Niamah!!!: Sarawak, a different country...I mean state. Or do I? Sarawak, a different country...I mean state. Or do I? It's a very different looking bird, ain't it? Everytime I visit Sarawak I feel like I am in a different country. Things there are just somehow.....different. In so many positive ways. People were friendlier. Places were cleaner. People were more...together. And at times I felt more Malaysian there than I have ever done over here on the peninsula. And that I think is by the gracious sufferance of the Sarawakians and not because I hold a Malaysian passport. I could never really put my finger on why and how exactly things were different over there. They just ...... were! I may have found the reason today. In the front page of The Sun . I tried looking for the same story in The Star but couldn't find it. Maybe they didn't think it worth printing. NST? No my maid still prefers The Star for fish wrap so I don't buy the NST. What about the Sun's front page story? I shall copy it here in its entirety as I found it in the online edition.

I am not going to comment on it. You read it and see if you can't find your own reasons for thinking why things are so different over there. For now. I am beginning to understand why I need a passport to go there. Comment later if you like and share your thoughts with us. By the way, the highlights are mine. Sarawak won't adopt anti-apostasy law Posted on 13 November 2011 - 01:55pm Last updated on 14 November 2011 - 07:53am Sulok Tawie newsdesk@thesundaily.com KUCHING (Nov 13, 2011): The state government does not intend to adopt anti-apostasy law because Sarawak practises religious freedom where each and every individual can choose the religion of his or her choice. However, Assistant Minister of Islamic Affairs Datuk Daud Abdul Rahman said, this does not mean that the State Islamic Department was encouraging all those who had converted to Islam to leave the religion. “We do not encourage converts to leave the religion neither do we have an iron grip on them.

We can only advice them,” said Daud yesterday, reiterating that the state upholds the rights of individuals where religion is concerned. Daud was commenting on a recent statement by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom that it was up to the individual states to propose an anti-apostasy law. Speaking to reporters after attending a graduation and award presentation ceremony at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Matang, Daud said Muslims in the state are not the majority and it would create bad feelings among the non-Muslims if the Anti-Apostasy Act was to be implemented. Daud said the state, unlike West Malaysia, looks at religion from a different point of view and if converts really want to leave the religion after being advised against it, there is nothing much that the State Religious Department can do. “However, we have set up a committee called ‘Akidah Committee’ headed by the State Mufti to help the new converts and to counsel them on religious matters,” he said.

Daud explained that a convert who wanted to leave the religion would normally inform the State Religious Department about it and he (the convert) would be given counselling sessions by officers from the department for up to a year before he (the convert) makes a final decision. The Assistant Minister said that he had personally received requests from several individuals regarding the matter, and his solution was always to let the individuals decide what was best for them. Most converts, he said, converted to Islam for the sake of marrying a Muslim man or woman and they had almost zero knowledge about Islam. “Even their Muslim partner may have very little knowledge of Islam and they tend to lead a non-Islamic way of life after conversion, leading them to think that there is no difference if they go back to their old beliefs. “Another problem is that those who want to leave the religion have to deal with the National Registration Department in deleting the ‘bin’ or ‘binti’ from their name as displayed in the identification card,” he said. NIAMAH!!! Sarawak | state, Malaysia | Britannica.com state, Malaysia Alfred Cort Haddon Sarawak, historic region that is now a state of Malaysia .

It comprises the northwestern part of the island of Borneo and is bounded by the sultanate of Brunei and Sabah (Malaysia) on the north and by Indonesian Borneo (Kalimantan) on the east and south. Sarawak has a low-lying and heavily indented coastline along the South China Sea . Much of its area is covered by primary rain forest . The alluvial, swampy coastal plain is backed by rolling country that is intersected by mountains and numerous navigable rivers. Fishing village near Bako National Park, Sarawak, Malay. © Gini Gorlinski Cave opening at Gunung Mulu National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site in Sarawak, Malay. © Gini Gorlinski Sarawak became the southern province of the sultanate of Brunei when the Majapahit empire of Java declined in the 15th century. James Brooke , an English adventurer and a former military officer of the East India Company , visited the territory in 1839 and aided the sultan in suppressing a revolt.

As a reward for his services, Brooke was installed (1841) as raja of Sarawak over the sector from Tanjung Datu to the Batang (River) Samarahan; there he endeavoured to suppress piracy and headhunting . Sarawak was recognized as a separate state by the United States (1850) and Great Britain (1864) and, until 1905, was gradually enlarged through purchase and annexation. In 1868 Brooke died and was succeeded as raja by a nephew, Charles Brooke. The latter ruled until 1917 and was succeeded by his son Charles Vyner Brooke . In 1941 the latter Brooke abrogated his absolute powers by enacting a constitution that was designed to establish democratic self-government, but the effort was delayed by the Japanese occupation (1942–45). The territory, devastated by war, was ceded to the British crown in 1946. Sarawak achieved self-government and joined Malaysia in 1963.

Similar Topics Sarawak recalls loss of country's sovereignty 2013 Jul 21 - Sarawak recalls loss of country's sovereignty Sarawak recalls loss of country's sovereignty The planned Borneo Heritage Foundation's activities to commemorate Sarawak independence day on 22 July 2013 is a welcome step forward in the long march for Sarawak independence. The question is: Was this real independence or was it only a brief illusion? Sarawak was an independent kingdom ruled by the English Brooke family from 1841 to 1941. Its statehood and identity as a sovereign country was first recognised by the USA in 1850 and then Britain in 1863, long before Malaya's independence in 1957. Over 100 years Sarawak evolved into a unique fusion of a western style monarchy with an eastern flavour. The rulers were however not seen as despotic but as benevolent custodians of this once pluralist Christian majority country. On Sarawak's centenary celebrations of its statehood in 1941, the last Rajah Charles Vyner Brooke proclaimed a new State Constitution.

