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Borneo states favoured Malaysia, according to United Nations 1963 report

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Sept 16, 1963 marks the day the Federation of Malaysia was established. But did you know that the United Nations only released its UN Malaysia Assessment Mission report two days before on Sept 14?

UN Secretary-General U Thant had sent nine men on a mission with the agreement of Britain, to satisfy Indonesia and the Philippines on whether the Borneo states (Sarawak and North Borneo) agreed on the setting up of Malaysia. The Philippines was laying territorial claim on a portion of North Borneo, while Indonesia under President Sukarno objected to the formation of Malaysia, calling Tunku Abdul Rahman’s plans ‘neo-colonialist’.

In the UN report, U Thant stated: “In response to the request made by the Governments of the Federation of Malaya, the Republic of Indonesia, and the Republic of the Philippines, on Aug 5, 1963, I agreed to ascertain, prior to the establishment of the Federation, the wishes of the people of Sabah (North Borneo) and Sarawak.

“As foreseen in my communication of Aug 8, 1963, a mission was established, comprising two teams, one for Sarawak and the other for Sabah, working under the supervision of my personal representative.”

Headed by Laurence Michemore and composed entirely of UN secretariat members, the mission eventually found that the great majority of the people of Sabah and Sarawak ‘strongly supported’ Malaysia.

Borneo states favoured Malaysia, according to United Nations 1963 report
Kuala Lumpur, the capital city of Malaysian Federation. Credit: Pixabay.
Here are principal findings by the UN Malaysia Mission on Borneo states’ stand on the federation:

1.Sarawak and North Borneo had reached a stage a self-government that would enable their people to make a responsible choice of their future.

2.Their decision to join Malaysia was the result of the freely expressed wishes of their peoples.

3.The great majority of the people of North Borneo had strongly supported the Malaysia proposals from the time of the elections to the present.

4.An analysis of the Sarawak election returns showed 61% in favour of Malaysia; 22.2% opposed and 16.8% neutral.

5.Of the 183,191 Sarawak citizens who took definitive stands on Malaysia, 73.3% were in favour and 26.7% opposed.

6.Sarawak’s elected representatives stood in favour of Malaysia, 284 to 123, or 66.2% to 28.7%. The other 22 could not be classified in either groups.

7.In North Borneo, doubts and reservations appeared to be limited to groups, largely in the interior and may have been attributed to satisfaction with the status quo, lack of information or lack of clear understanding of the proposal or suspicion of unfamiliar ideas.

8.Popular support for Malaysia in North Borneo had increased since the elections.

9.Malaysia was a major issue in recent elections in both Borneo states and the vast majority of the electorate understood the proposal to join Malaysia.

10.The actions of Sarawak’s Council Negri in welcoming the establishment of Malaysia could be regarded as the expression of the wish of the people through established legislative institutions.

U Thant’s statement on the report

Meanwhile, U Thant also concluded that the majority of the peoples of North Borneo and Sarawak wanted the idea of Malaysia.

“I have come to the conclusion that the majority of the peoples of Sabah and of Sarawak have given serious and thoughtful consideration to their future and to the implications for them of participation in a Federation of Malaysia.”

However, some argued that the UN could not carry out such a comprehensive survey in large territories like Sabah and and Sarawak in such a short amount of time when most parts were not even accessible back then.

Still, U Thant defended the team stating, “While more time might have enabled the mission to obtain more copious documentation and other evidence, it would not have affected the conclusions to any significant extent.”

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The little-known story of floating dead bodies off Buntal Bay

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What would you do if you came across a scene of floating dead bodies? It is an unimaginable sight for today’s Sarawakians but that was what happened during the early part of World War II.

Before we get into the floating dead bodies, let’s talk about the Japanese attack on Kuching during World War II.

On Dec 16, 1941, the Japanese forces managed to secure Miri and Seria with only very little resistance from British forces.

About a week later on Dec 22, a Japanese convoy left Miri for Kuching but was spotted by a Dutch flying boat (otherwise known as a seaplane). It radioed in a warning to a Dutch submarine, HNLMS K XIV which was under the command of Lieutenant Commander Carel A. J. van Groenevald.

Since HNLMS K XIV saw the Japanese coming, it managed to break the Japanese convoy on Dec 23. It attacked two Japanese troopships Hiyoshi Maru and Katori Maru off the coast of Santubong.

