Yang Berhormat Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh - Borneo Talk

Kuching Talk 2008Special promotion!To celebrate its 2 nd anniversary, KuchingTalk is giving away two Star Cineplextickets for callers who successfullymention our password “Kuching TalkStar Cineplex Special” when theyexpress their views on the magazineand its content. Call us to talk aboutwhat makes the magazine interestingand what else may make it your choicefor the rest of the year.Call now at (6) 082 427423 anddon’t forget the password as well asgiving your particulars to get the 2 freetickets for Star Cineplex Kuching.ContentsWhat’s in this issue . . .SARAWAKCONCTRUCTIONSDN BHDPLAZA HOTEL • BINTULUSARAWAK • MALAYSIASIGNED, SEALED, DELIVEREDTo Advertise In This PublicationCall (6) 082 427423Kuching Talk is published by Bumi Serasi. Thecontents of the magazine may not be reprinted orreproduced without prior written permission. Thepublisher is not liable for statements made andopinions expressed in the publication.Write to us at Kuching Talk, 242E, Lorong 3,Jalan Green, 93150 Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia.Tel: (6) 082 427423/238968, Fax: (6) 082 235152,email: iconnec@pc.jaring.my Editor-In-Chief Ivy PanEditor Melvin Goh Public Relations ChristinaMamora Marketing Ivy Pan, Juliana Lim, NancyShukri Administration Rebina Noh ContributorsS I Ten, M Goh, Roger Duyong, Letitia Samuel Designand Art Direction Steven Yap Photography DerekTee, Gustino Basuan, Soon Lee Guan Front CoverImage “The night view of Chiang Chuan Garden,Sibu” by Soon Lee Guan Printer Teknik Print SdnBhd, Malaysia. The next issue of Kuching Talk isout in April 2008.www.kuchingtalk.comGreatown Travel Sdn BhdMY RESTAURANTSAYANGICATSSibuTalk4 Riverine Town Of AdventureAnd Splendour5 Home Of Beautiful Parks,Gateway To Heart Of Sarawak6 Cultures & FestivalsBorneo Cultural Festival7 Sibu Central MarketExotic food paradise8 A Taste Of Sibu9 Towns Of The Central Region10 Guided Tour Of Sibu AndCentral Region11 Places Of Worship In Sibu12 Sibu’s Premier MedicalSpecialist Centre13 Your Choice HotelRH Hotel Sibu14 Luxury In Idyllic ComfortPremier Hotel Sibu15 Home Away From HomeTanahmas HotelBintuluTalk16 Where Convenience AndComfort Exists Side By SideThe Regency Plaza Hotel Bintulu17 Borneo International KiteFestival 2008 Bintulu18 Taman Tumbina BintuluA zoological & botanical gardenMiriTalk19 Miri International Jazz FestivalLocalTalk20 AZAM Ideal Partner InSustainable CommunityDevelopment21 Biodiversity Research For AllLocalityMap22 Kuching Area24 Sibu AreaLocalTalk25 Wedding In The Sky!MuseumTalk26 Sarawak MuseumsEducationTalk28 International College ofAdvanced TechnologySarawakShoppingTalk30 Great Fashionable DealsFrom Sayang32 Dresses For You And MeAbSolutely Dress Gallery33 Fine Food And ShoppingCentreCrown Square34 Convenience Shopping AtThe AirportProductTalk35 The Grain Of Life36 In.a.DayTalkDiningOutTalk38 Festive Celebrations39 Seafood Paradise From RockRoad Restaurant40 DiningOut&What’sOnPeopleTalk41 Datuk Hajjah RaziahMahmud-GeneidHealthTalk42 Normah Medical SpecialistCentre43 RMBTalkJan-Mar2008KuchingTalk 3

SibuTalkKutien Memorial ParkChiang Chuan GardenBukit Aup Jubilee ParkSibuSibu GatewayThe Lau King How Hospital Memorial Museum isunique for its display of historical artifacts used in the formerhospital. It is sited at the same place where the originalhospital once stood.Hing HuaMemorial ParkHome of beautiful parks,gateway to heart of SarawakOne of the first things that visitors will notice in Sibu are thebeautiful gardens and parks within the town – from pocketcorridor garden to open field and children’s playgroundto lake garden, there is something for everyone. Wellmaintainedand popular, these 18 gardens and parks havebecome popular places for locals and visitors alike to relaxand enjoy the surroundings teeming with lush green andserene water features. The gem among these is surely BukitAup Jubilee Park, a 24-acre splendour and winner ofnumerous national awards as well as home for the popularannual Bukit Aup Jubilee Run that attracts thousands ofparticipants.Closer to the town centre, the Town Square (Sarawak’slargest) and Sibu Gateway are must-visit-places of the townand venue for host of activities around the year. For thosewho love water features, the Lake Garden is the ideallocation with its vast stretches of water, footpaths, habitatislandand jetty among others. Equally pleasing is SungaiMerah Heritage Walk where the river has been declareda Heritage River while the Rajang Esplanade gives visitorsthe best view of the mighty river flowing gently to the sea.Apart from these, the other scenic venues are the WongNai Siong Square, Hing Hua Garden, Rajang TrafficGarden, Friendship Memorial Park, Kutien Garden, HuiNing Garden, Su Kuok Garden, Mist Garden, ChiangChuan Garden, Old SMC Park, Hii Garden and TamanHarmoni.Sibu Town SquareAfter making the rounds of these places, it is time to explorefurther up the river, into the heart of Sarawak! Kanowitis the next nearest town from Sibu upriver, featuring FortEmma, a 19 th century wooden fort built during the Brookerule. Song is about two hours further up, a town forside trips along the Katibas and Bangkit Rivers to Ibanlonghouses. Kapit evokes senses of traditions with itsrich history and the main jump off point for numerouslonghouses along the tributaries of Baleh and Rajang. Mostprominent building here for tourists is Fort Sylvia, now amini-musuem for handicrafts and artifacts from by-goneera. Kapit is also the main administrative and commercialcentre in this interior heart of Sarawak as well as the venuefor the annual Baleh-Kapit Raft Safari, which traditionallyattracts huge participation from local and foreign teams.For the more adventurous, the Pelagus Resort with its wildrapids is a thrill and the further reach of the river is Belaga, atown mainly made up of Orang Ulus.Other major towns that provide interesting side visits fromSibu are Sarikei, Mukah, Bintangor, Daro and TanjongManis, each distinct and special on their own. It is advisableto set aside enough time for these places, including stayingovernight to experience life in this central zone of Sarawak.Kutien Memorial ParkSibu Town SquareSibu GatewayJan-Mar2008KuchingTalk 5Wong Nai Siong SquareKutien Memorial Park

SibuTalkA taste of SibuEvery seasoned traveller will always‘hunt’ for a taste of local foodwherever he/she may be and whenin Sibu, you are certainly spoilt forchoice! There is something frombreakfast to lunch and dinner as wellas for supper and snacks in betweenmeals. Food prices here too areamong the lowest in Sarawak anddo not be surprised by the size of theservings too as some are really hugeand overwhelming to the first timevisitor.For breakfast, other than the “kam pua”mee, whereby the notable stall is atSing Ming Kee Café, Deshop Roador Siong Kee Stall, that everyone inSibu likes, you can try the freshly baked“kom pia”, a flour based doughnutFoochow style. Usually served pipinghot with marinated minced pork inthe centre, it goes well with that earlymorning coffee or tea. A recommendedoutlet, to buy the tastiest “kom pia”is at Ah Hua stall, located on the1 st floor of Sibu Central Market.Sibu folks are in agreement that thecoffee served at Chung Seng caféin Sungei Merah is one of the bestin the town so that may be the placefor your next breakfast location.Just before lunch, try to allocate alittle space for the Sarawak laksaof Zhou Chai at the Mas corner inkampong Dato. It is said that this isone laksa place that visitors shouldnot miss. However, if hot things are notyour favourites, there is the “dianbian hu”, a mixture of rice noodleswith assortment of mushrooms, andother spices in a huge bowl of hotcuttlefish/fishballs soup. The placefor this tasty and nourishing dish thatis a favourite here is the Butterfly Parkmarket. Prawn Mee at Ming KwongBank Road is another interestinglocal favourites, which could besomething of your fancy as it’s a mildspicy mee soup dish. For Muslimtravellers, the eatery behind the oldmosque has “roti canai” and “tosai”which are famous and tasty too.You just cannot leave Sibu withouttrying the “mee sua” cooked withblack chicken. Xiao Hua Café atLane 2 Lanang is reputed to be oneof the better places for this dish.Made from flour and sun dried,the fine noodles are very smoothwhen cooked in chicken broth,usually served with a tinge of redChinese wine. Western style food areeverywhere in the town and so thoseshould not be a problem to locate ifyou prefer them or else check themout at the hotels. For the exactlocation of all these eateries pleaserefer to any local resident or thehotel receptionist.8 KuchingTalkJan-Mar2008

