
General Hospital in 1981 as Medical<br />
Officer in Serian Hospital in 1982. The<br />
following year, 1983 he was posted<br />
as Medical Officer acting as District<br />
Health Officer for Lundu district before<br />
moving to the other end of Sarawak,<br />
in Limbang in 1986. His next stop in<br />
1988 was in Miri as Divisional Medical<br />
Officer for Miri division and in 1991<br />
was back in Kuching in charge of<br />
Family Health Development in the<br />
state. Dr Zulkifli was made Deputy<br />
Director of Health Sarawak in 2002.<br />
In 2008 he assumed the post of<br />
Director of Sarawak General Hospital<br />
and in 2010, he took over the position<br />
as the State Director of Sarawak<br />
Health Department.<br />
“It appears that I have tender feelings<br />
for Sarawak and frankly, I think this<br />
is a beautiful place,” he said happily<br />
about his stints in the state. “I<br />
believe that postings to different<br />
locations and seeing different places,<br />
including serving the rural services<br />
here like the Flying Doctor Services<br />
will give young doctors the experience<br />
and also the awareness of the need<br />
for medical personnel in places like<br />
Sarawak. It may even be culture<br />
shock for some of them but these<br />
types of exposure like going rural<br />
will train them for better things in<br />
future and really live by the code of<br />
serving in the medical profession<br />
which of course may not lead them<br />
to richness!” he pointed out. “As<br />
professionals, we should educate as<br />
many locals as possible in these rural<br />
settings to become representatives<br />
in the dispensing of simple medicine,<br />
organise health activities and others<br />
so that the general population will<br />
gain in awareness and take up<br />
healthy living as part of their daily<br />
lives.”<br />
Dr Zulkifli strongly advocates the<br />
family unit as the foundation for<br />
young doctors to become good in<br />
what they do as family brings stability<br />
and always a source of warmth to<br />
come home to at the end of an<br />
exhausting day. Hence he advised<br />
doctors to allocate time for their<br />
family as part of their own selfdevelopment.<br />
“Remember the medical profession<br />
is so large and always changing<br />
rapidly with technology and more<br />
new challenges will continue to<br />
arise. Commitment and sacrifices are<br />
always in demand and if they are<br />
not prepared to do so then they<br />
will not get very far. Like I said, the<br />
profession allows for many levels and<br />
types of expertise but if the end goal<br />
is to become super rich as a doctor,<br />
I think these people have missed<br />
the point of a medical career,” he<br />
reiterated.<br />
On the issue of public and private<br />
medical practices, Dr Zulkifli believes<br />
that the two need to work together<br />
and compliment each other in the<br />
sharing of information and resources<br />
as ultimately the aim of the profession<br />
is to bring better health care to<br />
everyone regardless of their stature,<br />
culture, origin or religion.<br />
68 | <strong>BorneoTalk</strong>Apr-Jun2010
People<br />
Sarawakian Dr Sim Kui Hian is an<br />
internationally recognised cardiac specialist with<br />
a mission to bring the state and nation’s medical<br />
profession to a whole new level<br />
Just want to do his part<br />
Where work is concerned, commitment<br />
and passion will surely lead to success<br />
and recognition, even if one is in the<br />
middle of the jungle like in Sarawak,<br />
Borneo. A case in point is under his<br />
leadership as President, the National<br />
Heart Association of Malaysia<br />
received the prestigious honour of<br />
being the only Malaysian unit to be<br />
recognised as the 1 st International<br />
Chapter of American College of<br />
Cardiology in April 2009. The<br />
Cardiac Centre in Kuching under<br />
the Sarawak General Hospital is also<br />
internationally acknowledged as one<br />
of the most advanced centers for<br />
clinical trials and the only Asian site<br />
listed on the Siemens International<br />
website for cardiac CT training.<br />
“Certainly I am proud and happy of<br />
the achievements of the cardiac unit<br />
here but all these are only possible with<br />
similar commitment from many others<br />
who share this vision and mission<br />
of making it a truly internationally<br />
recognised centre,” said Dr Sim Kui<br />
Hian who initiated the project in<br />
2001. As head of the unit he leads<br />
by example and expounds the phrase<br />
‘Speak less, do more, prove your<br />
sincerity by action’ which over<br />
the last ten years garnered him<br />
Fellowships in over ten international,<br />
national organisations and chairs<br />
numerous professional societies<br />
around the world.<br />
“Currently we are still into capacity<br />
building, bringing up the next<br />
generation of specialists who will<br />
be leading the various units into the<br />
next phase of medical history for<br />
Sarawak and Malaysia, and we can<br />
do all these even though we are very<br />
much restricted by our capacity as<br />
government doctors working with<br />
limited resources and funding in the<br />
The official Opening of<br />
Heart House by Datuk Seri<br />
Liow Tiong Lai, Minister<br />