Both of these army transports sunk together with hundreds of Japanese troops. Another troopship Hokkao Maru was beached to prevent it from sinking while Nichiran Maru was less seriously damaged.

The rest of the troops were able to land and they were met by the 15th Punjab Regiment which resisted the attack. But the British Indian Army was soon outnumbered and retreated up the river. By Christmas eve, Kuching was already in Japanese hands.

What happened to the dead bodies?
The little-known story of floating dead bodies off Buntal Bay
Kampung Buntal.

According to George Jamuh in an article published The Sarawak Gazette on Dec 7, 1949, one of the troopships was bombed at Tanjung Sipang on Santubong Peninsular.

After the bombing, hundreds of dead bodies floated into Buntal Bay with many of them washed ashore and some even wedged between the roots of mangrove trees.

“For weeks Buntal villagers did not dare to eat fish, particularly crabs, and some ikan badukang that were sent to the Kuching fish market contained fingers and toes of Japanese soldiers,” George wrote.

Soon enough, the area was full of flies, maggots and foul odours. Then, it came to a point that the villagers near Buntal bay, without waiting for orders, buried these dead bodies.

The villagers buried them where they found them, leaving some mark above each grave.

After some weeks, perhaps after the Japanese started to settle in Kuching, some of the Japanese officers came down and forced all the local men to exhume the bodies.

George was doubtful if all were the dead bodies were dug up because there were reports of more remains found after the war.

He wrote, “It was understood that only the skulls were taken to be cremated and the villagers were told that individual ashes were to be sent to relatives in Japan. This tale the villagers swallowed; but, in the absence of identity discs or dented numbers on the skulls, how could this be done? Unless, of course, it was done in the way APC powders were mixed and distributed by the Japanese.”

Now comes the question; is it possible that some of Japanese soldiers’ remains are still buried at Buntal bay?

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Why is there a badger on the old Sarawak coat of arms?

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If you have never seen the old Sarawak coat of arms, you can spot it on the pediment above the pillars of the Kuching General Post Office on Jalan Tun Haji Openg.

There you will see the shape of an animal on top of a shield and the words “Dum Spiro Spero”.

Now comes the question what is that animal? It is actually a European badger, an animal that cannot be found in Sarawak.

If you are not familiar with a badger, remember Trufflehunter from The Chronicles of Narnia, one of Aslan’s followers?

Why is there a European badger on the old Sarawak coat of arms?

The White Rajahs were a dynastic monarchy of the British Brooke family. With the first ruler James, they founded and ruled the Kingdom of Sarawak from 1841 to 1946.

The heraldic arms of the Brooke dynasty were based on the emblem used by James. It consisted of a red and black cross on a yellow shield, crested by a badger.

This animal, in Middle English, was known as a “brock” and was also a nickname for people named “Brook” or “Brooke”. Hence the animal refers to the dynastic surname.

There are different kinds of badgers out there such as honey badger, American badger, European badger, Asian badger and Japanese badger.

The closest thing we have to the European badger (Meles meles) on the coat of arms is the Bornean ferret-badger (Melogale everetti). Although its only known certainty of location is on Mount Kinabalu and nearby regions in Sabah, it is suspected it can be found in Kalimantan and Sarawak too.

Why is there a badger on the old Sarawak coat of arms?
Sarawak’s old coat of arms (left) beside the one used today.
The current Sarawak coat of arms

Instead of a badger, we have our own Rhinoceros hornbill befitting the state’s nickname ‘Land of Hornbills’. The bird itself wears a shield on our current coat of arms. This design was established in 1988. The hornbill’s wings have 13 feathers representing all the Malaysian states.

It also features Malaysia’s national flower, the hibiscus.

Right below the hornbill is a banner bearing Sarawak’s motto “Bersatu, Berusaha, Berbakti” which means ‘Unity, Effort, Service’.

This motto was to replace Kingdom of Sarawak’s Dum Spiro Spero.

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The history of James Brooke’s schooner, the ‘Royalist’

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If Sarawakians were to name one 19th century schooner that they may know, the answer would most probably be the Royalist.

(For Pirates of the Caribbean fans who said The Black Pearl, you’d be off by a century as the trilogy was set roughly in the mid-1700s.)

