Sarawak River Tourism Treasure Hunt 2012 on Oct 28

The view of the pebble river bed where a stage will be constructed for
the live band performance and the other side events.

THE Sarawak River Tourism Treasure Hunt 2012, to be held for the first time this year on October 28 along the Sungai Sarawak Kiri
(locally known as Sungai Semadang) in Padawan, promissed a funfil event.
Organised by Ma’asa Event Management in collaboration with the Kampung Danu Development and Security Committee, the event would
require participants to look for clues and answers while on a river.
Ma’asa Event Management general manager Ceasser Robert said the event is open to local and foreign participations.
He said each team will comprise of two persons and the participating teams can choose to use either a kayak, boat or raft in the competition.
"The participants are required to answers questions prepared by the organisers and to look for the hidden treasures along the way,” said Ceasser.
He said the participants would be flagged off at Kampung Bengoh, Padawan and the finishing point would be the river bank at Kampung Danu.
On the prizes, he said the champion team will receive RM1,000 cash and a trophy while the first runner up will pocket RM500 plus a trophy and
the third winner to receive RM300 plus a trophy.
‘There will be three consolation prizes of RM100 and a trophy each,” he said.

The Sungai Sarawak Kiri where the treasure hunt event will be held.

The registration fee is RM50.
Those interested to participate in the event are required to bring along their own kayak, boat or raft.
Ceasser said the organisers can assist participants to source for the kayaks and boats but they must place their booking at least two weeks before the event.
“For those wanting to use rafts in the competition, they can make arrangement with the organisers or the local people near the event venue, to book their raft,” said Ceasser.
On a related matter, he said there will be a live band entertainment and poco-poco dance as side events at the pebble river bed in Kampung Danu during the event.
There will also be a boat race which is limited to 10 small boats with two paddlers for each boat, diving and swimming competition, river cleanliness awareness campaign, health screening, sale of food and beverages and sale of products made by the local farmers.
Those interested to participate in the event can contact Ceasser at 016-5765174 or Robert Kenneth at 013-2036553 for further details.
Registration forms can also be collected at the Mambong Parliamentary Service Centre Office at Kota Padawan and JFAM Logistics Sdn Bhd office at Batu Kawah New Township from Sept 10.

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Another RM59,000 cash and a scooter for Pandelela

BAU: National diving darling Pandelela Rinong Pamg received cash incentives of RM59,000 and a scooter during a dinner organised by the Bung Bratak Heritage Association (BBHA) at the Dewan Suarah Bau here on Saturday night.
Of the total amount, the Bung Bratak Heritage Association contributed RM25,000, Musyati Sdn Sdn gave RM20,000, former Tasik Biru State Assemblyman Lee Nyan Choi gave RM5,000 and RM9,000 were contributions from guests attending the dinner.
The amount also includes contribution of two million rupiah from a group of 20 Jagoi Babang clan led by the Kepala Desa (ketua kampung) Bapak Kasianus Anyiu who came all the way from West Kalimantan, Indonesia to attend the dinner to celebrate Pandelela’s achievement who won the bronze medal at the London Olympic Games recently.
The scooter worth more than RM6,000 was the present from Demak Marketing Sdn Bhd.
At the function Pandelela was also awarded the “Wirawati Bung Bratak” title from the Bung Bratak Heritage Asssociation.
Earlier on arrival at the Dewan Suarah Bau, Pandelela was given the Bidayuh traditional welcoming ceremony.
At the dinner Pandelela and the rest of the guests were entertained by four Bidayuh popular singers, AF7 finalist Claudia Geres, Bintang RTM runner-up Emil  Hamlyn, LG Star finalist Fiona John and Liza Chong.
The guests were also entertained by special appearance of seven former Kumang Gawai pageants and cultural dances performance by three cultural troupes from Bau and Serian.
The golden voices of Pendelela’s father, Pamg @ Paeng Joheng and Bung Bratak Heritage Association Datuk Peter Minos successfully raised RM9,000 from among the guests attending the dinner.
Pandelela who spoke at the function thanked all Malaysians who have given her the morale and financial support.
She said their support will further inspire her to perform better in upcoming tournaments including the 2014 Commonwealth Games and the 2016 Olympic Games.
She attributed her success at the London 2012 Olympics to the fighting spirit of Bidayuh warriors Panglima Kulow and Panglima Mayo.
The bronze medalist from Kampung Jugan said: the fighting spirit of Bung Bratak warriors like Panglima Kulow and Panglima Mayo inspired her to give her best.
“I will always remember it, and I will work hard to do my best for the country, our state, and especially the Bidayuh community,” she added.
President of the Bung Bratak Heritage Assiociation Datuk Peter Minos said Pandelela is a great inspiration to the Bidayuhs and Malaysians.
“The happiness you gave us is indescribable and wish you will go and get the gold medal in the future,” said Minos.
Bapak Kasianus Anyiu said the Jagoi Babang in Kalimantan Barat also shared the joy and are proud of Pandelela’s achievement at the Olympic Games.
"We are proud of her because she is from the Jagoi community and the first Bidayuh to win medal at the Olympics,” he added.


