Terong Dayak

My mother loves to remind me that I used to hate eating vegetables growing up every dinner time. Please follow KajoMag on facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Places to go If You Are Looking for Indigenous Food In Kuching

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In case you are in the mood for something other than kolo mee and laksa….

Until 10 years ago, there were not a lot of places to go if you were looking for indigenous food in Kuching.

Fortunately, local food eateries have been sprouting like mushrooms.

For the love of food, KajoMag prepared a list of places for foodies to go if you are in the mood for indigenous food in Kuching.

  1. Lepau Restaurant at Persiaran Ban Hock

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Lepau restaurant is located at Jalan Ban Hock – Picture source: Lepau restaurant

The word ‘lepau’ means ‘home’ or ‘house’ in the Kayan language.

Located in the heart of Kuching city, it is one of the most popular places to go if you are craving for indigenous dishes.

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Picture source: Lepau Restaurant

With a wide range of Orang Ulu and Dayak dishes, Lepau often host small gatherings and parties.

 

  1. The Dyak at Panovel Commercial Complex, Jalan Simpang Tiga

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The Dayk is located at Panovel Commercial Complex, Jalan Simpang Tiga (Picture source: the Dyak)

Tastefully decorated with Dayak motifs, The Dyak is the place to go if you are looking for fine dining.

Arguably one of the first few Dayak cuisine establishments in Kuching, The Dyak has a range of interesting Dayak dishes for you to sample.

 

  1. Mummy Patz at Rumah Asap Tabuan Dayak

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Mummy Patz in located at Rumah Asap Tabuan Jaya – Picture source: Mummy Patz

Previously known as Patz Dayak Home Cook Special, this spot has been known to have delicious Dayak dishes among Kuchingnites for years.

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Picture source: Mummy Patz

Previously located at Tabuan Laru, the stall was always swamped with customers for lunch.

Recently, Mummy Patz relocated to Rumah Asap at Tabuan Dayak.

 

  1. Rumah Asap at Tabuan Dayak, Batu Kawah, Kota Samarahan

Mummy Patz is not the only spot for traditional food in Kuching.

Recently, Rumah Asap is one of the most popular choice of places to go for traditional food in Kuching.

It is also definitely the place to go if you have a bunch of non-Sarawakian friends coming over to Kuching for the first time.

Unlike restaurants, Rumah Asap has a mash of various stalls selling traditional dishes where you and your friends can choose and share together.

  1. AwahCafe at Dayak Bidayuh National Association (DBNA) building

If you are looking for Bidayuh food, you might want to head on to AwahCafe.

You might notice that the menu is written in Bidayuh language with English translation.

  1. Tribal Stove at Jalan Borneo

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Tribal Stove is located at Jalan Borneo – Picture source: Tribal Stove

Another place to hit if you are looking for traditional food in Kuching is the Tribal Stove.

Located at Jalan Borneo, Tribal Stove serves Kelabit dishes such as nubaq layaq (mashed red rice wrapped in Isip leaves), lamud busaq keluduh (ginger flower salad) and labo senutuq (shredded beef).

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Top News in Sarawak in 2018

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We scrolled back through this year’s news so that you don’t have to. 

There are only a few weeks left before this year is over and here are some of the top news in Sarawak in 2018.

  1. Larissa Ping Liew is Miss World Malaysia 2018

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Winner of Miss World Malaysia 2018, Larissa Ping Liew (Image source: Miss World – Malaysia)
At just 19 years old, Sarawakian Larissa Ping Liew was crowned Miss World Malaysia 2018.

Larissa beat 11 other contestants, also winnning Top Talent and Miss Photogenic award.

Born in Kuching, the Chinese-Kenyah lass will represent Malaysia at the 68th Miss World 2018 in Sanya, China on December 8th.

  1. Rabies
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Image source: Pexels

Another top news in Sarawak in 2018 that dominated headlines (unfortunately) is the rabies outbreak.

Since the first outbreak last year, 12 people have been reported dead and 110, 000 stray dogs have been removed by 26 local council as of November 14th.

In efforts to control the rabies outbreak, the Sarawak government has carried out mass anti-rabies vaccination drives. You can check the Sarawak Disaster Info site here for the next round or go to any Sarawak Veterinary Division office and get your dog vaccinated for RM25.

New dog licensing and control by-laws will also come into effect on Dec 1, so consult your respective city councils and get your dogs registered.

  1. Sarawak LRT news
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Image source: Pexels

Earlier this year, there was some buzz when it was announced that Sarawak could have its first LRT by 2024. The first LRT was to cover congested routes like Samarahan and downtown Kuching.

It was announced later, however, that the LRT project would be put on hold to focus on rural development.

