Tuesday, 15 July 2025

Author: Valentine Tawie Salok

Unique work culture, strong unifying factor

‘Beduruk’ perhaps has no English or BM exact equivalent. This is probably because it is a unique working culture and practice of the Dayak community, especially the Iban and to some extent the Bidayuh. Even some of the Orang Ulu farming tribes such as the Kelabit, Kayan, Kenyah, Sekapan and

Rewarding trip for grandniece’s wedding

The last time I saw her she was a thin young girl. Now three years later she has really turned into a woman and a bubbly bride. My grandniece Clar r i s a Jabai @ Wen’s marriage to Felix Jungan, a Roban native, last Saturday celebrated in full grandeur

Gawai makes longhouses more relevant

Longhouses for the Iban will always be relevant but it is Gawai Dayak – just refered here as Gawai – that is making them more relevant and enhancing the community dwelling into a platform of iconic celebration and unity. After an absence of two years from Gawai do at my

Heavy reliance on expatriates

Upon reporting for duty with The Borneo Bulletin at Brunei Press Sdn Bhd premises in Bandar Seri Begawan on 3 Dec 1997, I found out that our editorial staff, namely sub-editors and editors were mostly expatriates. We even had one reporter, an Iban from Limbang, whose wife was a Bruneian

Hazy 1997 landing in the sultanate

The royal wedding of Britain’s Prince Harry and Meghan Markle last Saturday reminded me of the tragic passing of Harry’s mother Princess Diana on 31 August 1997. A few friends were with me at a Miri entertainment spot on the evening of that fateful day when Queen E II made

Interesting confessions of ambulance drivers

Some regular readers of my column asked me whether I am writing anything about the present political scenario. I told a few of them during our coffee time that I am not a political analyst or writer, but if I were to write anything, it will be focused on Defence

Never too late to say ‘thank you’

Back in 1963-65 period, during the Confrontation ( e Indonesia/Malaysia confrontation began in early 1963 following Indonesia’s opposition to the creation of Malaysia) – the sounds of  ghter jets ‘Javelin’ and ‘Hunter’ underlined the hectic and anxious moments in Saratok and other areas in then Sarawak’s Second Division headquartered

Chuat ready for big challenge ahead

BARISAN Nasional candidate for Betong (P.204) Robert Lawson Chuat, born on 14 June, 1958, is the third of seven siblings. He was born and raised in an Iban longhouse Matop, Paku, Spaoh in Betong Division. His late father Vincent Entering Kelimbang who died in 2010 was a school teacher whereas

Experienced Rohani has a lot to offer

Dato’ Sri Hajjah Rohani Haji Abdul Karim (born 3 January 1955) is the incumbent MP for the Batang Lupar constituency in Sarawak, representing the Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB). In 2013 she was appointed as the federal Minister of Women, Family and Community Development in the Barisan Nasional coalition government,

Capt Zainuddin new State Chief Scout Commissioner

Despite having resigned from all appointments in the scouting world – the last one being State’s Assistant Chief Scout Commissioner (IT and Media) – I am still very much a scouter at heart. And having been active as a scout leader since 1979, I have made many friends in scouting,