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Pandelela bestowed State prestigious award

Malaysian diving queen Pandelela Rinong Pamg was bestowed Sarawak state prestigious award of Johan Bintang Sarawak (JBS) by head of the state Tun Abang Muhammad Salahuddin Abang Barieng at a special ceremony held at the Astana in Kuching yesterday.

Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Alfred Jabu Numpang later announced the state government incentive of RM60,000 and full scholarship to Pandelela to study in Australia, while RM15,000 each to two other Sarawak Olympians Traisy Vivian Tukiet and Bryan Nickson Lomas.

The Dayak Cultural Foundation (DCF) also gave RM30,000 to Pandelela and RM10,000 each to Bryan and Traisy.  

Pandelela, a Bidayuh lass from Kampung Jugan, Bau won a bronze medal in the 10m platform diving event at the London Olympic Games.

She is the first Malaysian woman to have won the medal in the Olympic Games and also the first in the diving event.

Traisy is also a Bidayuh from kampung Serumah, Bau and bryan is a Iban.

Pandelela, Traisy and Bryan arrival at the Kuching International Airport at 11.50 am yesterday was greeted by about 2,000 fans. They were later paraded around the Kuching city before proceeding to the Astana to receive her award.

Dayak Bidayuh National Association (DBNA) president Datuk Ik Pahon Joyik said it was a very special occasion for the community.

He said the state award and the incentives fitted her sacrifice and achievement and believed that more incentives would be given to her by the state and federal government if she continues to perform in the next Olympic Games.  

“All of us should be proud of her achievement because she has brought pride not only to the nation but also to the state and more important to the Bidayuh community,” said Pahon.
“For the Bidayuh community, we are very proud of her success because it happened that a  Bidayuh woman has became the first Malaysian woman to have ever won medal at the Olympic Games,” added Pahon.

Pahon described Pandelela a role for the youths, adding that her sacrifice and hard work should be emulated.

“She is a role model for our youths because she possesses high spirit and discipline. There is no short cut to success and she have struggled and sacrificed for ten years to achieve her goal,” said Pahon.

Meanwhile chairman of Bung Bratak Heritage Association (BBHA) Datuk Peter Minos who is Pandelela’s staunch supporter in his SMS said the Bidayuhs are very happy that the state government has awaded the ‘Johan Bintang Kenyalang’ to Pandelela.

“This is a fitting token of appreciation for what Pandelela has done to Sarawak for the meantime.

“Hopefully when Pandelela brings in more achievements in the coming years she will be appropriately awarded.

“It is very good that Sarawak honours its heroine just like what the federal government had done,” said Minos.

He said any Malaysian should be inspired and motivated when his or her contribution is noted and appreciated.

“Any management guru can tell us that everyone has that special need of appreciation.

“Maslow calls it a human being ’egoistic needs’, that top of needs. Maybe we pray that Pandelela brings in more honours to Malaysia and Sarawak.

”I am very confident she will, knowing her grit, self discipline and determination,” added Minos.

Minos said the Bidayuhs are very happy and proud of Pandelela as she has put the community at the pedestal.

”She makes the Bidayuhs more known and noted and hopefully more regarded. To us she is our true heroine, of the top order,” he said.

Pandelela has been rewarded with RM150,000 under the incentive scheme of the Ministry of Youth and Sports and a monthly pension of RM2,000.