SibuTalkBefore making your trip to Sibu why not let the expertsprovide you with the side trips and tours of the Rajangand other places of interest in this central region ofSarawak? Greatown Travel Sdn Bhd has the qualifiedguides and connections to make the necessary arrangementsfor your trips to places of interest when in the town andthey have an assortment of half day and full day tours.In addition, they can also make the bookings and travelarrangements for visits to Mukah for the Kaul Festival(24 - 27 April) and Kapit for the Baleh-Kapit Raft Safari(19 - 20 April), two events that promise fun and adventure.If your trip is between 28 June - 5 July, then you will bein time to witness the Borneo Cultural Festival where thefull range of cultures of the state are on display daily withshows and other side activities.The half-day tour includes visits to places of interestaround Sibu town like the Rajang Esplanade and CulturalExhibition, Cultural Heritage tour as well as visits toorchards and an Iban Longhouse. Depending on thechoice of places, you can also try out the Fuzhou CulinaryAdventure Trail and there is also the interesting FuzhouLongevity noodle-making-trip or the “kom pia” (bagel)making tour, which takes visitors to the places wherethese unique products are made. The evening tour alongthe nation’s longest river is an interesting side trip to seethe setting sun as it dips over the horizon from the river.Guided Tour ofSibu and Central RegionGreatown Travel Sdn Bhd can make your trip a memorable oneMost visitors choose the full day tour, which will take themto the countryside and a visit to an Iban longhouse aswell as to Sarikei, a town on the out-skirt where orchardsabound. The various local favourites of pepper, oranges,dragon fruit and vineyard allow visitors to see first handhow these fruits are grown and to pluck them if theyhappen to be in season. The trip will also take visitors on theMelanau Treasures Discovery where various aspects ofthe ethnic group like songket textile making are featured.When in season the smoked prawn tour is an interestingtrip to see these fishermen smoke-dry their catch.10 KuchingTalkJan-Mar2008Greatown Travel Sdn Bhd (co no. 222594-U)We bring you to Rajang – the heart of BorneoSarikei: KPL/LN 2245No. 58 Jalan Repok, 96100 Sarikei, SarawakTel: (6) 084 655 233 / 656 233 Fax: (6) 084 655 211Sibu: KPL/LN 4712No. 6, 1 st flr Lrg Chew Siik Hiong 1A, 96000 Sibu, SarawakTel: (6) 084 211 243 / 212 243 Fax: (6) 084 213 243Email: sibutour@gmail.com

SibuTalkPlaces of worshipMasland Methodist ChurchLocated along Jalan Pulau, this is one of the oldest churches here,reputed to be about a hundred years old. It can accommodate about500 members at any one session and is within easy access right inthe town area and a stone’s throw away from the iconic Sanyanbuilding. The distinctive aspect of the church is its front facade ofa high, steep point which gives it a traditional look. The buildingthough is anything but old, especially its interior! There is a modernstage-like pulpit with a grand piano, modern pews and a mezzaninefloor at the back portion to accommodate more worshippers. Themodern interior and air-conditioned hall naturally makes this one ofthe most popular places for marriages.Eng Ann TengTua Pek Kong TEMPLEBuilt in 1897 by immigrant Chinese workers, this templeoverlooking the mighty Rajang River commands an outstandingposition with the dominating Pagoda in the background.Located on Jalan Temple, this famous landmark is a centre forworshippers for more than a century and is one of the bestpreserved Chinese temples in Sibu. At the entrance on theTemple, are praying tables, complete with huge joss sticks,burning all day and night during certain times of the year.Within its premises, a modern garden featuring differentanimal statutes and figurines are constructed. The place isnow a popular location for tired souls to relax and unwindwhile reflecting on life’s ups and downs.An-Nur MosqueOften referred to as the Sibu mosque, it is located atJalan Ramli Amit, near to both the federal and statecomplexes along the main road. Its golden dome canbe seen from afar and is also within easy reach for thefaithful whose kampongs are located not too far alongJalan Kampung Datu. With fully carpeted interiors andair-conditioned hall, worshippers find the sacred mosque acool and pleasant place to be in. Accommodatingcongregations anywhere between 1,000 to 3,000people, the An-Nur Mosque is one of the biggest inSarawak. A huge Banyan tree in front of the road alongthe open space gives a soothing feel to the mosque.Weather Forecast (January-March 2008) For Kuching & SibuMonth (Kuching) Temperature RainfallJanuary 2008 18.9˚C - 34.6˚C much rainFebruary 2008 18.9˚C - 34.7˚C much rainMarch 2008 20.1˚C - 35.2˚C moderate rainMonth (Sibu) Temperature RainfallJanuary 2008 16.5˚C - 35.2˚C much rainFebruary 2008 17.9˚C - 35.4˚C moderate rainMarch 2008 18.5˚C - 35.7˚C moderate rainWeather forecast provided by courtesy of Meteorological Services Department of Malaysia.Jan-Mar2008KuchingTalk 11

SibuTalk

SibuTalkHome away from homeTanahmas Hotel makes yourstay in Sibu a wonderful experience withconvenience!When in Sibu for business or pleasure,Tanahmas Hotel is one place that willmeet all your needs. Located right inthe centre of the bustling town, it isnear to anywhere you want to go; theairport is just a 25-minute drive away,the bus terminal and express boatswharf are a mere 200 metres distanceand taxi services from the hotel operates24 hours. Shopping centres are justround the corner while the CentralMarket, Sarawak’s largest, is alsowithin walking distance and the everpopular night market where exotic andinteresting varieties of food and goodsare available, is also nearby. All thesefeatures are at your doorstep when youstay at this awards winning hotel for itsaccommodation and excellent servicesas well as for best media promotionthrough its internet website.Choose from the 120 rooms ofinternational standard at TanahmasHotel which includes air-conditioning,private bath/shower, IDD facilities, freewifi services, Astro channels (subscribedTV), mini-bar and coffee/tea-makingfacilities. In addition, there is thebusiness centre, the 24-hour Caféand room services, Club Emas KaraokeLounge and outdoor swimming poolfor your convenience and relaxation.Inside each room the soothing colourschemes and matching facilities makeyour stay here a pleasure and pleasantexperience.For breakfast and dining, the hotel’s Caféis conveniently located on the groundfloor and there is a wide selection oflocal and western menu to choosefrom. The one service that outshines allothers at Tanahmas Hotel is its people;every staff has a courteous and smilingpersonality, always pleasing andmeeting your needs and expectationsfrom the moment you check in to thetime you check out. For your next tripto Sibu, make sure your contactaddress is Tanahmas Hotel!For more information and reservation, contact us at:Lot 277, Block 5, Jalan Kampung NyaborP.O. Box 240 96007 Sibu, SarawakFax: 6 084 333288 Tel: 6 084 333188Email: tanahmas@streamyx.comWebsite: www.tanahmas.com.myJan-Mar2008KuchingTalk 15

BintuluTalkRegencyThePlaza Hotel BintuluWhere convenience and comfortexists side by sideThere is certainly no greater comfort thanconvenience when it comes to travelling,especially to a new town and The RegencyPlaza Hotel Bintulu gives you that peace ofmind and relaxation due to its location.Accessible and near to almost any place inthis Sarawak’s Gas Town, The Regency Plazais centrally and strategically located for anybusiness or leisure activities. Just about everycommercial and financial facilities are withinshort distances and the hotel’s own facilitiesmore than make up for any demands of thebusiness traveller or family vacation.Upon arrival, the first impression of the Main Lobby isawesome to say the least – wide and spacious, it has a moderncontemporary design and a team of smiling hotel personnel toassist you and your family in settling in. Choose from 161guestrooms and suites of the hotel where each is elegantlyfurnished and comes standard with TV, IDD, phone and coffee/tea-making facilities. Best of all, the 24-hour room service meansthat you are always able to get food served to your room at yourconvenience any time of the day here! For the business clients,the Business Centre is available for use and to get in touch withthe rest of the world from the convenience of ICT. Also found inthe Main Lobby are the meeting/function rooms and conciergeservices while the hotel’s main function room can cater for alltypes of events, ranging from seminars and conferences tobanquets. The attraction here is that the recent renovations tothese spacious rooms have made them even more attractive andconducive to your particular needs and demands.For relaxation, the roof top gives hotel guests a majestic viewof the town’s surroundings and watching the sunset from thedeck with a chilled glass of drink is certainly one of the manycomforts of staying here! All day dining is served at the KemenaCoffee House, located on the main lobby area. Here, a host oftasty and mouth-watering local and western dishes awaits you inthe comfort of its serene surroundings as it too has been recentlyrenovated for customers pleasure.If outdoors is your area, the 18-hole golf course near to thehotel is always an option for early morning round of golf or lateafternoon swing of the clubs. The more adventurous ones cantake a ride to the famous Niah caves at the Niah National Park orenjoy nature’s scenic waterfall at the Lambir Hills National Park,both parks being reachable by car. The World Heritage site, MuluNational Park too is within reach from here via the convenienceof aircraft. Whatever your intention is, The Regency Plaza HotelBintulu is the only place for business or pleasure!For information and reservation, contact the hotel at:16 KuchingTalkJan-Mar2008PLAZA HOTEL • BINTULUSARAWAK • MALAYSIA116, Taman Sri Dagang, Jalan Abang Galau, 97000 Bintulu, Sarawak, Malaysia.Tel: (6) 086 335111 Fax: (6) 086 332742 Email: rihbtu@tm.net.my

BintuluTalkKeep August 18-24, 2008 in your diary as the timewhen you must be in Bintulu, Sarawak to see someof the most colourful, intriguing and strange lookingkites from around the world. This annual event thatstarted in 2005 has ranked as the most spectacularevent of its kind in the state and together with thecultural and artiste performances, it showcases therich combination of local and international flavoursfor all to experience and enjoy.Borneo InternationalKite festival2008BintuluCome and see the national kite competition as wellas the traditional kite-making event while childrenwill get the chance to colour their way to prizes inthe colouring contest. Stunt kites performances willbe conducted by international participants as well asmany distinct and creative kites will be on display. TheRokaku challenge will also be held amidst the BintuluTrade and Food fair at the same venue which is rightin the middle of the town! This is one event whereage knows no bound as young and old alike will bemesmerised by the shows on display.Bintulu Development Authority • Wisma Bintulu, No.1, Jalan Tanjung Kidurong, P.O.Box 55, 97000 Bintulu, Sarawak, Malaysia. Tel: (6) 086 334680 / 332277 Fax: (6) 086 330099Jan-Mar2008KuchingTalk 17

