Op Ngerapuh Full Steam Ahead

The New Straits Time 24 February 2010. As a follow up on the PM's speech aired over the TV last night, the NST followed up with the news - see picture above. With the government now committing itself fully on this project, I now can breath easy. The government machineries will definitely be doing the necessary works to exhume and relocate the remains of the Iban Trackers and Sarawak Rangers back to Sarawak. A 15.4 acre site has been acquired and the master plan for the memorial drawn and worked out. God willing, the remains of the fighters will be brought home soon and closer to their next-of-kins and where they could be accorded proper respect.

Sarawak State Award

I received a letter from the office of the TYT Yang DiPertua Negeri Sarawak (Governor) dated 8 January 2010. The investiture ceremony for the award, Pegawai Bintang Kenyalang (PBK), which was awarded to me in 2008, was going to be done on 2 & 3 February 2010 at Astana Sarawak. I was one of the 110 recipients. Since we were allowed to bring a guest, I took my spouse along. It was a welcomed change for her. After all, she hadn't been to Kuching for about a year. We took a direct flight from Penang on 1 February 2010 at about 7 pm. Our return flight on 4 February 2010, likewise, was also at night (9 pm). The ceremonmy was simple yet solemn - befitting a State Award. We were treated to a luncheon after the ceremony.

Receiving the PBK from TYT Yang DiPertua Negeri Sarawak.

"Gambar kenangan" with Tan Sri Dr Alfred Jabu ak. Numpang, Sarawak's Deputy Chief Minister.

The maniature of the PBK medal

The Pegawai Bintang Kenyalang (PBK) - a neck order.