  1. The 14th General Election (GE14)

News on GE14 made headlines not only in Sarawak but across the globe.

Sarawak was put under the spotlight during one of the most memorable moments during GE14 when political analyst Karim Raslan took a swipe at Election Commission chairman Tan Sri Mohd Hashim Abdullah on TV for the delay in delivering the polling results.

Karim was quoted saying:

“We’ve all been waiting for you to make these announcements and there are 47 seats to come. And what is going on in Sabah? We’ve been asking this. How is that Sarawak, this enormous state, the head of the SPR, could have sorted it all out?”

Dubbed the most historical Malaysia election, GE14 saw the end of the country ruling party’s administration after being in power for 60 years.

  1. The Sarawak Report Book

After the ban was lifted on whistleblower website Sarawak Report, its founder Claire Rewcastle Brown released her expose on 1MDB this year.

The 528-page The Sarawak Report: The Inside Story Of The 1MDB details evidence of money trails leading to the allegation that billions of dollars were stolen from 1MDB.

  1. Anthony Bourdain’s passing

Hearts were broken everywhere when traveller Anthony Bourdain passed away on June 8 from suicide.

As one of the most beloved TV personalities and celebrity chefs, Anthony has a special place in Sarawakians’ hearts.

His death became one of the top news in Sarawak in 2018 when people shared emotional tributes to him all around social media.

He not only put Sarawak on the CNN screen for the world to see, he joyfully embraced our local favorite dish, laksa, and the longhouse life as he celebrated Gawai with the people of Rh Entalau in Ulu Skrang.

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  1. NatGeo picks Sarawak as one of 2018’s best summer destinations

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National Geographic picked Sarawak as one of the best summer destinations in 2018.

Click here to read the full description of Sarawak to know why it is one of the best summer destinations this year.

  1. Hiker found alive after going missing for six days

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For almost a week, Sarawakians followed the news of 22-year-old Stanley Kho who went missing when he went off on a hike at Mount Singai in Bau.

He was found alive but dehydrated six days later with a curious tale. It was reported that Stanley told his rescuers that he followed a “beautiful woman resembling a princess” who gave him flowers plucked from the forest until the night before they discovered him.

  1. Henry Golding from Crazy Rich Asians
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Travel host turn Hollywood actor, Henry Golding (Image source: Henry Golding)

Boy-next-door Henry Golding is basically Sarawak’s latest sweetheart.

The British-Iban actor became one of the top news in Sarawak this year when he was announced to star as one of the main leads in Crazy Rich Asians. 

He also landed a hot role in A Simple Favor (2018) alongside Anna Kendrick and Blake Lively which is currently in theatres.

But if you want to know more about his Sarawak roots, then check out his documentary called Surviving Borneo.

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Kajo Places in Kuching to go to for that ABC Craving

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Go big or go home with this XXL white lady ABC

Keeping hydrated in hot weather just doesn’t seem enough sometimes, so why not go and have an ABC to cool yourself down?

ABC or ‘Ais Batu Campur’ is a typical ice dessert we all crave for especially during the dry season (although Kuchingites still love their ABC during the monsoon too).

It is basically an old school dessert made out of shaved ice mixed with cordial syrup, grass jelly, condensed milk and mixed fruit jelly.

Some non-locals may have mixed feelings about this unicorn-rainbow-dessert but local Kuchingites are absolutely obsessed with it.

Here are the top choices of places to go in Kuching when you have the cravings for ABC (especially when you are just so sick of the hot weather).

  1. Summer House at the Sarawak Museum Gardens, Jalan Reservoir

Arguably the most popular spot to get ABC, the Summer House is filled with nostalgic memories.

When thinking of going for ABC here, the image of shave iced drizzled with red cordial syrup and thick condensed milk served in a small red bowl immediately pops to mind.

Besides ABC, the Summer House also serves one of the best belacan beehoon and laksa in town.

  1. Old Rex Cucur Udang Café, Rubber Road

As the name suggests, you can also order a plate full of cucur udang or prawn fritters as well as assorted lok-lok at Old Rex apart from ABC.

In addition, Old Rex also has stalls for beehoon belacan and chicken rice. So, lunch and perhaps dessert afterwards?

  1. Swee Kang Ais Kacang, Jalan Haji Taha

Another popular and nostalgic spot for ABC is Swee Kang Ais Kacang. And if you are a local Kuchingite, you will know that Swee Kang is typically flooded with customers around 4 to 5 pm for tea break.

At Swee Kang, customers have the luxury to choose from a variety of ABC. Along with that, they would also order other dishes such as cucur udang and rojak sotong kangkong.

Apart from Jalan Haji Taha, it is also worth mentioning that there is a Chang Swee Kang place at Satok.

So, if you find the one at Jalan Haji Taha full, you might want to head on to the one at Satok.