The Constitution's Preamble set out the famous "9 Cardinal Principles" affirming the Sarawak people's right to succeed to a democratic, secular and pluralist society and state. This document is far superior to the race/religion based Malayan apartheid "constitution" which was imposed on Sabah and Sarawak in 1963. The 9 Cardinal Principles formed the framework for both Sarawak and Sabah's respective 18 and 20 Points Agreements as terms and condition for the formation of Malaysia, which Malaya signed and quickly and conveniently forgotten. But in reality Sarawak (like Sabah) has remained a colony for 72 years since the Japanese occupation from December 1941 to August 1945. It briefly regained independence before cession to Britain in 1946 and then again on 22 July 1963. Independence on 22 July was illusory as 56 days later Sarawak was annexed with Sabah into Malaysia under the ironic slogan of "independence in Malaysia" on 16 September 1963 without any U.N.

Referendum against the background of popular resistance seen in the anti-Malaysia Brunei Uprising (1962) and the Sarawak independence guerrilla war (1962 to 1990). By 1965 the Malayan Prime Minister was openly calling Sabah and Sarawak the 13th and 14th states of "Malaysia". He had so unashamedly departed from what he declared in 1962 that they would never make Sabah and Sarawak colonies of Malaya. In 1965 the original Malaysia concept of 5 countries as equal partners was dead when Singapore left the union over UMNO's move to become the dominate partner instead of honouring the equal partner status for all the members of the Malaysia federation. This also saw both Sarawak first CM Stephen K Ningkan and Sabah first CM Donald Stephens resisting Kuala Lumpur attempts to centralise control over these 2 countries. In Sarawak CM Ningkan had actively canvassed for support to separate from Malaysia and even Tun Mustapha had made moves to take Sabah out of Malaysia.

Kuala Lumpur acted quickly to stop the separation moves by sacking Ningkan and then Stephens resigned in disgust over UMNO's overt attempts to dominate. The removal of any "separatist" leadership allowed UMNO to install their chosen proxy rulers the Sarawak Rahman/Taib clique and pro-UMNO Sabah elites like Harris and Tun Mustapha in power. The declaration of a "state of emergency" cemented UMNO's hold over the 2 new colonies with its occupation army still fighting Borneo independence fighters. Over 50 years under the new colonial rule, UMNO turned Sabah and Sarawak into its resources centres plundering their vast oil and other resources to develop Malaya and enriched so many UMNO elites and cronies and reducing the 2 countries to be the poorest vassals states of Malaya. They remain mere colonies. This very much reminds us of Rajah Charles Brooke's 1917 prophetic farewell speech when he strongly warned the Dayak people not to be cheated of their heritage - their land as otherwise they would become "coolies" in their own land.

Today many see these words becoming true as the ruling elites mercilessly seized and exploited native land to enrich themselves by dispossessing and making destitute thousands of the once self sufficient native people. These people have no choice but become a cheap workforce for the very people who plundered their land and resources. The current proxy local ruling elites have openly called them "squatters". Thus the last 50 years must bear witness to how much we have lost since the 22 July 1963 independence date by the fact that we do not yet enjoy real independence. The loss of our land and country is the loss of our sovereignty. WikiSabah News Malaysia | Global Witness Donate Malaysia The Malaysian state of Sarawak is losing its rainforests faster than anywhere else on earth, driven by a timber industry riddled with corruption and illegality. Read more Put end to end, the sprawling network of logging roads carved into Sarawak’s once abundant rainforests would be long enough to circle the globe twice. Until his resignation in February 2014, Sarawak’s Chief Minister, Abdul Taib Mahmud, presided over the allocation of the state’s land and timber licenses for thirty years.

Global Witness’s undercover investigations revealed how Taib had been doling out these licenses to a small elite, while ignoring the customary land rights of forest-dependent communities. The logging of ancestral forests enriched Taib and his cronies with huge personal fortunes, while leaving much of the indigenous population trapped in a cycle of poverty and dependency. Our 2014 Two Worlds Collide exposé revealed a key driver of Malaysia’s forest destruction: Japan’s timber consumption. Japan is the world's second largest importer of tropical wood (after China), half of which comes from the rainforests of Sarawak. But evidence of widespread illegal and unsustainable logging in Sarawak’s logging industry abounds. We exposed how Sarawak logging company Shin Yang, one of Japan’s major timber suppliers, is involved in grossly unsustainable and potentially illegal logging, decimating over forty soccer pitches of virgin rainforest every day in a proposed national park. We are appealing to the Japanese authorities to prohibit the trade in illegal timber and for industry to adopt measures to exclude illegal and unsustainable timber from their supply chains.

Back in Sarawak, Chief Minister Taib’s successor, Adenan Satem, has made public statements about his commitments to fighting illegal logging and corruption in the forest sector, but it remains to be seen whether he has the will and clout to take on Sarawak’s powerful logging tycoons- a politically connected group whose timber empires now extend far beyond Sarawak. Jointly, Malaysian loggers like Shin Yang, Samling and Rimbunan Hijau have come to dominate the world’s tropical timber trade, stripping rainforests across continents. Malaysia - Countries - Office of the Historian Malaysia - Countries A Guide to the United States’ History of Recognition, Diplomatic, and Consular Relations, by Country, since 1776: Malaysia Summary Relations between the United States and what is now the Federation of Malaya go back to the 19th century, when U.S. merchants traded at several Malaysian ports. However, it was not until the 20th century, particularly after Malaysian independence in 1957, that U.S.-Malaysian relations grew beyond this small-scale commerce. Modern Flag of Malaysia Recognition U.S. Recognition of Malaysian Independence, 1957.

The United States recognized the Federation of Malaya on August 31, 1957, in a letter from Secretary of State John Foster Dulles to Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman. Malaya had previously been a part of the British Empire. Consular Presence Establishment of Consular Relations, 1918. The United States commenced consular relations with what is now Malaysia when it appointed a Consul to Penang in 1918. Establishment of Consular Posts, 1948 & 1964. The United States also established consular posts in Kuala Lumpur (1948) and Kuching (1964). Diplomatic Relations Establishment of Diplomatic Relations, 1957. Diplomatic relations were established on August 31, 1957, when the United States elevated its Consulate General in Kuala Lumpur to the status of Embassy. Then Consul General Thomas K. Wright was placed in charge of the Embassy as Charge d’Affaires. Change in Accreditation, 1963.