The Royalist itself was famously known to have played an important role in establishing British adventurer James Brooke’s foothold in Sarawak.

He bought the vessel in 1836 with money he had inherited from his father.

The Findlay

That being said, did you know that the Royalist was not Brooke’s first vessel?

Brooke always wanted to sail to this part of the globe. He was reportedly inspired by the book The Eastern Seas written by George Windsor Earl. According to Robert Payne in The White Rajahs of Sarawak, Brooke begged his father for a ship – any ship.

“At last, in February 1834, his father relented and promised to buy a ship for him and to furnish it with merchandise.”

Finally, he saw a ship he wanted in Liverpool. It was black, with a black hull and black mast.

Like any young man excited over a new ride, Brooke got excited and told his friend about it.

In a letter to Cruikshank, he wrote: “Me voila done! I have a vessel afloat, and nearly ready for sea- a rakish slaver brig, 290 tons burden- one that would fight or fly as occasion demanded, and made to pay her expenses The Indian Archipelago, the northeast coast of China, Japan, New Guinea and the Pacific is the unlimited sphere of our adventure.”

So, the ship (which was called The Findlay) sailed from England on May 6, 1834.

Unfortunately for Brooke, his captain (a friend named Kennedy) and first mate (Harry Wright) did not see eye to eye with each other.

Kennedy and Wright were constantly quarreling along the journey. Brooke then abruptly decided to sell The Findlay and its cargo.

The history of James Brooke’s schooner, the 'Royalist'
The Eastern Seas by George Windsor Earl.
The Royalist

Frustrated, Brooke returned to Bath, England where he spent his time fox-hunting and yachting. At this time, Payne stated that he “seemed to have no purpose in life.”

Finally, his purpose in life came in the form of a 142-ton topsail schooner.

When Brooke’s father died in December 1835, he inherited £30,000 (about £3,780,000 in 2019). He immediately bought a yacht, The Royalist. She was believed to be built in Cowes in 1834 as a gentleman’s yacht for Rev T.L Lane.

It was “armed with six six-pounders, a number of swivel guns, and every kind of small arms.”

The Royalist was a vessel of the Royal Yacht Squadron, one of the most prestigious yacht clubs in the world that still exists to this day.

Due to this, she could fly The White Ensign. This was a flag flown on British Royal Navy ships and shore establishments.

In other words, the Royalist was accorded the same right as ships of the Royal Navy.

This time, Brooke had learned his lesson from The Findlay, so he chose his officers wisely. For his first journey on the Royalist, he took some of his relatives and friends to the Mediterranean.

During this journey, he even brought along his nephew John Brooke Johnson Brooke who later became Rajah Muda, his heir to the Kingdom of Sarawak. This was before Brooke disinherited him in favour of his younger brother, Charles.

They travelled to Malta, Bosporus, Halicarnassus (now Bodrum) and Rhodes. Then, they returned home in June, 1837.

For 18 months, Brooke studied where he was going and charted his journey.

In fact, his initial plan was to establish a settlement at Malludu Bay (now Kota Marudu, Sabah).

The Royalist sets sail to the Far East

After that long and studious period of planning, he was ready to sail the Royalist by the end of 1838.

He was famously quoted from his diary stating, “Could I carry my vessel to places where the keel of European ship never before played the waters, could I plant my foot where white man’s foot has never been before – could I gaze upon scenes which educated eyes have never looked on – see man in the rudest state of nature – I should be content without looking to further rewards.”

Finally, the Royalist sailed from Devonport on Dec 16, 1838 with 19 crew members.

On June 1, 1839, Brooke arrived in Singapore where he remained for a few weeks. It was here that Brooke finally heard about Sarawak.

Payne wrote, “He learned that the antimony ore, which gleamed with a dull silvery gleam and which he could see being unloaded in Singapore harbour, came from Sarawak. He learned, too, that the Rajah (Pangeran Muda Hashim) was fighting some obscure rebels in the interior. There had been no mention of Sarawak in his prospectus. Now he was on fire to enter Sarawak.”

At that time, the future king never thought he would became the first White Rajah of Sarawak.

The Royalist arrives in Sarawak

So Brooke made his preparation, readying gifts such as silk, cloth, sweets, preserved ginger, gunpowder to present to Pangeran Muda Hashim.

