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Borneo Post
11 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Borneo Post
Kumang Gawai: More than just about beauty
Senorita in a photo-call, taken during the interview at her residence in Kuching. FOR over half a century, the name 'Kumang Gawai' has symbolised more than just beauty – it embodies the pride, culture, and resilience of the Dayaks in Sarawak. Traditionally held during the Gawai Dayak celebration, this pageant features women adorned in their intricate traditional attire and judged not only on their appearance, but also on their cultural knowledge, poise and personality. Said to have been introduced in the 1960s, the Kumang Gawai once held a prominent role at the state level, serving as a prestigious platform to honour Dayak identity and heritage. However, in the years following the Covid-19 pandemic, the event had been scaled down to a non-competitive format. Often likened to Sabah's iconic 'Unduk Ngadau', Kumang Gawai has long been considered as the 'crown jewel' of the Gawai calendar. Throughout the recent years, however, its visibility has quietly diminished – reduced to parade-style appearances during state-level Gawai Dayak open houses and dinners. Now, amid a renewed wave of cultural pride and heritage preservation, a crucial question is being asked: Is it time to revive the state-level Kumang Gawai in all its former splendour? Rooted in myth, identity Unlike mainstream beauty contests, Kumang Gawai is deeply rooted in the legends and folklores of the Iban people. The concept draws from rich oral traditions, where beauty is not merely physical but symbolic of grace, femininity, and the ideals of womanhood. In Iban mythology, Kumang is the heavenly goddess and consort of 'Keling' – the celestial hero and archetypal prince. She is famed for her exceptional beauty and remarkable lineage, hailing from Batang Gelong, believed to be the ancestral land of the most beautiful Iban women. The ideal Iban woman, as personified by Kumang, embodies gentleness, resourcefulness, artistic talents, fidelity, and inner strength. These attributes form the spiritual and cultural foundation of the pageant – a search for the 'Festival Queen' and symbolic 'Heavenly Beauty' among the participating Dayak women. 'More than a crown' To explore the relevance of the pageant today, thesundaypost spoke to several former titleholders including Datin Senorita Linang, the first Iban to be crowned Kumang Gawai Dayak at the state level in 1966, and continued to win in 1967, and 1968. Back then, the pageant was jointly organised by Sarawak Dayak National Union (SDNU) and Sarakup Indu Dayak Sarawak (SIDS) at the Rumah Dayak, on a site along Jalan Satok just opposite the Sarawak headquarters of Bank Negara Malaysia. Photo of Senorita taken after her crowning as Kumang Gawai in 1968. A trailblazer in many respects, Senorita made history not only within Sarawak but also on the national stage. One of her highlights as a beauty queen was when she represented Sarawak at the Miss Malaysia Float Queen, held in conjunction with the 10th National Day celebration at Stadium Merdeka in Kuala Lumpur, on Aug 31, 1967. She was up against 13 other state-level queens and 22 non-governmental organisation (NGO) representatives, and emerged the second runner-up. According to Senorita, although the state-level competition has yet to be revived, Kumang Gawai pageants continue to be held at the divisional level. She noted that this year alone, competitions had taken place in Betong, Kapit, Miri, Sri Aman, Sibu and also during the 'R&R Borneo Cultural 2025' event at Penview Convention Centre (PCC) Demak in Kuching – just to name just a few. These events also welcomed participants from various Dayak communities, notably the Bidayuh with its title 'Dayung Sagon' (literally means 'beautiful woman' in the language), and the Orang Ulu with its title 'Keligit'. There were also the competitions for the men, with the 'Keling', the Bidayuh's 'Dari Pogan' (strongman), and 'Berawan' titles. Senorita (left) in a photo call with the Top 3 contestants of the Kumang Iban category of R&R Borneo Cultural 2025 event in Kuching. 'All these reflect the pageant's growing inclusivity and cultural diversity. 'We still bring divisional winners to parade at the state-level Gawai dinner every year, except during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. 'Typically, four Kumang winners and two Keling winners are invited, but the actual state-level competition hasn't resumed – there's no more excitement, no more competition,' said the former manager of Dayak Cultural Foundation (DCF) Performing Arts, when met at her residence recently. Nevertheless, Senorita – a respected cultural custodian and long-time organiser of the event – believed that the value of Kumang Gawai remained undiminished. 'We should be proud to show our culture – not only at the state level, but even at national and international levels. 'It's a celebration of who we are.' A platform for identity Angela Martin, the state-level Kumang 1995 winner, remembered the pageant as 'the highlight of Gawai festivities'. 'It brought communities together. We represented our divisions with pride. 'The pageant wasn't just about looks – we were judged on our knowledge of heritage, language, and customs,' said Angela, who later became a Guinness Stout poster model in 1996. Jennifer Jack, the titleholder in 2003, described the competition as 'a catalyst for both cultural identity and tourism'. 'We should be aiming for something like the 'Unduk Ngadau'. Our version should be no less prestigious,' she stressed. Angela posing after she was crowned the state-level Kumang Gawai in 1995, representing Sri Aman. Beyond the sparkle of traditional costume and gold bangles, former winners agreed that Kumang Gawai was never about aesthetics alone, as it served as a cultural incubator – grooming leadership, public speaking skills, and nurturing deeper understanding of Dayak heritage. Marcella Shareen Mos, a finalist and Miss Fair & Lovely Gawai Tourism Night 2004, recalled how the competition had empowered her and many other women. 'Kumang Gawai is not just a beauty pageant. You learn to carry yourself in public, speak with pride about your culture, and represent your people. 'It also acted as a bridge for cultural exchange. 