In 1963, the Federation of Malaya joined with Singapore, Sarawak, and Borneo to form the Federation of Malaysia. Henceforth all U.S. Ambassadors were accredited to the federation of Malaysia, and resident at Kuala Lumpur. Resources Malaysia Send me a copy Subject: Email addresses provided here will be used solely to email the link indicated. They will not be saved, shared, or used again in any manner whatsoever. The CAPTCHA code you entered is not valid, please reenter the CAPTCHA code Malaysia Last Updated: June 23, 2016 Embassy Messages Six months beyond date of arrival BLANK PASSPORT PAGES: One blank page required for entry stamp TOURIST VISA REQUIRED: Not required for stays of less than 90 days VACCINATIONS: Emergency After-Hours Telephone: +(60) (3) 2168-5000 (press 1 at the recording) Fax: +(60) (3) 2148-5801 klacs@state.gov Destination Description Read Tourism Malaysia’s website for areas of interest. See the Department of State’s Fact Sheet on Malaysia for information on U.S.- Malaysia relations.

Entry, Exit & Visa Requirements To enter Malaysia: Your passport must be valid for at least six months. You do not need a visa if you are coming for business or tourism for 90 days or less. Immigration officials will place an entry stamp, known as a social visit pass (visa), in your passport authorizing a stay of up to 90 days. Travelers may apply to the Immigration Department for extensions of up to two months. See the Malaysian Immigration Department’s website for more information. Sabah and Sarawak: The eastern states of Sabah and Sarawak (on the island of Borneo) have special entry requirements. You must have your passport to enter or exit Sabah or Sarawak, even when arriving from peninsular Malaysia on domestic flights. Dual Nationality: Malaysia does not recognize or permit dual nationality. If Malaysian authorities learn that you are a U.S.-Malaysia dual national, they may require you to immediately forfeit your U.S. passport or your Malaysian citizenship. U.S.-Malaysia dual nationals should consider this issue seriously before traveling to Malaysia. See our dual nationality page for more information.

U.S.-Israeli Dual Nationals: Immigration officials have denied entry to U.S.-Israeli dual nationals who have presented their Israeli passports to show exit stamps from their last destination.Therefore, it is important that U.S.-Israeli dual nationals use their U.S. passports to depart the last country on their itinerary prior to arriving in Malaysia. Visa Overstays: Malaysian immigration authorities have exit controls at all ports of departure and routinely fine and detain foreigners who overstay their social visit passes (visas). If you overstay your visa, you will not be allowed to exit Malaysia until you resolve the overstay with the Immigration Department of Malaysia . Carry your passport (containing the Malaysian entry stamp) with you at all times in case authorities question your immigration status. Several U.S. citizens have been arrested during immigration sweeps and detentions may last from a few hours to several weeks. Check your visa status periodically while in Malaysia and strictly follow immigration laws and regulations. Visit the Embassy of Malaysia website for the most current visa information. The U.S. Department of State is unaware of any HIV/AIDS entry restrictions for visitors to or foreign residents of Malaysia. Find information on prevention of international child abduction and customs regulations on our website.

Safety and Security Information from credible sources suggests that there is a continued risk of armed terrorist and criminal groups operating and planning attacks against foreigners, including U.S. citizens, in the East Asian and Pacific region. Since 2014, Malaysian authorities have arrested more than 150 supporters of the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) terrorist group, including many individuals who planned to fight in Syria and Iraq. U.S. citizens are advised against travel to coastal areas and outlying islands in Eastern Sabah from Kudat to Tawau because of the threat of kidnappings-for-ransom and violence from both terrorist and criminal groups, including the Philippines-based Abu Sayyaf Group (see the Philippines Travel Warning for more information). In addition to incursions on coastal or resort islands themselves, criminal or terrorist groups may attempt to intercept boats ferrying tourists from the mainland to resort islands. Due to safety concerns, U.S. government employees are prohibited from travelling to most of this area without permission from the Embassy security office and Ambassador. Malaysian law enforcement officials have enacted land and water-based curfews in the coastal areas of Eastern Sabah.

Check local media or ask local police for the most recent curfew information if traveling to Eastern Sabah. Public Demonstrations: Local law prohibits non-Malaysians from participating in public protests. While most protests in Malaysia are peaceful, even peaceful demonstrations can turn confrontational and escalate into violence with little or no warning. You should avoid areas that may be targeted for demonstrations and exercise caution in the vicinity of any large gatherings, protests or demonstrations. Crime: Petty theft and violent crime in Kuala Lumpur continue to be concerns. Purse snatching, pick-pocketing, and residential burglaries are the most common crimes committed against foreigners. Criminals frequently target women, alone or with children, for purse snatching. These incidents can occur anytime or anywhere and have also targeted men. Avoid wrapping purse straps around arms or shoulders to avoid injury. Taxi drivers in downtown Kuala Lumpur have perpetrated violent crimes against foreign tourists and local residents. Travelers are advised to book taxis in downtown shopping areas by phone or online, rather than hailing a taxi on the street, particularly after dark. Criminals also target motorists stuck in traffic or stopped at a light with smash and grab robberies.

Keep valuables out of sight while driving or remove them from the car (including from the trunk) when parked. GPS devices should not be left on the windshield or dashboard. Scams: U.S. citizens and businesses continue to be frequent victims of internet-based scams originating in Malaysia and have reported millions of dollars in losses. Do not send money to people you have not met in person and who claim to be U.S. citizens in trouble in Malaysia. Resources on how to protect yourself from financial fraud can be found on our International Financial Scams information page. If you become the victim of a scam you may make a formal complaint (in person) to the nearest Malaysian embassy or consulate. You can also report the crime to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) . Credit Card Fraud: Closely safeguard your credit cards at all times and use them only at reputable establishments. If you must use a credit card in Malaysia, check your account information frequently for fraudulent charges. Victims of Crime: Report crimes to both the local police and the U.S. Embassy: The local equivalent to the “911” emergency line in Malaysia is 999 from a landline and 112 from a mobile telephone.