Even during the 19th century Made-in-China items were famous as Brooke prepared a huge box of toys from China for Pangeran’s children.

On July 27, the Royalist left Singapore and heading toward Borneo. Then on Aug 11, they laid eyes on Mount Santubong for the first time.

Three days later on Aug 14, the Royalist sailed slowly up Sarawak river passing through mangroves and nipah palms along the riverbank.

“At night, less than two miles from Kuching, he dropped anchor. At first dawn the Royalist rounded a bend in the river, and at seven o’clock came in sight of Kuching,” Payne wrote.

And the rest is history.

The history of James Brooke’s schooner, the 'Royalist'
A small replica of The Royalist on display at The Brooke Gallery at Fort Margherita.
The royal shipwreck

Two years after Brooke became the first White Rajah of Sarawak on September, 1843, the Royalist was recorded in Brunei.

Then, it was reported that the Royalist was sold as a trading vessel early in 1844 but still retained her name.

On Dec 11, 1854, the schooner was wrecked near Kawhia, New Zealand. Her captain then, a man named Tavernor wrote a letter on Dec 12, 1854 to Charles Davis reporting on the wreck.

“I had done my best to save the vessel from destruction; but afterwards my whole thought was how to save our own lives, but fortunately the tide and serf left us sufficiently for us to get onshore safe. We then commenced to get everything from the wreck that we possibly could, it then being 6 o’clock, and the tide making fast, this morning we cut her fore-mast and main-mast away, saved them with sails and yards, and a little timber, whether we shall save more I cannot say all the timber and most part of the wheat, the vessel is now a total wreck.

The Royalist was 86 tons register, and had on board 1,700 bushels wheat, and 14,000 feet sawn timber, at the time she went ashore.”

Captain Tavernor (Dec 12, 1854)
The Resurrection of the Royalist

In September 2018, the Royalist made headlines as it would make a return to Kuching after 180 years.

Sarawak Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg announced that the replica of the Royalist, with the exact scale of the original vessel will be placed at the Brooke Dockyard.

This would be after The Brooke Trust and Hollywood were done using it for their shoot in the upcoming White Rajah film.

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How Sarawak, the Land of Hornbills, got its name

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Located in the northwest Borneo island, the Malaysian state of Sarawak is the largest state in the country.

It is nicknamed ‘Bumi Kenyalang’ or ‘Land of the Hornbills’ as these birds are culturally significant for the native people of Sarawak.

Looking back at its history, Sarawak was first established as an independent kingdom from a series of land concessions acquired by a British former soldier and adventurer, James Brooke, from the Sultanate of Brunei since 1841.

Known as The Kingdom of Sarawak, it received recognition as an independent state from the United States in 1850 and from the United Kingdom in 1864.

But how does this former kingdom and today, a state that comprises part of the Federation of Malaysia, get its name?

Here are few versions of the origin of the name ‘Sarawak’:
1.The name of a mineral

First of all, there is no consensus on how the state got its name. However, the common understanding it was named after the Sarawak river.

But then what is the origin of the name of the river?

It is believed that the river was named after a type of mineral named ‘serawak’ or ‘serewa’, which was found in the area.

According to Chang Pat Foh in Legends and History of Sarawak, ‘serawak’ means antimony in old Sarawak Malay.

In 1823, there was a discovery of antimony in Siniawan area of Bau.

Chang stated, “Since Sarawak river flows through Siniawan, it is likely that people in the olden days referred the river which flows through antimony areas as ‘Serawak’ river. Even when Sir James Brooke wrote home while contemplating his navigational plans in 1839, he was aware of the antimony ore in Sarawak. He wrote, ‘My intention is first to visit Sarawak- a river whence they get antimony ore..'”

How Sarawak, the Land of Hornbills, got its name
Sarawak may have been named after this river.
2.It is the name of a pineapple

Additionally, Chang shared another version stating it was the name of a pineapple.

Back in those days, the pineapple planted along the river was extraordinarily sweet, hence the name of the river.

3.‘Serah kepada awak’

There is this legend that the name is derived from ‘Serah kepada awak’ or ‘Give it to you’.

In the 15th century when the Brunei sultanate took over the area, the locals reportedly welcomed the move.