of Health Malaysia (left) in<br />
October 2009.<br />
early stages. Our young specialists<br />
are sent on attachments in various<br />
international, national centres to<br />
gain experience and exposure and<br />
the hospital patients here provide<br />
us with the opportunity to conduct<br />
trials and research to further our skills,”<br />
he acknowledged. The downside he<br />
noted is that most of them will not<br />
become ‘super rich’ doctors as the<br />
medical service has pay ceilings.<br />
“Typical day for me is to meet patients<br />
in morning to get feedbacks while<br />
afternoon to night are administrative<br />
and correspondence work, planning<br />
and meeting with peers. Travelling<br />
to locations around the world for<br />
various events takes the largest<br />
chunk of time and all these leave<br />
very little time for my family which<br />
thankfully they understand and<br />
forgive me for it!” he said with a<br />
hearty laugh. He nonchalantly added<br />
that at different phases in his career<br />
he had set out goals to achieve and<br />
has accomplished most which points<br />
to the often rumored possibility of<br />
taking up the political gauntlet in the<br />
footsteps of his late father.<br />
The pioneering people, the team that started the cardiac service in 2001.<br />
Dr Sim (left) receiving certificate of recognition as the 1 st International<br />
Chapter of American College of Cardiology from Dr Bove, President of<br />
American College of Cardiology.<br />
Apr-Jun2010<strong>BorneoTalk</strong> | 69
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Food<br />
Sample some<br />
famous ice-cold<br />
drinks with<br />
side orders while<br />
in Kuching<br />
Tea time everyone!<br />
For out-of-towners the following places<br />
for tea are a little off the usual Kuching<br />
tour itinerary so you may need some<br />
guidance on that first visit. City folks<br />
here have a habit of dropping by these<br />
places around three in the afternoon<br />
to socialise and also dig into some of<br />
these old time favourites.<br />
One of the oldest and famed tea<br />
time haunt is Swee Kang at Jalan<br />
Haji Taha which is located in a terrace<br />
house. Operating for the past 50<br />
years it sells delicious ice kacang<br />
(beans), chandol, ABC Special, white<br />
lady, matterhorn and the list goes<br />
on; one thing common about these<br />
is they are thirst quenchers, sweet as<br />
well as creamy. Special durian iced is<br />
also available during the durian fruit<br />
season. For snacks you have choice<br />
of rojak (mixture of local vegetables<br />
in prawn based sauce with a dash<br />
of crushed peanuts), sotong (squid)<br />
kangkong or even umai jellyfish.<br />
The store operates from 11:30am to<br />
7:00pm so you can take your time<br />
while taking a breather for the day.<br />
Just nearby is another Swee Kang<br />
that’s located inside a shophouse,<br />
60 | <strong>BorneoTalk</strong>Apr-Jun2010<br />
operated by another brother selling<br />
similar drinks but has additional<br />
choices of snacks. Here you may<br />
want to try out the lok-lok (choices<br />
of fish balls, eggs, prawns and<br />
others in deep fry), prawn, potato,<br />
yam or bean curd fritters. Closed on<br />
Thursdays, it runs form 10:30am to<br />
11:00pm daily and you will find locals<br />
who are frequent customers here.<br />
Wang You stalls inside Poh Kwong<br />
Park (Lorong Sungai Maong 5 ) is<br />
a little harder to locate and it sells<br />
highly recommended belachan bee<br />
hoon (prawn paste soup with rice<br />
vermicelli, kangkong and cuttlefish).<br />
Those less adventurous may opt<br />
for wonton soup with fish balls as<br />
all the ingredients are home made<br />
and fresh. They operate daily from<br />
8:00am to 8:00pm. <br />
Those staying close to the city centre<br />
can easily visit the famous fish ball<br />
outlet along Carpenter Street, just<br />
opposite the temple. The stall too has<br />
been operating for 53 years, dishing<br />
out yong tau foo with fish ball, stuffed<br />
meat tau foo and most popular pork<br />
satay where the barbequed smell fills<br />
the nearby area with an unforgettable<br />
flavour. To sample the fish ball soup<br />
and satay you have to arrive before<br />
2:30 pm or you may leave disappointed<br />
as the food is usually sold out by the<br />
later part of the afternoon. They only<br />
use mackerel for fish ball and lean<br />
meat for meatballs with no MSG which<br />
explains the goodness of the balls<br />
soup. As for the satay, it is seasoned<br />
with curry power, oil and sugar but<br />
the secret is in the peanut sauce.<br />
The sauce, comprise a blend of curry<br />
power, Indian sambal, oil and 20 types<br />
of spices cooked over slow heat for 5<br />
hours results in creamy and additive<br />
sauce. The store has Friday off and the<br />
rest of the week they operate from<br />
11:00 am to 5:00 pm.<br />
Just before you head for the hotel or<br />
car, why not buy back some banana<br />
fritters at the hawker stall right outside<br />
the fish ball store. Their batter is made<br />
with two different types of flour and<br />
is really crunchy to the bite while the<br />
bananas are sweet and tantalizing.<br />
The banana fritters stall only operates<br />
during the afternoons from 1:00 to<br />
around 4:30pm and is also closed<br />
on Fridays.