BintuluTalkTaman Tumbina Bintulua zoological & botanical gardenIt’s unique and the first of its kind in Sarawak, an integrationof a botanical and zoological garden into a living garden ofplants and animals! Taman Tumbina Bintulu offers the bestsingle location in Bintulu for locals and visitors alike to catcha glimpse of the diversity of the flora and fauna of thelargest state of Malaysia.Strategically located on a hilly site overlooking the SouthChina Sea, this 57-hectare garden has been one of the mainattractions of the booming gas town since it started operationsin 1991. Over the years, Tumbina has captivated visitorsfrom far and near with its diverse collection of plants andanimals. Among the major attractions is the Butterfly Worldwhere a variety of butterflies could be viewed in a speciallybuilt enclosure. As Sarawak is blessed with vast quantitiesof orchids, the garden’s Orchid Collection, considered thelargest of its kind in the northern region where both localand hybrid species are found, is a place not to be missed!Reptilian such as crocodiles, snakes and tortoises abound inthe garden’s Reptile Complex where the largest collection ofthe longest snakes exhibited in Sarawak was held. Anothermajor attraction here is the Walk-in Aviary. Presently thebiggest in Sarawak where themajestic hornbill to the smallhumming birds thrills visitorswith their melodious calls anddistinct songs. Whatever youritinerary is while in Bintulu,make sure it includes a trip tothis living garden of beauty andsplendour.Bintulu Development AuthorityP.O. Box 55, 97007 Bintulu, Sarawak, Malaysia. Tel: (6) 086 337709 / 337710 Fax: (6) 086 330670 Website: www.tumbina.com.my18 KuchingTalkJan-Mar2008

MiriTalkIt’s jazz time again in Miri and the date is May 9-10,2008 at the Parkcity Everly Hotel in this Resort City onthe northern fringe of Sarawak! Following the hugesuccess of the event over the past two years, SarawakTourism Board (STB) has once again planned the MiriInternational Jazz Festival 2008 (MIJF 2008) with morevarieties in jazz genre, to spice up the event and certainlya few other surprises for jazz lovers.Promised to be another signature attraction for Miri’stourism calendar, MIJF 2008 will be liven up by renownedjazz performers from Australia, Philippines, Korea,Cuba, Japan, Holland, USA, France, UK and Canada.Nearer to home, we will see performances from Sarawakand Sabah, taking centre stage among the foreignperformers. Their genre of jazz include blues and fusionjazz with a tinge of Latin, Caribbean and oriental music.Habana Sax, one of the performers from 2007 will alsomake a come-back after the crowd voted the band astheir favourite.Parkcity Everly Hotel as host for the venue of the festivalwhich attracted more than 4,000 guests last yearis expecting even bigger crowds this year. Infact, Parkcity’s management has alsoindicated its plan to expand thePavilion where the main stage islocated, to provide more roomfor the increasing numberof audiences. Looking atthe steady increase in thecrowd turn out, MIJF isset to become an iconfor Miri and in line withSTB’s aim at boosting thecity’s tourism industry.Tickets for the festival is pricedat RM60 per person per nightand RM30 per child between 3and 12 years old, are now availableonline at www.ticketcharge.com.my.Apart from enjoying the good music, guests can alsosavour the wide variety of food and beverages at thestalls set up in and around the venue.For further enquiries, kindly contact the Visitors’ InformationCentre at Lot 452, Jalan Melayu in Miri (tel: 6 085 434181,fax: 6 085 434179) or log on at www.mirijazzfestival.com.Email: info@mirijazzfestival.com.Miri is located in Northern Sarawak and has, in 2005,gained its Resort City Status. Often known as theNorthern Gateway to Sarawak, the city is a popularbase for visitors to explore the nearby National Parksincluding the Niah, Loagan Bunut and Lambir Hills whileMulu is only a 45-minute flight away.SARAWAK TOURISM BOARD (STB)Visitors’ Information Centre Miri. Tel: (6) 085 434181 Fax: (6) 085 434179Email: vic-miri@sarawaktourism.com Website: www.sarawaktourism.comJan-Mar2008KuchingTalk 19

LocalTalkAZAMideal partner insustainable community developmentBringing changethrough effectivecommunication fordevelopment inSarawakANGKATAN ZAMAN MANSANG (AZAM)SARAWAKKompleks AZAM, Jalan Crookshank,93000 Kuching, Sarawak, MalaysiaTel: (6) 082 411799Fax: (6) 082 258372 / 411535Website: www.azam.org.my20 KuchingTalkJan-Mar2008Sarawak is blessed with vast area ofland but limited population spread overthe whole state, with more denselypopulated coastal zones and sparselypopulated interior and highland areas.Due to these disparities and distancesbetween population centres, oftengovernment’s development policiesand good intentions for the people donot reach the intended people in therural areas. AZAM (Angkatan ZamanMansang) was set up in 1983 asa non-profit, non-governmentorganisation to assist in disseminatinggovernment’s policies to ruralcommunities towards the advancementof Sarawak’s society.In the early 80s and 90s, the mainmeans of communicating with manyrural communities were radio andtelephone where lines were available;roads to these remote places werehazardous and journeys long whileriver boat ride was time-consumingand tiring. Against these backdrop,AZAM managed to work closelywith relevant government and nongovernment agencies in bringingabout greater understanding of policiesand social change in rural areaswhile its strategies have continuedto evolve with the changing times.Today, AZAM is recognised as aleading facilitator of communicationfor rural communities throughworkshops, seminars and dialogueswhile working closely with print andelectronic media organisations in thestate.AZAM also recognises the importance ofwomen in communicating informationand ideas in rural communities andfamilies and hence engage them inmany of its programmes. More recently,the AZAM Young CommunicatorsClub (AYCC) programme has beenactive in promoting the spirit ofleadership, confidence and maturityespecially among youths in both ruraland semi-urban areas. In working withthe international community, AZAMis actively engaged in promotingthe United Nation’s Education forSustainable Development (ESD)programmes in Malaysia which aimsto bring about sustainable developmentpolicies around the world.As part of its upcoming 25 th Anniversarycelebration, AZAM is planning anumber of programmes to mark theoccasion, including seminars, roadshow and the launching of a book inthe course of the year. For effectiveand excellent partnership in promotingdevelopment strategies and plans inSarawak, AZAM is the ideal organisationwith the right credentials and influence.AZAM’s Activities For 2008• 2 nd International Youth Digital VideoConference• Sustainable CommunityDevelopment 2008:An International Conference• Commonwealth JournalistsAssociation Conference 2008• AZAM’s 25 th Anniversary DinnerNote: For confirmed dates of the programmesabove, and information of other programmes andactivities, please visit www.azam.org.my

WEJALANIHTAJVRS EMIS a r a Wa K r I V E rKampung BoyanKampung Gersik Kampung Surabaya Kampung PanglimaSeman LamaKampung SemarangWet Market &Hawker CentreJALANABELLJALANPADUNGANJALAN PETANAKH E N G H OJ A L A N A N G CJALAN DATUK ABANG ABDUL RAHIMJALAN PADUNGANKhatuistiwaDewanMasyarakat MBKSSwimming PoolJALANJuBILEErECrEaTIONGrOuNDPENDINGJALAN CENTRAL TIMURJALAN ELLISJ A L A N D A T U KJ A L A N F O O C H O WW INT AL LAJ A L A N L U M B A K U D AJALAN SEKAMAJALANRiverbank SuiteRAHMANWismaTing PekKingTop SpotFood CourtCATStatueCATStatueChung HuaNo. 3 SchoolKuching South CityCouncil (MBKS)CHEOKJALAN SONG THIANHHHHBAN HOCKJALANHHockey StadiumJALAN DESHONJALAN SIMPANG TIGAJ A L A N P A D U N G A NJALAN TAN SRI ONG KEE HUIABDUL(JALAN CENTRAL BARAT)F r O N THHCrownePlazaRiversideKuchingHCATStatueSri ShanSarawakPlazaMalaysiaAirlinesHCentrepointShopping CentreTun JugahGreat WallCozziCrosswayThiam MingSecret RecipeChoon HuiCafeTom’sHSarakraf Pavilion4Carus Woodat&a HomeIdeas Sdn. Bhd.Mian AnnBuan Kua HngSara FruitsSdn. Bhd.Spring OrganicSpring Florist &GiftsitFusionAbSolutelySayangPoliceStationFireStationHHHock Lee CentreHindu TempleKua NingTempleCrown SquareLocalityMapSt. Peter’s ChurchPoliceStationBCSEAstanarEr I VSWet MarketKa rFort MargheritaSquare ToweraJALAN GAMBIERaa22 KuchingTalkJan-Mar2008India MosqueINDIA STREETPEDESTRIAN MALLPoliceTourist Booth3K urC h I N GTW aJALAN MAIN BAZAARSarawakTourismComplexJALAN BARRACKOpen AirMarketElectraHouseMARKETSouvenirs ShopsSiang TiTempleJALAN KHOOHUN YEANGL E B U HCARPENTER STREETChinese MuseumCHINA STREET ULU CHINA STREET2Divisional MosquePoliceStationGeneral PostOfficeJALANResiden OfficeYayasan SarawakDJALANJ A L A N TUNLEBUH WAYANGW AWASAN 2020OPENGPaDaNGMErDEKa1JALAN MOSQUEHDATUKAJIBAH ABOLL EBUH TEMPLEHMedanPelitaHong San SiTempleTua PekKong TempleSt. Thomas ChurchSikh TemplePoliklinikBARRACKH HJALAN McDOUGALLKuchingPlazaABANG HAJITAHASt. Mary’sSchoolHHMerdeka palaceHotel & SuitesDewan Tun AbdulRazak MuzeumHAJIMA L A NHSt. Thomas’sSchoolSarawak MuseumState & DBKULibraryRed CrescentBuildingI ROR EJALAN TUNIslamic MuseumJ A L A N R A M L E EJALANHAquariumChung HuaSchoolKuching High’sSchoolNJ A L ARadioTelevisionMalaysiaHopohShoppingCentreJALAN KULASAromaCaféHeroes’MonumentIslamicGardenSyariahCourtBankNegaraWisma SatokJALAN SATOKJALAN SATOKrESErVOIrParKJA L A N TABUANSuNDaYMarKET MiramaChung HuaNo. 1 SchoolTelekomMalaysiaHPasar TamuJALAN TAMANSt. Theresa’sSchoolSt. Joseph’sSchoolJALAN RUBBERSt. Joseph ChurchJALAN PARKBUDAYAAmphitheatreJALAN NANASSarawak ClubJALANJALAN BADRUDDINBUDAYAPlanetariumCROOKSHANKJALAN BAMPFYLDEJALAN PALMJALANJALAN TUN ABANG HAJI OPENGPoliceContingent HQHto MagentaSRB ChungHua No. 4Tunku PutraInternationalSchoolLand & SurveyDivisional Office IntanCivic Centrehodist ChurchJALAN PISANGKuching AreaHGreen Road