They told the Bruneians, “Serah kepada awak”.

Another theory was when Brooke helped Pangiran Muda Hashim in pacifying the Brunei-led rebellion, he handed the area to Brooke saying “Serah kepada awak”.

However, this legend is definitely incorrect. This was because the river was named Sarawak before Brooke arrived in this territory.

Plus, the word ‘awak’ is not part of Sarawak Malay vocabulary.

Do you know any theory or legend on how the state got its name? Let us know in the comment box.

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Silat, pantun and many more at Kuching Heritage Race 2019

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There were a lot of things going on other than racing at the fourth edition of Kuching Heritage Race (KHR).

Themed ‘Darul Hana Revisited’, the one-of-a-kind race kicked off at Chung Hua Middle School No 4 last Saturday on Feb 16.

  • Silat, pantun and many more at Kuching Heritage Race 2019
  • Silat, pantun and many more at Kuching Heritage Race 2019
  • Silat, pantun and many more at Kuching Heritage Race 2019
  • Silat, pantun and many more at Kuching Heritage Race 2019
  • Silat, pantun and many more at Kuching Heritage Race 2019
  • Silat, pantun and many more at Kuching Heritage Race 2019
  • Silat, pantun and many more at Kuching Heritage Race 2019
  • Silat, pantun and many more at Kuching Heritage Race 2019
  • Silat, pantun and many more at Kuching Heritage Race 2019
  • Silat, pantun and many more at Kuching Heritage Race 2019
  • Silat, pantun and many more at Kuching Heritage Race 2019
About Kuching Heritage Race 2019

Almost like a small-scale Amazing Race, the race had a treasure hunt and maps were provided for participants to find stations or control points.

Every team made up of two to five people was given a ‘passport’ with clues for the location of each station. (About 60 teams took part, making this treasure hunt really competitive 😄)

At each station or checkpoint, the participants had to complete missions related to local culture and heritage.

Some of these tasks included performing the Malay martial art of silat, playing the kompang, making roti canai, completing a pantun and making air mawar.

Additionally, there were ‘brainy quizzes’ on the history and heritage of Kuching at some stations. Teams with the correct answers had a few minutes taken off their running time.

For the first time, this year’s Kuching Heritage Race took the participants through residential areas such as Kampung Muda Hashim, Kampung Dagok Timur, Kampung No. 4 and others.

With that, the race was able to introduce participants, both local and non-local, to Kuching’s heritage sites.

The team that was able locate all the stations and complete all the tasks in the shortest time was the winner.

Last year’s champion, the Sarawak Convention Bureau, was able to hold on to their title and become the overall winner once again.

Kuching Heritage Run is also aimed to raise money for deserving underfunded projects.

Proceeds from this year’s race were channeled to several organisations including Single Mothers Association, Kuching Parkinson Society, Sarawak Society for The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SSPCA).

Kuching Heritage Race was listed on Sarawak Tourism Board (STB)’s calendar of events.

Also present during the event were permanent secretary to Kuching North City Hall (DBKU) Mayor Datuk Abang Abdul Wahab Abang Julai, Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports permanent secretary Hii Chang Kee and Brooke Trust director Jason Brooke.

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Want to pick up a new skill? Women can go for these free classes at WWTC, Kuching

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Calling out all women living in Kuching area! Did you know that you can take culinary, spa and beauty classes for free at Wisma Wanita Training Centre (WWTC)?

WWTC was officially launched by Datuk Amar Jamilah Anu on Oct 9, 2014.

It was established as a platform for women to pick up a new skill. At the same time, the training centre aimed to train women on how to earn extra income with the new skills they learned.

The classes are open to all women regardless of marital status, age or race.

All the participants need to do is find their way to the centre. However, spaces are limited, so remember to register early.

These two-day classes are mostly organised during weekdays but they do have some classes happening over the weekend.

Here are the classes available at Wisma Wanita Training Centre (WWTC) in 2019:
Free culinary classes at WWTC
Want to pick up a new skill? Women can go for these free classes at WWTC, Kuching
It is not too late to know how to use all of these ingridients. Credits: Pexels.

It doesn’t matter if you prefer cooking or baking, you can learn both at WWTC. From traditional Malaysian desserts such as onde-onde and seri muka to western cakes like butter cheesecake and Swiss rolls.