Alternatively, call the Royal Malaysia Police Operations Center in Kuala Lumpur, 03-2115-9999 or 03-2266-2222. Contact the U.S. Embassy at +(60) (3) 2168-5000. A police report is necessary for the embassy to help victims follow-up on incidents of crime. In some tourist areas, the police have established small "Tourist Police” stations manned by personnel familiar with helping visitors to Malaysia. Remember that local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting the crime. help you find appropriate medical care assist you in reporting a crime to the police contact relatives or friends with your written consent explain the local criminal justice process in general terms provide a list of local attorneys See traveling safely abroad for useful travel tips. Local Laws & Special Circumstances Criminal Penalties: You are subject to local laws. If you violate local laws, even unknowingly, you may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned. Furthermore, some laws are also prosecutable in the United States, regardless of local law. For examples, see our website on crimes against minors abroad and the Department of Justice website.

Arrest Notification: If you are arrested or detained, ask police or prison officials to notify the U.S. Embassy immediately. See our webpage for further information. Penalties for possessing, using, or trafficking in illegal drugs in Malaysia are more severe than those in the United States, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines, or death. Malaysian law provides for a mandatory death penalty for convicted drug traffickers. It is illegal to take pictures of certain buildings. Driving under the influence could land you immediately in jail. Certain white-collar crimes are punishable by caning. You may be prosecuted and sentenced to heavy fines, expulsion and/or imprisonment if you collect local flora or fauna without authorization from the Malaysian government. It is illegal to distribute religious literature of another faith to Malaysian Muslims. Special religious authorities and local police occasionally conduct raids on popular nightspots and hotels to deter activities among local Muslims that contravene religious customs, including drinking alcohol and adultery. Currency: Currency exchange and Western Union money transfers are readily available. Credit cards are accepted throughout the country, but you should be aware of the risk of fraud. ATMs can be a safer means of obtaining Malaysian Ringgit.

PINs in Malaysia are six digits long, and some travelers have reported having difficulty retrieving cash from ATMs using four-digit PINs. Customs: Malaysian authorities enforce strict regulations concerning the import or export of items such as firearms, narcotics, medication, business equipment, currency, books, cultural property or any material which might be considered obscene or harmful to the public interest. Contact the Malaysian Embassy , or one of Malaysia’s consulates in the United States for specific information regarding customs requirements. U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Travel & Transportation Road Conditions and Safety: Bottlenecks are common in major cities because infrastructure development has not kept pace with the proliferation of motorized vehicles. Multi-lane highways often merge into narrow two lane roads in the center of town and cause congestion. Many streets are narrow and winding.Traffic is heavy during the morning and afternoon rush hours and slows down considerably when it rains. Monsoonal rains can quickly flood roads located in low-lying areas. Traffic Laws: Traffic in Malaysia moves on the left side of the road, and most vehicles are right-hand drive.

By law, you must use your front and back seat belts and must not use your cell phone while driving unless it is hands-free (e.g., Bluetooth). Turning left at a red light is not legal unless otherwise marked. We strongly advise you to carry your passport or Malaysian identification card at all times when driving. Motorcyclists attempt to circumvent traffic blockage by weaving in and out of traffic, temporarily using vacant oncoming traffic lanes, and running through red lights. Use your turn signals well in advance of turning to alert motorcycles of your intent to turn. If you are involved in a traffic accident: Call the police immediately. Depending on the severity of the accident, you should call either the emergency number 999 (or 112 from a mobile phone) or the Royal Malaysia Police Operations Center in Kuala Lumpur, 03-2115-9999 or 03-2266-2222. Stay in your car and wait for the police to arrive before exchanging information with other parties involved in the accident. Reports of road rage incidents, especially after midnight, are rising. Avoid confrontational behavior if you are involved in an accident.

If you are threatened, leave the scene and file a report with the local police within 24 hours. Sobriety Checkpoints: Please note that laws against drinking and driving are strictly enforced and carry serious penalties. Police operate sobriety checkpoints in many entertainment districts frequented by expatriates. At these checkpoints, all drivers must submit to alcohol breath tests. If you fail a breath test, you will be arrested. Driver’s License Requirements: International Driving Permits (IDP) may be used for 90 days. The IDP must be obtained outside of Malaysia. If you are staying longer than 90 days in Malaysia you will need a local driver’s license. The Malaysian Road Transport Department recommends contacting a local driving school to arrange all the paperwork. In order to obtain a local license, you will also need a valid work permit. Many car rental agencies in Malaysia are willing to rent vehicles for a short term to U.S. citizens with valid U.S. driver’s licenses. Nevertheless, if you plan to drive in Malaysia, we strongly urge you to obtain an IDP before leaving the United States. More information on how to obtain an IDP is available on the Driving Abroad section of the Department of State website.

COUNTRY AND TRAVEL INFORMATION OF SARAWAK MALAYSIA SARAWAK Where Adventure Begins Sarawak is the largest state in Malaysia. It covers an area of 124,000 square kilometres and has a coastline of some 800 kilometres facing the South China Sea. Lying on the northwest coast of Borneo, the third largest island in the world, Sarawak shares its boundaries with Kalimantan (Indonesia Borneo) in the south, Brunei and Sabah in the north. Sarawak is also known as 'The land of many rivers'. The rivers provide natural means of transportation and communication. The 590 kilometres long Sungei Rejang is the longest river in the country. The rivers together with the wide spread trunk roads and well connected domestic air links make travelling to interior destinations easily accessible. Once ruled by the three White Rajahs for about 100 years from 1841-1941, there are many a romantic past told about the wars and glimpses of the bygone era of the Brookes.

The battles between the pirates and the Brooke forces, the rebellions by Dayaks, Malays and Chinese gold miners had filled Sarawak past with mystery and excitement. The famous Sarawak Museum with its huge collection of native heritage and artefacts, also houses the best collection of its rich history. Today, despite her rapid urbanisation, many historical remains of the Brookes can still be found at Kuching and other parts of Sarawak. KUCHING Kuching is the economic and political centre of Sarawak. 'Kuching' means cat in the Malay language. Many people wonder how it was called Kuching and why Kuching is the City of cat? The world's one and only Cat Museum is found in Kuching City, featuring a huge collection of cats from all over the world which includes a mummified cat from Egypt. Damai Beach Resort, about 35 kilometres away from Kuching is a popular retreat, an ideal place for relaxing and lazing in the sun and by the sea in an international class resort hotel. Facilities for recreation and sports, both land and sea, are available there. Just a stone's throw away from the resort is the well-known Sarawak Cultural Village.

