Najib and Taib: An Arresting Couple

By Pak Bui

Recalling 1987

Operation Lalang on October 27, 1987 was the last time the ISA was used on a “megaproject” scale – the biggest crackdown siunce May 13, 1969. Mahathir Mohamad used the ISA against his opponents, when his position as Umno president was challenged by Tengku Razaleigh.

Mahathir had just won the Umno election amid furious allegations of cheating. Umno was turned into a new party – or was it? Um, no it wasn’t, it stayed the same old racist party it always was.

Faced with a divided party, Mahathir adopted a traditional Umno solution: stir up racial hatred, declare a threat to national security, and jail political opponents. Then relax, lean back and watch an uplifting American family TV programme like Eight is Enough.

Mahathir’s critics were seized in a bully’s binge: 106 politicians, environmentalists (including Harrison Ngau Laing in Sarawak), religious converts, social workers and teachers were sent out of sight, out of mind, and certainly well out of earshot, to the ISA detention camp, “Universiti Kedua”, in Kamunting, Perak.

KK tan under ISA

I met one ISA “graduate” shortly after he was released from Kamunting. Tan KK was Vice President of the Environmental Protection Society of Malaysia. He had the unwelcome privilege of being the first ISA detainee to be arrested.

Tan was an academic from Taiping,

Live reporting from Lubok Antu, Sarawak 29.03.2009

11.24 am LAST POSTING Hornbill Unleashed team leaves the nomination centre, will keep you updated with upcoming events.  Thank you

11.18 am It’s OFFICIAL! Straight fight for N29 Batang Air between No. 1 PKR Candidate Jawah gerang against No.2 BN Candidate Malcolm Mussen Lamoh.

11.12 am We are now waiting for the official announcement for the candidacy of N29 Batang Air By-election.

10.16 am Police confiscated more than 10 PAS flags giving explaination that PAS is not contesting in the by-election thus it should not appear in the nomination centre.

10.09 am Businessman and Blogger, Johnny Chuat appeal to all his supporters to give full support to PKR candidate, Jawah Gerang after withdrawal from nomination.

10.06 am BREAKING! Unofficial! N29 Batang Ai, Straight fight between BN candidate Malcolm Mussen Lamoh and PKR Candidate Jawah Gerang.  The independent candidate Johnny Chuat withdraws at the last moment

9.33 am It mighnt not be a stright fight because Johnny Chuat has just handed in the nomination forms!

9.20 am GENTLEMAN! Selangor Menteri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim walked over to the BN camp and exchange greetings with Chief Minister of  Sarawak and all attending VVIPs

9.11 am BN arrival also acoompanied by Chief Minister of Sarawak Pehin Abdul Taib Mahmud,  George Chan, James Masing, Abang Johari and many more VVIPs

9.08 am BN Candidate Malcolm Mussen Lamoh arrives at the nomination centre with 100’s of supporters

8.59 am Jawah Gerang the candidate for PR is the first to enter the nomination centre.

.20 am A bus load of DAP members all carrying the rocket flags brave the jam and has made their way to the nomination centre.

8.02 am Businessman and blogger Johnny Chuat just entered the nomination centre. Is he SERIOUS?

7.30 am The BN supporters are smaller in number and the PR are certainly more vocal. Are more BN people coming? It is certainly very unlike BN

7.27 am Hey! BN supporters are in the compound. They are all quiet, no wonder we didn’t notice them…

7.24 am PR supporters led by Selangor MB Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim arrives at the nomination centre, the Dewan Sukan LA

7.15am PR members and supporters estimated to be a thousand now, are marching towards the nomination centre

6.54 am Menteri Besar Selangor Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim having breakfast at Be Do Corner cafe with YB William Leong and others

6.49 am Cars with PKR and DAP flags are lining all the roads n lanes in Lubok Antu. A DAP truck is repeatedly blaring the song: Just Change! This is a PR Bazaar, for now!

6.44 am Lubok Antu is now packed with PR supporters. Every coffeeshop n hawker stall are filled with PKR n DAP Supporters

6.15 am Goooooooooooooooood Morning LA!

Live Broadcast Here!

N29 Batang Ai By-election

Nomination day live reporting from Lubok Antu, Sarawak (29.03.2009 from 6.00am)

Damn the Dams — They only make the First Family richer!!

By Apang

Batang Ai is more often than not associated with the hydro electric dam that supplies electricity to other places outside of Batang Ai, such as Kuching. The Sarawak Chief Minister of donkey number of years had just confirmed in public that there will be 12 more dams in Sarawak.

Same old developmental arguments are used. The dam projects will benefit the people of the area and of course of the state’s economy as well blah blah blah. Of course what is not mentioned in the public domain is the development of the personal wealth of family members and cronies.

The Stark reality in Batang Ai

In Batang Ai,

Termite infestation in Sarawak

Sim Kwang Yang (SKY)

This is the first official article of the new kid on the blog in Sarawak, the Hornbill Unleashed.  I really want to say something about the termite, but something else appropriate seems to be in order for this opening ceremony.

Why this particular bird?

The majestic Rhinoceros Hornbill with the proud crown is the State Bird of Sarawak; it is proudly installed on our State Crest.

It represents one of the most powerful gods among the Ibans, Singalang Burung, who plays a central role in Iban religious rituals and festivals such as the Gawai Kenyalang.  It is an important omen bird, sending signals from the gods of tidings to come to the Ibans.  It is also a symbol of courage and strength.

Our beloved state of Sarawak has also been known as the Land of the Hornbill (Tanah Kenyalang), in recognition of the importance of the Iban and other Dayak communities in Sarawak.

As far as this blog is concerned, the hornbill is the symbolic embodiment of our fair land of Sarawak and all her people, irrespective of race, religion, and creed.

The Hornbill is sick

Our Hornbill is sick