tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-311542952011-07-28T20:20:13.712-07:00Memories of a kampung boy from across Sarawak river walking through his life in search of identity...Penabaharihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13483635788721927242noreply@blogger.comBlogger391100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31154295.post-26057490000700668522009-08-11T18:56:00.001-07:002009-08-11T19:37:54.663-07:00

Mighty Sadong River taken some time in 2006SMK Simunjan early 70sSMK Simunjan and Gunung Ngeli in the early 70sRecently someone commented on my write-up in my blog about Simunjan. They too have some memories to share about Simunjan. They said Development in Simunjan is quite slow. I agreed with them and I really hope that development of this beautiful bazaar be sped up for the sake of this nice

Penabaharihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13483635788721927242noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31154295.post-88328995462570662382009-05-29T04:36:00.000-07:002009-06-18T02:19:52.272-07:00

A poet's hope: to be,like some valley cheese,local, but prized elsewhere.W.H. Auden

Penabaharihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13483635788721927242noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31154295.post-37873228603085164902009-05-28T06:56:00.000-07:002009-05-28T07:05:11.959-07:00

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Penabaharihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13483635788721927242noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31154295.post-79977691594878010942009-05-21T17:12:00.000-07:002009-05-21T17:19:58.448-07:00

TRUTH, LIKE LIGHT, BLINDS. FALSEHOOD, ON THE CONTRARY, IS A BEAUTIFUL TWILIGHT THAT ENHANCES EVERY OBJECT....ALBERT CAMUS

Penabaharihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13483635788721927242noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31154295.post-17565823135277012682009-03-22T23:14:00.001-07:002009-03-22T23:21:41.798-07:00

You see things; and you say, "why?" But I dream things that never were; and I say, "Why not?" ...George Bernard Shaw

Penabaharihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13483635788721927242noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31154295.post-55075175460001175242009-02-19T07:00:00.001-08:002009-02-19T17:56:18.313-08:00

Have you ever been faced with a situation where a loaded pistol is being pointed at your head by a police officer? And you are just a twenty year old bachelor who have just completed your Senior Cambridge examination and now have just been recruited as a young government staff, serving in a remote district, say Simunjan. hink about that for a while and read further what happen next to me...It

Penabaharihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13483635788721927242noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31154295.post-23556984430622420502009-01-08T18:19:00.000-08:002009-01-08T20:21:49.020-08:00

Nothing is more despicable than respect based on fear.:...Albert Camus

Penabaharihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13483635788721927242noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31154295.post-17863333378099427642009-01-05T06:22:00.001-08:002009-01-05T06:32:10.462-08:00

Niah CaveSarawak RiverTo the complaint, "There are no people in these photographs," I respond, " There are always two people: the photographer and the viewer."Ansel AdamsUS nature photographer (1902 -1984)

Penabaharihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13483635788721927242noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31154295.post-1209994344958729592008-10-17T23:47:00.000-07:002008-10-29T06:09:23.132-07:00

Hjh Azizah( left ) and Hj Sabri (right) with us in their home.In 1974 two trained teachers from Semenanjung Malaysia came to Simunjan Secondary School to serve in Sarawak for five years. One of them, Mohd Sabri Hj Ishak stayed together with me in my quarters. Sabri came from Kedah. Years gone by and we became good friends. While in Simunjan we have gone through a lot of activities together. In

Penabaharihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13483635788721927242noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31154295.post-71638780351599235222008-08-09T08:36:00.000-07:002008-08-09T20:53:49.943-07:00

In 1965 there’s a boy from Bintulu who entered our school. I was in Primary five. That boy named John Wayne, Eurasian, came with his family to stay in our village. He entered our school and joined my class. Everybody talked about him as a smart boy and keen football player. Years gone by we built our friendship. Everyday John Wayne came to my house, played and studied together. We

Penabaharihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13483635788721927242noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31154295.post-14462900600511230352008-08-02T07:54:00.000-07:002008-12-12T17:50:41.377-08:00

Sarawak Regatta 2008, a three days' started yesterday at Sarawak river. The Hon. Chief Minister of Sarawak officiating the start of the event. In his speech the Hon. Pehin Sri recalled the history of regatta which traced back during the 2nd white Rajah rule. This year’s regatta took the theme “ Race for peace.” Regatta was held long time ago in Sarawak by the Brooke a step taken by by Charles

Penabaharihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13483635788721927242noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31154295.post-4139562691335401352008-07-26T00:10:00.000-07:002008-07-26T06:38:23.165-07:00