Many who have been there described it as a living museum. A must for visitors who may not have the time to cover the vast Sarawak. It is here where one can sample the rich cultural diversities, the authentic Sarawakian way of life, the customs and the architecture of 7 representative ethnic groups all in one single place. Camp Permai is just next door to the Sarawak Cultural Village. The Camp provides comfortable accommodation with a choice of log cabins or tree houses. The Camp offers outdoor activities which include leadership training and seasports such as kayaking, wind surfing, sailing and raft expedition. Buntal Village Resort is an interesting place for those who want to experience a typical Malay fishing village setting. The Resort is 25 kilometres away from Kuching. Santin Resort is another popular place for locals and tourists about 28 kilometres from Kuching. It has a long unspoilt sandy beach, fringed by enchanting casuarinas and coconut palms. Kuching is also the gateway to many Borneo adventures. Tours can be arranged by experienced local tour agencies.

A river safari can take you to the longhouses of Skrang, Lemanak, Batang Ai, Rejang and Baram, where visitors can experience the warm hospitality, customs, music and dances of friendly Ibans and Orang Ulu. Top Sarawak Museum The Sarawak Museum, reputed to be the best in the region should not be missed by visitors to the City. The vast collection housed in the Museum reveals Sarawak's efforts in the preservation and conservation of the cultural heritage and natural history of Borneo. The idea of creating a museum to hold Sarawak's relics was first mooted by Charles Brooke, the second White Rajah of Sarawak. Later the man who influenced him to build a permanent museum was Alfred Russel Wallace, a naturalist who was in Sarawak for two years conducting a research on the evolution of man based on the Orang Utan of Borneo. The first Museum designed along the lines of a Normandy town hall was opened in 1891 and extended to its present form in 1911. The Museum opens daily from 0900 to 1800 hour except Friday.

Sarawak Islamic Museum The newly opened Islamic Museum, near the Sarawak Museum is the first of its kind in South-East Asia. The Islamic Museum has 8 galleries exclusively devoted to the exhibits of Islamic past, architecture, coinage weaponry, textile, pottery and porcelains of Islamic origin. The huge collection of artefacts from ASEAN countries and other islamic nations provides a source of rich information to those who wish to trace the development of Islam in the Malay Archipelago and its connection with the development of Islam in other countries, such as India, China, Persia and the Arab state. Sarawak Cultural Village Do not leave Kuching without visiting the Living Museum Popularly known as the Living Museum, The Sarawak Cultural Village is a showcase for Sarawak's rich cultural diversity. Visitors to the Village can sample instant Sarawak all in one single place. The Cultural Village built on a six hectares site at the foothill of the legendary Mt Santubong is 35 kilometres from Kuching City and is a stone's throw away from Damai Holiday Inn, a beach resort.

The Cultural Village is tastefully landscaped with a manmade lake at the centre surrounded by 7 authentic replicas of ethnic houses the Bidayuh centre house and longhouse, the Iban longhouse, the Penan hut, the Orang Ulu longhouse, the Melanau Rumah Tinggi, the Malay house and the Chinese farmhouse. Displayed in each house are many artefacts made by the individual dwellers. Demonstration of arts and crafts like beadworks, wood and bamboo carvings, pua weaving, straw weaving can be seen while touring the Village. The rich cultural heritage in the form of dances and music presented by various ethnic groups is one of the highlights of the visit The grand cultural show which lasts about one hour is performed in the Village air- con theatrette. Top Sunday Market The Sunday Market also known as "Pasar Minggu" is ideally located within the City near the well-known Satok Suspension Bridge. The popular Sunday Market in fact starts its activities as early as Saturday afternoon. Jungle produce of all kinds find their way to the market through the hard working Bidayuh women folks from the outskirt longhouses. A stroll along the Sunday Market is like browsing through a Borneo supermarket.

Here you can find an array of tropical fruits and a variety of jungle vegetables seldom seen at any wet market. Sago worms, also find their way to the Sunday Market. It is a specialty for some locals who believe in eating them raw for good health and vitality. Also can be found at the Sunday Market is another rare jungle produce called Miding. Miding is the Malay name of a fern found only in moist bush areas along stream banks and near the fringe of jungle. The stalk of the young leaves and the leaves are soft and sweet if fried with prawn paste and chilly. Top The Historic Niah Cave The Niah National Park is world famous for the oldest human remains in South East Asia found in its Great Caves dating back some 40,000 years. The Archeologists also found fragments of pottery, stone tools, ornaments and a splendid set of wall-painting of red-haematite depicting activities of stick-like men with hunting weapons and boats. The work of the unknown artist, estimated to be 1000 years old still beckon travellers from around the world. The Niah Cave is accessible by road from Miri or Bintulu.

It takes two hours from Miri and three hours from Bintulu to the Park Headquarters at Pangkalan Batu. This is followed by a 45-minute walk along a plankwalk of 3 kilometres long to reach the entrance of the Great Caves without getting your feet wet when strolling through the dense tropical vegetation. Millions of bats and swiftlets made the dark recesses of the Niah Caves their home. Along the way, a common scene is meeting workers collecting guano, the accumulation of bird and bat faeces for use as fertilizer. The caves are also known as a site where edible birds' nests could be gathered. Birds' nests made out of the glutinous saliva of millions of swiftlets are also collected by labourers who risk their life to reach the ceiling of the caves at a height of some 50 metres or higher. Top The Pinnacles For those who have the time and energy, challenging Pinnacles, sitting on Gunung Api (Fire Mountain) is another exciting destination within the Park. It is accessible to anyone who is reasonably fit.

The journey begins with a two hour motorised-longboat ride to Kuala Berar, followed by a five-kilometre walk through virgin jungle to Camp 5 for an overnight stay. The spectacular Pinnacles, scupltured and grooved by the rain over millions of years rise above the tree tops to a height of 45 metres. It can be reached from Camp 5 after a 3 hour climb. The climb is challenging, filled with fun and excitement. Vegetations vary following the changes of altitudes. The varieties of wild orchids and pitcher plants scarcely seen elsewhere can be spotted along the trek before reaching the Pinnades. Top The Skrang River Safari In the old days, moving along the coast of Borneo was unsafe because it was infested by pirates who caused a total blockade for trading and travelling. James Brooke, the first White Rajah of Sarawak, in his private journal gave a vivid description of his encounter with pirates. He met some 2500 Dayak pirates from the Skrang River face to face when they were plying along the Sarawak River on their war boats.