'People would ask about your attire, your beads, your language – it could open conversations, and it could educate,' she said. Jennifer was crowned state-level Kumang Gawai in 2003, making her one of the last recipients of this title in the state-level competition. A forward-looking revival For many, the push for revival is not merely nostalgic – it is a vision grounded in modern possibilities. Jennifer believed that the pageant needed structural reform and digital transformation. 'We need a permanent organising body, like Sabah's Unduk Ngadau Association. 'Include past winners; tap into their experiences. 'Promote it widely on social media, get the tourism boards involved, and also add grooming workshops, public-speaking rounds, and cultural knowledge segments. Showcase not just beauty, but substance,' she suggested, to which Angela concurred. 'Use modern tools, but never compromise on tradition. 'Keep the mother tongue. Keep the 'ngepan' (Iban traditional attire) authentic. 'Don't turn it into a costume show for the camera,' she pointed out. Jennifer (left) is a regularly-invited judge at various local-level Kumang Gawai pageants. Engaging next generation There is growing optimism that a revitalised state-level Kumang Gawai could appeal to the younger generation of women, particularly the Gen Z seeking to reconnect with their cultural roots. 'With social media, you can go viral in one night, but still, we need to provide substance. 'Teach them the history of their attire. 'Let them visit the cultural sites, orphanages, and homes for the elderly. 'Make it a holistic, meaningful journey – not just a walk on stage,' said Marcella. She fondly recalled the era when the competition would span over several days, filled with rehearsals, mentorship, and community outreach programmes. 'It was tough, but it was fun. 'Joining a beauty pageant isn't just about looking your best. It challenges you to grow, to step out of your comfort zone, and to present yourself with confidence in front of others. 'Through the experience, I learned how to engage with people from different backgrounds and levels, how to speak thoughtfully, and most importantly, how to show respect for everyone around me. 'It's an opportunity that not only builds self-esteem, but one that also shapes you into someone who can connect, inspire, and represent with grace,' she added. Marcella, looking radiant after she was crowned Kumang Gawai Sadia in 2000. The road ahead The idea of reviving the full-scale state-level Kumang Gawai has already sparked conversations among the organisers and past participants. With consistent support from the State Gawai Dayak Celebration Dinner Committee, which continues to sponsor the event annually, many believe a revival is not only possible, but inevitable. As Sarawak continues to assert its cultural distinctiveness within Malaysia and on the world stage, the return of Kumang Gawai is increasingly seen not just as a nostalgic dream, but also as a timely vision – blending identity, pride, and women's empowerment, wrapped in beads, brocade, and tradition. Kumang Gawai sarawak Senorita Linang
Borneo Post
08-06-2025
- Health
- Borneo Post
‘From Sibu to Singapore'
Sarawak-born doctor proud to have become pioneer in colorectal surgery in Lion City, hails late wife as 'greatest supporter' Dr Goh regards the relocation to Singapore in 1981 as 'the defining step of his career'. THE move from Sarawak to Singapore in 1981 was indeed the defining step for Mukah-born Prof Dr Goh Hak Su. It later earned him the recognition of being one of the most respected figures in the field of colorectal surgery. 'Well, I grew up in a poor household in Mukah. 'I went to school and studied up to O-Level at Three Rivers School. 'That's the highest you could go in Mukah. Usually, after Form 5, the next step would be to go to Miri to do the A-Level,' he shared with thesundaypost during an exclusive interview recently. Dr Goh, now 77, could never forget how fortunate he was to be awarded an English scholarship after his O-Level, which enabled him to pursue A-Levels at the prestigious Sevenoaks School in the UK. He then went on to pursue two degrees – one in Biochemistry, and the other in Medicine – at the King's College London and the University of London. He then underwent training as a surgeon and obtained a Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons (FRCS) in England, before coming back to Sarawak in early 1980. 'There were very few doctors in Sarawak in those days. I thought that before coming back, I would be more useful if I were a surgeon rather than just a GP (general physician). 'As a GP, you treat general medical conditions, which is also important. 'But if someone came in bleeding or with appendicitis, I wouldn't be able to deal with it as a GP. 'So I trained as a surgeon after completing my medical degree. 'The whole point of training and going back was to serve Sarawak,' he said. 'Return to homeland' Upon his return in early 1980, Dr Goh was posted at Sarawak General Hospital (SGH) in Kuching. His wife Associate Professor Dr Cynthia Goh, also a trained doctor, had taken some time off to raise their son and daughter. Photo shows the old Lau King Howe Hospital in Sibu, where Dr Goh had served as its only surgeon from 1980 to 1981. — Photo from Dr Goh said after several months at the SGH, he was persuaded by the former deputy chief minister, the late Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr Wong Soon Kai, to relocate to Lau King Howe Hospital (LKHH) in Sibu, where there were no surgeon at the time. 'It was a request that I graciously accepted,' said Dr Goh. He said including himself, there were two surgeons in Kuching at the time. 'The other was a more senior colleague. In Sibu, however, there was no surgeon stationed there. 'Datuk Patinggi Dr Wong, a great and highly-respected surgeon, approached me and said: 'We have two surgeons here in Kuching, but none in Sibu – why not serve where you're needed most'. 'So, after four months in Kuching, I agreed to move to Sibu.' 'One surgeon, many roles' Dr Goh then served at the LKHH as the sole surgeon, providing surgical care and covering not just Sibu, but the entire division at that time. 'I enjoyed my work at the LKHH very much. People came from Kanowit, Kapit, even as far as Belaga. 'Sometimes, though, we had patients with appendicitis who had to travel for two to three days just to reach us for surgery. 