She also received RM300,000 from the Government of Malaysia, a full scholarship to study in university.

The Star Publication has also promised RM100,000 incentive for her.


At the London Olympic Games Pandelela Rinong participated in two events and won the bronze medal in the 10m plafform.
She partnered Leong Mun Yee in the 10m platform synchronised but only managed the 7th position.
Among Pandelela’s achievements at the international level competitions are:
2012: Bronze medal in the 10m platform at the London Olympic Games
2012: Bronze medal in the 10m platform at the FINA World Series
2011: Silver medal at the World Series 10m plafform
2011: Silver medal in the 10m platform synchronised
2010: Silver medal in 10m platform at the Asian Sports
2010: Silver medal in 10m platform synchronised
2010 : Gold medal 10m platform at the Commonwealth Games
2010 : Silver medal in 10m plat form synchronised at the Commonwealth games
2009 : Bronze medal in the 10m platform at the World Tournament
2009 : Gold medal in the 10m platform at the SEA Games
2009 : Gold medal in 10m platform synchronised
2007 : Gold medal 10m platform synchronised at the SEA games.

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Fairy Cave Festival to be grander next year

Dr Jerip and other guests having their lunch at
 the "Bori Bak Jorak'.

STARTING next year, the annual Fairy Cave Festival promises a lot more fun and colourful activities being held.
During the augural festival last weekend thousands of visitors from near and far including foreign tourists flocked the Fairy Cave in Krokong, Bau and its surrounding area to join in the events.
Various activities were held during the three-day event. During the day, visitors joined the tour to the Fairy Cave, did rock climbing (Rock On 3) and witness the battle of the gongs, blowpipe competition, 4X4 off road demonstration and traditional paddy pounding competition.
There were also stalls set up by the local people to
sell food and drinks and in the evening visitor were entertained with live band performance.
Apart from the interesting events, Penghulu Dihoi Nyaweng who is the organising chairman of festival built a traditional Bidayuh paddy farm hut which is locally known as ‘bori bak jorak’.
The hut made of wood collected from the forest area and the wall made of sago leaves was the centre of attractions among the visitors during the festival.
Dihoi said in the olden days, Bidayuh farmers usually farmed far away from their village and they built huts in their paddy farm where they would stay while working in their farm.
“They would stay there for a year or two, usually until the end of the paddy farming season,” he said.
On the Fairy Cave Festival, Dihoi said there were seven groups taking part in the battle of the gongs, 38 in the blowpipe competition, five vehicles in the 4x4 off-road demonstration and two groups in the paddy pounding competition.
Following the overwhelming response to the festival, Dihoi said the event will be an annual event for the Krokong Development and Security Committee.
“Next year we will organise the festival in grander scale as part of the tourism income generating activities in the Krokong area,” said Dihoi.
Dihoi said he was happy with the turnout and the success of the festival despite operating with  limited financial resources.
“We will also introduce kayaking at the Sarawak Kanan River not far away from the Fairy Cave next year.
“We have eleven houses at nearby Kampung Peros under the homestay programme where visitors can stay in,” he said.
Dihoi said the paddy field nearby which is private owned will also be adopted as one of the tourist products in the area.
There are 15 villages under JKK Krokong, namely Kampung Peros, Batu Sepit, Pisa, Puak, Belimbin, Kaman, Bijure, Ledan, Pangkalan Tebang, Tringgus Rabak Rotan, Teringgus Nguan, Gumbang, Padang Pan and Piduan Bawah. They account for about 11,000 people.

Visitors at the entrance to the Fairy Cave.

“We will also take up the Public Health Assistant Minuister's Dr Jerip Susil challenge to develop the place into weekend market beginning next year. The local people can sell their produce in the market, similar to the Serikin weekend bazaar.
“It was a good idea from the assistant minister as it would further popularise the place as one of the major destinations,” he said.
Besides, he said it would also create economic activities for the local people.