Stutong RoadSong RoadWan Alwi bin Tengku Ibrahim RoadJALAN BAKOJALAN SEMARIANGJALAN DEMAKJALAN ISTANAABDUL JALAN TUN RAHMANJALAN ISTANAJALAN MATANGJALAN TUN ABDUL RAHMANJALAN SEMARAKS a r a W a K r I VWaterKuchingTo SerianTo Kuching To Satok & KuchingBatu Kawah RoadSherip Mashor RoadRock RoadLaksamana RoadLEGENDSH Hotel / Motel Shop House / OfficeSarawak Transport Co. Food Outlet / RestaurantStation/ Entertainment OutletKuching MatangTransportChin Lian LongPetra Jaya TransportTaxi StationSarawak Tourism BoardVisitors’ InformationCentreSarawak TourismFederationTourism MalaysiaOfficeShopping ComplexSarawak Craft CouncilOTHER ENQUIRIES (KUCHING)Tourism Malaysia-Sarawak 082-246575 / 246775Infoline 1300-88-5050Sarawak Tourism Board 082-423600MAS Office 082-244144 / 246622Air Asia 082-283222KCH International Airport 082-454255 / 454242Immigration Department 082-245661 / 230280Custom 082-33313324-hour Public Service Line 082-555999Taxi Service 082-480000 / 341818Police Station 082-245522 / 999 /241222Traffic Police 082-241133JPJ 082-258811 / 628700DBKU 082-446688MBKS 082-238080 / 242311Telekom 082-429191 / 255994Post Office 082-244141 / 339937Normah Medical Centre 082-440055General Hospital 082-230689 / 257855Padawan Council 082-615566SESCO 082-333111Kuching Water Board 082-240371BOMBA (Fire Brigade) 082-241033 / 994 /417712Rescue 991 082-256685JKR 082-203100To KuchingTo Pending&KuchingrEPenrisen RoadKeretapi RoadBeauty WorksBuddistTempleTo Batu Kawah NewTownship (MJC)Airport RoadPenrisen RoadTo Stampin,BDC & AirportMAONGMARKETPoliceStationCENTRALLANDTo Kuching &Tabuan JayaBuddistTempleNexisTiang’s CafeRock RoadWisma SaberkasGreen RoadTun Razak Roadnk food network ...KartiniRubyRock Road SeafoodRestorantJade Pot Tea HouseGreen RoadTo Pending To KuchingRojak KucheiTo AirportTo 7 MileRH PlazaBlessedSacrementChurchBDCTo Hui Sing, 3rd Mile & Batu Kawa To 3rd Mile & Batu KawaTaBuaNhEIGhTSTaBuaNhEIGhTSLorong BDCBank / Money ChangerPetra Jaya AreaTo Santubong,Damai BeachDBKU(Cat Museum)Bulatan Datu HajiMohammad bin SallehStateJamekMosqueSarawakStatelibraryStadiumPerpaduanSESCOStadium NegeriKraftangan MalaysiaStadium SarawakTo MatangNormahMedical CentreBaitulMakmurBuildingBulatan Datu HajiSulaiman bin Haji TahaBulatan D PAbang Hj. AbdillahKuching CourtBulatan Datu TemenggongAbang Kipali bin Abang AkipDatuk Patinggi Haji AbdulRahman BridgeJALAN KULASJALAN SATOKAstanaDewan UndanganNegeriFort Margheritaf r ontKampungBoyanKampungGersikKampungSurabaya Kampung PanglimaSeman LamaKampungSemarangKampungPulo HilirKuching 2nd Bridge(Tanah Puteh)To Kota Samarahan3rd Mile Area Tabuan Jaya & BDC AreaFriendshipGardenTo Kota SamarahanMethodistChurchTun Jugah RoadUrat Mata RoadKingCentreTo Kota SamarahanBulatanPerpaduanJalan UplandSimpang Tiga RoadBuddistTemplePoliceStationTABUAN JAYACOMMERCIAl CENTREJan-Mar2008KuchingTalk 23

B R O O K E D R I V EJ A L A N B U J A N G S U N T O N GJALAN CAUSEWAYJALAN MORSHIDI SIDEKOTHER ENQUIRIES (SIBU)J A L A N C H E N G A LL O R O N G L A N A N G 1J A L A N L A I C H E EJ A L A N H U A K I E WJ A L A N P E D A D AJ A L A N H O E P I N GJ A L A N H A R D I N W A L KJ A L A N F O O C H O WJ A L A N T I O N G H U AJ A L A N M U I H O N GJ A L A N E M P L A NS I O N GJ A L A N T O N G S A N GJ A L A N W O N G N A IL O R O N G M I S S I O NJ A L A N B U K I T A S S E KJ A L A N C E N T R A LL O R O N G L A N A N GJ A L A N C H A N N E LJ A L A N C R O S SJ A L A N T A N S R IL O R O N G L A N A N G 2J A L A N K H O O P E N G L O O N GJALAN LAMAJ A L A N M A J URejang Esplanade &Hii Association playgroundrejang riverJ A L A N K E R A N J IJ A L A N R A M I NJALAN BANKJALAN WHARFJ A L A N T E M P L EPMiri Post OfficeJ A L A N B E N G K E LJALAN SANYANJ A L A N T U A N K U O S M A NJ A L A N K A M P U N G N Y A B O RJ A L A N P U L A UJ A L A N T U N A B A N G H J O P E N GLocalityMapFederalGovernment ComplexStateGovernmentJ A L A N A W A N G R A M L I A M I TLand & SurveyCourtHouseMethodistSecondary SchoolMuslimCemetrySibuPublicLibraryJ A L A N K A M P U N G D A T Ulau King HoweMemorial MuseumSibu AreaSibu Town SquareRejang Port AuthorityHHRH HotelSee HuaDaily NewsHWismaSanyanHMist GardenHChung HuaPrimary SchoolMethodistPrimary SchoolMethodistChurchHChineseOpera Stage1HPoliceStationSMCMultiStoreyCar ParkOld SMCBuildingCentre Point InnNight BazaarHSibu CentralMarketHPremierHotelHHTanahmasHotelHHRimbunganHijauSibuGatewayCatholic ChurchSt. RitaHChinesePagodaSpeed BoatWharfto Daro, Paradom,Igan, DalatNew River ExpressTerminalHRajang MedicalCentreCatholicHigh SchoolHLEGENDSH HotelBus StationTaxi StationBank / MoneyChangerVisitors InformationCentreChurchTempleMosqueShoppingComplexP Petrol StationVisitors’ Information 084-340980Centre, SibuMAS Office, Sibu 084-326166084-321055Airport Office, Sibu 084-307799084-307899PAir Asia 084-307808Divisional Hotel 084-326972Association 084-323222Immigration Department 084-336991Customs & Excise 084-333422DepartmentDistrict Office 084-330224Police Department 084-322222Hospital 084-343333Marine Department 084-332757Sibu Post Office 084-332312Taxi Station 084-320773Sarawak River Board 084-341936Resident Office 084-321963Sibu Municipal Council 084-333411(SMC)HSibu Rural District 084-336077Council (SRDC)Fire & Rescue 084-330343994Forestry Department 084-334577Welfare Department 084-32943424 KuchingTalkJan-Mar2008

LocalTalkweddingin the sky!Why follow the tired old traditionsof wedding when you can actuallybe exchanging vows a mile up in thesky! At the same time, you can takea city tour of Kuching or Miri or anyother place you want in the comfortof your ‘own’ helicopter and be theenvy of all your friends. All you needto do is contact the ever smilingfolks at Hornbill Skyways and makethe necessary arrangements for thatspecial day and you are all set forthat wedding in the sky! After all, it isyour happiest day together so makethe occasion one that will forever beremembered with pictures, videos toshow to family and friends.In addition to the wedding packagesthat can be arranged with HornbillSkyways, Sarawak’s own regional anddomestic services can also provide yourgroup with an aerial tour of the cityor area you wish to see from the air.These, special tour arrangements willtake you and friends on a joy ride ofyour own choices for anything up toan hour or more, depending on whereyou want to go and what you wantto do. Plans are also being consideredto provide these joy ride thrills duringthe upcoming Kuching Fest so as togive everyone a feel of the excitementof flying in a helicopter. The companyhas an ever-ready fleet of fixed wingaircrafts and helicopters to cater tothese needs and request, operatingfrom the Kuching International Airportand another hanger in Miri. Currently,it is upgrading its existing fleet in viewof the growing demand for air servicesin the state.Foremost for the company thoughis its charter flights, which is focusedon providing services for the peopleand often at the expense of businessprinciples. It has been the main serviceprovider for many federal and statedepartments and ministries in carryingout aerial surveys as well as electionsover the years. It has also carried outhumanitarian missions in providingassistance to those who were in needof urgent medical services in the majorcentres by ferrying these patients fromrural settings to urban centres formedical treatments. The air serviceswill always be a vital part of the lifelineof the state, given its vast nature andmany out-of-reach places still.For more information on these packages and services, callHornbill Skyways Sdn Bhd at (6) 082 455737 (Kuching) or (6) 085 611066 (Miri) and be prepared for the ride of a lifetime!Jan-Mar2008KuchingTalk 25