Additionally, interested participants can pick up how to whip up a dish or two to spice up your dinner table or start a food stall. There are classes to teach how to cook Nasi Kerabu, Ayam Goreng Berempah, Nasi Lemak Pandan, Shepard Pie, Nasi Tomato, Kimchi, Korean Hot Spicy Chicken and many more!

Free spa and massage classes at WWTC
Want to pick up a new skill? Women can go for these free classes at WWTC, Kuching
You can also learn how to do manicure and pedicure at WWTC. Credits: Pexels

Cooking or baking might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but no worries, there are free classes for those who are interested in beauty and spa.

The spa and massage classes at WWTC are organised weekly mostly on Thursdays and Fridays. Who knew there were so many different kinds of massage available out there?

Here, interested students can try to master the art of Thai, Japanese, Balinese massage or even Malaysian massage.

These days, there is a rising number of new mothers looking for postnatal care experts to make home visits. So, there are classes offer to teach postnatal care and massage.

Other classes include sauna and body scrub, foot spa, reflexology, stress reliever massage and more.

Free beauty classes at WWTC
Want to pick up a new skill? Women can go for these free classes at WWTC, Kuching
Learn how to do your own makeup for free at WWTC. Credits: Pexels

A makeup class can cost you at least RM200 these days depending on what kind of makeup and the popularity of your makeup gurus.

But at WWTC, you can learn how to touch up your face from day to night for free.

If you are looking to earn extra income as home-based makeup artist, this is a good place to hone your skill. Furthermore, there are different kinds of bridal makeup to choose from. Pick up a few hair-styling classes and lots of practices, you are ready to beautify a bride!

Take note that WWTC has the rights to change their schedule without prior notice. For more information on schedule and contact persons, check out their Facebook page here.

There will be certificates for those who complete these classes. Remember to dress up decently and appropriately for the class!

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Alta Moda Sarawak could be a successful yearly event for Sarawak: Abdul Karim

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While Sarawak has firmly established itself as THE place to go for world music, and as a Culture, Adventure and Nature destination (did you know Gunung Mulu National Park was a UNESCO World Heritage site?), it aims to be the leading fashion hub in this region with the upcoming lifestyle and fashion event ALTA MODA SARAWAK.

Sarawak Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said he was confident that ALTA MODA SARAWAK would become a successful yearly event to promote the state as a leading fashion hub in Asean and beyond.

“The fashion industry is a multi-billion dollar industry worldwide. This is because it involves a big group of people coming from all work and backgrounds, including those from production to design and marketing.

“There are also those who are making a good living out of writing, analyzing, shooting, commenting and blogging about fashion,” he said during a recent press conference at Restaurant Budaya Sarawak.

He added that the event could attract potential tourism and merchandise buyers domestically and internationally in support of Sarawakian designers and artists.

“It is therefore good for ALTA MODA SARAWAK to have the objective of promoting Sarawak as a state of diversity with different ethnic groups and cultures.”

Additionally, Abdul Karim believed that the event could be one of the catalysts and key players in helping to boost tourist traffic to Sarawak under the state’s tourism initiatives, which is why the Ministry suggested moving it from October last year to March 2019.

“This is to give more time for the organisers to make it a grand affair in conjunction with our ‘Visit Sarawak Campaign’ objectives.”

He also noted that ALTA MODA SARAWAK might be one of the last few events to be held at the old State Legislative Assembly (DUN) Building before it will be closed for renovations to transform it into a performing arts centre.

Alta Moda Sarawak could be a successful yearly event for Sarawak: Abdul Karim
Abdul Karim (center) speaking to the press at Restaurant Budaya Sarawak on Feb 2.
ALTA MODA SARAWAK as a brand platform for Sarawak’s designers

The Sarawak fashion industry has seen a gradual boom over recent years.

Abdul Karim said, “We too have our very own designers whose meteoric rise is something to be proud of. These include names like Paul Carling, Anna Sue, Ben Nazry, Melinda Omar, Sereni & Shentel, Latip’s Collection and more. With ALTA MODA SARAWAK, I hope that their star continues to rise.”

The organisers of ALTA MODA SARAWAK are confident that the designers taking part will be able to establish themselves as the fashion and lifestyle brands to be reckoned with and help propel the growth of Sarawak’s fashion industry.