'Sadly, some did not make it.' As the only general surgeon in Sibu, Dr Goh performed a wide range of operations, from on the abdomen and lungs to, at times, heart and kidneys. 'I didn't do eye surgeries, because there was an eye surgeon; and there's one for O&G (obstetrics and gynaecology). 'The rest, I had to do myself. Obviously, it was very challenging. 'Given the limitations at the time, my team and I had to make do with what was available. 'It was a demanding environment, but it's also one that gave us invaluable experience and taught us to adapt effectively.' 'Decision shaped by circumstances' However, nearing the end of 1981 after having served in Sarawak for 18 months, Dr Goh left Sibu for Singapore. It was not a decision that he made lightly. 'It was driven by necessity,' he said, pointing out that the circumstances surrounding foreign spouses at the time made it almost impossible for his family to settle in Sarawak. In explaining this, he said Dr Cynthia was born in Hong Kong, but after having studied in the UK for so long, she was granted British citizenship. 'My wife, having studied in the UK for years, and my children, who were born in England, all held British passports. 'At that time, the situation was very different – they couldn't become Sarawak residents. 'My wife had to renew her permit every three months, and although she was a trained doctor, she wasn't allowed to work in Sarawak. 'It was very difficult,' he shared. 'A new chapter' After his family left Sarawak, Dr Goh joined the Department of Surgery at the National University of Singapore (NUS). It was in his first eight years with the university that he developed a special interest in colorectal surgery. 'Even at that time, we already knew that colorectal cancer was going to be a very important focus, because from the cancer registry, we could see that the numbers and the incidence were increasing very dramatically compared with the other types of cancers.' In 1989, Dr Goh was asked by Singapore's Ministry of Health to establish the Department of Colorectal Surgery at Singapore General Hospital. 'That's where it began. I started the first colorectal surgery programme in Singapore, as well as in Southeast Asia. In 1989, I established the Department of Colorectal Surgery at Singapore General Hospital, marking the beginning of the specialty in the region.' The department trained most colorectal surgeons in Singapore and provided fellowships and training to surgeons from across Southeast Asia, China, India, Bangladesh, and even as far as Australia and UK. In 2021, Singapore Health Services (SingHealth) and Duke-NUS Medical School established the Goh Hak Su Professorship in Colorectal Surgery, with a perpetual endowment, in honouring Dr Goh for pioneering the surgical specialty in Singapore, and also in Southeast Asia. A view of the wall showing the awards and recognitions conferred on Dr Goh, at a corner of the Goh Hak-Su Colon and Rectal Centre in Singapore. — Photo from However, it was only one part of the Goh's legacy. Dr Cynthia also left an equally profound impact in the field of palliative care. 'A wife's grace, a nation's care' Born on Nov 21, 1949, in Hong Kong into a family of doctors, Dr Cynthia pursued medicine in the UK. There, she met her future husband at St Bartholomew's Hospital in 1969, and married him in 1974. To Dr Goh, Dr Cynthia was 'simply remarkable – a woman of brilliance, with sheer drive and deep compassion'. 'She trained to become a physician, and completed a PhD in molecular biology, all while raising a family. 'She could do it all – housewife, doctor, scientist. 'She was a brilliant person,' he said. Dr Cynthia took a holistic approach to medicine, added Dr Goh. 'She believed that a person was never just a diagnosis. She treated people, not just illnesses.' That belief, said Dr Goh, shaped her life's work in palliative care, which was a nascent field in Asia back then. Archive photo shows Dr Cynthia (left) attending to a patient at St Joseph's Home during her earlier years in the field of palliative care. — Photo from Dr Cynthia began volunteering at St Joseph's Home and Hospice, Singapore in 1986, and went on to establish palliative care services at Singapore General Hospital and the National Cancer Centre Singapore (NCCS) in 1999. She also co-founded HCA Hospice Care in 1991, and served as its first president. 'Hospice Care Association (HCA) was a voluntary organisation. 'Doctors and nurses visited people in their homes so they didn't have to die in hospital,' said Dr Goh. Dr Goh says in recognition of her contributions, Dr Cynthia was hailed as the 'Mother of Palliative Care in Singapore'. Dr Cynthia's contributions helped bring palliative care into mainstream healthcare, and in 2008, she was appointed co-chair of the Worldwide Hospice Palliative Care Alliance (WHPCA). Even after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2020, Dr Cynthia remained focused on strengthening the field. She envisioned a lasting platform to support palliative care across Asia, and had laid the groundwork for what would become the Cynthia Goh Palliative Care Institute (CGPCI). 'Upon knowing that she was dying, she wanted the work to continue and grow. 'That's the legacy that she left behind,' said Dr Goh. Dr Cynthia passed away in February 2022, at the age of 72. In her honour, the CGPCI was launched on July 1, 2023, during the Eighth Singapore Palliative Care Conference, housed within the NCCS under Duke-NUS Medical School, where she had long championed the cause. Photo shows the Duke-NUS Medical School in Singapore, where together with SingHealth had established the Goh Hak Su Professorship in Colorectal Surgery in 2021, in honouring Dr Goh for pioneering the surgical specialty in Singapore, and also in Southeast Asia. — Photo from Funded initially by S$6 million (then, one Singapore dollar = RM3.19) in donations from family and friends, the institute's key objectives are to build regional palliative care capacity, train future leaders through the Cynthia Goh Fellowship, and serve as the permanent home of the Asia Pacific Hospice Palliative Care Network (APHN). In recognition of her contributions, Dr Cynthia was hailed as the 'Mother of Palliative Care in Singapore'. 'Measure success by purpose, not wealth' When asked what would be his advice for those from the younger generation aspiring to succeed, Dr Goh emphasised the importance of placing values above material gain. 