MuseumTalkSarawak MuseumsTake nostalgic trips back in time to the by-gone eras of early historyMuseums hold a special place in Sarawak as both historical sites and preservation of artifacts from by-gone eras. Often theseage-old buildings convey stories of their own, each unique and special to the given location. Where possible, visitors shouldmake it a point to visit as many of the 12 listed museums in the state as possible, which stretches from the capital city Kuchingin the south to the northern fringe town of Limbang. To ensure a fruitful trip, grab a copy of the brochure Sarawak Museums- Your source of real inspiration or visit the museum site (www.museum.sarawak.gov.my) to check the opening hours and planthe tour carefully based on your own schedule.and others. A favourite site for children, the Natural HistoryMuseum displays the diversity of fauna found in the statein the form of preserved and reassembled skeletons forboth educational and inspirational values. Currently underrenovation, it will be opened by 2009.The Sarawak Museum - Amongst the oldestin South East Asia, this impressive Victorian inspiredarchitectural building was originally completed in 1891 andextended to its present form in 1911. Located right in theheart of the city, it is now better known as the EthnologyMuseum to showcase the different cultures of themulti-ethnic and multi-culture peoples of Sarawak withmodels, artifacts and photos to portray the vanishingtraditions and customs of these people.Dewan Tun Abdul Razak and the IslamicMuseum - The Dewan is the primary site for display ofexhibitions by the Sarawak Museum, which is just acrossthe road. The Islamic Museum has seven galleries to depictthe splendour and beauty of Islamic civilisation and is withinwalking distance from the Dewan. The Islamic museum wasconverted from its original role of Kolej James Brooke orMaderasah Melayu but the main architecture of the buildinghas been retained due to its uniqueness.The Art Museum and Natural HistoryMuseum - Both of these museums are located next toeach other, adjacent to the Sarawak Museum and wereformerly buildings used for archive and administrativepurposes of the Museum department of Sarawak. Comprisingmainly paintings from the Brooke period to present day, theArt Museum gives visitors the chance to see rare paintingsTextile Museum - The authentic costumes of variousindigenous communities are found here, including exhibitions26 KuchingTalkJan-Mar2008

MuseumTalkof the state in these museums!of the weaving techniques used in the making of thecostumes. The building or Pavilion as it is better known,was completed in 1907 as a medical centre and also locatedin the centre of the city. Interesting aspect here is thatvisitors get the chance to experience hands-on the loomand touch exhibits.Niah Archeology Museum - Located at NiahNational Park, this museum brings visitors back 40,000 yearsago to the pre-historic age of cave dwellers with artifacts ondisplay and also the cultures of people living in the area of thepark. It was completed and opened in 1998.Chinese History Museum - The migrant Chinesepeople comprising different dialectical groups came toSarawak in search of better livelihoods and these historicalarchives are now housed in here. Originally the buildingconstructed in 1912 was a court for the migrants to settletheir disagreement and now it stores artifacts of interest foryoung and old. It is located along the famous KuchingWaterfront.Baram Regional Museum - A completely rebuiltmuseum based on the original Fort House structure(original fort built in 1898 was burnt down in 1994), thismuseum now houses cultural artifacts belonging to variousethnic groups living in the area of Marudi, the riverinetown where it is located.Petroleum Museum - Built in 2005, this museum inthe northern resort city of Miri proudly recollects the glorydays of the petroleum industry and its contribution inthe development of the state with interesting displaysand interactive exhibits.Limbang Regional Museum - Visitors get to seethe history and culture of the multi-ethnic people of thisregion here with exhibits like bamboo band, beadwork, barkclothes, brassware and salt-making process. The presentbuilding is in fact an exact replica of the original fort builtin 1897 that was burnt down in 1989. Limbang is the mainadministrative centre for the northern fringe of the state.Sarawak Museum DepartmentTun Abang Haji Openg Road, 93566 Kuching, Sarawak, MalaysiaTel: 6 082 240298 Fax: 6 082 246680 Website: www.museum.sarawak.gov.my Email: muhdzh@sarawaknet.gov.myJan-Mar2008KuchingTalk 27

EducationTalkInternational Collegeof Advanced TechnologySarawakMaking the right choiceIn educational pursuit for a brightfuture career, choosing the rightinstitution is the first step towardsachieving that goal. Considering thetime and financial resources to beinvested, it is important that theinstitution must be reputable and itscourses recognised by public andprivate sectors for graduates to gainemployment. In Sarawak wheretechnical and skills training coursesare concerned, International Collegeof Advanced Technology Sarawak(ICATS) is the obvious choice as it iscertified by the Malaysian AccreditationBoard (LAN) and EdExcel of UnitedKingdom as well as Universiti TeknologiMalaysia (UTM) and Skills DevelopmentDepartment of Malaysia (JPK). Inaddition, the teaching faculty comprisesqualified, experienced and dedicated28 KuchingTalkJan-Mar2008personnel supplemented by wellequippedfacilities and resources ataffordable cost. Located in Kuching City,it is within easy access to a wide rangeof support facilities like accommodation,shopping, entertainment and sportingvenues for students in a city that isvery conducive to learning.Range of coursesFrom its collaboration with internationaland local partners, ICATS offers widerange of skills and academic coursesfrom the certificate to diploma level inengineering, electronic, informationtechnology, nursing and environmentaltourism. All its technical and skillscourses are conducted in English,which makes graduates fluent with thelanguage and be able to communicatebetter with potential clients fromoverseas and also to seek employmentoutside the country. Most of thecourses entry requirements areSijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) or SijilTinggi Pelajaran Malaysia (STPM) andfor those who have not attained theminimal passes in English, the collegeoffers intensive English programmeand also MUET or Malaysia UniversityEnglish Test coaching to equip

EducationTalkstudents with the skills to masterthe language. Most of the coursesalso incorporates entrepreneurshipsubject in the academic programmes,which will expose students to thefuture application of their studies.(SMIDEC). While majority of thestudents come from within the country,it also caters to international studentstoo and this in turn exposes themto the traditions and cultures of thenation and Sarawak. For those whohave an inclination for skills trainingcourses, ICATS is the place to be. Formore information on the institution,you can contact them at the following:ICATS is recognised as the technicaltraining provider for Sarawak andcurrently is the only authorised trainingprovider in Sarawak for Small MediumIndustries Development CorporationInternational College ofAdvanced Technology Sarawak(ICATS)Jalan Canna, Off Jalan Wan Alwi, Tabuan Jaya93350 Kuching, Sarawak, MalaysiaTel: (6) 082 364198Fax: (6) 082 364197e-mail: admin@ppks.edu.myJan-Mar2008KuchingTalk 29

ShoppingTalkGreatfashionable dealsfrom SayangNothing beats saving a great amount of money when itcomes to shopping for attire that are tagged with the lowestprices but boasts chic, modern designs.As a one-stop distributor and wholesale centre in theState, Syarikat Sayang Fashion Marketing Sdn Bhd is simplythe ideal place to head to for those who can’t get enoughof the latest fashions at affordable prices.Not only does the company offer the best prices, theircollection consists of a large and diverse range of fashionablemerchandise bearing the company’s very own brands formen, women, children and even plus sizes.Here are some of the brands that can be found at Sayangand its retailers across the State:JIAZZA brand made especially to fit the carefree lifestyle oftoday’s men, JIAZZ has a wide range of unique and trendyT-shirts and jeans with prices that start from as low asRM29 up to reasonable prices of RM79.90. On the otherhand, the niche of JIAZZ is also its collection of plus-sizeclothing. Bearing the most innovative, fresh designs on themarket today, rest assure that you can now finally find a pairof jeans that fit you perfectly with the label’s jean sizes thatrange up to 60-inch.30 KuchingTalkJan-Mar2008

ShoppingTalkGIGOLOWhile the name definitely has impact and may bring out achuckle or two, GIGOLO is nonetheless one of Sayang’s mostpopular brands for the modern men as they now have theluxury of choosing an assortment of styles, fabrics and fitsfrom the collection. Targeted towards the young generation,the label’s variety of T-shirts and jeans have appealed to manywith its stylish designs and prices that range from RM19.90 toRM69.90. Apart from that, GIGOLO will soon carry a newcollection comprising of low-cut jeans and slacks as well.PICOTEELadies looking for a bargain when it comes to shopping forjeans will definitely be drawn to PICOTEE with its collection oftrendy, fashionable low-cut jeans (a popular choice amongsttoday’s trendsetting women). With sizes ranging from 25 to42, the jeans are available in various cuts and wash to caterto everyone. The label also carries an assortment of adorableT-shirts that are 100% cotton as well. The best part aboutPICOTEE is that all items from this label are pricedfrom a low RM14.90 to RM49.90 only.THAT’SOffering the latest selection of office and casual attire forwomen, THAT’S collection provides ladies with endless options ofversatile pieces that includes shirts, pants and skirts of variousstyles and colour. For instance, shirts are available in 3/4 sleevesas well as vertically striped to give the illusion of a slimmer figurewhile skirts come in A-line, pleated or straight-cut while pantsare available in boot leg, straight-cut and many more. The collectionalso includes various style of blouses, pants and jeans that caterto middle-aged women. Sizes for THAT’S range from petite toplus sizes with prices starting from RM29.90 to RM69.90.New arrivals are available every month and with more than 23 outlets(including outlets in Everrise Department Store and H&L DepartmentStore) under their flagship of Parkland Fashion throughout the State,you get great designs at a fraction of the price. Outlets are foundover Kuching, Sibu, Serian, 7 th Mile, 17 th Mile, Sri Aman, Betong,Saratok, Sarikei, Kota Samarahan, Demak Laut and Maliha.Sayang operates 10am to 9pm daily and cordially welcomesretailers across the country to carry their collection.Headquarters:Lot 120-125, 1 st Floor, Jalan Petanak, 93100, Kuching, Sarawak, MalaysiaTel: (6) 082 247251 Fax: (6) 082 412088 Email: parklandhq@yahoo.comJan-Mar2008KuchingTalk 31