Visitors posing for photograph at 'Bori Bak Jerak'  

He said the Sarawak Forest Corporation has also allowed the Krokong Development and Security Committee to adopt the place and develop it as a tourism destination.
“I would like to request the government to gazette the Fairy Cave and the surrounding area as a communal reserve of the Krokong Development and Security Committee for the benefit of the Krokong community,” he said.
The facilities already put in place at the vicinity of the Fairy Cave by the Sarawak Forest Corporation and Bau Distrct Council will be adopted by the committee.
Dihoi said they would however need more funding to improve the environment and the facilities there.
On Saturday when officiating the festival, Dr Jerip suggested to Krokong Development and Security Committee to develop and turn the popular Fairy Cave and the surrounding area into weekend bazaar similar to the Serikin weekend bazaar.
The Bengoh State Assemblyman said the Fairy Cave and the surround area have vast tourism products which need to be tab and turn into income generating activities for the community in the surrounding area.
“A part from the cave (Fairey Cave), within the area there are beautiful mountains very suitable for mountain and rock climbing activities, a big area of paddy field, the Sarawak Kanan River suitable for kayaking and also the homestay in nearby Kampung Peros.
“All these are saleable tourism products and will surely lure tourists and local visitors to the place to generate good income for the people here,” said Dr Jerip.
He said it is timely for the place to be developed for community based programme and as the major tourist attraction in the area.
For the purpose Dr Jerip Said he would help to source for the fund to upgrade the facilities while he commended the Sarawak Forest Coporation and the local council for building the facilities there including the steps and staircase going up to the Fairy Cave.

Battle of the gong

“We want during every weekend people come for the activities, stay at the traditional kampung homestay, visit the cave and kayaking in the river as well as shopping at the weekend market,” he said.
He said all these are income generating activities and is confident the project will be successful as they are capable people to manage them.
For next year’s festival, he said more activities will be organised to portray the local Bidayuh traditions, which is the ambient of the festival.
Meanwhile the annual crock climbing activity which was also held at the same place recorded 100 percent increase in term of participation.
Rock On 3, a natural rock-climbing activities which in its third year being held at the Fairy Cave.

Blowpipe competition.

Organised by sports climbing enthusiasts Malcolm and Eunice Jitam from Outdoor Treks and Adventures and Alex Holke, Rock On 3 were participated by climbers from around the world, showing their skill in tackle the limestone face of the Fairy Caves.
Malcolm said some 40 climbers are from New Zealand, Australia, United State, Germany, South Korea, England, Thailand, Philippines, Singapore, Indonesia and a strong contingent from Sabah joined this year event.
He said besides serious climbers there are about 30 beginner climbers and 10 junior climbers, aged 13-14 years old, taking part in the event.
The initiative by the Ministry of Tourism in 1998 to develop sports and adventure tourism in the state saw an Australian team of climbers bolting about 30 routes along the Batman Wall, one of the rock-climbing walls at Fairy Caves.
From 2008 onwards, Holke bolted 30 more routes with the help of other local climbers.
Malcolm said he was happy to note that participation from foreign climbers has increased by double.

Paddy pounding competition. 

He said he and his partners has been working very hard in putting up more new climbing routes around the mountain at their own expenses.
“We have created new routes and our effort is yielding now as every month we received visitors from all over the world who came to climb here.
“We aim to create more climbing routes. Once we reach 100 routes, we will qualify as an international rock-climbing destination,” Malcolm said.
“Currently, five walls serve as the main climbing area at Fairy Caves but experienced or professional climbers are welcomed to create new routes.
“There are routes never climbed before, and whoever succeeds the climb can name that route,” he said, pointing out that each route is named by the creator.
All climbs have glued in (Hilti RE 500) and fixed hangers on expansion bolts certified by International Mountaineering and Climbing Federation (UIAA).
According to Malcolm, the quality of the rocks and natural settings at the Fairy Cave are one of the best in around the world.
Malcolm said he was also very happy with the support given by the local people during the festival.
“They are very active and polite which made our visitors felt being welcomed and they stayed at the local homestay,” said Malcolm.
He hoped the Ministry of Tourism will allocate more fund to develop more climbing route as it is very costly to create them.
According to Malcolm, each route involves not less than 10 points and each point need to have one hanger and one bold, adding that each bolt and a hanger would cost about RM30.
“We received the first funding when the project started in 1999 but after that there was no more funding coming from the Ministry of Tourism although we have been promised,” said Malcolm.

Rock climbing  activity at the Fairy Cave.

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