'Never put money at the forefront of what you are doing. 'When we plan our life, we should not plan with the idea of wanting to be rich first. 'When you have money in front of you, and that's your goal, then to me, life would not be so fulfilling.' He added that one must always strive to do their best, making the most of whatever opportunities being given to them. He said: 'I was very lucky. I wanted to become a doctor, and I was given the opportunity to become one. 'So, I always wanted to be as good as I could, and that has enriched my life tremendously.' Dr Goh also expressed his gratitude for the unwavering support from Dr Cynthia, who shared his values and stood by him throughout their time together. 'I was trained in England and had no obligation to return to Sarawak – I wasn't bonded. 'But I wanted to come back to serve. 'Most people, at that time, had wondered why we chose to move to a place like Sibu, as it's not a big city. 'But Cynthia supported me fully. She believed that it was important for me. 'It was unfortunate that we could not stay longer in Sarawak, but we were given great opportunities in Singapore to develop, and that's where we went.'
Borneo Post
08-06-2025
- Health
- Borneo Post
‘Unsung hero of rural Sarawak'
This is the first article of a three-part series about the 'ulu' dressers, beginning with one who had his start in Julau Lim, now in his early 80s, seen during a recent trip to Kapit. THE term 'dresser' harks back to the colonial days in Sarawak, referring to the profession of those assisting the physicians at a clinic or a hospital, often providing basic care and performing routine tasks. The position's name originated from their main task of helping the doctors 'dress up' surgical wounds on patients. Today, they are known as medical assistants (MAs). Back in the old days, when accessibility to health and medical care was severely restricted due the remoteness of the majority of villages and longhouses, the dressers were regarded as almost having the same status as doctors. Lim looking smart in his hospital assistant's uniform in this photo, taken in 1978. 'My colleagues and I were called 'jungle tycoons', simply because we distributed the government-supplied medicines,' said former dresser Thomas Lim Eng Guan, now in his early 80s. 'Still, we're proud of our profession as we, over the past 50 years, have helped improve healthcare and enhance harmony in Sarawak's rural heartland. 'Acknowledged or not, it's our contributions,' he told thesundaypost when met during a recent tour involving several senior citizens to the Rajang Valley, where he acted as our tour guide. Sarawak's turbulent times Lim was very familiar with Julau, Song and Pakan as he had served as an 'ulu' (rural) dresser during Sarawak's turbulent times in the 1970s, which he termed as the 'communist period'. 'I remember many communists were rewarded for giving up their struggles in the jungles. I regard my work as a dresser back then helping to keep the peace and maintain the good health of the rural population. 'Still, back in those days, we earned very, very small salaries despite the challenges that we faced. 'In the larger towns, we could see the politicians being taken here and there in big cars and staying in grand hotels, while the regular civil servants just walked – sometimes barefooted!' Many residents of Julau still use longboats, where they can seek treatments at Sarikei and Sibu hospitals easily. However, this has made the river-based mobile clinic operation to no longer become available. When he brought us to see Pakan town and the bazaar in Julau, where he worked half a century ago, we could see his eyes getting all misty. 'These places remind me of the patients those long years ago.' Humble beginning Born in Rantau Diling, Rajang Valley in 1941, Lim is of Chinese-Iban heritage. His great-grandfather migrated from Fujian, China and married an Iban woman from Bawang Assan. They had five children, and one of their daughters was Lim's grandmother. He grew up in poverty during and after the Japanese Occupation. The family's farmhouse was a three-hour longboat journey from Kanowit, making it very difficult for Lim to attend the Primary 1 class every day. 'I did attend Primary 1 in 1950, but the following year, I had to quit school,' he recalled. However, fate took a turn as Lim's father managed to enrol him in a mission school in Kanowit in 1952, where he stayed on and passed his Primary 6 class. 'By then, I was already 17 years old – too old for secondary education according to the rules and regulations of the colonial government. I felt dejected; I felt that I would never, ever land any good job,' he said. Photo shows the narrow Julau River, where the 'ulu' dressers used to operate the mobile clinic. Again, fate intervened when a kind government health officer, Simon Chen, gave Lim a job as a clinic assistant in Julau on Jan 1, 1960. At age 19, Lim began his healthcare career scrubbing the latrines and cleaning the premises, earning RM90 a month. From that humble start, he eventually gained the trust from his supervisors, who later engaged him in mobile clinic operation, which had a team travelling via longboats along rivers that led them into the remote pockets, and delivering healthcare services to the rural longhouse communities. A post with many roles Lim's fluency in Iban, Malay, English, as well as the Chinese dialects of Hokkien and Foochow, made him 'a bridge connecting diverse cultures'. He showed great dedication during the 1964 cholera outbreak in the Rajang Valley, which earned him the trust from the local communities and superiors alike. 'But, I must say, it was the hardest time of my life. I escorted patients to the Lau King Howe Hospital in Sibu, many of whom died during the journey.' In the 1960s, Sibu was only reachable from Julau via motor launches and longboats. 'Even travelling using a motor launch back then took eight hours. Sometimes, the patients and medical personnel walked between Julau and the surrounding villages, taking half a day. 'Today, it takes only minutes on board a good four-wheel drive vehicle,' said Lim. Julau town today is very different from the old bazaar in the 1960s, says Lim. After a while in Julau, he was asked to man the Kanowit Clinic, where he gained more experience in operating a mobile clinic. He had a boat driver, who operated a 72-foot long roofed vessel. 