I was doing my annual spring cleaning this afternoon and I found this. Almost 16 years ago, my dad bought this for me and I was over the moon that I owned a gaming console! Not that I’m a gaming geek, I was more to PC gaming after I’ve got my first PC 12 years ago. The TV game hype of my age only lasted for about a year or so. Well anyway, I’ve donated this set to the nearest Red Crescent society and hope that someone would make better use of it!
Photos taken by my cellphone, so please excuse the blurry pics.
Ending Man, what a lame name to a gaming console. I still had my Chinese name written all over it. It was that good that I had to make sure that I actually owned it! Please note, it says “COMPUTER VIDEO GAME”, Computer! It was considered very high tech in 1992 okay?
It’s the time of the year again, where people around the world and the nation celebrates Christmas and getting ready for the new year. But in this part of the world, people are busy clearing water out of their living rooms and building blockades to prevent flood water from spilling into their premises.
Sarawak on the Borneo Island has been known all over the world for its lush, virgin tropical rainforests, one of the three largest undisturbed rainforest blocks remaining worldwide. But the fate of it remaining virgin will be decided by the leader and lawmakers from their respective administrative states, as well as the conglomerate that dictates the global timber industry, such as the lush green group, the three goat company, the three zero company, and the company of the rising sun.
Stacks of sawn timbers in a sawmill in Sarawak, scattered in front are the illegal logs.
At the height of the war of words between the duo, Taib accused Rahman of giving away a whopping 1.25 million hectares of logging concessions worth RM22.5 billion to his family and cronies in his 11 years at the helm.
But having terminated the concessions disbursed by his uncle, Taib himself awarded an even bigger portion of the state’s resources to his own family and his set of cronies – 1.6 million hectares in total, or about the size of 26 Singapores. – IllegalLogging.info
Across the border in Malaysian Borneo, the state of Sarawak has been controlled for 27 years by Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud, whose administration is widely regarded as dictatorial and corrupt. – Borneo’s Moment of Truth by National Geographic
The “state-owned”, which simply means owned by the Chief Minister, too – Sarawak Timber Industry Development Corporation (STIDC) is the organization that takes charge of every little thing that involves timber and wood produced in Sarawak. Truly, Sarawak pride itself in having one of the world’s most complete grading system that even the European timber industry is lacking. The grading process covers quality control and making sure that the quality meets the stringent standards and also the requirements of the customers.
Timber exporters were required to submit by hand, the grading and summary report produced by timber graders, and the payment of RM1/cubic meter “development” fee to obtain a certificate from the local STIDC office before the timber can be exported. Just a year ago, STIDC took the initiative to go online, in an effort to save time and to keep track of the timber production/export statistics. Timber graders representing the timber exporter can now submit and apply for a grading certificate through their online forms.
Untagged illegal logs. Illegal logging is a viable source of income for gangsters.
But STIDC realized a problem with this sytem. There’s no more timber graders handing in the report to their offices state-wide, and those slackers who had been sitting in the offices doing simple work such as printing certificates, sending e-mails, reading newspapers, browsing lelong, surfing youtube, would have to be fired. Who’s gonna hand feed the slackers? So, STIDC decided to seek a work-around for that perfect system. Their work-around? You have to submit the application online, print the pending certificate out, and submit the application by hand into the STIDC office! What a great way to save time! My ass. Talk about redundancy, this will be a perfect example.
When you pay your TM bills online, do you print out the statement online after the payment and submit the payment receipt to your nearest TM Clicks before the bill can be clarified as paid? In STIDC’s case, YES! You have to do that, or else they don’t give a fuck of whether you’ve paid or not!
Taggings on a legal log.
It is known that the slackers receive a customary “tip” of 50-70 cents per cubic meter of timber stated on the application. That’s why STIDC had to keep the exporters walking into their offices, or they’ll lose the “tip” and their job as well.
In West Malaysia, the timber industry is managed and monitored under the Malaysia Timber Industry Board, and it once attempted to take charge of the timber industry here in Sarawak, too. But you would’ve guessed it, someone said no. If the industry were to go under MTIB’s authority, someone would lose the power to allocate concession to his cronies and miss out on a lot of money.
Legal logs extracted from NCR land concessions allocated for oil palm plantations purpose.
