The Darkest Secret of S1BU.

What is the darkest Secret of S1BU? Don't get the idea or ideas that....is about the "seditious scandals" or "rewrite of.......S1BU's infamous flying letters about ...fairy, xxxxx & xxx " which rocked the elites of S1BU or about "You & Me" is not the secret! It's about a place, an "open" space and a very special place.

It's all about a big " longkang" or monsoon drain which was a "goldmine" to some of the earlier discoverer of this place. They had collected quite a handsome quantities of the "GOLD". Let you guess what's the "GOLD" and where is the place? It's a whitish matter and underneath a very big building. A kilogram might fetch a few thousand dollars. They said before the redevelopment of one of S1BU walkway , there were more..of the "GOLD". At Present, the "GOLD" is less and rumour is that someone might be guarding the place. Don't know how true ?

Below is the entrance to the Secret of S1BU...(don't go in, it's dangerous)

The 1st Television Coverage by the Private Television Station-TV3.

Again, the biggest or largest Market-Sibu Central Market is in the Spotlight and will be in the New or documentary programme of the largest private Television Station of Malaysia-TV3. The filming was on Saturday, 27th June 2009 by the TV3 crews. TV3 crews were on the spot interviewing the market stall holders,Tamu Traders as well as the Municipal Secretary of the Council or the Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Hii Chang Kee.

The Municipal Deputy Mayor, Ybhg. Mr. Daniel Ngieng , Councillors and the 3 Market Association Committee members were there to join the fun too.

(CEO of Sibu Municipal Council, Mr. Hii Chang Kee giving his views to TV3 Crews)

(Photo: TV3 Commentator, writer with one of the customers)




(Photo: CEO Mr. Hii Chang Kee with TV3 Commentator and
Deputy Mayor, Ybhg. Daniel Ngieng)




(Photo: TV3 Commentator with Tamu Trader)




(Photo: TV3 Commentator getting the best View)



You can say "What's a Fuss!" It's normal to get a TV3 or any television coverage. But it's different because this Central Market is the biggest in the land. Isn't that different ?

The Queerest fruit only found in Sibu.

(Photo: Close-up of the "Dabai" Fruit or "Buah Dabai")

It is black color & look like Olive ,but it is not, some said it's fruit and some said it isn't because most of the Siburien eat them with rice (it's the best) and it goes as one of the dishes upon request during the peak season in food outlets. Deep fry or just cook them, you can't eat cos' they will never get "cooked" for your taste . Funny thing, if you give a little bit of warm or keep them warm (soaked in lukewarm water or under the Sun), this fruit will be ripened, that's the time to eat them.They tasted like avocados. This type of fruit is only found in Central Region of Sarawak and during the season, you find them in plenty especially in S1BU. Good Ones will cost about RM 26 a kilogram especially during scarcity season.

Something about this fruit from the Internet.......It's botanical name is "Canarium Odontophyllum" and quite a few websites or blogs do talk about this fruit . It's indeed the queerest fruit and the peak season is after the end of season our King of fruit-the "Spiky Durians" in S1BU. Normally our S1BU (Sarawak), the durian season having its peak sometime toward the end of the year. and not like in Peninsular Malaysia, the grafted durian trees bearing fruits whole year through which are planted in maned fruit gardens.

(Photo: "Dabai" fruits with stem)


(Photo: "Dabai" seed with yellowish fresh )

A group of the regular "Buah Dabai" traders and they had been selling this fruits for more than 30 years already. Look for them for good grade "Buah Dabai " during the season at the seasonal fruits trading site, Sibu Central Market.

(Photo: Chai Kee and his gang of Buah Dabai Traders.)

S1BU should pick this type of fruit as it's city mascot because only you can find this type fruit in S1BU.

The biggest Association Building in S1BU.

(Photo: Front View of the Association Building)

It's undisputable that the S1bu Foochow Association building is the biggest Association building in S1Bu. The building is located along Jalan Salim, Sibu and very near to the Sibu Farley Commercial Centre.

(Photo: statue of Mr. Wong Nai Siong guarding the Entrance)

The Association building is a four (4) Storey high and built on a 1.3 acres land with a total built up areas of 40,000 sq. feet completed in the year 2000. Ground floor is for commercial purposes, First & Second floor is for Association Offices, Conference room, library, Third floor is for a multipurpose hall. "World Foochow Heritage" Gallery is also located in this building and give all the insight on all things about the Foochows. Make a visit here, You will know all about the Foochows'.....This Gallery is open for public. It's a must visit destination when you are in S1BU.

