22nd July, Sarawak Independence Day

Today 22nd July is Sarawak Independence Day. The Sarawak Independence Day (also known as Hari Kemerdekaan Sarawak, Hari Sarawak or Sarawak Day) is a holiday observed on 22 July every year by the state of Sarawak in Malaysia, celebrating the establishment of self-government and de facto independence on 22 July 1963. 

The idea of a Sarawakian holiday was mooted by the Sarawak state government and citizens since 2012, after public discontent about the public holiday Hari Merdeka being too Malaya-centric. The day was officially named Sarawak Independence Day and declared as a public holiday for the first time in 2016. Although there have been persistent attempts to falsify the historical record for political purposes, it is incontrovertible that Sarawak as a British crown colony achieved independence on 16 September 1963 as a member state of the Malaysian Federation under the Malaysia legislation passed by the sovereign United Kingdom and Malayan Parliaments in July 1963

On July 22nd 1963, Sarawak attained self-government from the British Empire. On the same day, Tan Sri Datuk Amar Stephen Kalong Ningkan was appointed as Sarawak Chief Minister and the Supreme Council comprising Sarawak’s first ministerial cabinet was formed. Sarawak only remained self-governing for less than two months until September 16th 1963, when it formed Malaysia together with North Borneo, Singapore and Malaya.

The holiday is not celebrated as Sarawak Independence as the British Governor remained in residence until September 15th 1963.September 16th 1963 has been celebrated with a national holiday called Malaysia Day since 2010.

But mostly Sarawakians we stand with motto Dum Spiro Spero. This Latin phrase means “While I breathe, I hope”. It is a modern paraphrase of ideas that comes from two ancient writers, Theocritus and Cicero.

It makes the perfect motto for those who refuse to quit until the very last breath, much like our own Sarawak phrase “Agi idup, agi ngelaban”.

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Birthday Bash @ Anggun Boutique Hotel

It was my wife 26^th birthday bash but she called it as the closing celebration of her 25^th birthday. It was held earlier than her actual birth date. This year, my wife and I decided to organize it in one of the boutique hotel in KL city centre. There were few choices but Anggun was the chosen due to the concept which is a bit like Balinese style. The event took place at the restaurant which was on the roof top of the hotel. I stumbled the place when I was Googling the internet and the video posted in Youtube.

This video do help make my decision to organize the events here.

To prepare the event, my wife have liaised with Communication Manager, Sharon pertaining to menu and the seating arrangement. The event was successful and we got good comments from the guests who attended the event.

The signboards were printed and were displayed at the hotel's main entrance and lift.

The food been prepared by the chef which really blend with each other. I didn’t take the photo of the dishes as I was busy with entertaining the guests and also the DJ and also the cameraman of that night. Food were served that night.

* Chicken Wing Assam Tumis

* Rendang Beef

* Prawn & Pineapple in Spicy Gravy w. Basil & Mint Sauce

* Mee

* Creamy Fish Tikka Masala

* Vegetable Medley

* Five Spices Rice

* Assorted Traditional Nyonya Kueh

* Lemongrass & ginger drink free flow

The buffet line

Nyonya kuih muih for the guest.

Another angle of the buffet line.

The table deco with pre assign seating for the guest.

View from top of the courtyard.

Guest having fun with the games activity

Shy little Eva running away from my lens.

One of the games activity.

Guest mingles around with each others.

Guest which participate in the games receive their gifts.

Opening up their gifts.

The guests were required to participate in game activity which really break the ice among the guests. We had fun and shared laughter. The food were great and we really enjoyed it. If you are planning to do your events, do consider this place as you will love the ambience and the food been serve. You may also consider stay in house after the events.

Moist Chocolate cake provided by the hotel

Normal scene in each birthday, singing the famous Birthday song.

Group photo with the guests which attended the dinner.

My wife and Sharon, Communication Manager for Anggun Boutique Hotel.

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Malaysia Day Celebration at Dataran Mederka

It had been a while I didn’t post any blog since I’m working at new place. Hustle bustle with works. I took a lot of photo but I didn’t post it up or blog about it. Even my wife asking me, where is my passion in blogging and editing photo gone. It’s maybe due to the time constraints; wake up early in the morning and come back at work nearly 7pm almost every day. Go makan at shop and then end up returned at home nearly 10 p.m, watch tv and then sleep. This is routine activity during the weekdays.