'It became our second home, as we sometimes slept in the boat during operations. We travelled up and down the rivers across Julau and Kanowit, getting to know all the longhouse folks there.' In 1970, Lim was assigned by Dr John Whitlam, Sibu Division's then-medical officer, to reopen Pakan Clinic. Lim succeeded, and was officially promoted to a 'Rural Health Dresser'. 'It's quite rare for someone with only a Primary 6 education,' he smiled. The Pakan Clinic then was a wooden block, with concrete flooring. Lim was told that the clinic was built by the villagers through 'gotong-royong' (work party). 'Half of the clinic housed the 'Mother and Child Clinic', under the charge of an Iban midwife. She was tasked with going to the longhouses to deliver babies, and looking after the mothers and the babies when they called on the clinic.' In Pakan and other 'ulu' areas, Lim worked alone. Many patients walked for hours just to seek treatment and sometimes, they would set up camps nearby. 'TB (tuberculosis) was rampant back then, and I spent considerable time educating the patients on the importance of completing their medication. 'TB's curable and no one should die from it, but sadly, some did as many chose traditional healers' methods over modern medicine. I carry these losses personally.' Not all was bad for Lim during his service. 'In Pakan and Song, I met two very great medical men: Dr P Doraisingam and Prof Dato Dr Chong Chung Hian, who inspired me to work harder as an 'ulu' dresser. 'They wrote great letters of commendations that had helped me get promotions. I would never forget the kindness of these two gentlemen.' Photo shows the archway, welcoming visitors to Pakan. 'Defender of peace' Lim was more than just a rural dresser during his years in that position. One night in 1970, when his medical team was in Song, an Iban man was killed by individuals suspected to be communist sympathisers. 'A mob threatened retribution, and a local Chinese community leader came to me for help. Sensing imminent violence, I stayed overnight with a Chinese family to defuse tension. 'When the armed mob arrived, I stepped forward and pleaded for calm – preventing bloodshed.' Lim said the same thing had occurred several times in Pakan, where he acted as the mediator between opposing quarters. 'My intention was solely to prevent conflicts, but it turned out that my efforts had helped secure grassroots peace.' Still, it was a relief for Lim that his 'ulu' stint in Pakan ended in 1976. Rural-urban transition In 1976, Lim was selected for a 30-month course in Miri, to qualify for the 'Junior Hospital Assistant' post. Upon completion of the course in 1978, he was posted to several rural clinics in Sibu but eventually, he got assigned to Merbau Polyclinic in Miri – his first post in a city. There, he took charge of the leprosy programme, using his diagnostic acumen to detect early symptoms and support the patients despite the social stigma. 'The stigma was hard to eradicate,' said Lim. 'I followed up with the patients up to the Brooke Memorial Hospital in Kuching. I was never afraid to care for them.' The leprosy patients kept in contact with Lim over the years – even invited him to their children's weddings. After his retirement in 1995, Lim managed a clinic at an oil palm plantation located between Miri and Bintulu, continuing his service to estate workers. Again, his multilingual skills and deep compassion made him a trusted figure. He also discovered a passion for carpentry and sculpturing. 'Since then, I have been giving away furniture pieces and wooden arts as gifts to friends and faith groups. I have also sold some pieces, but I'm happily keeping some for my son and grandchildren. 'I do want to leave something behind for my family.' 'A legacy forgotten' Everyone in our tour group could see that Lim was a jovial man and during our interview, I could sense his pride in having lived a life of selfless service. However, I could also feel his sadness that the contributions and sacrifices rendered by him and other rural health workers during the 'Insurgency Period' had gone unrecognised. 'We saved lives, not only medically, but by keeping peace between communities. Still, no one remembers us,' he said, with a quiet dignity. Lim believed that acknowledging the contributions of the 'ulu' civil servants, it would inspire future generations to truly serve their communities with dedication and compassion. 'My story affirms that even without titles or degrees, you can make a difference. You can bring peace.' In typing the end-part of this article, I must say that Lim's story reminds us that history is not shaped only by leaders and politicians with their grandiose plans, but also by humble men who carry medicines via boats to be distributed to the rural folks, can speak multiple languages, stand up bravely against furious mobs to uphold peace, and always care for patients no matter what their conditions are. The second part of this series will be out next Sunday, recounting a former dresser's experience in Rajang Security Command Area and Flying Doctor Service. dresser Thomas Lim Eng Guan
Borneo Post
17-05-2025
- General
- Borneo Post
The boy who taught himself to read
Fardi looking all smart in his graduation gown in this photo, taken after a graduation ceremony for Form 5 students of SMK Long Bedian last year. WHEN Fardi Daud received his Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination result's slip on April 24 this year, he did not cry, but behind his quiet smile, there was a story only a few could imagine. Until barely a year ago, the Penan boy had not set foot in a classroom for nearly nine years. He had only completed Primary 1 and a part of Primary 2 at SK Long Bedian in Baram, before he stopped attending school altogether. 'I didn't want to go to school. 'I was very young, naive, and naughty at the time, and I couldn't stay apart from my family for too long. 'The homesickness was unbearable, especially when you're so young,' he told thesundaypost in an interview in Miri recently. Fardi was born and raised in Long Sayan, a remote Penan village about a six-hour drive from Miri. His mother passed away when he was very young, before he even started school. His father took over the role of both caregiver and breadwinner. Fardi said his father, who never attended school, was a farmer. 