“This development will, in return, be able to attract more tourist traffic into Sarawak and create demand for a growing domestic industry among the talented artisans and skillful beads craftsmen,” he said.

Meanwhile, ALTA MODA SARAWAK organising chairperson Datin Esther Mujan Balan said the organising team was excited to be holding the event in conjunction with Visit Sarawak Campaign, with the support and partnership from the Ministry of Tourism Sarawak and Sarawak Tourism Board.

“We are determined and focused for ALTA MODA SARAWAK to be a successful yearly event to promote Sarawak as a leading fashion hub in Southeast Asia and attract potential tourism and merchandise buyers domestically and internationally for our Sarawakian designers and artists.”

She stated, “Another objective of the event is to provide up and rising Sarawakian designers the opportunity to make their mark in their own country rather than having to go abroad to make a name for themselves. It also aims to give local fashion followers the chance to have ‘high fashion at their doorstep.’”

Besides Abdul Karim, the three-day event is expected to be attended by the Chief Minister of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg and wife of the Governor of Sarawak Toh Puan Ragad Waleed Alkurdi.

The press conference also saw a short runway show featuring 11 out of the 24 designers that will be participating during ALTA MODA SARAWAK.

MARK YOU CALENDARS: The inaugural ALTA MODA SARAWAK will be held at the old State Legislative Assembly Building, Kuching on Mar 7 to 9.

Alta Moda Sarawak could be a successful yearly event for Sarawak: Abdul Karim
Alta Moda Sarawak could be a successful yearly event for Sarawak: Abdul Karim
Alta Moda Sarawak could be a successful yearly event for Sarawak: Abdul Karim
Alta Moda Sarawak could be a successful yearly event for Sarawak: Abdul Karim
Alta Moda Sarawak could be a successful yearly event for Sarawak: Abdul Karim
Alta Moda Sarawak could be a successful yearly event for Sarawak: Abdul Karim
Alta Moda Sarawak could be a successful yearly event for Sarawak: Abdul Karim
Alta Moda Sarawak could be a successful yearly event for Sarawak: Abdul Karim
Alta Moda Sarawak could be a successful yearly event for Sarawak: Abdul Karim
Alta Moda Sarawak could be a successful yearly event for Sarawak: Abdul Karim
Alta Moda Sarawak could be a successful yearly event for Sarawak: Abdul Karim

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The Iban woman who does Malay keringkam embroidery

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Keringkam embroidery is a significant artistic heritage for the Sarawak Malay community.

The word ‘keringkam’ comes from the gold or silver thread called clinquant thread used to embroider motifs on shawls and headscarves.

With traditional Sarawak Malay attire, there are two types of scarves; the shorter ones called selayah and the longer types called selendang.

In the olden days, the women would wear these keringkam embroidered scarves for special occasions such as weddings.

Charles Brooke’s wife, Margaret, was known to have loved these fine traditional embroidery, as she had several in her keeping and had also taken portraits of herself wearing the selayah keringkam.

Depending on the size of the fabric and the detail of the motifs, a piece can take up to three months to complete.

The Iban woman who does Malay keringkam embroidery
There are several types of flower motifs in traditional keringkam embroidery. The one pictured above is the ‘motif rose mekar’, or ‘blooming rose motif’.

Nowadays, only a handful of artisans know how to do keringkam embroidery. One of them is a 41-year-old Iban lady, Doris Hilda Reji, who fell in love with this Malay traditional craft.

She also happens to be the only non-Malay keringkam embroiderer in Sarawak.

Hailing from Lundu, she currently lives in Kampung Siol Kandis, and first began keringkam embroidery in 2003.

She was part of Skim Inkubator Kraf, an incubator scheme to start handicraft businesses under Malaysian Handicraft Development Corporation. She still does custom orders today.

When KajoMag met her, she was working from home embroidering keringkam as per customers’ orders.

The Iban woman who does Malay keringkam embroidery
Doris showing her first keringkam embroidering work.
KajoMag: How did you first learn how to embroider keringkam?

Doris: I was a single mother trying to learn extra skills to make a living. Back then, I took some courses at Sarawak’s Women and Family Department (JWKS) and they started to offer a keringkam embroidery class.