(Photo: another view of the statue)

(Photo: A banner in Mandarin on 106 year anniversary)

The Richest Man in S1BU.

Who is the richest Man in S1BU? Well, it's Tan Sri Tiong Hiew King

Below the copy from the Wikipedia about a little bit of Tan Sri Tiong Hiew King's biodata.
Is'nt he, the richest in S1BU ?

*************************************************

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Tiong Hiew King
Occupation : Executive Chairman, Rimbunan Hijau Group.

Net worth
▲US$1.1 billion (2007)

Tan Sri Datuk Tiong Hiew King (simplified Chinese: 张晓卿; traditional Chinese: 張曉卿; pinyin: Zhāng Xiǎoqīng) is the Malaysian Chinese founder and chairman of the Rimbunan Hijau Group, a timber company founded in 1975. Its overseas timber operations in Papua New Guinea is the largest in that country. He also has interests in logging operations in Russia.

Mr Tiong resides in Sibu, a town in Sarawak, of Borneo island that belongs to Malaysia. With a reported net worth of about US$1.1 billion, Tiong is ranked by Forbes as the 840th richest person in the world.
Tiong's Rimbunan Hijau Group also controls Sin Chew Jit Poh and Guang Ming Daily, two of the major Chinese national dailies in Malaysia, The National Daily in Papua New Guinea and Ming Pao Holdings Ltd in Hong Kong. He is forging a global Chinese publishing group with his Ming Pao Enterprises; Ming Pao newspaper is also available in San Francisco, New York, Vancouver and Toronto.

***************************************************

Tan Sri Tiong Hiew King is ranked at No. 9 in 2008 (Source: Forbes)


***************************************************

This is the New Paper Cutting from Sin Chew Daily New (Mandarin Version)
congratulating Tan Sri Tiong Hiew King being conferred "the Knight commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire" by HRH Queen Elizabeth II of Britain.

The Award Winning Night Market or "Pasar Malam".

(Photo: Night Scene of the Night Market and with the courtesy of Sibu Municipal Council )

The Open night market or "Malam at Market " was awarded the Outstanding Contribution to Sarawak Culinary delights Category in the Sarawak Hornbill Tourism award 2008 organised by the Sarawak Tourism Board and the State Ministry of Tourism, Sarawak . This a must visit site especially for the tourist and outsiders. This Night Market consists of food section (takeaway), merchandise, fresh fruits and Bumi or Malay Section is cooked food (takeaway) as well as the merchandise goods. The merchandised good sold here are the daily use items, clothing, imitation jewelleries, watches, posters, local handicrafts, hardware from china and while food section, you can see the fresh fruits, drinks, cakes and barbecued chicken & meats.

1. The Merchandise Section of Night Market.


(Photo: Selling Clothings )

(Photo: A must Take away Item- " Sarong" for tourist and this one of the 3 Sarong Stalls)

(Photo: display of imitation jewelleries)


(Photo: Selling Jewelleries & hair accessories)



(Photo: selling sling bags, watches, small items of accessories)



(Photo:Selling Original Iban CD and VCD)


(Photo: Selling Posters )


2. Fresh Fruits Section of Night Market.



3. Cooked Food Section of Night Market.


(Photo: Selling Barbecued Meats & fishes (Bumi Section) )


(Photo: selling & display of Dishes )(Bumi Section- take away Food)


(Photo: Selling Kebab )(Bumi Section)



(Phto: selling Drinks & Biscuits )(Bumi Section)



(Photo: Selling drinks & dumplings) (Non Bumi Section)



(Photo: Selling Barbecued meats) (non halal) and still remember

my friend (Roland ) use to buy the barbecued head of..............

No. of Stalls at the Night Market.

The number of stalls is about 150 to 200 in numbers and a few of the original traders had either ceased trading or had passed away. From the survey carried out revealed that recently the business is not that good as compared to the 70s and also, might be due to recent economic downturn.


A brief Story of this Night Market.