Rajah James Brooke together with Captain Henry Keppel twice attacked the pirates' stronghold on the Skrang and Saribas Rivers in 1843 and 1844 respectively. Spend the night at a longhouse to experience the traditons and customs of the Dayak Ibans. The highlight of the Skrang River Safari is an evening entertainment by the longhouse residents, featuring traditional dances and music. Tuak, a specially brewed rice wine will be served during the evening entertainment A jungle walk on the following day is equally interesting It is an exciting experience to stroll through the dense tropical rainforest. Top The Lemanak River Safari Lemanak is a tributary of the main Batang Lupar River. Many traditional longhouses can be found situated along the river. About 220 kilometres away from Kuching, Lemanak can be reached in about 5 hours by road. The journey passes through the scenic countryside, rubber and pepper plantations, padi fields, sago plams and followed by an hour motorised longboat ride penetrating the enveloped tropical rainforest through meandering stream. Like Skrang, the Lemanak River is another exciting destination within easy reach from Kuching.

An overnight stay gives you an opportunity to peep at and experience the lifestyle of the longhouse and its people. An evening entertainment by the longhouse folks is most interesting and educational. Traditional dances and music served with locally brewed rice wine called ' Tuak ' are the highlight of the evening entertainment. Cock- fighting and jungle trekking on the following day are other highlights of the Lemanak River Safari. Top Bako National Park Bako National Park, 37 kilometres from Kuching, can be reached by 30-minute drive to Kampung Bako and then followed by a 25-minute boat ride. The constant erosion over millions of years, had turned Bako into a picturesque coastline of steep cliffs, rocky head-lands and many stretches of sandy bays. The erosion caused by constant waves at the base of cliffs had carved and created many of the rocks into sea arches and sea stacks. Beautiful sandstone formation featuring pink and iron patterns on cliff faces can be seen along most of the coastline. Many, who have visited the Park commented that Bako National Park is a treasure chest of fauna and flora. Naturalists will be thrilled to find a wide range of vegetations including the varieties of pitcher plants and wild orchids.

The varieties of vegetation found in Borneo can also be seen in the Park's mangrove forest, mixed dipterocarp forest, peat swamp forest and kerangas forest. Trekking through any of its 16 well maintained jungle trails is an interesting experience. Within the Park, it is not uncommon to see troops of long-tailed Macaques and silvered-leaf monkeys along with giant monitor lizards, plantain squirrels, wild boars and mouse deers. The most significant animal in the Park is the bizzare long nosed proboscis monkeys found only in Borneo island. Swimming, beach combing at low tide and sunset watching are popular activities along the sandy bays of the Park. Bako National Park is truly an ideal place for nature lovers and eco-minded adventurers. Sarawak's Arts, Crafts and Potted Culture Sarawak is well-known for its rich diversity of traditional handicrafts. Ethnic wood-carvings, beadworks, textile-weaving and bamboo and rattan baskets are of intricate indigenous designs and motifs and are distinguished by their fine craftsmanship and often, vibrant colours.

Among these are the 'pua kumbu' (handwoven Iban textile), the 'kain songket' (handwoven cloth inlaid with gold by the Malays), the 'terindak' hats by the Melanaus, the Penan 'ajat' baskets and sleeping mats, the Kenyah Sa'ong sunhats, the Iban 'parang ilang' (long sword) and a host of other handicrafts. Sarawak's indigenous artefacts and handicrafts are available at many of the souvenir and antique and curio shops to be found in Kuching and in the major urban centres. Orang Utan Semenggoh Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre Unlike in a zoo, the Orang Utan at Semenggoh Rehabiltation Centre are set free in a 140-hectare forest reserve. Here, the Orang Utan are being taught to adapt themselves to the jungle life. The Centre, 32 kilometres south of the, Capital is one of many outdoor attractions of Kuching.

A 30-minute leisurely stroll on the specially built plankwalk from the entrance to the Rehabiltation Centre provides an opportunity to view various species of trees from the rain forest and some tropical fruit trees. The Centre opens daily from 0835 to 1545 hours including Sundays and Public Holidays. A visit to the Centre is recommended at or before the feeding times for the Orang Utan. The feeding times are 0830-0900 and 1145-1200 in the morning and 1500-1515 in the afternoon. Top Pottery It is quite common to find in the interior longhouses decorative jars and dishes which are highly prized and treasured by their owners. These objects made in the very early days in China found their way to Borneo through the barter trade. The Sarawak Museum has a good collection of many old jars dating back to the Tang and Sung dynasties. In Sarawak, the art of pottery-making was introduced by early migrants from the provinces of Southern China. Today pottery-making is fast becoming a flourishing industry in Kuching, Sibu and Miri.

The combination of traditional skills and the traditional decorative patterns of the indigenous people of Sarawak have given Sarawak pottery a distinctive look. It is unique and attractive. Most pottery factories are located near the city. Arrangements can be made through tour agents to visit and see the process of pottery making. Can Sabah and S’wak secede? | Free Malaysia Today Can Sabah and S’wak secede? This article is intended for those who think Malaysia or rather Malaya owns Sabah and Sarawak. COMMENT Once again I am writing about Abdul Rahman Dahlan, the Kota Belud MP who was reported on Feb 17, 2014 in the mainstream media to have cited the 20-Points and said the following: (1) It is seditious and treasonous to suggest that both Sabah and Sarawak secede from the Federation of Malaysia; (2) Sabah and Sarawak cannot secede from Malaysia; (3) Secession is not a solution to the woes of Sabah and Sarawak. If readers have accessed my previous pieces about the man, they would conclude that Abdul Rahman really does not actually know what he is saying all of the time.