'Occasionally, he would take on odd jobs to put food on the table.' Long Sayan is one of many Penan villages and settlements under the Telang Usan state constituency, where the present assemblyman is Dato Dennis Ngau. In many of these Penan settlements, there are no primary and secondary schools; hence, the Penan children must leave their families behind to attend boarding schools in other villages. In Fardi's case, this meant going to SK Long Bedian, the school nearest to his village – about an-hour-and-half journey on board a four-wheel-drive vehicle (4WD), barring unforeseen circumstances on the road. 'As the school is located quite far from our village, and because we had to stay in the hostel, it was unbearable, especially for many young Penan children like me. 'My first year in Primary 1 felt like it lasted forever. I still remember countless nights of crying myself to sleep because I missed home so much. 'I even thought of running away at night when everyone was asleep. 'When I got to Primary 2, the homesickness became too much for me to bear. 'So, I decided to stop attending school, which was why I never completed Primary 2 at SK Long Bedian.' Dennis and Fardi seen during a recent meet-up to talk about the Penan youth's future plans. While his peers moved up the education ladder, Fardi spent his days roaming the village, playing with other children, some who were much older than him who also did not attend school. Later, he began helping his uncle and aunt at the farm, while his father left the village to look for better opportunities in town. 'I was basically trying to do whatever jobs that I could find in the village. 'This way, I could contribute to putting food on the table – I have a younger sister who also did not attend school,' he said. Then, at age 16, everything changed. Fardi's father gifted him a mobile phone – a modest, second-hand device with limited data. To the boy, though, it was enough. 'That's how I found YouTube,' he smiled. 'I started watching many videos and documentaries on YouTube, from children's songs to Malay dramas and movies. 'I also watched online classes on how to read and write. 'From there, I taught myself to read, bit by bit,' he said. It was through a glowing screen, not a blackboard or whiteboard, that Fardi first recognised letters and numbers. At the time, he said learning Bahasa Melayu (BM) was still a challenge, but he persevered. English was even harder, but he pushed it through. For the first time, he understood what it meant to learn, and he wanted more. Encouraged by his older brother, now studying to become a teacher at Teachers Education Institute (IPG) Batu Lintang Campus in Kuching, and also by his aunt, Fardi decided to go back to school. 'I couldn't believe it myself when I decided to go back, after missing four years of primary school and never having stepped into secondary school. 'Some called me crazy, since the last time I was in school, I was in the middle of Primary 2, and I still hadn't mastered reading and numbers.' Behind his smile, Fardi has a story that only a few can ever imagine. Fardi said he was excited to return, but was also nervous and shy about what his classmates and teachers might think. 'Despite those thoughts, I went to SMK Long Bedian in May last year to register. 'I didn't know how it worked, but thankfully, the school accepted my application,' he said. When he showed up to register for Form 5, some teachers hesitated. 'I understood their doubts, but I was determined to give it a go,' he said, adding that the school ran extra classes for Form 5 students. He said sometimes he would oversleep in the afternoon and miss the extra lessons, but he tried to make up for them as much and as often as he could. And one day, a teacher said something that stuck with him since. 'She said: 'You must do your best, even if you feel like you're far behind. 'There are others like you who have made it'. 'That gave me the strength to keep going.' Last December, Fardi, along with 42 other students of SMK Long Bedian, sat for the SPM examinations. 'From illiteracy, to getting SPM cert' When the SPM results were released on April 24 this year, Fardi did not score any A in the eight subjects that he had taken. Still, not getting the A grading did not diminish the significance of the moment. For the Penan youth, what mattered most was that he had met the requirements to receive his SPM certificate. To be eligible for this general school education certificate, a student must pass at least one of the core subjects, either BM or History, and Fardi had done just that. 'I was just so grateful,' he said, visibly emotional. 'To think that a year ago, I couldn't even read properly, and now I've passed a core subject and qualified for the certificate. That alone felt like a huge achievement.' Minister for Education, Innovation and Talent Development Sarawak Dato Sri Roland Sagah Wee Inn, in announcing the SPM 2024 results last month in Kuching, revealed that SMK Long Bedian was among 28 schools that achieved a 100 percent eligibility rate for the SPM certificate. This marked a notable improvement from the 19 schools that achieved the same in 2023. Making it even more meaningful for SMK Long Bedian was Year 2024 marked the rural secondary school's first batch of Form 5 students sitting for the SPM examinations. Fardi (second right) with his schoolmates in this photo, taken during the SPM examinations last year. In his remarks, Dennis attributed this success partly to financial support from the Sarawak government. According to him, Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg had approved an allocation of RM100,000 specifically for SMK Long Bedian's SPM candidates. 'The funds were channelled to the school, enabling teachers to conduct various programmes, including intensive extra classes, to help students prepare for the exams,' said the assemblyman, adding that the principal had told him that the funds were utilised for meaningful activities, including motivational talks for the students. Dennis said that the allocation signified the Sarawak government's commitment to ensuring equal access to education, particularly for the children living across the state's rural and remote areas. According to him, Premier Abang Johari is affectionately known as 'Menteri Penan' (Minister for the Penans) among the community in Baram, in recognition for his long-standing efforts in supporting their development, especially those related to education. 