I was among the youngest in the group so some of the officers suggested that I sign up for it. They said since I was still in my 20s, my eyesight was still good; perfect to do intricate work of keringkam embroidery. Before taking the class, I had never heard of keringkam before.

When I first saw a selendang with keringkam embroidery, I told myself I had to learn and finish one myself. It took me about three months and I still have my first ever keringkam embroidering work.

Since I started, I did keringkam embroidery on not just scarves but clothes and decorations to put in a frame.

There were some people looking for unique souvenirs, so I turned keringkam embroidery into small bookmarks to cater for their requests.

KajoMag: How does it feel being the only non-Malay in this artistry?

Doris: I have always liked anything that is handmade so I was not choosy on what to do; as long as the finished product is something made by hand. Since there was an opportunity for me to learn, I took it without thinking about it.

KajoMag: Do you have any plans on teaching your children how to embroider keringkam?

Doris: I taught my daughter how to embroider over the three months as we waited for her SPM results. She did that before she went off to further her studies. Even now, she occasionally sits next to me and helps embroider with me.

I don’t think she would take it seriously as a career, but at least she has some basic skills on how to do it. I always welcome those who are willing to learn from me at an affordable fee.

KajoMag: What is your hope for the future of keringkam embroidery in Sarawak?

Doris: As far as I’m concerned, pua kumbu is still widely known among the Iban community because we still use it to this day, so the younger generation knows about pua kumbu.

For keringkam, however, perhaps there are not many who are familiar with this art.

There is always room to promote more about keringkam among the younger generation. If they do not learn about it, then they would have no interest in wearing anything with keringkam embroidery on it.

The Iban woman who does Malay keringkam embroidery
A closer look at Doris’ keringkam embroidery work.

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How a father’s rage led to the origin of oil in Miri

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British Charles Hose was the one responsible for the discovery of oil in Miri, Sarawak.

After his appointment as the Resident of Baram in 1890, Hose started mapping oil seeps in and around Miri.

He reportedly gave his findings to the Sarawak government but an oil exploration was an impossible mission back then due to its poor logistic conditions.

No one pursued the idea again until Hose retired and returned to England. There, he showed his map of oil seeps to Charles Brooke, the second White Rajah of Sarawak.

After a series of meetings, Sarawak signed the first Sarawak Oil Mining Lease in 1909, allowing the oil in Miri to be exploited.

However, according to legend there was another man who not only discovered oil, but was responsible for the origin of oil in this northern city of Sarawak.

How does the legend of the origin of oil in Miri go?
How a father’s rage led to the origin of oil in Miri

History writer Lee Fook Onn wrote in Miri Legends and Historical Stories about a family that lived in the middle course of Baram river many years ago. They came down to live there from Usun Apau highlands.

The family consisted of Balai and his wife, their son and their two daughters, Miri and Seria.

They were a happy family, with Usung famous for his hunting skills as well as Miri and Seria for their beauty.

The family owned a mortar from which black-coloured fluid would continuously flow but would never overflow.

Balai and his family would dip a piece of wood or leaf into the fluid to light a fire. This made their life easy and convenient as they saved a lot on firewood.

Time passed and the two daughters married, going off to live with their own families. Their only son Usung had died a while ago in a hunting mishap, and so Balai and his wife began to feel lonely in their own home.

The good thing was that Miri and Seria both lived nearby, so they often came back to visit their parents.

Every time they returned to their own homes, however, they brought the black fluid back with them.

Balai was not happy with that. However, their mother was more than willing to give and even used bamboo pipes to store the black fluid for her daughters.

One day, Balai caught his wife pouring the black fluid into the pipes. This time, he was so furious that he took a knife to cut the pipes. In his rage, he broke the mortar as well.

In the midst of his temper tantrum, Balai lost his balance and fell. As he struggled to get up, according to legend, he stamped the ground so hard that a heap of soil was formed. The black fluid then seeped through the ground and flowed into the sea.

This heap of soil is what Sarawakians recognise as Canada Hill today. Baram river, Sungai Melayu and several other rivers separating Miri and Seria towns (named after Balai’s daughters) are the ‘cuts’ made by Balai.

And the black fluid is the oil which now can be found in Miri and Seria.

Since Balai’s tantrum, oil has not been found in the middle course of Baram river to this day.

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