Check out their Facebook page here.

  1. Fu Yu Café, Satok

Here, you have the choice to have either have your ABC drizzled with ‘gula apong’ or condensed milk.  And like most ABC places, Fu Yu Café also serves cucur udang, the perfect complement for your ABC.

  1. Rainforest Garden Café, Kuching

This place is the go-to spot if you are looking for an XXL ABC to share with people.

The Rainforest Garden Café has a giant White Lady (a drink made of evaporated milk, grenadine and/or mango syrup, shaved ice, fresh fruit and longan… not a gigantic caucasian woman) that you can easily share with four to five friends.

And while you are here, you can do some shopping for plants and gardening tools.

Check out their Facebook page here.

  1. Open Air Market, Jalan Power

The open-air market is strategically located in the centre of town thus making it one of the easy go-to spots for food.

Apart from your usual kolo mee, chicken rice and char siew pau, the open-air market is a popular spot in Kuching for ABC.

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KajoPicks: 8 Exorcist-Related Movies To Watch This Halloween

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You know Halloween is just around the corner when you start seeing scary Halloween makeup tutorials on Instagram.

But, if you are not the type to dress up and go out during Halloween, then staying at home and watching a movie is not a bad thing either. (You will get to see scary faces either way.)

For those who love the adrenaline rush (without having to get up from your comfy couch), here are some scary exorcist-related movies that are worth binge-watching this Halloween.

  1. The Conjuring Series

Apart from Lord of the Rings, The Conjuring series is one of my favourite movie installments.

The Conjuring series features power couple Ed and Lorraine Warren who were American paranormal investigators.

The exorcist-related movies (Conjuring 1 and Conjuring 2) are based on their real-life experience with the Perron family in Rhode Island in 1971 and the Hodgson family in England in 1977.

There are also talks about the making of the third Conjuring movie

The Conjuring Universe also has a spin-off movie; Annabelle and Annabelle: Creation.

  1. The Nun

The Nun came out in September 2018 and was one of the most anticipated movies of the year.

Taking place in Bucharest, Romania in 1952, The Nun explores the backstory of Valak, the demon that appeared in Lorraine Warren’s vision in Conjuring 2.

Since Conjuring 2 and Annabelle: Creation, many were left wondering about the nun as she/it had been making cameos in the Conjuring series.

Being part of the Conjuring universe, I feel that The Nun should have its own series because bonus for exorcising a demon in an abandoned monastery.

  1. The Exorcist

Several decades since its release in 1973, The Exorcist remains one of the scariest movies of all time due to a few factors.

Based on a novel of the same name, it was inspired on the real-life exorcism of a boy known by the pseudonym Roland Doe.

In addition to be based on real events, the special effects in the movie are still considered superb! They were engineered by makeup artist Dick Smith and his protégée Rick Baker.

If you have seen the movie, how chilling was that demonic voice coming out of Linda Blair’s mouth?

  1. The Exorcism of Emily Rose

I first saw Jennifer Carpenter in White Chicks, so her character in this movie was a 180-degree change.

Another film based on true events, The Exorcism of Emily Rose is loosely based on the story of Annelise Michel, who rejected medical treatment for her epilepsy towards the end of her life and relied solely on exorcism rites.

She underwent 67 exorcism sessions; one or two each week, lasting up to four hours, were performed over about ten months in 1975–1976 before she died from dehydration and malnutrition.

  1. The Rite

Another great exorcist-related movies to binge watch this Halloween is The Rite.

The movie follows Michael Kovak, who was about to take his vow to priesthood but decided to resign due to his lack to faith.

His superior was unable to accept his resignation and therefore he was sent to Rome to attend an exorcism class.

At Rome, he met Father Lucas (Anthony Hopkins).

Despite his scepticism, it is interesting to see Michael insist on searching for the truth.

  1. The Priests (South Korea)

Exorcist related movies

The only Asian film on this list, The Priest is a South Korean movie released in 2015. It stars Kim Yoon-seok as Father Kim and Gang Dong-won as Deacon Choi.

Set in modern South Korea, it follows Father Kim and Deacon Choi exorcising a comatose female student who is possessed by a demon after a hit and run accident.

The Priest has a bit of a shamanism element in it, setting it apart from the rest of the movies in this list.

  1. Constantine

Constantine is one of the must watch exorcist-related movies if you are a big Keanu Reeves fan.

Based on DC’s comic series of the same name, Constantine received mixed reviews when it came out in 2005.

While some argue the plot is messy, this movie is still enjoyable to watch.

  1. The Possession

After watching this movie, you will start becoming extremely cautious of buying unfamiliar second-hand things.

The movie follows a young girl purchasing an antique box with Hebrew markings from a yard sale.

