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Sole Bidayuh PGB holder passes on BorneoPost Online | Borneo , Malaysia, Sarawak Daily News » Sabah - New 2 Borneo

Sole Bidayuh PGB holder passes on

Posted: 22 Dec 2013 02:57 PM PST

by Samuel Aubrey, reporters@theborneopost.com. Posted on December 23, 2013, Monday

KUCHING: The Bidayuh community's first and only Panglima Gagah Berani (PGB) recipient Paul Nyopis Noyeat passed away yesterday morning, two months after suffering from stroke.

Malaysian Ex-Servicemen Association (PBTM) Tasik Biru chairman Jossem Daweg said the late Paul, who was paralysed since the stroke, breathed his last at the Bau District Hospital at 9.52am yesterday.

His body was brought back to his family home in Kampung Rumih yesterday afternoon, and the funeral is scheduled to take place at the village at 2pm today.

The late Paul was 71 years old. He left behind wife Kimen Lambek and seven children Evelyn, Rosni, Noni, Janty, Jailani, Terry and Azura.

He was so far the only Bidayuh to be awarded the PGB, one of the country's highest gallantry awards. The retired corporal is best known for his heroic act when he single-handedly fought off 15 terrorists from the Pasukan Rakyat Kalimantan Utara (Paraku) at Jalan Sebuku-Tondong, Bau on April 15, 1972.

He was then in an army convoy from Kuching to Bau. Upon reaching Tondong, the convoy was ambushed by a group of communist insurgents. Three Paraku members were killed in the skirmish. Paul retired after 21 years of service with the Royal Ranger Regiment.

For his heroics, he was awarded the PGB which he received from the Yang diPertuan Agung in conjunction with the King's birthday on June 8, 1978.

Meanwhile, Bung Bratak Heritage Association chairman Dato Peter Minos said the Jagoi-Bratak Bidayuh people were very saddened by the demise of one of their panglima (warrior).

"The late Paul Nyopis was a very active member and supporter of the association, always giving support and assistance in our functions. May he rest in peace," said Minos.

Adding that he would be flying from Kuala Lumpur to attend the funeral, he said the late Paul being the Bidayuh's sole PGB recipient showed to others that Bidayuhs cared for the nation, defending it when and where necessary.

"He showed bravery in the face of extreme danger. And for that, we are very proud of him. We share with his family the big loss and bereavement," he said.

When contacted by Bernama yesterday, Sarawak Veterans Affairs Department (JHEV) director Lt Col Monday Juhid described Paul's death as a big loss to the country and the Bidayuh community.

"I am deeply saddened by this loss as Nyopis (Paul) and I came from the Bau district. Nyopis' bravery in combat, for which he was awarded the PGB, is well-known," he said.

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82 attend Sarawak Merdeka Band 1993 20th Anniversary Reunion

Posted: 22 Dec 2013 02:52 PM PST

KUCHING: On August 31, 1993, some 500 students from SMK Kuching Green Road, SMB St Joseph, SMB Kuching High, SMK Kuching Town and SMB St Teresa marched out onto Padang Merdeka and created national history.

It was the first time that national level Hari Merdeka celebration had been held in East Malaysia and Sarawak was given the great honour to host the event.

Yesterday, 20 years later, 82 former students, instructors and teachers gathered for a very special high-tea to commemorate the 'Sarawak Merdeka Band 1993 20th Anniversary Reunion' at Merdeka Palace. The hotel oversees the historic field where they trained so hard day and night for eight months to make the state proud.

Former band instructors Richard Png, Patrick Goh and Simon Ng – all from Singapore – received a warm welcome from their former charges, some of whom flew in from Kuala Lumpur, Singapore and Australia for the occasion.

A few of the former members who could not fly back in time joined in via live video chat.

The former instructors and charges were given the opportunities to share personal memories about the band, which brought much laughter among those gathered as they recalled the various challenges they had to persevere through, which in the end, became a unique experience that bound all involved closer together.

Png commended the 1993 Merdeka Band members for their commitment and discipline. He noted that the journey was not easy as they had to train the students from scratch within 26 weeks – the majority of whom had no experience marching, juggling flag poles, playing musical instruments, or reading music sheets.