'The Premier travelled to Long Jekitan in Ulu Baram about 35 years ago and opened a school for the Penan children there. 'That alone shows how much he truly cares about the education and future of the Penan community,' said Dennis, adding that today, there are more than 230 Penan graduates working in both the government and private sectors. He said that even though some might think this number was relatively small compared to those of other communities, for him and the Penan community, this signified an excellent achievement. 'The state government continues to show its support for the Penan community by partnering with Petronas in setting up kindergartens in five Penan settlements in the Telang Usan constituency. 'The kindergartens in Long Leng, Long Kerangan, Ba Selulong, Long Jenalong, and Long Kawa began construction in 2016, and the works reached completion in 2020, involving a total cost of RM2.75 million.' Abang Johari (fourth left) performing the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the opening of the first kindergarten at Long Leng in Baram, in this photo taken in 2023. Still, Dennis acknowledged that despite all these efforts, not all Penan children managed to stay in school. The dropout rates, especially in his constituency, remained a grave concern. 'This is shaped by complex cultural and logistical factors. 'One of the main reasons Penan children are reluctant to attend school is rooted in their culture and way of life. 'Many Penan families are hesitant to send their children to boarding schools, which are often the only option when the schools are really far from their villages. 'The emotional toll of separation is particularly high among the younger children. 'Fardi himself had to leave his family when he was just seven years old to go to school,' Dennis pointed out, also stressing that for the Penans, sending a child away for schooling was never a simple decision. Addressing this challenge, he argued, would require more than just policy solutions. 'It requires empathy and a real understanding of the Penan way of life. We need to raise awareness and nurture a culture of education within their settlements.' One of the more practical solutions, suggested the assemblyman, would be to build more primary schools within these Penan villages. 'If the schools were nearby, I believe that more parents would be encouraged to send their children there.' It is stated that at present, there are only three primary schools in the Telang Usan constituency with almost full Penan enrolment: SK Long Kevok, SK Pelutan, and SK Long Luteng. Meanwhile, the three secondary schools serving the wider area are SMK Long Lama, SMK Long San, and SMK Long Bedian. Dennis also proposed that boarding schools with Penan students, particularly those in the early primary levels, would allow the parents to stay with their children once every fortnight. 'This will help the younger children, especially those in Primary 1 and 2, to better adapt to the transition. It's a small gesture that could make a big difference in helping the children remain in school.' Photo shows a younger Fardi, back when he stopped attending primary school. On Fardi's SPM achievement, Dennis described him as 'a remarkable young man'. 'Although he didn't obtain any As, passing several subjects, especially one of the core papers, is mind-blowing. 'Getting to know his story where any formal schooling that he received (before Form 5) was in Primary 1 and part of Primary 2, and the fact that no one taught him how to read or do Mathematics, and yet, he sat for the SPM exams – that in itself is a great achievement.' Dennis encouraged Fardi to pursue further education in any area that caught his interest. 'There are many fields you can explore. 'If you're not keen on university, you can take up technical training. With the right skills, you can earn a good living,' advised the assemblyman. Dennis also expressed hope that more funds would be allocated to help the rural schools, which often faced limitations in providing educational programmes to the children. 'After news spread about the Premier's grant to SMK Long Bedian, other schools had reached out to ask whether they, too, could apply for similar support, especially for students preparing for SPM this year,' he said, also expressing hope that the state government would respond positively to this. He said this would ensure that all students, especially those from underprivileged families, could have equal opportunities to succeed in education. 'If they succeed one day, they will undoubtedly give back to the development of this state and nation,' said the assemblyman. Fardi Daud Penan boy sarawak SPM
Borneo Post
10-05-2025
- Politics
- Borneo Post
Urgent need for out-of-box solutions
Photo taken late last year shows Dennis (right) and political secretary to the Premier Dominic Ajang at the site of a collapsed logging bridge in Telang Usan. THE Sarawak government and National Security Council (MKN) need to undertake a radical, out-of-the-box approach in tackling the issues of broken bridges and damaged roads left behind by logging companies in the interiors of Baram and Kapit. In this regard, Telang Usan assemblyman Dato Dennis Ngau says urgent action is necessary due to rapidly deteriorating condition of the hundreds of timber bridges and nearly 1,000km stretches of earth roads in his rural constituency. 'I hope they would meet soon and get things moving by June with the approved funds and plans to tackle this urgent matter in the interiors of Baram and Kapit, following withdrawal of logging operations by companies from their concession areas. 'Our local people are forced to go into the jungle, fetch timber materials to repair the broken bridges. 'As their 'wakil rakyat' (elected representative), I really feel helpless in this kind of situation as I really want to help,' Dennis tells thesundaypost in Miri. One of the damaged sections of the road leading to the Kelabit settlement in Long Lellang. 