But unknown to her the box is actually a dybbuk box containing an evil spirit.

What makes this movie good (and also creepy) is that the dybbuk box actually existed.

The box was only sale on eBay for $1. It contained locks of hair, a couple of pennies, a wine cup, a slab of granite that had been engraved, and a dried flower.

After 50 bids, it was sold for almost $300.

According to the original buyer, Kevin Mannis, the box was purchased at the estate sale of a 103-year-old Holocaust survivor.

After coming to the United States, the holocaust survivor never opened the box and was terrified of it. After having the box in his possession, Kevin has h several bad lucks.

The box is currently on the hands of a university museum curator, Jason Haxton.

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Tips You Should Know Before Going to The Kuching Food Festival

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Kuching Food Festival is back!

Taking place at the Kuching South City Council from July 27th to August 19th, the month-long festival is one of the most talked about festivals in Kuching.

And as usual, it would not be the same without our Facebook acquaintances posting pictures of what they had at the food festival.

For those who have been to Kuching Food Festival before, I think we can all agree that it is definitely the best festival in Kuching (what with Kuchingites being obsessed with food, and all).

However, going over to the Kuching Food Festival is not without its struggles.

And so, here are some Kajo-worthy tips for those who are heading towards the Kuching Food Festival!

 

  1. Pick a theme before heading over to the Kuching Food Festival

Kuching Food Festival will have at least 280 food stalls, 15 of which will be serving halal food. This might be overwhelming for some and it would also not be a surprise if you leave without buying anything. Before going, do set a theme in mind to avoid being overwhelmed with choices. For instance, you might want to try only desserts during your food expedition.

  1. Do park your car at a safe and nearby parking lot and then walk over to the food festival

Every year Jalan Padungan is congested with traffic due to the overflowing crowd at the festival. While this may be a norm for festival goers, it may be a hassle for others. Therefore, it is advisable to just park your car at nearby parking lot to ease the traffic.

  1. Come in a group

Exploring new food is better if you experience it with good company. As Kuching Food Festival offers possibly over hundreds of dish types, it would be time efficient to come with friends and family. As you may have different preferences in food, this means you get to sample different types of food in one sitting.

  1. Bring a portable mini fan

This might sound weird, but it does make sense in this kind of weather and setting. As the festival tends to be overcrowded and hot, it is advisable to stay cool with a mini fan. If you do not have a mini fan, you can easily get one at the festival.

  1. Wear loose, cool attire

Our hot humid tropical weather combined with the heat from the open-air cooking at Kuching Food Festival can get overpowering. Do stay cool by wearing loose cooling clothing.

6. Bring your own tissue and wet wipes

This might sound insignificant but you will thank me for it. Often, the food stalls will provide you tissue upon purchasing their food. But it might not be enough as you might want to use that tissue to wipe your tables or utensils before eating.

7. Bring your own water bottle

Again, this is mainly because of the heat and is also economical. During your food expedition, you will be surprised how much you will save just by bringing your own water. It also cuts down on extra plastic waste.

8. Be adventurous

Instead of having the usual food you can get all the time outside the festival, be brave and try food that you have never tasted before. By doing this, you can avoid being overwhelmed with the choices of food. Apart from that, you will leave with unforgettable memories of the food you have sampled.

9. Do not eat too much before going for the fun rides

Apart from food, visitors also have the chance to go on fun rides such as the Merry-Go-Round. This may seem fun, but it can be otherwise if you had too much too eat before going on one of the fun-rides.

10. Do clear your table

MBKS has provided chairs and tables for festival-goers to enjoy their special purchases. Even though there are cleaning staff, bear in mind that the festival has recorded up to 280,000 visitors coming in the first week, so clearing the table after you use it  will make the festival much more enjoyable for everybody.

11. Bring your own plastic containers

As a part of MBKS’ ‘No styrofoam’ campaign, none of the food stalls will be using styrofoam packaging, so bring along your own containers. There will also be 3R (reduce, reuse, recycle) dustbins around the festival site as part of their efforts to promote a green city and an environmentally-conscious people.

6 Reasons Why You Should Visit Mount Singai

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If you have not visited Mount Singai before, now is the best time to do so. Due to our love of being outdoors, KajoMag has listed six reasons why it should be on everyone’s bucket list to visit.

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1. Close to town

Located in Bau District, Mount Singai takes only 30 to 40 minutes’ drive from Kuching City.

As it does not take a lot of time to reach there, you do not have to worry about getting up early or using a lot of gas.

2. Good spot for beginner’s training

If you are not particularly athletic but still want to be active, then Mount Singai is perfect for you.

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Mount Singai hiking area can be split into two sections. The first half is a set of stairs leading to the Catholic Memorial and Pilgrimage Centre (CMPC) while the second half is the hiking trail leading to the summit.