A little bit of the write up or the history of this Night Market or "Pasar Malam" for you and this Market is under the management of the local Authority (Sibu Municipal Council). This Night Market is in existence for nearly 40 years.This Night Market traders actually come from two(2) different trading Sites i.e the high street & Market road areas. Because of the demolition of the Old 2 story Wet & Dry Market , Market Road (the present site of the Night Market Trading Site) , they were grouped together at this present trading Site in the Year 2001.

In fact, the Traders from High Street had a humble Start at the Former small town Square behind the Sibu Municipal Council (then Sibu District Council)) town hall with less than 20 stalls and shifted 3 times , first to behind Raminway Parking Lots, second to in front Palace Theatre (the present Jun Rong Supermarket), third to Sibu Butterfly parkand back to the present Site with the Market Road traders in Year 2001. Market Road Night Traders only move once to the Butterfly park (because of the demolition of Market Road Wet & Dry Market ) with the High Street Traders and back together the same Year (2001).

It was drizzling and all of the sudden , it rained quite heavily as I was strolling along this Night Market and I got stuck at one of the Stall. Luck is very kind to me, Mr. Kong suddenly stand in front of me and I asked him ,how's your business? He said "Just enough for my pocket money". Ah Siong (Mr Kong ) is very lucky chap who had 2 sons (both of the IT graduates working in banking and another PR in Holland ). He told me that he had the most wonderful time (business) especially in the 1970s (especially around 1975). Mr. Kong is the Founder Chairperson of the Sibu Pasar Malam Association and was the chairperson for two(2) terms.The Sibu Pasar Malam Association is about 5 to 6 year Old.

(Photo: Mr. Kong )

As we were chatting , suddenly, a " Tai ko" (most of the night traders call Him) of the night market , Mr. Lau Ngie Hua (CEO of local chain of supermarket- "Daesim " supermarket and he was a night market trader for 3 years (he quitted in year 1975 ) during the 70s and according to Mr. Kong that Mr. Lau Ngie Hua made RM 7.50 during his first night. Mr. Lau is a very friendly and nice fellow. As we were talking , the topic of who was the first Council Chairman who started this Night Market and who were the Council Chairperson that followed ? The Late Mr. Lai Han Lu (elected) was the first , Late Mr. Chew King Pun, Tan Sri Lau Hieng Ting, Datuk Yao Peng Hua, Tiew Sung Seng, Datuk Ting Ing Mieng , Mr. Kong Sien Han. and .Datuk Tiong Thai King ( the present Mayor) .

(Photo: Mr. Lau Ngie Hua, CEO of Daisim group of Companies)

Luck is on my side again, as I was walking towards my car, I met the Owner of Jun Rong Supermarket, another Old & Retired Night Market Trader, he was sitting in front of his premises , looking towards the night market and managed to get a few points of this write up from him.

(Photo: Mr. Huong Siew Miew, Owner of Jun Rong Supermarket)

This Market had a humble start in the Year 1973 with only 49 stall lots in this area (along Market) , actually the original (proposed site ) for them was along Central Road (in front of the Old Sibu Municipal Council) but it was rejected by these group of Traders and according to Mr. Huong Siew Miew (first batch night trader) that the present site (Market Road) was the best Choice then as the night activities could brighten this area. But I think it was not the reason, the actual reason was the activities of the 1st Floor of the Old 2 storey Wet & Dry Market (Cooked Food Stalls) could supported the business of the night market traders because of the people coming for suppers. The initial condition of this Night Market looked quite shabby as most the traders were found using wooden crates for displaying their goods. Mr. Huong Siew Miew gave up his licence in Year 2002 due to the business of the Jun Rong Supermarket.

The first few years the business was quite bad and attendance was very poor that Mr. Lai Han Lu, the Chairman of the local Authority ( then Sibu District Council )had to make personal house calls to encourage these traders to operate their stall. The Chairman of the Local Authority was Mr. Lai Han Lu (businessman by profession) and he was the elected by the people as previously the Chairperson & were elected representatives.

It was at the Year 1975, that the business had a big boom and was so good that a night outing could earn about a thousand or more for a well stocked night stall. Believe it or not? That was the words from one of the night trader, Mr. Kong.

Like to know how much these Night Hawkers are paying to Sibu Municipal Council ? Well, the licence fee is Ringgit Malaysia Sixty only (RM 60.00 only) per year.