ShoppingTalkWhether you are planning to go for veryformal functions or events, dressing upshould be both elegant and comfortable,giving you the opportunity to feel relaxedand expressing your preference. Sochoosing a dress is the key to enjoyingyour day, either in the office or diningwith friends. The unique feature of dressesis that by adding a few accessorieslike jewelleries, you are properly set forany event.Absolutely Dress Gallery located atDUBS Commercial Centre is the dressspecialist with collections imported directfrom Singapore at reasonable prices; theiremphasis is value for money so you areassured of bottom low prices. For thediscerning customers, there are dresses foroffice attire as well as for evening eventswhile the leisure wear dresses are suitablefor just about anywhere you choose togather with friends. First impressions arenaturally on the dress you wear and withtheir range of plain to floral offerings,you can add to your collections as mostof these are the latest in design.Dresses for you and meIn addition to the dresses, accessoriestoo feature prominently in their offerings;the sparkling chains, colourful belts, petiteshoes and designer style bags stand outwhen combined with their dresscollections. With the friendly sales serviceand attention, you can take your time togo through the store and try out theselatest offerings and be completely satisfiedwith your purchase. An interesting aspectof the store is that the customers rangefrom teens to adults, further proof thatthe range of stuff available inside aresuited to just about all age groups. Thestore’s opening hours are 10.30am - 9pmdaily Mon - Sun so there is no excusewhy you can’t find the time to drop inand browse through their dresses andaccessories. When it comes to dresses,the more is certainly merrier!DUBS Commercial Centre, Lot 376, Section 54, L2_01, Jalan Petanak,93675 Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia. Mobile: 012 888360932 KuchingTalkJan-Mar2008

ShoppingTalkCome! Indulge yourself in fine dining and lifestyleshopping at the fabulous Crown Square. Pleasant andconveniently located on the ground floor are restaurants andfood outlets, each distinctive and elegant in their individualdesigns and concepts. Here, Le Yue, Causeway Bay and MrHo’s serves a wide variety of Oriental delicacies with westernfares too while Pondok Laguna specialises in Indonesian delights.Rakutei Japanese restaurant and Ajiten Ramen providediscerning customers with authentic Japanese favourites.The cocktail bar cum restaurant is captivating in itsdesign and surroundings, offering fine view allaround.Fine food and shopping centreThe first floor comprises mainly fashionand apparels for young and old. Brandnames in men’s and women’s wear canbe found here amidst the colonial stylefine elegant finishing of the shop lotshere. The latest in fashion for women andteens as well as tailored madesuits for men are located in thespacious outlets here. Cateringmainly to more high fashion stylesand designs, these shops are idealfor choosing the right clothes forspecial occasions and functions.Moving on to the second floor, designated as the “lifestylefloor”, you will find a good mixed of hair salon, bodywellness centre, nail care centre, sports fashion house andthere is the wide selection of kiddy fashion and necessities atKiddy Care. Enter K Entertainment is the venue for thosewho enjoy the pleasures of karaoke. The other part of thefloor area is reserved for arts and cultural exhibitions heldat the venue from time to time.At the very top floor, Mummy Care is the one-stop centre forall baby care products to the young children’s videos andplaythings. This is also where a multi-purpose hall for banquet,exhibition and convention is located and which can comfortablyseat up to 1000 people at any one time.The entire interior of Crown Square is sparkling in its designand outlook, giving shoppers and patrons a delightful andrelaxed experience in air-conditioned surroundings.SARAWAK CONSTRUCTION SDN BHD (a member of the KTS Group Of Companies) • 9 th Floor Crown Tower, 88 Jalan Pending,93450 Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia. Tel: (6) 082 346699 Fax: (6) 082 346688Jan-Mar2008KuchingTalk 33

ShoppingTalkConvenience Shoppingat the AirportSky Mall Emporium is your one-stop shop for perfumesto eyewear to chocolates!After the sightseeing tours and visitsto famous places around KuchingCity, you possibly have little timefor shopping and it’s time to leave!No worry as after checking in at theKuching International Airport departurehall, there is now Sky Mall Emporium,your one-stop shop for that, specialgifts for family and loved ones.Located at Level 2, this huge placecarries favourites like chocolates ofbrands, Cadbury, Fererro, Lindt,Danson and Fidani. There is surelysomething that suits that specialperson in your gift plans.Moving on, there is that distinctcounter for fragrances featuringinternational names like Dior, Chanel,Lancome, Boss and many others eachwith its own individual scent andstyle. Also found are cosmetics forladies, which incidentally also includebrand like L’occitane, the bodylineand skin care products from Francemade from 100% natural ingredients.As expected apparels and leathergoods are one of the main productshere and distinguished brands likeBonia and Polo Haus are all ondisplay. If you have missed out inshopping for that truly Sarawak pepperthat spice up your cooking, don’tfret as Sky Mall Emporium has a wellstock range of black and white pepper,whole or ground with attractivepackaging to choose from. In addition,electronic gadgets and watches tooare some of the interesting rangeof products found here, all in theconvenience and comfort of the coolsurroundings and without the noisycrowd in the city.Sky Mall Emporium is open dailyfrom 7am to 1030pm so you cantake your time to browse aroundwhen you have checked in. Currently,the store is having a promotion ofbetween 10-30% till January 2008for selected products purchased .With the choices available and theprices that are bound to excite you,get to the airport earlier than younormally would, so leaving yourselfmore time for that shopping spreeon your way home.DR GROUP HOLDINGS SDN BHDLot L2A, 11-16, Level 2, Departure Hall, Kuching International Airport, 93772, Kuching Sarawak • Tel: (6) 082 615506 • Fax: (6) 082 61550634 KuchingTalkJan-Mar2008

ProductTalkThe Grain of LifePRODUCT CATEGORIESPILIHAN BERNAS logo is printed on all endorsed brands. This logo emphasises our slogan “Dijamin Pilihan Bijak” (A SmartChoice, Guaranteed). It is developed in four different colours for easy identification process.Local White Rice (Purple Logo)Local White Rice grains are long rice with a minimumsize of 6.2mm with the composition of broken riceavailable in the market is 5%, 10% and 15%. Rice thatcontains a high percentage of broken rice is cheaper inprice. This rice has an average content of amylose with only 21.4%,producing pattering and non-sticky texture. In terms of quality andtaste, this type of rice is just the same as super white rice importedfrom neighbouring countries. Local white rice is usually used forcooking daily meals and suitable for cooking nasi lemak, ketupatnasi, fried rice and mixed rice.Imported White Rice (Blue Logo)Imported White Rice is also long grain white riceimported from neighbouring countries. It shares thesame texture, taste and characteristics of the LocalWhite Rice. This rice also served in daily meals and issuitable for cooking nasi lemak or fried rice.Basmati RiceBasmati rice that is available in the marketis imported from India and Pakistan. Thegrain’s minimum length is about 7mm ormore; it is white in colour which indicatesgood quality rice. The amylose contentin Basmati is high, about 24.1% and itexpands to two times its original lengthafter cooking. Basmati rice is suitable forcooking flavoured rice like nasi briyani,nasi tomato, nasi minyak and etc.PonniHerbal RicePonni herbal rice is an organic rice whichis low in carbohydrate and high in protein.This rice is suitable for a low calorie diet.Fragrant Rice (Pink Logo)Fragrant Rice is aromatic rice with a natural fragrance.Usually long (about 7mm) and cylindrical in shape,it has a tender texture. Fragrant Rice has low tointermediate amylose content, 13-25%, meaning it israther glutinous. Intermediate amylose rice cooks moist and a bitwaxy. However, this type of rice may harden and lose its aromawith time. Fragrant Rice is a favourite choice with the Chinesecommunity. It is well-served as nasi ayam and also commonlyused for cooking daily home meals.Specialty Rice (Orange Logo)Many types of Specialty Rice are made availableby PILIHAN BERNAS. Here, we look at fourfavourites:Glutinous RiceGlutinous rice is usually soft and stickywhen cooked because it contains 10-20% low amylose. This rice has anoblong shape, pearlised and nottranslucent at all and it is small insize with a minimal length of 4mm.Glutinous rice is used in makingtraditional delicacies such as ketupatpulut, lemang and others.Brown RiceBrown rice has low Glycaemic Indexand since it still has the bran intact,it is a much better source of fibre.Fibre also has a healthy effect on ourcholesterol levels and may help to reducethe risk of cardiovascular disease. This rice issuitable for a low calorie diet.Pilihan Bernas Brands ( Available in Supermarkets and Stores Near You! )BERAS CORPORATION SDN BHD (480493-H) No. 96-M, Lot 2654-2656, Block 195, KNLD, Jalan Green, 93150 Kuching,Sarawak, Malaysia. Tel: (6) 082 243002 / 245002 / 248002 • Fax: (6) 082 234000 • Website: www.bernas.com.my[ A member of BERNAS Group of Companies ]Jan-Mar2008KuchingTalk 35

In.a.DayTalkindayaGreat fun & adventure for familiesWhen you have a day to spend time with your family, why nottake up the following day trip to various places of interest andadventure around the city as recommended by a resident whorecently went on the route. Suited for everyone, especially thosewith children, the places are individually exciting and entertainingfor adults too and all can enjoy the adventure. For locality, kindlyrefer to our Kuching map.Thank you!email: iconnec@pc.jaring.mynk food network ...8.30 amCan’t make up your mind on where to go for breakfast;western or local? Then start the day right with nutritiousbreakfast at NK Food Network! Located in the heart ofKuching, you can get both western and local breakfastmenus here, ranging from nyonya kueh and pastries tofavourites such as omelettes, pancakes and toasts. Localsublot 18, Central Park,Jalan Tun Ahmad Zaidi Adruce,93200 Kuching, Sarawak,Malaysia.food like fried noodles either in tomato or Cantonesestyle is also available. The place is definitely an idealspot for a relaxed breakfast where local coffee/tea andalso ice-blended drinks are offered. Open daily from8.30am-10.30pm, it is a must-try.Nasi Padang SeleraBundaHaving lunch here is usually a jostle with others as theplace is quite crowded most days but the plus point isthat the food is great! With over 25 dishes of authenticIndonesian style cooking to choose from, you canunderstand why the crowd is here. Reasonably pricedtoo, the food is fresh, cooked daily by the experiencedchefs so quality is assured. Among the hot favourites36 KuchingTalkJan-Mar20089.30 pm 1.00 pmKubah National ParkAfter breakfast, a trip to Kubah National Park, just onthe out-skirt of the city, is a pleasant experience as ithouses one of the best collections of palms and nativeorchids. Primarily serving as a water catchment area,the park has four main trails which vary in length ofabout two to six hours and covering a diverse range ofpicturesque settings, including a majestic waterfall. Thispark is also next to the Matang Wildlife centre, a favouriteplace for children as a number of wild animals can beseen here, including the iconic species of Sarawak likethe hornbill and orang utan.