"That is why the training was so intense. To you, the members, you may think it was just torture – marching under the hot sun and rain, getting shouted at, pumping (pushups as punishment), parents complaining about your sunburnt skin getting darker by the day, getting back late and not being able to do homework – but I see something more in it.

"I think that besides achieving what we wanted to achieve, I believe you learnt certain values which we wanted to impart to you, like discipline and endurance. I've come to know that many of you are successful today in your own ways – good families, children, successful careers. I think and I hope that the discipline you learnt during Merdeka has helped you to achieve what you have today. Of course most of it is from your own talent, but I hope that it helped a bit. I'm quite sure that it did," he said.

He also thanked the state government, local music teachers as well as school teachers for their commitment and paid special tribute to the late former deputy state secretary Datuk Taha Arrifin who played an instrumental role in the Merdeka Band's formation and historic performance.

Goh recalled that he told Png the latter was crazy when he found out that the Singaporean team only had eight months to get the band in shape for the performance.

Meanwhile, Ng said that Kuching held many fond memories for the Singaporean instructors because of the people's warmth and friendliness.

Social media played a large role in disseminating information about the reunion and rallying former members from near and far, organising committee member Linda Chin told The Borneo Post.

"There was a Facebook group started by one of the members a few years ago which we utilised to get in touch with people and also to plan out details and logistics for the reunion," said the former clarinet player from St Teresa, now an accountant.

In addition to a cake-cutting ceremony, former members also had the chance to view original footage of their nation-wide televised performance which was specially obtained from RTM.

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Get together to discuss development plans, community chiefs told

Posted: 22 Dec 2013 02:52 PM PST

by Danny Wong, reporters@theborneopost.com. Posted on December 23, 2013, Monday

SIBU: Longhouse chiefs and other community leaders in Ulu Julau, Ulu Entabai and Ulu Entaih in Pakan District should sit down together to talk about developing huge tracts of Native Customary Right(NCR) land in the three places.

Julau member of parliament Datuk Joseph Salang told them that Chief Minister Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud had said at least 10,000 hectares there could be developed for commercial oil palm plantation.

He gave the reminder when attending 'Gawai Antu' (a ritual to honour the dead) at Rh. Jally Paing in Nanga Segera, Pakan last Friday and later at Rh. Jelian in Julau.

"Our chief minister mentioned to me this development potential when visiting Rh Jally about two years ago. He said such large-scale development would open up the area for development and progress besides generating job and business opportunities for the people," he said.

Salang, who is also the chairman of the 1Malaysia Sarawak Advisory Council (1MSAC), said he was ready to attend any such discussion which should be initiated by them.

"If we are confident of undertaking the task ourselves, then we should do it on our own."

Meanwhile, he advised Barisan Nasional (BN) staunch supporters in the constituency to help in drawing back those who supported the opposition in the last general elections.

"We should persuade them to join BN for their own future and welfare. If they are still angry or are left alone much longer, they might be forgotten and left out from the development mainstream," he said.

Salang also reiterated his advice to all longhouse chiefs, whether they had been officially appointed or were still awaiting their letters of appointment, to stay close to government officials so that they would be aware of government development plans or policies.

"When you are in constant touch, you will know those plans and policies which you can apply for to help your followers especially in the field of agriculture.

"The government under the present Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak is now focussing its efforts to help particularly those in the rural areas. There are plans and policies for them to achieve better standard of living," he said.

Sarikei Resident Micheal Dawi Alli was among those present.

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Don’t be swayed by opposition, Aaron tells his constituents

Posted: 22 Dec 2013 02:50 PM PST

SIBU: Kanowit MP Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang advised the people in his parliamentary constituency not to easily believe allegations made by certain quarters on Native Customary Rights (NCR) land perimeter survey initiative.

He said he was aware that some individuals had been telling the people that their land would be sold by the people's representatives (YBs) after it was surveyed.

"The people opposed the initiative because they believed what the instigators told them without trying to find out the truth," he said when officiating at the first anniversary dinner of Sungai Aya-Kejungoh-Ayam Community Development Association (PPK Saka) here last Friday.

Also present was PPK Saka chairman Sao Asing. Aaron lamented that only a small number of NCR land here had been surveyed under the initiative because some people were against it.

"Because the people opposed the initiative, Kanowit is left behind in terms of the number of land surveyed under the initiative when compared with other districts in the state. This is a loss to Kanowit people because the government has allocated a huge amount to implement the initiative," he said.