Typically, an average hiker can reach the pilgrimage centre within 20 to 30 minutes while the hiking ground can take about an hour to reach.

Visitors might find Mount Singai relaxing and enjoyable as the hiking terrain is not as hard and challenging as most hiking spots around Kuching.

Also, due to the steps and the inclining nature of Mount Singai, it is the best spot to pump up your cardio and enjoy nature.

3. Friendly hikers

On average, Mount Singai can have a few hundred visitors in one weekend.

And due to that, you will always bump into other fellow hikers along the way.

At Mount Singai, the hikers will typically greet you and some will even give words of encouragement  to reach the summit.

When meeting these friendly and supportive hikers of Mount Singai, it makes the hiking trip even more memorable.

4. Spiritual experience

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On your trek up to the retreat centre, you will notice there are monuments stationed along the way up.

They are the 14 stations of the Cross which represent Christ’s last day on earth as a man.

Mount Singai has long been a pilgrimage destination for devoted Catholics, with the earliest converts to Catholicism in the area among the Bisingai people dating as far back as 1885.

5. Help the community build their church

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Upon reaching the entrance point of Mount Singai, you may find a heap of bags containing pebbles and sand.

These are to build a new church hall at the pilgrimage centre.

As there are no access roads for vehicles leading towards the centre, the only way to bring these building materials up is on foot.

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While there are no entrance fees for Mount Singai, visitors can do their part for the kampong community by helping them carry the bags up to the construction site.

Consider it your personal Rocky or Shaolin monk challenge by carrying a bag up. You can also help trick your mind into thinking you have some extra weight to lose.

6. Instagrammable view

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Millennials with an active Instagram account would understand the novelty of having awesome pictures in their IG account.

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When you reach the top of the steps, Mount Singai offers a rest stop with one of the best viewing spots.

Apart from that, the summit also offers an equally breath-taking view for visitors to take picture.

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5 interesting things to know about Datu Patinggi Abdul Gapor

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If you paid attention to your history lessons in school, you might remember who Datu Patinggi Abdul Gapor is… but if you’re like the rest of us, you might only recognise his name on a school in Kuching.

As there is only a bit info on him in our history books, KajoMag decided to dig up more about this historical figure.

1. Who is Datu Patinggi Abdul Gapor?

Before James Brooke came to Sarawak, Datu Patinggi Abdul Gapor was a powerful and influential man.

He was once appointed as the Governor of Sarawak. He was also the first imam of the Masjid Besar (the State Mosque) in Kuching from 1851 to 1854.

Abdul Gapor was married to Dayang Inda. She was the daughter of Datu Patinggi Abang Ali, who fought for the independence of Sarawak from Brunei.

It was said that Abang Ali’s family was responsible for building the state mosque. The construction took place from 1848 to 1852.

2. Datu Patinggi Abdul Gapor had his title stripped by James Brooke

Abdul Gapor was awarded the title ‘Datu Patinggi’  after his father-in-law (Abang Ali) was murdered alongside George Stewart (a European officer) in 1844 when fighting a rebellion in Skrang.

In 1854, however, Abdul Gapor’s title was stripped by James Brooke because it was said that he imposed a very high tax upon the people under him.

Angered by this, he no longer had the privilege he used to before and demanded compensation.

3. He planned a revolt with another Sarawakian historical figure

Sharif Masahor
Datu Patinggi Abdul Gapor planned a revolt with Sharif Masahor (picture) against the British (Image source Sejarah Melayu Sarawak)

In 1860, Abdul Gapor planned a revolt with Sharif Masahor, a leader from Sarikei, against James Brooke.

This happened when Brooke took control over the Rajang River in 1857 and stripped Sharif Masahor and several powerful men of their titles.

This resulted in them losing power to collect tax and influence the locals.

The revolt that took place in Kuching, however, failed.

Sharif Masahor managed to escape to Mukah but was handed over to the British by the Sultan of Brunei in 1861. He was later banished to Singapore.

Abdul Gapor escaped to Betawi, Jawa in 1860 but was captured by the Dutch and handed over to James Brooke.

He was later imprisoned in Betawi until he passed away after a few years.

4. Guess who his descendants are

Did you know that Abdul Gapor is Sarawak Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg’s direct ancestor?

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Tun Haji Openg bin Abang Sapi’ee (left) and Datuk Amar Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Abang Openg  (Image source: Wikipedia)

According to a book compiled by Ho Ah Chon on his father Tun Haji Openg bin Abang Sapi’ee,  Abdul Gapor turns out to be his great-great-grandfather.