In.a.DayTalkare beef rendang, udang galah, asam pedas ikan,sambal udang petai, kari kepala ikan, sotong tumis,sayur nangka masak lemak, umai ikan, ulamulamand many more. The nasi campur is pricedfrom RM5.50 depending on your choices and youshould try out as many as possible.The place starts as early as 8:30 in the morningwhere you can get drinks and food will be servedfrom 10:30 till 3:00 in the afternoon. It is opendaily and this is one place where lunch is alwaysa tempting affair for many. Located at lot 145,Section 62.No 301 Jalan DatukWee Kheng Chiang, KTLD 93450Kuching. You can contact them at(6) 082 252581Semonggoh WildlifeCentreVisitors to Sarawak should never miss the chance tocome to this 653-hectare tropical rainforest centrewhere semi-wild orang utans often are seen feedingfrom a platform. These animals have been released afterrehabilitation and some still come back for feedingwhen fruits in the forest are not sufficient whilea number of other orang utans are kept in enclosureswithin the centre. There are other animals kept here forrehabilitation purposes and veterinary care by medicalpersonnel housed here and other research work beingdone too. The centre is an ideal place to get to knowabout orang utans and also botanical knowledge as agarden is maintained to showcase the various plantsused by the indigenous people of Sarawak.2.30 pmCarvery7.30 pmCarvery Restaurant is proud to offer the first “Carvery” dining experiencein Sarawak with quality food, at reasonable prices and in a comfortableambience. Carvery’s Lunch and Dinner Buffet remains the ultimate meatgourmet experience with at least 10 items for lunch and 13 items for dinnerto feast through. Included in the buffet are the Cold and Hot Salad Barsand a soup of the day. Apart from Carvery’s Lunch and Dinner Buffet,A’ La Carte menu is also available for those who prefer not to overindulge.to Petra Jayafrom KuchingKuching 2 nd Bridge(Tanah Puteh)to Rajah CourtTelekomMalaysiaWe are hereto Bintawa FishingVillagePendingRecreationPark / IndoorStadium MBKSBusiness Hours: Lunch: 11.30am – 2.30pm • Dinner: 6.30pm – 10.30pm •Close on Sunday (All major credit cards accepted)For reservation, please call (6) 082 345429 or (6) 082 345428Lot 2069, Jalan Utama, Bintawa Industrial Estate, 93450 Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia.(opposite Pepper Marketing Board & Marine Department)Jan-Mar2008KuchingTalk 37

DiningOutTalkFestive CelebrationsCHINESENEW YEARAurora CourtFAMILY REUNION FEASTWednesday, 6 th February 20086.30 p.m. – 10.00 p.m.RM 68 ++ per adultRM 28 ++ per child (5 – 12 years old)Featuring a sumptuous buffet spread of delectable Chinese delicacies specially created by ChefNam and his team for this auspicious lunar occasion. Inclusive of the must-have Yee Sang fortoasting.PROSPERITY BUFFET DINNERThursday, 7 th to Sunday, 10 th February 20086.30 p.m. – 10.00 p.m.RM 59 ++ per adult RM 18 ++ per child (5 – 12 years old)The ever popular “Fresh & Fabulous” theme buffet goes Oriental in conjunction with the lunarNew Year Festival. Indulge in a wide selections of fresh meats, seafood and vegetables cooked a’ laminute in your preferred cooking style with your choice of condiments and sauces.CHAP GOH MEI BUFFET DINNERThursday, 21 st February 20086.30 p.m. – 10.00 p.m.RM 59 ++ per adult RM 18 ++ per child (5 – 12 years old)Celebrate the closing of the lunar New Year in style and feast on a bountiful array of delightful ChineseNew Year delicacies specially prepared for your enjoyment with family and friends.14 th February 2008VALENTINE’SDAYAurora CourtLOVE IS IN THE AIR AT AURORA COURT6.30 p.m. – 10.00 p.m.RM 78 ++ per adultRM 28 ++ per child (5 – 12 years old)Offering you a kaleidoscope of mouth-watering international favourites and treats befitting the occasion.• Free Chocolate Kisses and Rose for the ladyRistorante BeccariROMANCE AT RISTORANTE BECCARI7.00 p.m. onwardsRM 108 ++ per personRekindle loving moments with your sweetheart and pamper her with a deluxe five-course Italian set dinner.• Free Chocolate Kisses and Rose for the lady• Live entertainment by our Resident PianistVictoria ArmsLOVE AFFAIR AT VICTORIA ARMS7.00 p.m. onwardsRM 88 ++ per personMelt the heart of your loved one with the specially crafted Valentine’s four-course “Love Potions”.• Free Chocolate Kisses and Rose for the lady• Live entertainment by our Resident Band and DJ. . . at Merdeka Palace Hotel & SuitesFor further information or reservation, please contact:Telephone: (6) 082 258000 • Aurora Court ext. 8061 • Ristorante Beccari ext. 8080 • Victoria Arms ext. 8070Facsimile: (6) 082 425400 • E-mail: info@merdekapalace.com • Website: www.merdekapalace.com38 KuchingTalkJan-Mar2008

DiningOutTalkSeafood Paradisefrom Rock Road RestaurantEast MooreWest MooreWe Are Here!Rock RoadSeafood RestaurantCourts MammothWisma SaberkasRock Road Seafood Restaurant Sdn Bhd(Formerly known as ROCK ROAD SEAFOOD RESTAURANT)Lot 1229-1230, Rock View Estate,2 1 /2 Mile Rock Road, 93200 Kuching,Sarawak, Malaysia. Tel: (6) 082 241575 / 427331Fax: (6) 082 255261Kuching is renowned for its array ofgastronomical delicacies which includesmouth-watering fresh seafood thatmany visitors often find irresistiblewhenever they visit the capital city ofSarawak. One restaurant that specialisesin offering foodies here the freshestseafood available in town is none otherthan Rock Road Seafood Restaurant.The family-run and owned restauranthas been operating for more thanthirty years serving locals and visitorsalike with tantalising dishes fresh fromthe kitchen such as their signature dish,Special Hainanese Crab. To fully enjoythis dish, it’s best to eat them withyour hands and dip the peanut-lacedgravy with the accompanied soft, fluffybuns. Apart from crabs, which are alsoavailable smoked, baked, steamed orstir-fried, the restaurant is renownedfor its rare local fish varieties such asEmpurau (Emperor), Tingadak andSarawak’s very own, Semah fish as wellas popular local fish such as Batutu,Grouper, Red Telapia, White and BlackPompfret, Sultan, Mancong, Siakap,Stingray and Red Snapper.The fish can be cooked either steamed,pan-fried, deep-fried or even barbecuedwith ‘sambal’ sauce for those wholove their food spicy. Other seafoodavailable include prawns and lobsters,imported from Sabah along with thecrabs and fish, they are well-stockedin large aquariums at the restaurant.Rock Road Seafood Restaurant ensuresthat their seafood comes straight fromthe tank into the cooking pot preparedby chefs in the restaurant’s open-conceptkitchen, thus giving diners the assuranceof freshness for a sumptuous diningexperience. While renowned forseafood dishes, other dishes that donot disappoint include Pei KingRoasted Duck, Crispy Roasted Duckas well as lamb served either braised,deep-fried or stewed Hainanese style.Besides dining there, the restaurant,which emphasises on quality andcustomer satisfaction, also providescatering services for corporate andfamily functions.There are more than fifty dishes tochoose from in the catering menu thatranges from seafood to non-seafooddishes. However, customers can alsochoose dishes from the restaurant’sa’ la carte menu that includes lobsters,crabs and abalone. This hassle-freeservice (provided by the restaurant forover twenty years) includes buffet cateringthat comprise of buffet counterwith table linen and table skirting, banquetchairs, cutleries, serviette, chaffingdishes and free delivery in Kuchingtown area or within the radius of 10kmfrom the restaurant.Prices start from RM15 per person forcatering selection of up to six dishes toRM26 per person for catering selectionof up to nine dishes. The minimum orderrequirement is RM400 and abovefor outdoor catering while in-housebuffet requires a minimum order ofRM800 and above. In conjunctionwith the upcoming Chinese NewYear celebration, the restaurant willalso be having a Prosperity Packagethat will include the must-have delicacyduring this auspicious festival, Yee Sang.Available in either salmon fish or abaloneclams, Yee Sang, believed to bring goodfortune and wealth in the upcomingyear to those who toss and mix it, isjust one of the many special dishes thatwill be served in the restaurant’sProsperity Package. Rock Road SeafoodRestaurant operates daily from 11.30amto 2.00pm and 6.00pm to 10.00pm.visit our website: www.rockrd.com for detailsJan-Mar2008KuchingTalk 39