Despite a prime minister’s directive banning conversion of forest reserves for oil palm plantations, the Malaysian state of Sarawak will continue to open up forest land for oil palm plantations, reports the New Straits Times.
Speaking to the press Saturday, Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud said that the move will not go against the prime minister’s directive because “it did not apply to the state,” according to New Straits Times. Taib said the land targeted for new plantations “were not permanent forest reserves but land targeted for agriculture since the 1950s.” – Mongabay
Now, how can a legislation made in the 1950s on the rainforest could still be applied today, without a proper review? Global warming wasn’t even an issue back in the 50s. The term “it did not apply to the state” is really, very unconstructive, and it just showed the extent of the split and break-down of a unified administrative control in between Peninsular Malaysia and Sarawak.
In awarding the concessions to the big palm oil corporates, he disregarded the native customary rights (NCR) lands of his own people in favor of the monetary gains he’s going to achieve.
What Rainforest? Wake up and Smell the Palm Oil! A film by Hilary Chiew and Chi Too on Sarawak’s NCR land issue with the big palm oil corporates.
He added that orangutans were “safe” in the state due to the establishment of a sanctuary. He said the state had also set up a 30,000 hectare (75,000 acre) reservation for the Penan and other indigenous nomadic tribes that live in the rainforest.
“There are no reasons for us not to continue opening up more land,” he said.
Taib’s comments shortly after a month-long protest by the indigenous Kenyah over illegal logging on their communal lands. The blockade of logging roads was broken up by Malaysian police earlier this month.
A few years later, when the palm fruits grow, and when the harsh reality of environmental and financial loss of massive illegal logging kicks in, he said these…
Sarawak will reward informants of illegal logging. Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud wants a fund to be set next year.
“The move will encourage villagers, especially those living in and near forest areas, to report to the authorities of any intrusion into state forests.
“Our timber resources must be protected at all cost,” said Taib, who is also Sarawak Forestry Corporation Chairman.
He called on corporation officers to work closely with the Penans and other tribes to be guardians of the forests. “(But) we have to identify who are our friends and our enemies (among them). the corporation should also upgrade its log tracking system to separate the illegally sourced logs from the ones harvested with permission.” – DailyExpress.com.my
Can you see the stark contrary on how he handle the Penans and their land? On one ocassion, the natives were forcefully stripped the rights of their native land, without prior negotiations and legal formalities, and after a few years, he’s calling the same bunch of people to protect their forest from being stolen. It’s cruel for the Penans tribe and they have to endure such treatment from an inconsiderate leader.
So what more can he complain about illegal logging, when he himself is illegally cashing in on the rich resources that the state has to offer?
For the first time ever, Siburians can now enjoy Kokoberry drinks, without having to drive 6 hours from Sibu to Miri. By the way, fuel ain’t cheap nowadays. And if you’re asking, YES! That’s the famous brand from Miri! How good is that?
Thanks to Goolooloo lao ban niang who brought this brand over to Sibu. They serve over 100 types of beverages and you can conveniently get different kinds of junk food at their counter. Chupa Chup lollipop is one of them.
It’s now opened at Delta Mall and it’s strategically located at the left entrance. You won’t miss it, it’s just around the corner!
This is the feedback from the customers. Gabriel, Mary and Kelvin. You see their expression already know, so happy. No cheat you one! No try Kokoberry don’t tell people you’ve been to Sibu la! In fact, if you’ve tried the Kokoberry here, then you can tell people that you’ve been to Miri already! No kidding man!
Indulge yourself with the new Crepes. A type of crunchy and delicious thin pancake stuffed with either chocolate chips, Hazelnuts, or Peanuts. It’s your call! And it’s only RM2.80! Eh, the picture looks like ice cream in a cone hor? But it’s not. Go see the real thing. LOL!
Okay, say much useless, just go to Kokoberry Sibu and tell them Alexallied.com intro you guys go there. You’ll get FREE coupons!
Get 2nd cup at 99sen.Only valid for Pearl Milk Tea, Pearl Green Tea, Yoghurt Snow, Strawberry Ice Q, and Ice Cappuccino only. Offers valid until 13th June, 2008.
How to get the Free Coupon?