The brief genealogy reads like a who’s who of Sarawak Malay history, which also outlines how through Abdul Gapor, Abang Johari can also trace his ancestry back to Menteri Hussin, the grandson of Raja Minangkabau, who was also an ancestor of Their  Highnesses the Sultans Mohammad Tajuddin, Hashim, Mohamad Jumalul Alam and Omar Ali Saifuddin III of Brunei.

Interestingly, Openg was also Sarawak’s first governor upon the independence of Sarawak from Great Britain and the formation of Malaysia until his death on March 28, 1969 at the age of 63.

Meanwhile, Abang Johari became Sarawak’s sixth Sarawak chief minister in 2017 following the death of Pehin Sri Adenan Satem.

5. A school was named after Datu Patinggi Abdul Gapor

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SMK Datuk Patinggi Haji Abdul Gapor (DPHAG), Stampin (Image source: Alumni SMK DPHA Gapor Website)

A public secondary school, SMK Datuk Patinggi Haji Abdul Gapor (DPHAG), Stampin in Kuching was named after him.

SMK Datuk DPHAG was established in 1974 by the Sarawak State Education Department.

At that time, there were only 182 students and four teachers teaching in the school.

It was the first school in Sarawak to use Malay as the primary language for communication. These days however, students and teachers use Malay, English and Chinese for communication purposes.

Nando’s: The PERi-fect Dish Chicken Lovers Simply Adore

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As a big fan of anything delicious, KajoMag was invited to Nando’s 20th celebration in Malaysia at Aeon Mall on June 7th.

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Nando’s: The iconic Mozambican-Portuguese style chicken dish

Did you know that Nando’s first came to Malaysia 20 years ago?

Serving up their signature flame grilled chicken with its PERi-PERi sauces adored by chicken lovers all around, Nando’s first outlet to open in Malaysia was in Kuala Lumpur.

Today, Nando’s has 73 outlets nationwide, including three in Kuching (tHe Spring, Vivacity Megamall and Aeon Mall Kuching Central) and three in Kota Kinabalu (Imago Shopping Mall, 1 Borneo Hypermall and Oceanus Waterfront Mall).

“We are excited about reaching such a significant milestone here in Malaysia, We started in 1998 and 20 years on and we are still firing up the tastebuds of our amazing fans and hitting a few new-comers as well,” said CEO of Nando’s Malaysia, Stephen Chow. “Our magical little chilli called PERi-PERi is to thank for this as it is our heart and it is truly unique to Nando’s.”

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The juicy and savoury chicken wings smothered in its PERi-PERi sauce

At Nando’s, we were served its usual iconic mouth-watering dishes such as their succulent chicken, savoury Portobello mushrooms, chicken wings, Mediterranean rice, coleslaw, grilled vegetables, potato wedges and sweet potato fries.

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A must try: Nando’s sweet potato fries are simply addictive!

Later, we were served a plate of PERi-PERi chocolate brownies sprinkled with chilli flakes.

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Assorted vegetables such as tomatoes, carrots and cucumber with their smokey PERi-PERi drizzle. To eat, mix the PERi-PERi sauce with the drizzle before dipping your choice of food into the mix.

That night, Nando’s also provided raw ingredients for guests so that they could custom-make their own PERi-PERi sauces.

In conjunction with Nando’s 20th anniversary in Malaysia, here are some interesting facts every Nando’s fan should know about the iconic Mozambican-Portuguese style chicken dish.

How it all started

Nando’s began in a small town of Johannesburg in South Africa in 1987. The restaurant was founded when Portuguese born audio engineer Fernando Duarte introduced his friend, entrepreneur Robbie Brazin to a Portuguese takeaway called Chickenland. After tasting the chicken, cooked in piri piri, a Portuguese chilli sauce from a pepper found in Mozambique, they bought the restaurant and renamed it Nando’s.

The restaurant was named after Fernando’s first born son.

After two years, the restaurant has four outlets, three in Johannesburg and one in Portugal.

Today, Nando’s has about 1,000 outlets in 30 countries.

The African bird eye chilli is the heart of Nando's great flavour and PERi-PERi sauces.
The African bird eye chilli is the heart of Nando’s great flavour and PERi-PERi sauces.

The Bird’s Eye Chilli

The iconic tiny red PERi-PERi chillies are unique to Nando’s.

They are grown in the rich soil and under the blistering hot sun in South Africa.

It takes 42, 000 chillies to fill one 14 kg bag and every year, they produce 25, 000 bags. That’s over a billion chillies!

Each chilli plant produces about 300 chillies which are hand-picked and plucked one at a time.

Hand sorted and naturally dried, the PERi-PERi chillies grow pointing up towards the hot sun.

The who, how and where of the PERi-PERi chillies

Nando’s grows its own PERi-PERi chillies with the help of 1,400 independent farmers in Southern Africa.