Two years ago, today, I posted an entry on my long lost friend, Maj. (R) Hj Mansor whom I met during the eighties, the time when his son, Fareez came to stay with me during school holidays.I wrote about my feelings, how I long to meet them and just to say hello to my nice old friend.And to my surprise , Fareez emailed me one day. I was astonished. He managed to goggle through in the internet and

Penabaharihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13483635788721927242noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31154295.post-30858108996857398542008-07-19T21:12:00.000-07:002008-12-12T17:50:41.630-08:00

History is the witness that testifies to the passing of time; it illumines reality, vitalizes memory, provides guidance in daily life and brings us tidings of antiquity.Cicero, Pro Publio SestioRoman author, orator, & politician (106 BC - 43 BC)

Penabaharihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13483635788721927242noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31154295.post-32693540046760078072008-06-25T10:24:00.000-07:002008-06-29T23:02:54.590-07:00

Batang SadongWhat can I say, Simunjan has always been in my heart since the day I served there. It was in March 1973, of course, my bachelor life spent here. And until today, Simunjan will always be in my memory. Why? What is so special about Simunjan, lonely town, especially in 1970s. Most people tried to avoid it, but not me. And I never regretted it.I was first asked to be transferred to

Penabaharihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13483635788721927242noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31154295.post-59528732943792915712008-05-22T07:31:00.000-07:002008-12-12T17:50:42.388-08:00

My sister today, sitting in front, second from left.My elder brother's wedding in early '70s. Khatamul Quran were also held. My elder sister had completed her recital of the Quran.She is standing at the back on the right. "Flying kick" ouchhh. Life in my kampung during the early '70s. "Gotong Royong" in the kampung. Women prepared food while men helped to build the house of a kampung folk. My

Penabaharihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13483635788721927242noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31154295.post-83294004110132832942008-03-18T07:44:00.000-07:002008-12-12T17:50:42.547-08:00

It was my daughter, Nurul, who proposed to me to go for a trip during school holiday. She wanted to write an essay about her trip. I, for one, definitely love the idea of driving through the pan-Sarawak highway. And, so, on monday, 10th Mac 2008, we started our journey. My intention is to visit Miri, a return to the city I once stayed and lived for more than 8 years. Coming along with me is my

Penabaharihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13483635788721927242noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31154295.post-43921235295216118782008-03-04T07:22:00.000-08:002010-01-15T08:07:17.957-08:00

That monday morning, three weeks ago, I rode my motorbike along Astana road to get my favourite paper.There are quite a few newspaper vendors along Astana road. It has been my routine now since my retirement from service last September to get a copy of the local newspaper to update myself with the happenings around and at the same time pick up one or two packets of nasi lemak for my breakfast.

Penabaharihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13483635788721927242noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31154295.post-4526630764157246702008-03-04T07:18:00.001-08:002008-12-12T17:50:42.740-08:00

Last friday I went to Sibu with my wife, daughter, Nurul, daughter-in-law, Habsah and my two grand daughters, Aqilah and Fatinah. We went to Sibu at the invitation of Habsah's brother, Abdul Rahman, who is organising a "doa selamat" for his newly born baby, Nabilla. We left Kuching at around 11.00 am using my Mitsubishi L 200 and reached Sibu about 7.30 pm after making stopover at various station

Penabaharihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13483635788721927242noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31154295.post-62753947036817562292008-03-04T07:13:00.000-08:002008-12-12T17:50:42.935-08:00

Yesterday I went to Betong with my wife and two children. We stayed at Betong Plaza Hotel for the night. We went to Betong to send my future daughter in-law, a teacher at St. Augustine Government Secondary School. It was an enjoyable trip although throughout the journey it was raining.When I reached home today at 12.30 pm, I felt very tired and felt asleep. I woke up at around 5.00 pm, quickly

Penabaharihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13483635788721927242noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31154295.post-36643308245171659242008-03-04T07:09:00.001-08:002008-12-12T17:50:43.070-08:00

Earlier I have written about the time that I have now, after my retirement, plenty of time and what to do with it. I have decided to read. I have a lot of books in my bookshelf and I do have library card which gives me opportunity to borrow up to six books at a time. Reading seems to occupy most of my time besides other activities such as well, going to market, sending grand daughter to

Penabaharihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13483635788721927242noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31154295.post-73551099075170023392008-03-04T06:55:00.000-08:002008-12-12T17:50:43.213-08:00

After friday prayer yesterday, my wife and I left our home and proceeded to Samarahan. Destination: Samarahan Swimming pool. My wife said that she needed to stretch out. Last few days seems very tiring and stressing. So do I. I felt a little bit tired after late night sleep and attended a few family matters. All those really eaten up my strength.So, swimming should be a good way to get rid of all

Penabaharihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13483635788721927242noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31154295.post-24889376858596616522007-05-18T08:51:00.000-07:002008-12-12T17:50:43.585-08:00

Standing 3rd from right at Kpg Sg. Apin, Simunjan in the early 70'sStaff of Simunjan Secondary School, 1974With my wife during Simunjan Sec.school dinner, 1976My three years' stay in Simunjan is one of the best time of my life. That was the first time I stayed separated from my family especially my late mom. At the age of twenty and first time separated from family gave me a lot of opportunities

Penabaharihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13483635788721927242noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31154295.post-23086195694206122542007-02-27T02:15:00.000-08:002008-12-12T17:50:44.081-08:00

Last night I attended a farewell dinner organised by Inspection Section of our dept. It's a farewell to Sharifah Rodziah, our one special boss. Special in style, special in attitude. She will move to another location in Kuching to head our divisional office.Sharifah's first appointment was with Inspection, formerly known as Reconciliation Section. She was there for at least 5 years. But I only

Penabaharihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13483635788721927242noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31154295.post-1170418354567111862007-02-02T03:42:00.000-08:002007-05-18T18:45:52.994-07:00

Last week I went to Mukah on inspection duty. It was my third . My first was in February last year when I visited Faizal, my third child, who worked in a Oil palm plantation in Balingian.I went again for the second time in Mac 2006 and stayed for two nights. I felt I am in love with Mukah, such a nice town at the bank of Mukah river. A town fomaous for its sago.While in Mukah I met my former

Penabaharihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13483635788721927242noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31154295.post-1167708285257079312007-01-01T19:08:00.000-08:002007-01-01T19:24:45.270-08:00

Fruits season is here now. Everwhere you will see fruits, fruits..and fruits. Lots of fruits. Various type of fruits. Thre's durian, rambutan, langsat, mangosteen. You named it, its all here. And the price, rock bottom. A durian cost RM1.00 eachor can be cheaper.Last friday I went to Pusa Bazaar, on the way to Maludam in the Betong Division. Along the way you can see fruits vendors selling their

Penabaharihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13483635788721927242noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31154295.post-1160817718658841732006-10-14T02:11:00.000-07:002007-05-18T18:38:33.151-07:00

Standing from Left: Abg Abdillah Aerowaini, Onn Abdullah, Maliana,Julai Dom, Pharmy, Kudpudeen,Late Odita,Mohd Salleh Sabol, Khalid Yusuf, Sulaiman Razak and Ramlee Tambekseated from left: Ikhlas and MalekIn November 1966, Headmaster of our school, the late cikgu Osman Ali, announced the result of 1966 common entrance examination which we sat earlier.None of us were selected to study in

Penabaharihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13483635788721927242noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31154295.post-1157365654980381802006-09-04T03:00:00.000-07:002006-10-06T09:54:15.006-07:00

I was born in 1953 in a village situated at the bank of Sarawak river. I am the fourth child in a family of seven. I have three sisters and three brothers. The eldest, a sister by the name of Segera, passed away at the age of 9 in India. There is no collection of her photo but according to my late mother, the late Segera was a very beautiful girl , fair skin, dark hair and very Indian in the

Penabaharihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13483635788721927242noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31154295.post-1155961554266798392006-08-18T20:17:00.000-07:002006-10-06T10:16:03.120-07:00

Laila in 2004 One year old Laila, my first child in 1977Hari Raya 'Aidul Fitri is celebrated by Muslims worldwide upon completion of fasting during the month of Ramadan. It's a celebration of victory for those who had successfully completed their fast during the day in the month of Ramadan, one of the five pillars of Islam.In my

Penabaharihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13483635788721927242noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31154295.post-1155394624178883242006-08-12T07:18:00.000-07:002008-12-12T17:50:45.817-08:00

My family moved from our previous home at Batu Lintang Road to a Malay village across Sarawak river called kampung Pulo Hilir in 1962. We had to move because my mom could not stay at Batu Lintang due to illness that she had. She needed someone to look after her and that time her younger brother and sister were in the village. I had to move from my first school, SK Lumba Kuda and went to a new

Penabaharihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13483635788721927242noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31154295.post-1154221479091133892006-07-29T17:44:00.000-07:002007-05-18T18:34:10.370-07:00

Receiving award from then Federal Minister of Agriculture, Dato' Seri Anwar Ibrahim during convocation of Institute of Cooperative Auditors Photo taken during a visit to Malacca by fellow colleagues from various JPK offices throughout Malaysia. I was squatting in the middle. On my left Abang Mohammad Marzuki, now General Manager of Koppes Cooperative society Ltd.I left Education Department

Penabaharihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13483635788721927242noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31154295.post-1153580910892438502006-07-22T07:31:00.000-07:002007-05-18T18:31:34.704-07:00

Back in the early '80s, I was posted to Stampin Secondary School . Most of the staff came from Peninsular Malaysia as the school is one of the first to use Bahasa Malaysia as a medium of instruction.I made a lot of friends frm Peninsular Malaysia.One of the programmes during that time was the exchange of students from Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah to Sarawak sponsored by Sarawak Foundation.During

Penabaharihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13483635788721927242noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31154295.post-1153404353709767922006-07-20T05:46:00.000-07:002007-05-18T18:29:29.611-07:00

I served in Simunjan in the district of Lower Sadong from Mac 1973 to May 1976. Throughout my three years' stay, I visited quite a number of villages within the district. Amongst the villages thatI have visited were Kpg Sungai Putin, Kpg Sg. Apin, Kpg Rangawan Kpg Semera and others.I recalled sometimes in 1973, I was invited to attend a wedding ceremony of a Bugis couple in Kpg Sg Apin. The

Penabaharihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13483635788721927242noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31154295.post-1153234903544556712006-07-18T07:38:00.000-07:002007-05-18T18:28:07.728-07:00

My life in Simunjan, though quiet and lonely, didn't mean that I need to stay as such. I hated loneliness. So, to escape loneliness during weekend, I cycled down to the town of Simunjan from my home at Simunjan Secondary School. The school was about 3 km away from the town.In Simunjan, I would spent my nights with my friends , government servants too. Amongst them, come names like Julaihi

Penabaharihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13483635788721927242noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31154295.post-1153180522338468562006-07-17T16:39:00.000-07:002006-07-17T16:55:22.350-07:00

I completed my study at St. Thomas's School in 1971.With Senior cambridge cert. a started to hunt for job. I was offered a teaching post, temporary of course,at one of the primary schools in Kuching. That was in June 1972.In this school, I met a fellow army corporal from Education Unit of the army by the name Abdullah, I think. Abdullah came from Perak. He's a nice friend. Even though I ended my

Penabaharihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13483635788721927242noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31154295.post-1153115318071771912006-07-16T22:32:00.000-07:002006-07-20T05:45:22.770-07:00

My late father came from India in the early 30s. Life was quite difficult that time. To support two families (one in India and the other, my mother , in Sarawak) my late father had to do two jobs. During day time he's a bread seller and at night he worked as a watchman.Father wanted to see that we have proper education. One day, back from cutting grass for our cattle, father told me this."My son

Penabaharihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13483635788721927242noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31154295.post-1153025211601511142006-07-15T21:26:00.000-07:002007-05-18T18:26:20.546-07:00

In 1973 I was posted to Simunjan in the district of Lower Sadong. I served in in Simunjan until May 1976. That time, there's no proper road. The transportation service to the state capital, Kuching would be either by Express boat that ply through Sadong river, crossed South China sea and then to Sarawak river or by boat to Gedong. From Gedong we'll get a bus to Serian. From Serian to Kuching

Penabaharihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13483635788721927242noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31154295.post-1152946896584730192006-07-14T23:37:00.000-07:002009-01-03T04:55:32.088-08:00

In 1973 I was transferred to a small town in Sarawak known as Simunjan in the district of Lower Sadong. It's a peaceful yet lonely place. A lot of new things in life is known to me and for sure I made a lot of friends. One of them today is a member of State Legislative council (DUN). I feel proud to have friends fighting for the people.How was it possible , that I felt in love with 2 girls, one

Penabaharihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13483635788721927242noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31154295.post-1152945176458288432006-07-14T23:27:00.000-07:002006-07-16T22:32:08.466-07:00

During my school time, as a member of police cadet corps. The activity has given me lot of inputs in life and travelling too. With the corp , I have the chance to visit Satang Island. That's one of the sweetest time of my younger days...oohh how I love yesteryears...

Penabaharihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13483635788721927242noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31154295.post-1152944780103612762006-07-14T23:19:00.000-07:002009-10-15T02:08:27.445-07:00

Photo taken during prophet Mohamed birthday celebration in Kuching in 1970. I was in Form IV studying at St. Thomas's School. Among those that can be seen in the picture seated from left the lateHj Odita Ibrahim (2nd), Datu Hj Khalid Yusuf (sixth) and Hj Abg Sharkawi (7th).I was standing 3rd from left.

Penabaharihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13483635788721927242noreply@blogger.com4