Before that I would remind readers that: Official deceit which is one part of Machiavellian politics has always been the religion of colonizers and one classic lie that has never fail to be used is “you need us to protect you from yourself” has been said to the naive and brainwashed colonized population throughout the ages until today. We do not need to look far, actually; the present political drama unfolding in Malaysia that is shaking right-thinking citizens reveals the unprecedented thievery and pretense perpetrated by mendacious opportunists from both sides of the political divide is ample indications itself. Half past six champions of the void ab initio Malaysia Agreement of July 9, 1963 that saw the formation of the Federation of Malaysia are asserting that the rights of Sabah (20-Points) and Sarawak (18-Points) are safeguarded in a document identified as the Inter-Governmental Committee Report of 1962 or in short, the IGC Report; today, we shall see how foolishly wrong they are.

Before we proceed, it is necessary to recapitulate that the Malaysia Agreement is absolutely void from the very beginning because Britain at all material times never had sovereignty over the whole of Sabah to give away and the government of Malaysia like its predecessor the British government is still paying annual rentals to the Sulu Sultanate in the Philippines until today. The latin maxim “nemo dat quod non habet” is a legal principle that says you cannot confer property you do not own on another person except with the authority of the true owner or simply put – you cannot give what you do not have. For further reading, go to the Manila Accord which was signed on July 31, 1963 between Abdul Rahman Putra, Soekarno, and Diosdado Macapagal; it is clearly and unambiguously understood that the formation of Malaysia is subject to the claim of the Philippines on Sabah being adjudicated in the International Court of Justice which Putrajaya is scared of going there for fear of losing.

And worst, the more than 1.1 million people of Sabah and Sarawak at that point of time were never consulted in a referendum whether they wanted Malaysia – only about 4,000 were reportedly interviewed by the Cobbold Commission. Backward society We cannot really blame Sabahans and Sarawakians who suffer from collective issues of ignorance because like the rest of Malaya today, for more than 50 long years, they have been indoctrinated with falsified historical facts and fed with substandard education that taught them “what to think” instead of “how to think” and living their entire lives on assumptions peddled by cheats and liars. Do readers know why are things becoming so complicated and bad here in Sabah now? Because the people of Sabah are so gullible to the extent that they cannot even be trusted to honorably do the right thing on their own volition during elections for their own good and that of their descendants. Suffice to say, the Sabah of today has remained a feudal and backward society since the British left.

The fine example of Brunei not becoming a colony of Malaya, look at how they can do what they want with their oil and gas wealth – poverty practically does not exists there; the success story of tiny and resource-less Singapore who left Malaysia in 1965 being transformed into a First World nation today profoundly confirms that both Sabah and Sarawak are incurable failures of epic proportions. Now, we go to the circus to showcase our clown of the day. Question 1 The 1962 IGC Report by its name alone is only a report; and the pertinent confusion is this – since when can a mere report containing proposed recommendations or demands, as some people put it, evolve into a legally binding international Treaty, Agreement, Contract, or Convention? In the 1963 Malaysia Agreement, were the 20-Points and 18-Points, or alternatively how many of both were clearly spelt out in the same? Find out too exactly how many of the individual 20-Points and 18-Points were actually incorporated into the Federal Constitution of Malaysia, the latter of which is evidently masqueraded by the Constitution of Malaya.

By all international standards, is the IGC Report not at best only a Memorandum of Understanding with no legal force of law? Question 2 If the IGC Report has no legality or statutory effectiveness, of what legitimacy do the Sabah 20-Points and the Sarawak 18-Points contained therein have? Question 3 Ask yourselves this: if the clause “there should be no right to secede from the Federation” are in the Points that have no legitimacy nor legality, can Sabah and Sarawak still secede from the Federation of Malaysia? Question 4 Do readers know that Malaysia is not a country but a federation of independent nations that consists of Malaya, Sabah, Sarawak, and Singapore (left in 1965)? Question 5 Do readers know the meaning of the word “treason”? The Oxford English Dictionary defines it as the crime of betraying one’s country.

Say for example the democratically elected government of the independent country of Scotland has decided that a referendum will be held onSept 18, 2014 to let their Scottish citizens decide whether they want to secede from the United Kingdom after more than three hundred years in the union since 1707; what treason is there? Therefore, to the people of Sabah and Sarawak who harbor the wish of secession: you must first elect educated and competent patriots and nationalists to run your Sabah and Sarawak governments – not bootlickers who are remotely-controlled by Malayan political parties like what is happening now! Question 6 Now, Malaysia is a federation while Sabah (an independent nation) is our country or NEGARA in the Malay language; we have always been a negara when Malaysia was formed until 1976 when Parliament downgraded our status to negeri without consulting the Sabah Legislative Assembly after former Sabah Chief Minister Donald Stephens and many other leaders were mysteriously killed in an air disaster upon flying back from Labuan island without signing the petroleum agreement that robs Sabah to the tune of 95% of our oil and gas wealth.

The subsequent signing of the same by former Sabah Chief Minister Harris Salleh and witnessed by Joseph Pairin Kitingan is also illegal because the Sabah Legislative Assembly was also not consulted on the matter. How can anyone who calls for the secession of our country Sabah from the Federation of Malaysia be committing treason? Question 7 The Macmillan Dictionary best defines “state” as a nation or country and the government of a country. Take note that the State of Sabah like the State of Sarawak is an independent nation or country with a government where cabinet members are called ministers unlike say Penang or Johore where their local governments do not have cabinets and members are only executive councillors. Sabah and/or Sarawak are equal in status with the entire Malaya combined and not with any individual states in Peninsular. The Oxford English Dictionary defines “seditious” as inciting or causing people to rebel against the authority of a state or monarch.

As has been mentioned in question 4 supra, Malaysia is a federation of independent nations and Sabah is our nation or country (NEGARA in Malay) where we have our own government and in lieu of a monarch we have our own Head of State (originally called Yang diPertuan Negara and later changed to Yang diPertua Negeri by Parliament without consultation with the Sabah Legislative Assembly in 1976). As far as we know, nationalists in Sabah and Sarawak are not instigating rebellions against the Sabah or Sarawak governments or respective Heads of State; for every citizen from the independent nations of Sabah and Sarawak, how can we when we call for the secession of our respective countries from a failed Federation of Malaysia be seditious, then?