Nando’s sell PERi-PERi seedlings to the farmers and guarantees to purchase their crop at a pre-agreed fair price.

The chillies are grown on 494 acres of PERi Farms in Mozambique, South Africa, Zimbabwe and Malawi.

What is in the sauce?

Every Nando’s lovers know that the chicken gets its awesome flavour from the marinating process. In Nando’s, the chickens are marinated for 24 hours before they are grilled to perfection.

And depending on one’s choice, you can smear the chicken with your choice of heat level.

Tailored for a variety of customers, Nando’s choice of sauces consist of Extra Hot, Hot, Mild, Mango & Lime, Lemon & Herb and Plain…ish.

And if you ever wonder how the got its mouth mind-blowing flavour, it contains the mixture of onions, oil, herbs, fresh lemons and a kick of garlic.

The feel-good effect of PERi-PERi chillies

Eating spicy food gives a feel good effect for your body.

This would explain why you would feel happy after spending some time eating at Nando’s. The PERi-PERi chillies contain capsaicin which is responsible for the feel-good sensation causing your pupil to dilate and your metabolic rate to increase as you feel the rush of endorphins.

Apart from that, PERi-PERi is also rich in vitamins A, B and C.

To know more, check out their website at www.nandos.com.my

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Nando’s Malaysia CEO Stephen Chow (second left) at Nando’s 20th year in Malaysia celebration at Aeon Mall Kuching Central.

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Top 8 Reasons Why You Should Watch Sense8 on Netflix

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Warning: This article contains spoilers.

Sense8
(Image source: www.imdb.com)

When Sense8 was cancelled in 2017, fans all over the globe were devastated.

Created by the Wachowski siblings, it was a great science fiction drama series for anybody to enjoy. Unfortunately, Netflix cancelled the third season citing not enough viewership for the high production cost (cheatsheet.com reported that it costs $108 million per episode).

Now that Neflix announced a two-hour special finale for Sense8, here are the top 8 reasons why you should start binge watching this drama series.

1. Mind-blowing plot-line

the gang
(Image source: www.imdb.com)

Sense8 tells a story of eight strangers linked together through psychic connection.

The eight form a cluster known as Sensates, human beings that are emotionally and mentally linked together. Through this, they can sense each other’s feelings, emotions and even possess each other’s knowledge and skills.

While trying to figure out how and why they are connected, the Sensates were hunted down by the Biologic Preservation Organization (BPO) and Whispers, a high-ranking sensate inside BPO.

The first episode of the first series introduces the main characters and how they live their lives separately before discovering each other.

In the second season, you see the characters grow closer together as they are accustomed to each other’s daily lives and emotions.

2. Diverse characters

Sense8 is made up of diverse multiracial characters of different professional backgrounds.

You have Capheus Onyango, a matatu driver from Nairobi; Sun Bak, a daughter of a powerful businessman from Seoul who is also an underground boxer; Nomi Marks, a hacker from San Francisco; Kala Dandekar, a chemist from Mumbai; Riley Blue, a Icelandic deejay; Wolfgang Bogdanow, a locksmith and safe-cracker from Berlin; Lito Rodriguez, a Spanish actor and Will Gorski, a Chicago police officer.

Apart from the multiracial cast, Sense8 is also notable for representing and revolving around the LGBTQ community and themes.

For instance, it features Nomi, a trans woman in a relationship with a woman and Lito, a closeted gay actor living with his boyfriend.

Sense8 also explores interracial romance and how it affects the relationship between Kala and Wolfgang.

3. The Wachowskis

Sense8 is written and mostly directed by the Wachowskis.

Besides Sense8, other notable work by the Wachowskis includes The Matrix, Cloud Atlas, Ninja Assassin and V for Vendetta.

With so much great work produced by them, fans can expect to see great plot packed with mind-blowing action scenes.

4. The fight scenes

As expected from the Wachowskis, Sense8 is not short of fight scenes.

My particular favourite fight scene is just about whenever Sun appears on screen.

One of the few characters on the show with a solid fighting background – she’s supposed to be an underground boxing champion – her fight scenes are satisfying to watch, graceful and fluid.

Sun
Sun in one of the many awesome fighting scenes

And being part of the Sensates, each of the character can channel Sun whenever they encounter danger.

5. Telepathic connection between the gang members

Sense8 gang
The Sensates are able to feel each other’s emotions and possess each other’s skills

Being part of the Sensates, the characters are able to feel each other’s emotions as well as experience each other’s surroundings.

Sense8 gang 2
(Image source: www.imdb.com)

Sense8 is interesting, fresh and quirky as it involves linking eight random strangers together and how they get to know each other on personal levels.

6. It  has two awesome seasons

With only 23 episodes between two seasons, you will have plenty of time to binge watch Sense8.