'Infrastructures falling apart' A fellow Orang Ulu, Gilbert Magok George, who hails from Tinjar, supports this call on the government to expedite repair works on culverts and roads in the remote pockets. His transporter friends have said that the rundown timber bridges are falling apart in the interior areas, and this poses a safety hazard to travellers and the local communities. A student and a supervisor at SK Long Jekitan in Baram were drowned after being swept away by raging currents while returning to the school last month. Their four-wheel drive vehicle (4WD)'s engine stalled while crossing Sungai Sengayan. The destroyed timber bridge had yet to be replaced. Photo shows the damaged bridge over Sungai Benuang in Ulu Baram. Requiring a different approach Dennis has also called upon the Sarawak government to look beyond the Sarawak-Sabah Link Road development, and focus on repairing the deteriorating roads in Baram. 'Since logging activities ended three years ago, the condition of these roads have become terrible,' says the assemblyman, adding that his constituency alone has around 1,000km of unpaved roads, with only 160km having been improved under the Highland Development Agency (HDA) over the past five years. Dennis opines that the problems in Baram and Kapit require a different approach by the authorities, and all red tapes should be avoided. 'My dream is for a Cabinet meeting to be held in Long Bedian or Long San, and MKN members to go there by land to experience 'how good' these former logging roads are. 'This will give the real picture. 'We don't really need tar-sealed R3-standard roads, as our top priority are the culverts and the bridges, which are urgently needed now. 'We need them (relevant authorities) to think out of the box as our problems are unique and, with JKR (Public Works Department) procedures, it could take months or even up to a year for a bridge project (to come through), and we have hundreds of bridges up there in the 'ulu' (upriver areas). 'When is this going to be done? 'The best is for the top leaders to travel there (the remote pockets) by road for the first-hand experience to understand the crux of the problem, and decide on the practical solutions; instead of relying on JKR procedures, which is the problem now,' stresses Dennis. The collapsed section of the bridge leading to Kampung Long Aton. High costs, among other problems For many decades, poor roads and broken-down infrastructures had not been an issue in Baram due to the logging operators continuing to pump in money for maintenance and enhanced connectivity. However, these companies have long pulled the plug and halted operations due to unsustainable high costs following the enforcement of the Forest Management Unit (FMU) compliance requirements by the Sarawak government. Corporate social responsibility (CSR) obligations in building access and maintaining roads to villages, linking them to its operation road; contributions to major celebrations such as Christmas; and other costs beyond its operations; had resulted in the withdrawal from FMU operations, with timber activities now being restricted mostly to forest plantations instead. The Sarawak government cannot undertake the repair works on the roads in timber-licensed areas to fill the void left behind with the retreat of logging companies due high cost of road maintenance. 'This was when the problem of bad roads and broken bridges started surfacing all over Telang Usan and Mulu areas,' says Dennis. Marris records Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas is now pushing for the government to take over the state roads as there is higher maintenance funding under the Malaysian Road Records Information System (Marris). This system records road data throughout the states, including state roads, municipal roads, the streets in low-cost housing areas, back alleys, one-way streets in tourism islands, village streets, and agriculture roads. All registered new road categories must have the following information: road name, its length and width, GPS coordinates, width of road and road shoulder, measurements, as well as road-surface type. Marris was developed based on the Guidelines and Procedures for the Management of Road Maintenance. It has been in use since 2000, having undergone several stages of improvement until the development of Marris Online in 2008, which better facilitates the agencies to input and update data on roads through an online system. The implementing agencies for this system are as follows: the district JKRs, city councils, municipal councils, district councils, district and land offices, as well as the Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID). Uggah, also Minister for Infrastructure and Port Development, has said that the current Marris allocation for village roads is only RM1,000 per kilometre, versus RM3,000 per kilometre for state roads. Under his proposal, logging companies using such roads would have pay for the usage, reversing the previous practice of logging companies collecting toll from the users – from Baram to Lapok to the 'ulu' areas, up to Apoh. A call has been made to the government to take over the state roads as there is higher maintenance funding under Marris. — Bernama photo 'I fully agree with this proposal, which is the right step forward,' says Dennis. 'Several meetings have been held, and I hope there would be immediate outcome in the next meeting. 'We cannot afford to delay the approval, and MKN and the state government should get it done on the proposed date, June, so that we can start moving in.' On short term plan, Dennis says a stakeholders' lab was held in Miri on April 25, calling for urgent action to be taken on critical repair works on the roads and bridges in Baram. A pilot project involving three appointed contractors, each granted only RM5 million annually, proves that such an amount is inadequate to meet the needs. 'We are asking RM20 million per year per company to undertake more tasks, employ more workers, and add more machinery. 'Presently, the appointed companies have only one to two teams at their disposal; they just cannot cope with the various problems all over the place.' A 4WD stuck in the mud along the Ulu Baram Road, in this photo taken earlier this year. John Terawe, a former Kelabit councillor from Bario, says the authority should just move ahead and start all the repairs without delays. 'It can begin with the collection of all the data on the roads and bridges from Samling, Shin Yang or former logging companies, regarding the number of culverts and bridges in their former areas of operations. 'The authorities need to really work out on a solution to build the roads fast,' he points out. Baram bridge Dennis Ngau road rural