On my way to Dataran Merdeka, I'm using public transport as avoiding the jams.

I know the photo I will post here will be old which is 16^th September 2011 gathering at Dataran Merdeka, but it worth sharings since I’d edited it and resize it.A nite before, I join few of my DSLR kakis to take photo at KLCC for firework as been posted in previous post and I did told them than I be going for Dataran Merdeka for Malaysia Day parade and they agreed to join. The next day, I did went to the event and the two kaki’s which supposed to follow me  “flying kite” (aka did not shown up) as expected. In the end I was alone prowling with my camera and taking photos.

The spirit of Malaysians celebrating Malaysia Day.

The crowd was a lot and it some sort you going for a carnival. It was jammed pack with sea of people standing along the road just to witness the parade. The parade started at 8:30am and end up at 10:00am.

 The spectator from different walk of life and race throngs to Dataran Mederka for the parade.

Our Prime Minister

Our First Lady

Kids was so hungry and a cup of noodles do help.

Tourist posing with TM groups.

Masjid Jamek

In the end of the day, I got sunburn. Enjoy the pic I shared here although it is outdated. sighs.... 

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Wishing You A Joyous Kaaamatan and Gawai Festival

Harvest Festivals is celebrated everywhere around the world to celebrate at the end of the harvesting season. With the bountiful harvest, farmers all around the world celebrate it with their own ways.

We are lucky in Malaysia we have 2 such festivals celebrated in Sabah and Sarawak. The harvest festivals in Sabah is called “Pesta Kaamantan” and celebrated on 30^th May annually.  In Sarawak, the harvest celebration is called “Ari Gawai” and celebrated on 1^st June annually.

The similarity of both celebration usually starts early with gala dinner and beauty pageant such as Kumang Gawai for Sarawak and Unduk Ngadau for Sabah. During this pageant, young maiden from different local ethnics will compete to win to be crown as the winners. It is an honour for the headman of the village and the villagers if one of their maiden which joins wins the competition.  

I’m proud that I was born in a multi ethnics families which celebrating all kinds of celebration. On this, I would like to take the opportunity to wish my family and friend who celebrating this upcoming harvest festival have a joyful kaamatan and gawai festival. “Kotobian Tadau Tagazo Do Kaamatan” and “S’lamat Ari Gawai, Gayu Guru Gerai Nyamai” from me.

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A Raily Magical Christmas @ Empire Shopping Gallery Subang Jaya

Let’s continue with the journey with me around Klang Valley for Christmas Deco hunt 2010. As on my previous post  I posted about LEGO Christmas tree at Bangsar Village II, now I would like to share another new shopping mall located at Subang Jaya called Empire Shopping Gallery. It’s a new shopping mall and the only shopping mall which host for the tallest indoor spiral tube slide. Maybe you can read more details on the shopping mall websites.

Another view of the concourse area

View from 3rd floor of the concourse area

Since the mall are still new, this year for the first time their created a theme for Christmas entitled “A Raily Magical Christmas”. The word raily maybe refers to the trains and the tracks which their included on their themes. They are using tonnes of cotton to create the snow effect.

The train rides is going through a tunnel

Train rides for RM2 per person

As i was strolling down the area, there is a booth selling train ticket rides for RM2 per person and the money later will goes to charity. The decoration was quite nice for new established shopping mall. If you are around in Subang Jaya, don’t miss to drop by at Empire Shopping Gallery to view the Christmas deco or take a ride on the indoor tallest spiral slide.

Tallest Indoor Tube Slide (pic taken from the shopping mall websites)

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Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri

I would like to take this opportunity to wish my fellow readers, relatives and friends who are celebrating Hari Raya which falls today, "Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri, Maaf Zahir dan Batin". Have a safe journey homes and cherish the moments with the family. For those which not celebrating, have a pleasant holiday and spent times with your family.

Here i dedicate a song by Annuar Zain and Ellina entitled "Suasana Hari Raya" to all my Muslims relatives and friends.

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