The arrangement of the resettlement of this Night Market (or Pasar Malam) was done during the term of Cr. Wong Lay Nam (the Chairperson of Market & Petty Traders Committee or MPT) and the Sibu Municipal Council Chairman then was YB Datuk Robert Lau Hui Chew

A very good effort and job well done.

The First Luxurious River Cruise In S1BU.

The Pandaw Cruises - RV Orient Pandaw.

The Cruises in our longest river ,the Mighty Rejang River, are being operated by the Irrawaddy Flotilla Company and it's a 9 to 8 days cruises costing about USD 4,995 to 3, 225 per person . It's a 3 trips per month . According to the company write up or information, the river cruiser was named after the 1st original Clyde-built Steamer called PANDAW.The company had 6 cruising vessels at present and the Rejang River cruiser is called RV Orient Pandaw. The brochure of the Rejang or Borneo itineraries is very impressive and all the informations can be viewed at http://www.pandaw.com/.

I managed to take a few pixs of the Cruising Vessel berthed at our famous jetty ( the Pulau Babi) as follows:-

1. Side View



2. Rear View.

I was wondering whether it really benefited the tourism industries in S1BU like the hotels, travel services etc., Looking at the prices offer by the cruise management is quite high to us but I think is peanuts to the holiday goers from aboard.

Let's roughly count the number of person against the cabins /rooms offered at the Vessel is about 30 rooms multiply by 2 person per room equal to 60 person per trip. From the press release that the cruise is fully booked until next year and let's count 3 trips per month for 6 month is about 18 trips & each trip cost about USD 3,495.00 per person and you imaging how much that the company is making ( 18 trips multiply by 60 multiply by USD 3,495.00) equals to a cool USD 3,774,600 and what's about in Malaysian ringgit ??

How much S1BU can get the Share? 20 locals employed as cruise staffs, foods for the cruise, cost of arrangement of alternate small boats , a little bit for the long house folks for organizing the longhouse activities and two (2) local tourist guides (arranged by the Management) might get the share. The management should considered the 1 or 2 overnight stay at our local hotel and perhaps a day tour of Sibu which will benefited the hotel operator & the local shop owners rather staying in KUCHING for the last leg of the Tour. Also, the booking is done over the Internet and thro' the Cruise Company website in overseas, S1BU lose the benefit of gaining from the foreign exchanges and if the bookings is done in our country, that's will be a different story.

Anyway, whatever, S1Bu got the name being the first to have the honor of getting the PANDAW Cruise in the State.

A plot of vacant land in the heart of S1BU.

What's so special about this plot of land? Well, it's next to the biggest Town Square( Sibu Town Square) in Sarawak /Malaysia and it belongs to one big organisation in S1BU. It's about 2 acres or more (I'm not Sure) but it's speciality is that it was planted with nearly about 500-1000 trees covering the whole area of the land and it's very well maintained too. It can be said the location is in right in the heart of S1BU. Isn't that amazing ?



(Photo: Location of the Land)



(Photo: Close-up View showing the Trees)


(Photo: Another Close-up view)

The Oldest TeoChew Klan's Tomb in S1bu.

Oldest Teo Chew Klan's Tomb

The Chairman of the Teo Chew Klan/Association, Mr Chua Hiong Kee , told me that one of the Oldest Tomb belonged to his Klan is found in Pulau Kerto , Sibu which the Teo Chews had first settled in Sibu. This is the only documented with the proof of the Structure of the Tomb and the inscriptions on the tablet.. According to Mr. Chua that there are a few tomb earlier than this tomb were swept away due to the erosion of the river bank and this Tomb was constructed in the early Year 1800. Confirmation received from Mr. Tan (Secretary of the Teo Chew Association) that the actual year is 1806. Thank you, Mr. Tan.

1. Oldest Teo Chew Klan's Tomb in Pulau Kerto, Sibu.


*Photo was given to me by the Teo Chew Klan's Member (standing in front of the Tomb)*

Should any readers come across any old ones from any other communities, send to me and I'm sure love to include in my blog. Just drop in and write a few descriptions with photo or photos.

The Largest Shipyard in S1BU.

TOUNG AIK SHIPYARD SDN. BHD.

S1Bu had about over 30 shipyards big & Small and the largest or biggest of them all is TOUNG AIK SHIPYARD SDN. BHD. This is what I heard from friend. But I do not know about their business but I sure that as compare to the areas of all the shipyard in one location, Toung Aik Shipyard Sdn. Bhd. is the largest one with an areas spreading about 12 acreas. The location of this Shipyard is at some where at Jalan Sg. Ma'aw, Sg. Bidut, Sibu .I think they are building a range of standardized offshore vessels developed and designed in house.