It’s easy. Just approach their counter. Mention “Alexallied.com” to get the free coupon. And if they ask you for the passcode, it’s “Goolooloo”.
I no bluff you all one. Just go to their counter and say “I wanna use Alexallied.com punya coupons.” No actual coupons needed. Save the papers, save the world!
This is Sibu’s oldest billboard. And under the billboard, it’s an old Sibu-style kopitiam.
For your information, ladies and gentlemen. This kopitiam is Wi-Fi ready. Despite its out-of-style tables and chairs, post-war style lightings and fans, we could actually bring a wireless laptop here and blog!
This kopitiam is open until the early hours of the morning, so if you can’t sleep and need a supper, this is the place for you.
This is a good friend of mine, WongPK. We’ve been friends since the primary school and whenever we’re back in Sibu, we’ll come out and limteh here. He’s holding his Wireless-capable phone and surfing the net through DeConnexion. Thus I said it’s Wi-Fi ready. It’s not the cafe’s own connection. LMAO. Pardon the exaggeration at the beginning of the post.
While chillin’ out, we would ponder at the golden triangle nearby and discuss on the latest development of our beloved Sibu town. If I’m not mistaken, I remember that the local MPs had promised that Sibu will become a City by the year 2008. I’m sure every Siburian is anticipating that particular day.
WongPK and I were both in Sibu and as we’re having our talk cock session in Tiong Hua road’s famous kompia stall, I thought of a rare visit to our secondary school nearby. The last time I visited the school, it was still under the Philip Chan administration, and everything was in a mess. That was like 6 years ago?
We arrived at the school gate and someone pulled the new alloy gate open. They’ve actually hired a kid to open and close the school gate. I’m not sure whether it’s their student or their employee but he looks like 12 years old to me.
After 6 years, I felt like I’m standing in a real school. Not trying to be sarcastic, but 6 years ago, I’ve to say this should be the worst school in Sibu in terms of discipline. Academic and sports performance were under-par than that of its glorious past.
The new school hall.
And then we have the old one.
We used to be “baked” in this “oven” during the afternoon, where the lack of classrooms meant that we’ve to wait inside this hall for the morning sessions to exit before we could enter their classrooms. Assemblies were held there too, where Mr. Roger Tie (a.k.a. Bruce Lee because of his resemblance of the late Star) was the disciplinarian-in-charge. He’s the one every samseng-kia fears, as he strolls around the hall with a cane in his hand looking for naughty students.
Why do they fear him? Because he’s like the punisher in a jail. Swiping his rattan cane over your butt and everyone else could feel the pain, too. Just make sure it’s not you who’re being canned, or else you could save the money for Valentine’s day coz the flower will be growing off your butt. (It literally means in Chinese as, break your butt. It’s that painful.) But that was more than 6 years ago. Last I’ve heard he’s been transferred and promoted to become a School Principal. My prayers go to the students of that school.
Anyway, back to the school, I felt really glad that it has a refreshed new look, plus all the new buildings. Students are mostly good kids, from the looks of it.
A healthy body equals a good mind and spirit. So they built these grounds for the students to exercise. To the right, they have a full-sized football field. During my time here, the best we could resort to is a muddy, patchy and uneven, ¾ sized football field. Period.
Hua Seng – KTS Centre. This pretty much means that KTS sponsored the cost of this hall. KTS is a famous trading company in Sibu dealing with construction materials, timber products, Gree Air-conditioners, construction equipments, marine products, STIHL products, and more. Hua Seng is their sawmill’s name.
The Dark alley. On the left is the new hall. I could imagine this alley to be samseng-kia’s favorite spot, if this was built 6 years ago. I couldn’t stop repeating it, can I? It’s just that bad during that period of the time when it feels like we’re in the dark ages. Now they even have a proper counseling room and a Anti-Drug group formed to fight drug abuse.
Overall, the whole school was renovated and beautified with additions of gardens. I’ve lost counts of their gardens with various different themes.
Chinese Style Garden
Angmoh Style Garden
Small Garden
Big Garden
SPBT Garden
Chinese New Year decors everywhere. Oi, who left the school bag there?
Feels like walking in Chinatown.
Before I wrap up this coverage, here’s a little wishes for my old school…
May your vision come true, Sacred Heart!