DiningOut&What’sOnMy RestaurantCurrently most of the restaurants inKuching City serve pork dishes cookedChinese style, with a select few havingwestern style pork chops. Now, there is MyRestaurant located at Jalan Setia Raja, SamaJaya, where you can get European style porkdishes served in a delightful setting that is sure toplease every food lover! For starters, try the daily“Specials” if you are visiting for the first time andregular patrons will tell you that My Restaurant servestantalizing array of BBQ ribs, roasted knuckles, andeverybody’s favourite - the home-made sausages. Maindishes you need to try include the slow roasted rib eye,grilled pork fillet with mustard sauce, london bacon chopand many more mouth-watering choices. In addition, thereare also spaghetti, chicken and fish apart from the pork dishes.A 10% discount will be accorded to my privilege card holders.Open Tuesday to Saturday 11.00am – 2.00pm (lunch) and6.00pm – 10.00pm (dinner) Sunday 6.00pm – 10.00pm (dinner)Ground floor, Lot 13166 & 13167 Samajaya Commercial Centre, Jalan Setia Raja, 93350 Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia. Tel: (6) 082 361588Sri Shan Curry & Such restaurant is an award winning restaurant servingHalal Southern Indian Cuisine. From the exciting breakfast offeringsof Puttumayam and Appam, we too offer Nasi Lemak, Mamak Meegoreng and KL Indian Rojak. Our innovative food design provides youwith a wide variety of different Indian Bread – Roti Canai and Thosay.We offer more than a dozen different types of Roti Canai – RotiCanai Vintage Cheese, Roti Canai Masala Potatoes Cheese, RotiCanai Sarawak Pineapple, Roti Canai Banana with Jackfruit andmore. Our Thosay comes in regular Thosay, Rawa Thosay or our very own Tri-MushroomThosay, all served with chutney.The curry specialistFor your lunch and dinner, a must have at Sri Shan is our famous Mutton Curry Shank. Priceranges from RM8 to RM18 per Shank. Another of our famous dish is the Fishhead Curry,cooked without coconut milk to ensure a healthy meal. Other dishes for your main courseincludes Chicken Curry, Chicken Peratal, Chicken Varuval, Fish Curry or fried dishes and more.For our Vegetarian customers, we provide a vegetable counter that will meet your needs.We serve a wide variety of fragrance rice such as – Saffron Rice, Coriander Rice, Lemon Rice,Tamarind Rice, Yogurt Rice and more. Sri Shan does not use monosodium glutamate (MSG) orcolouring. All of our curries are cooked without using coconut milk except for Chicken Kurma.Visit Sri Shan now to savour the wide varieties of Southern Indian Cuisine.For more information, call Sri Shan today!.Sri Shan Curry & Such • No. 383, Persiaran Ban Hock • Tel: (6) 082 244118Sun & Mon: 7.00am – 3.00pm • Tue- Sat: 7.00am – 10.00pm1 - 6 FebruaryGong Xi Festival BazaarVenue: High Street & Jalan Raja, Miri7 - 8 FebruaryChinese New YearVenue: Throughout Sarawak21 February (morning)Chap Goh Mei(Last day of Chinese New Year)Venue: Bau Town, KuchingWhat’sOn January – March 2008MarchMiri International Motorcycle SprintChallenge – Series 1Venue: Lutong Airstrip8 - 15 MARCHBario Food FestivalBario, Miri17 - 13 MarchSarawak Chief Minister’s Cup ITFWorld Junior Tennis Championship(Group 1)Venue: Kuching27 - 29 MARCHBa’Kelalan Apple FiestaVenue: Ba’Kelalan, Lawas29 MarchHong Sam Si Temple ParadeVenue: Kuching30 March - 20 AprilMiri International Deep Sea FishingTournamentVenue: Drop Off, Miri(Note: Event dates are subject to change without prior notice) For further enquiries, please contact:Kuching North City Hall (DBKU) Tel: (6) 082 446688 • Kuching South City Council (MBKS) Tel: (6) 082 242311 • Padawan Municipal Council Tel: (6) 082 615566Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) Tel: (6) 082 423600 • Miri City Council (Tel: (6) 085 424111) • Sibu Municipal Council (Tel: (6) 084 333411)40 KuchingTalkJan-Mar2008

PeopleTalkAfter being in the hospitality industry for 15 years, Datuk Hajjah RaziahMahmud-Geneid is now reaping the fruits of her labour. Grit and determination,especially in wanting to put Mulu on the world tourist map, brought hercloser to the industry.Datuk Hajjah RaziahMahmud-GeneidCorporate Ladylift. Raziah does not hesitate to offertourists a lift especially when theyseem to lose their way.“Sarawakians are very hospitablepeople. It doesn’t matter what racethey belong to, all of them are thesame when it comes to hospitality.If you go to a village, the people willnot think twice to invite you intotheir house for a drink or a meal,”says Raziah.Raziah cannot help but recall thedays when she had to accomplishthe task of building the luxuriousRoyal Mulu Resort in the interiorof Mulu’s tropical rainforest. Shedescribed the mission as a logisticalnightmare, and when the projectwas finally completed in 1992, shehad to deal with the problem of lowoccupancy which was attributed toshortage of flights into Miri. Buther perseverance and persistencepaid off.In 2001, she succeeded in helping toput Mulu on the world tourist mapby securing a place for Mulu NationalPark on the UNESCO’s World HeritageList, which was a first for Malaysia.Indeed, it had brought Sarawakto the world’s attention. With thatand also the increase of flights andupgrading of the Miri airport, therehas been a steady increase in thenumber of foreign tourists visitingMulu in recent years. The magnificentpinnacles, colossal caves, scenicbeauty, flora and fauna of Mulu arenow showcased to the world.Prior to the Mulu project, Raziahhad a few companies to her credit.Unquestionably, it was the uniquebeauty of Mulu that first lured Raziahto the hospitality industry. After theRoyal Mulu Resort, she started theRIHGA Royal Hotel in Miri, which isnow known as the Marriott Resortand Spa. Unmistakably, it is her innategift in the area of hospitality combinedwith her business acumen thatmakes her tick. A fine reflection of atypical Sarawakian whose hospitalityhas been described as a mark ofa “true gentleman”, Raziah is notonly charitable towards the cause ofnon-governmental organizations orthe needy, but also to foreign touristson the street. Some individual touristsmight be taken aback to find achauffeur driven executive in a luxurycar stopping by just to offer them aIt was a perfect display of Sarawak’shospitality and elegance during theoccasion of her eldest daughter EliaKhadijah Abas Geneid’s weddingto her Swiss-Japanese groom,Alexander Iskandar George HiroseMuller on 26 October 2007. Thenight before the nuptial, they hadtheir union solemnised accordingto Islamic rites, followed by theengagement ceremony of her youngersister Esha Noor Geneid to JosephYussof Afaki. Both nights witnessedwhat was described by Star socialobserver Mansor Run Abdul Aziz as“a multi-cultural congregation worthyof a United Nation summit…”Needless to say, the wedding was anelaborate affair with a stupendousdisplay of Sarawakian ingenuity, andmost noteworthy was how Raziah andher Lebanese husband Robert Geneidentertained their guests. They wentfrom table to table separately at everyopportunity to greet every guest. Onecouldn’t agree more with Raziah whenshe says, “Sarawak has so much tooffer to its visitors with its rich culturalheritage and beautiful surroundings.”She had worked her way to the topbut like a true Sarawakian, she is downto earth.Jan-Mar2008KuchingTalk 41

HealthTalk

CJ7f i l m reviewTel: 6 082 234 077Genre: Comedy, Science FictionRated: PG On Cineplex: 7February 2008Tuesday | Ladies Day, Ticket only RM6(not applicable for male and public holiday)RMBTalkWednesday | Movie Day, Ticket only RM5 / RM6(not applicable for movie marked (“) and public holiday)*All booked tickets must be collected 45 min before show times.Kung Fu DunkGenre: Action/Adventure, ComedyRated: PG On Cineplex: 7 February2008“CJ7 is a comedy abouta poor labourer father(played by StephenChow) and his youngson. When a fascinatingand strange new petenters their lives, theylearn a poignant lessonabout the true natureof family and the thingsmoney can’t buy.”Shi Jie (Jay Chou), grew up in amartial arts school. With his kungfu skills, Shi Jie excels in basketballby mastering the slam dunktechnique. Wang Li (Eric Tsang),who is trying to locate Shi Jie’sreal family, invites him to join theuniversity’s basketball team. Shi Jiefaces new challenges while tryingto blend in with the basketball team members Ting-Wei (ChenBo Lin) and Xiao Lan (Baron Chen) and the upcoming basketballchampionship.JumperGenre: Action/Adventure, Drama, Science Fiction, Thriller Rated: PG-13 On Cineplex: 14 February 2008Davey lives alone with his father. But the truth is, it isn’t much of a home. When things get so bad,Davey decides to run away and his big question is, Where? The magical answer is anywhere Daveywants! Davey discovers he has the power to jump from one place to another. Not just a few feet. Buthundreds, even thousands of miles! And as Davey explores his new power he learns that the world isliterally his for the taking. But there are consequences too, as Davey will learn. His mother who lefthim and his abusive father years before, is reunited with Davey only to be killed. As Davey resists thepull from the CIA he must also battle those who took someone very dear to him. His girlfriend Millietries to help him but not even her support can get him out of the mess he has gotten himself into.Davey seeks the ultimate revenge, only to learn that revenge may not be what he really desires.B O O K s & C D ReviewThe Sarawakiana Series (RM60.00)– Sarawak Artists / Culture & Heritage –SARAWAK STATE LIBRARYJalan Pustaka, Off Jalan Stadium, 93050 Petra Jaya,Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia. Tel: 6 082 442000Fax: 6 082 449944 www.pustaka-sarawak.comContact person: Syeeida Ali Hussein | Email: syeeidah@sarawaknet.gov.mySarawakiana Series – Culture & HeritageSelected Sarawak Artists ArtworksRight from the outset, author Susan Chemerai Anding made it clear that artists in andfrom Sarawak rarely ever get recognition from their fellow Sarawakians; often theseartists are viewed as those who are in a world of their own as everyone knows that it isalmost impossible to survive as an artist in the state! Incidentally that may also explainwhy there is hardly any published material on art or artists around, again, the perceptionthat it is considered an activity that hardly warrants attention and certainly not one thatmost parents would encourage their children to aspire towards.Sarawak Malay CultureTraditional Songs, Music and DanceThe CD starts off with a short introduction of the history of the Malays in Sarawak,tracing their likely origins from Indonesia and intermarrying with other local tribes. Itexplained the various legends and stories of former leaders of the community who tookover the leadership of the communities they marry into. Two main types of traditionalsong heritage were mentioned, namely Lagu Rakyat and Gendang.Women Who InspireIn Women Who Inspire, the author Christina Mamora captures the thoughts andaspirations of Sarawak women, and has combined narrative with critical prose tocreate a palatable literary style and make interesting reading. The second editionof the book can be purchased at: Premier Bookstore, Sarawak Plaza, Kuching;Sinar Suci, Jln. Hj. Taha, Kuching; My Bookstore, Jln. Hj. Taha, Kuching and RedBookstore, Petra Jaya KuchingJan-Mar2008KuchingTalk 43