The Hottest Spots in S1BU

It's not about the Open Burnings or about any natural disasters in S1BU and it's all about the hottest spots in Entertainment in S1BU and the Night Life. It looks as if S1BU is a dead town during the night but isn't...let me show you all the fun & thrills.

The hottest spot of S1Bu is found in the CBD (Central Town District) areas where there are about 40 to 50 Karaoke & Fun Pubs outlets while the rest are scattered the outside CBD areas and this is because of the earlier policy of the authority, most of the approved Karaoke & Pub business should be in the designated two (2) Zones @ Jalan Mission & Tan Sri areas. Another Zone at Jalan Raminway & Sanyan areas.

KARAOKE & PUB

1. A simple Setting of middle Class Karaoke & Pub

2. Another Karaoke & Pub

3. Another Karaoke & Pub Outlet.

4. Another showing simple counter.

"CHINA DOLLS" & LOVERS" LANES

Night life in S1BU in fact is quite interesting if you really know where to cruise (I meant roaming ,not that "cruising"). You can watch "China Dolls" in coffee shops (in certain areas only) especially after Karaoke hours. It's just like in Bangkok . You guess how many of them ?I had tried to get a shot of them but didn't have the courage to do cos' I might get sue for having them or get bashed (mind you, they are men) in my blog. I can lead you to their hunts or hunting grounds. They are mostly in Sibu Butterfly Garden, along Raminway (a lot of Pubs there)

Another interesting spot in S1BU, the lovers' lane.Where?.

(Photo: A lover Lane -Sorry for the blur image)

For those "Brothers", S1Bu do had one "hangout" for them. where? Ask someone about a lounge in the "Oldest" road in the oldest part of S1BU.

NEON LIGHTING

Watching beautiful neon lighting of Karaoke & Pub premises is not bad either during the night but isn't many as compare to Kuala Lumpur. S1BU Karaoke & Pub are divided into various classes ranging from simple decoration to a Classy type. The time of operation is until 1.30 am during weekday and eve of public holiday closes at about 2.30 am.

1. Beautiful Neon Lighting of S1BU Karaoke & Pubs.

THE MOST POPULAR KARAOKE & PUB

The following Karaoke & Pub's Owner (STATION KARAOKE & PUB) is very friendly and kind enough to let me take a few pixes of the interior of his premises but I haven't take any. I think ,at this moment, this Karaoke & Pub is the most popular one with Business People & "able to spend ones" in S1Bu. Very nicely decorated and few karaoke cubicles for those who need to entertain friends & clients.

"THE STATION KARAOKE & PUB."

(The Owner of the Pub promised to give the pixes of the interior view of

his Pub and will add in when I get them)

Reflexology & Health Centres.

Those with achy and tired muscles, S1BU do have reflexology and Health Centres for your services and if not mistaken, S1BU had a registrations of 55 such centres for your Services.The services stopped at 11.00pm. They very well and beautifully decorated. The workers are mostly China Ladies from Mainland China and One Reflexology centre even had males workers from Pakistan.

(Photo: Interior of reflexology & Health centre.

(Photo: Reflexology Centre)


(Photo: another one)


(Photo: Reflexology Centre)

NIGHT FISHING ALONG THE ESPLANADE

For those, the Entertainment outlets is not their cup of tea and who enjoyed outdoor activities like night fishing , what's about fishing in the CBD area of Sibu at Night ? Since S1BU's CBD is located by the bank of Rejang River and you can join the avid evening fishing enthusiasts at the wharf or jetty along the river bank. We use to spend our weekend ( in the past) having night gathering at the empty jetty doing the fishing and mind you, its only fresh water fishes & crustaceans (Big prawn or "Udang Galah")

(Photo: Social Gathering ? Fishing?)

The AFTER HOURS

After a happy time at the Karaokes or night fishing ,you can drop in to the S1BU's 24 hours food outlets like the Fast Food Chain & local ones ("Kopitiam")for a cup of Coffee or light refreshments and also, at our local 24 hours Restaurant (only One) for a light supper before going home.

I might be wrong but night life is definitely enjoyable in S1BU.