Sir Hugh Low and his adventures in Malaysian Borneo

Culture

by Patricia Hului - September 19, 2018

Malaysian history textbooks gave credits to Sir Hugh Low as the first successful British administrator in Malayan states during the late 19th century. He was the fourth Resident of Perak in 1877. It was reported

10 books to read to know more about the White Rajahs of Sarawak

Culture

by Patricia Hului - September 17, 2018

The history of the White Rajahs of Sarawak seems like a boy's adventure book come to life. Basically, an Englishman with his topsail schooner receives a kingdom to rule as a reward for helping

How Vyner’s ‘Nine Cardinal Principles’ was preparing Sarawak for self-governance

Culture

by Patricia Hului - September 16, 2018September 16, 2018

'Nine Cardinal Principles of the rule of the English Rajah' is a mouthful but it is important for Sarawakians to wrap our minds around it. The third White Rajah of Sarawak, Charles Vyner Brooke announced the document on

Sarawakian taboos to observe in the jungle

Culture

by Patricia Hului - September 14, 2018September 14, 2018

The jungle is sacred for Sarawak's indigenous people. Apart from their farms, the jungle provides an extra source of food. While there are many superstitions or dos and donts surrounding farming, there are jungle taboos

5 things you need to know about ‘bedak sejuk’, a Malay traditional facial mask

Culture

by Patricia Hului - August 30, 2018August 30, 2018

Growing up in Malaysia, you may or may not have heard of this traditional beauty regime. Widely used among the Malay community, ‘bedak sejuk’ is a facial mask that will turn your face a

What you need to know about the Japanese Building of Kuching

Culture

by Patricia Hului - August 27, 2018August 27, 2018

The Japanese forces first landed in Miri on Dec 16, 1941 and by Christmas day, they had successfully captured Kuching. For over three years, the Japanese occupied Sarawak where the Imperial Forces introduced Japanisation, requiring

Albert Kwok, the Kuchingite who led the Kinabalu Guerrillas during WWII

Culture

by Patricia Hului - August 16, 2018

Although Albert Kwok was born in Kuching, Sarawak, the traces of his legacy lie 800km away in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. Described as "neat, clean shaven, a man of superabundant energy and made many friends” by Stephen

From Yang di-Pertua Negara to Yang di-Pertua Negeri of Sabah: How did that happen?

Culture

by Patricia Hului - August 15, 2018August 15, 2018

When Sabah, or back then known as North Borneo, agreed to join the Malaysian federation, they came up with a list of 20 points. The terms in what was called the 20-point agreement were drawn

Looking back on Sabah chief minister Donald Stephens’ first Malaysia Day message

Culture

by Patricia Hului - August 14, 2018August 14, 2018

Donald Stephens (later known as Tun Mohd. Fuad Stephens after his conversion to Islam in January 1971), was the first chief minister of Sabah in Malaysia. After founding United National Kadazan Organisation (UNKO) in Aug

10 things you need to know about baruk, the Bidayuh cultural house

Culture

by Patricia Hului - August 7, 2018

A baruk or pangah is the main section of a traditional Bidayuh village in Sarawak. It is also known as baluh, balui, balu, or pangarah according to the different dialects of the Bidayuh. In the olden days,