On another matter, he said most government project grants had been distributed this year.

He hoped more longhouses, clubs and non-governmental organisations in Kanowit would apply for the grants next year.

About 200 PPK Saka members attended the gathering.

They were entertained by Iban recording artistes Maryline Billy and Angela Lata Jua.

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SUPP sec-gen: No word yet from disciplinary committee

Posted: 22 Dec 2013 02:50 PM PST

KUCHING: SUPP Central Working Committee (CWC) has not received any recommendation from the party's disciplinary committee concerning Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh and four others aligned to him.

Party secretary-general Prof Dr Sim Kui Hian said this when asked about the next course of action to be taken as Soon Koh, Chan Phan Chan, Wong Yew Nung, Thomas Hii King Hing and Sia Jii Ming did not respond to the show-cause letters issued to them.

"The disciplinary committee is independent. It is for them to conclude their process and submit their recommendations to the CWC. The judicial process must not be interfered as otherwise it can't be independent," Dr Sim, who is currently in Melbourne for his annual end of the year family break, told The Borneo Post yesterday.

Soon Koh, who is SUPP Sibu branch chief, recently said he would not respond to the show-cause letter that was issued by the party's central secretariat after the Central Committee (CC) met on Dec 1.

He said the letter was illegal as the Registrar of Societies (ROS) had yet to announce its decision on complaints regarding election irregularities at some party branches in the run-up to the party's Triennial Delegates' Conference on Dec 11, 2011.

"I am given two weeks to explain why I should not be expelled from the party based on the show-cause letter dated Dec 6, 2013. I am not going to reply to that letter because to me the letter is not legitimate," said Soon Koh recently.

He said the ROS had issued a letter to SUPP stating that before any final decision was made the party can only carry out 'tugas biasa', which is day-to-day administrative affairs.

"Therefore, to me, it is not proper for them to convene CC meetings, to make resolutions, to sack people and to issue show cause letters. I have no obligation to reply."

Soon Koh, together with Chan, Yew Nung, Hii and Sia, last Wednesday, also snubbed a meeting called by the party disciplinary committee, which was aimed at recording their verbal reply to the show-cause letters.

Chan was quoted as saying that they did not want to attend the meeting because they did not recognise the central leadership.

He claimed that they had responded to charges levelled against them through the newspapers but unfortunately the disciplinary committee did not pay attention to them and continued with their probe in Sarikei.

Chan added that the central disciplinary committee should not simply accuse them of rebellion without proper investigation.

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18 illegal cheap sales, RM6,058 goods seized

Posted: 22 Dec 2013 02:48 PM PST

by Peter Boon, reporters@theborneopost.com. Posted on December 23, 2013, Monday

SIBU: The Ministry of Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism (MDTCC) had taken stern action on 18 cases of illegal cheap sale from January this year till now in Sarawak.

In disclosing this, its state director Wan Ahmad Uzir Wan Sulaiman said they also confiscated goods worth RM6,058 during the raids.

"We do regular spot checks to clamp down on the unethical business tactics. Holding cheap sale without approval from the ministry is a serious offence, that is tantamount to misleading consumers," Wan Uzir told The Borneo Post.

He added that there were 1,108 applications for cheap sale from January this year till now.

"As for year-end sale, there are 186 applications," he revealed.

Wan Uzir further mentioned that the new requirement under the Trade Descriptions (Cheap Sales Price) (Amendment) Act 2011, compelled traders to list the old and new price of any product put up for cheap sale.

Items on cheap sale should comprise 70 per cent of goods in the premises, he explained.

On another matter, he revealed that they had inspected about 381 premises from January till November this year to ensure toys had the Malaysian conformity mark (MC) of safety standards.

He, however, said no cases had been taken up so far.

"We received some complaints on toy vendors at the night market where we asked them to immediately remove from their display toys that did not comply with the safety requirements," he said.

He stressed that it was mandatory under the Consumer Protection (Certificate of Approval And Conformity Mark of Safety Standards) Regulations 2009 for the MC label to be affixed to toys.

"Upon conviction, offenders could be fined up to RM100,000 or sentenced to three years jail or both."

Wan Uzir assured that they checked on toy stores regularly and not only when the festive season was around the corner.

Towards this end, he urged shoppers to alert the ministry if they spotted toys without MC.

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