Question 8 In every suit that we handled or lecture delivered in the past, we always provide simple and easy to understand analogies when we submit and today we give you the following: If in a failed marriage (Federation of Malaysia), the lazy and incompetent husband (Malaya) not only neglect his conjugal duties (development) to his wives (Sabah and Sarawak) but also took away 95% of their wealth (taxes and natural resources) for his own extravagant spending, what should the wives do if not divorce and leave him? If ever Sabah and Sarawak are to be bankrupted, let it not be done by Malaya for the benefit of Malaya. Question 9 When the Federation of Malaysia was illegally formed in 1963 (as per our reasoning above), there were the governments of Malaya, Sabah, Sarawak, and Singapore (left in 1965); do you realize that the government of Malaya has ceased to exist altogether unlike Sabah, Sarawak, and even Singapore? If Malaya was not masquerading as Malaysia to colonize Sabah and Sarawak today, we really do not know what is…!

Question 10 In the year 1963 when Malaysia was formed, the governments of Malaya, Sabah, Sarawak, and Singapore signed the Malaysia Agreement; an advocate and solicitor recently drew our attention to the following: When Singapore left Malaysia in 1965, an agreement was executed on Aug 7, 1965 for the separation between the government of Singapore and the government of Malaysia without consultation with the governments of Sabah and Sarawak as original partners in the Malaysia Agreement. Is the Singapore Separation Agreement of 1965 valid without the signatories from Sabah and Sarawak; if the answer is in the negative, is Singapore still technically and legally a part of Malaysia; further and in the alternative, is the Malaysia Agreement of 1963 voided as a result of the 1965 Separation Agreement? Conclusion The 1963 Malaysia Agreement is void ab initio; can the 1965 Singapore Separation Agreement further invalidate something that is clearly invalid in the first instance; or in laymen’s term, would blowing up a corpse which died years earlier with C4 explosives kill it again?

On June 18, 1984 former President Diosdado Macapagal who laid the Philippines claim on Sabah in 1962 said “unless Sabah becomes an independent state by itself, it shall be the continuing duty of our posterity to carry on the endeavor to return Sabah to the Philippines”. In plain and uncomplicated language, it means that if Sabah truly becomes free, the Philippines claim will be dropped. Our final question to readers from Sabah and Sarawak is this: Is it not our nationalistic, patriotic, and holy duty to free our countries of an evil colonizer who is striving on racism and religious persecution, a greedy subjugator who commit continuous economic genocide on the people of Sabah and Sarawak by siphoning our wealth in the billions to sustain their lifestyle and leaving us with pittance? To those of you who now understand but think and decide otherwise, where then have you hidden your conscience – in the sewage pond…? The author is a retiree in Kota Kinabalu and depending on health, time, and interest, do blog occasionally at giving no quarters to anyone.

Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak's party wins Sarawak state elections despite 1MDB scandal Monday, 9 May 2016 | 6:05 AM ET | 00:34 The electoral triumph of Malaysia's ruling coalition in the country's largest state may be a well-needed confidence boost for Prime Minister Najib Razak as he battles a high-profile corruption scandal. Sarawak, located in the island of Borneo, held its 11th state elections on Saturday, with the Barisan Nasional (BN) party securing 72 out of 82 seats. The results effectively allow Najib to maintain the status quo and contain political risks from the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) scandal, explained Trinh Nguyen, an economist at Natixis. Last June, the 62-year old leader was accused of receiving $681 million in his bank account from 1MDB, a debt-laden state investment fund that is now under investigation in Malaysia and six other countries . In March this year, the Wall Street Journal, who first broke the scandal, updated that figure to more than $1 billion.

Najib has denied any wrongdoing and was cleared by the country's attorney general in January, who attributed the initial $681 million to a legal political donation from the Saudi royal family that was mostly returned. The country's finance ministry, the sole shareholder of 1MDB, recently dissolved the fund's board of advisers and said it would take over the remaining assets following 1MDB's failure to pay a $50.3 million coupon on a $1.75 billion bond in late April. Should 1MDB go into default, the government will have to assume 1MDB's obligations. But that may be a risky burden for Kuala Lumpur to bear, with state finances already hit by low oil prices—Malaysia is the world's second-largest exporter of liquefied natural gas. As of January, 1MDB's debt stood at $12.5 billion, according to Reuters. show chapters Monday, 25 Apr 2016 | 10:04 PM ET | 01:12 "Confidence is a major issue for Malaysia, and Najib needs as much political boost as he can get at the moment.

And this is why the Sarawak elections are important - he needs the thumbs up from the populace. The 1MDB saga is likely to continue to sap confidence on his management of the economy," said Nguyen, adding that Sarawak is one of the key states Najib counts on to win national elections in 2018. But some Malaysia-watchers like Oh Ei Sun, Najib's former political secretary and current senior fellow at Singapore's Nanyang Technological University, dismissed the significance of the Sarawak vote. "BN's overwhelming Sarawak win is due mainly to the Adenan factor," he said, referring to Sarawak's popular chief minister Adenan Satem, an ally of Najib. Adenan has ushered in fresh reforms in the last two years after more than three decades of stale rule so Sarawakian voters are willing to give him another five years to prove his mantle, he added.

"The win has very little wider implications as to the popularity of national BN, the two upcoming by-elections should be better barometers of BN's support." By-elections for the country's Sungai Besar and Kuala Kangsar parliamentary seats are expected to be held shortly following the deaths of two members of parliaments last week. 1MDB was flawed from the start: Econ Minister Financial markets responded mixed to Saturday's results, with the ringgit (MYR) strengthening modestly against the greenback on Monday while the benchmark KLCI index slipped half a percent. "MYR could enjoy a brief relief bounce on the ruling party's clean sweep of the seats in Sarawak, though rallies may not be sustained," noted Vishnu Varathan, senior economist at Mizuho Bank. Sarawak, which contributes 10.6 percent to national gross domestic product, has long been a stronghold for the BN, although critics of the establishment noticed what they believe are unusual voting patterns. A Malaysian activist group advocating clean and fair elections, known as Bersih 2.0, pointed out voter turnout spiked from 52 percent at 4pm local time to 70.1 percent when polling closed an hour later.

Bersih chair Maria Chin Abdullah has requested an explanation from the country's Election Commission to explain the sharp increase, local media reported. —Follow CNBC International on Twitter and Facebook .

Question: Sarawak is a state in which country?
Answer: MALAYSIA