The first season consist of 12 episodes while the second season has 11.

7. Those damn cliff-hangers in Season 2

Wolfgang
In the final episode, Woflgang was captured and the Sensates were seen leaving on plane to save him The multiracial cast of Sense 8 (Image source: www.imdb.com)

For somebody who has been emotionally invested and attached to the Sensates since episode 1, the cancellation of Sense8 is just disrespectful.

Not only that, the final episode on Season 2 has a truckload of cliff hangers that deserve closure.

For instance, in the final episode the gang was seen getting ready to board the plane (from their respective countries) to save Wolfgang.

For those who have been religiously keeping up with Sense8, this is a huge moment as this would be the first time all of them would physically meet each other.

Apart from that, other cliff hangers that deserves a closure includes whether Sun will find justice for her father’s death after escaping from prison, Naomi and Amanita (Naomi’s girlfriend)’s wedding and whether Capheaus will win the election.

8. The third and final season airs in June

After so many cliff hangers left in season 2, fans all over the globe were left hanging as to what would happened to the Sensates.

Finally, Netflix finally announced that Sense8 is renewed for its third and final season giving fans the closure they deserve.

The much awaited conclusion will air a two hour series finale on Netflix on June 8th.

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Know the Best Beer and Food Pairing this Gawai Season

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We always hear about what food goes great with wine, but in anticipation of the upcoming Gawai Dayak festival on June 1, KajoMag learnt about which foods to pair with beer thanks to a special pre-Gawai beer and food pairing session courtesy of Heineken Malaysia Berhad (Heineken Malaysia).

Held at LePau Restaurant, a Kayan restaurant in Kuching, we were treated to a variety of local Dayak dishes paired with different alcoholic beverages to match the flavour profiles, textures and aromas.

“This Gawai, we want to celebrate [these profiles] through good food,” said Corporate Communication Manager of Heineken Malaysia, Ng Eng Kiat.

“The accentuating notes and flavours of our portfolio can make good meals great. With this event, we hope to share a whole new way of experiencing traditional flavours on a plate.”

1.   Lager

Pale lagers like Heineken, Tiger and Anchor are known for their peppery bitterness, clean and crisp flavours, making them easy to pair  with a diverse range of foods, from sweet to savoury.

As such, they go well with these subtle yet distinctive dishes like manok pansuh, stir fried rubbed tapioca leaves with tepus and what LePau Restaurant served up in its Orang Ulu BBQ platter which featured grilled meats like beef, chicken and fish.

For KajoMag, Heineken tasted exceptionally good with the BBQ platter especially when it was fresh off the grill.

Apart from barbequed meat, lager is also best paired with seafood, noodles and light cheese.

2.  Stout

Heineken 05
Try some Guiness Bright, especially tailored for the Malaysian market.

An all-time KajoMag favourite alcoholic beverage, we were informed that stout goes well with earthy and tangy flavours like chocolate, beef, chicken, seafood and dried fruit.

We were also introduced to one of Heineken’s latest brews – Guinness Bright – which was launched in 2017.

Created especially for the Malaysian market, the brew is infused with coffee, ginger and lemongrass extracts.

And to pair this Guinness right, we were served the Dayak sour eggplant with smoked beef.

3.    Cider

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Dinuh, topped with vanilla ice-cream is best served with apple cider such as Strongbow or Apple fox

For those who do not like the bitter taste of beer or stout, cider is the best choice.

Made primarily of apple juice, cider is an alternative that goes well with something tangy, crispy, dry and refreshing.

For our third brew of the beer and food pairing, we were served dinuh – Kayan traditional glutinous rice fritters together with Strongbow and Apple Fox Ciders.

Made from glutinous rice and palm sugar, the combination of the sweetness from the palm sugar with the fruity flavours of the ciders really complemented each other.

It also helps that the sweet light taste of the ciders added a lightness to the heavy meals that we enjoyed beforehand.  

Apart from sweet dishes, cider also goes well with chicken and pasta.

What will your choice be?

Heineken 03
A selection of the traditional pale lagers -Heineken, Anchor and Tiger.

Now that you know what to pair your favourite alcoholic beverage with, tell us at KajoMag which one is your favourite food and beer pairing.

Do remember to drink responsibly during this festive season!

Through its Drink Sensibly campaign, Heineken has been advocating responsible drinking through a 5-point system:

1. Hydrate with plenty of water between drinks;

2. Eat well so your body is ready to handle the drinks;

3. Move and dance the alcohol out of your system;

4. Pace yourself through the night;

5. Taxi home to keep yourself and others safe.

To know the latest updates on Heineken Malaysia, check out their website: www.heinekenmalaysia.com or their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/heinekenmalaysiaberhad

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