Golden Land - Sarawak , Chapter 21 , Antimony
' Have you ever received a medal from any school sport or academic competition ?' Bong asked me
after have short noon nap. Sleeping for 15 minutes around 13 hours is his habit, and if the noon nap habit was disturbed, he would complained of headache. The headache then rendered him total whole body weakness.
That remind me of the story of Second King, Charles Brooke inviting 3,000 immigrants from MeiSiang, China
after he saw women working in vegetable farms at 12 noon. Sir Charles Brooke didnot know that most women group work more than man among people from that area. Men usually enjoy sports,reading, playing music, window shopping
while women work in the farms and all kinds of work.
The women workers also contributed their full power among Hakka gold mining and Antimony mining.
Antimony is a pretty silvery blue metal, which exist in different forms. Just like fantastic Borneo lizards that
changed skin colour and adapted to the environment.
The metal Antimony appears poetic to the miners whose fore fathers travelled thousands of mile from China to
Sarawak. They loved Antimony.
The answer to Mr. S M Bong's question is affirmative. All of us have the experience of getting the super light
championship cup in school recently. There are many competitions such as singing, caligraphy and hundreds of
other events to offer prizes for all of us, since we all have certain tallents.
The true gold and silver cup of the past has been replaced by modern man made pretty shields and cups. All those glitters usually not gold nor silver at present time. I asked Bong why he suddenly showed interest in
championship cups.
' Antimony is a beautiful metal used by Chinese for many years. The largest reserve and the major world producer till today is still the Chinese miners and business group. The rare metal is useful for thousands of products including getting rid of parasites.'
Mr. Bong is trying to tell me story of loving Latin source of the name Antimony which means joined
together, may be as powerful as a loving couples and cannot usually exist single to be useful. The rare metal
'married' lead and created a very strong new metal for magically economic acid lead battery.
' The Tong-Dong and Musi area of Sarawak is full of Antimony,' Bong boasted again'The miners in the golden days
got good harvest, fetched handsome price and gave the miners wonderful poetic living standard in Saerawak.'
' San-ko literally means folklore-country or mountain songs by the Hakka people of Sarawak'
' Why the local Bidayu tribes names the rare metal Antimony as Sarawek ?' Bong is trying to be naughty
by questioning me to raise his self pride.
'The San-ko mountain songs by the Kajinchew Hakka people is always romatic and practical' Bong didnot wait for my answer. ' The metal shine like whitish blue moon in the flowing water of the Antimony factory day and night.'
Bong visualized the moon-lit Sarawak River and the churning musical rythm of the water wheel, lady workers
and miners duet singing.
From the sandy water the precious rare metal were seperted as the gentle water cleanse softly through the
multiple fifty feet long wooden trays.
' Ahh- Moi --Ooooh Sa-rau-yet ho lian moi-tze lay------' Bong is singing as if he were there during mining in
the antimony mines in the 18th century.
The Hakka people said the poetic moon in the water as they scooped the sand away.
' Sa-rau-yet the spoken by the native Bidayu and some Malay workers sound like Sarawek, which is the name
given to the Antimony, then the name of the river Sarawak, thus the name of the whole area Sarawak.'
I questioned him the origin of the name of Kuching, the capital city of Sarawak today. Bong immediately said i
it is nothing related to cat. Cats never survive in Sarawak, Borneo tropical jungle just like lion never live in
Sarawak.
' Kuching city was known as Sarawak during Makota time, which was directly ruled by the sultan of Brunei.'
Bong nodded his head and looked straight into my eyes.
'Neat the present Hilton hotel there were many fruit tree called Mata Kuching,andabeautiful little
river flowed through the front of present TuaPeKong temple is known as Kuching river thus the name Kuching was a little plot of area near present Hilton hotel.'
That sound Romatic as Bong telling his story of Sarawak people with the ancient events of special group of
Ka-zin-Chew Hakka which literally means guest people as Hakka are originally from Henan area of northern China.
thousand of years ago they could have moved like Moses moving around middle east, Hakka people moved
around China and throughout the whole world searching for sunshine,water and peace.
the ancient language Hakka people using today is a living fossil hich indicate the link with China history if not the world history for thousands of years.
' The city centre of Seoul of Korea is pronounced exactly the same as the Hakka language and it means
the Shallow bird's cave.' Bong is telling me what he has experienced in his tour and study experience.
'Sarawak is truely a golden land. that is why James Brooke finally came to Sarawak to fulfil his dream
of making himself a king from a retired private soldier. He dreamed grand and beautiful. He must have dreamed
of peace and love too.' Bong continued
'His pretty girl friend Angela travlled thousand of mile by lousy boats from England to love him, cherish him in Sarawak, now Kuching.' Then I asked him whether his home town Siniawan is the true site where James Brooke's girl friend enjoyed life with flowers, music around the villa built by James Brooke to showed gratitude to his beautiful girl friend.
' It is a pitty that only the huge stone could provide a guessing site for that romatic bungalow for Angela and King James Brooke. The area was not taken care of and that could be the reason why James Brooke arranged his burial site at Sheepstor of Southern England where he rest inpeace for ever.' Bong mentioned the site of burial site of all 3 Kings of Sarawak, where I have visited personally paid my respect in 1981.
King James Brooke was always in danger due to numerous pirates and enemy who claimed their 'right to get rich'. I asked bong whether King James Brooke loved Angela and did Angela loved Rajah James Brooke. Bong surprised me for the first time and he said
' I do'nt know.'
After James Brooke fought bravely in Burma and wounded badly. He was rewarded with a large sum of money which might never compensate his loss of health including serious wound over lower part of his body and alleged limb injury and related sexually impotence.
' A friend in need is a friend indeed.'Bong spoke to me with firm voice.
'James Brooke wrote to Angela starting with''My dear little box'' and he indicated the hardship of Sarawak people, the dangerous pirates, sad slaves trade conducted by the governor Makota, then Angela sent money to James Brooke.
She was not very rich during that time, yet she resposed and helped James Brooke immediately.'
' All the time there was danger, yet they found peace in the jungle villa house at Siniawan Mountain. The same villa housed the great doctor Wallace, the naturalist and the honest scientist who completed the initial sketches of Sarawak natural life forms and beauty. Love and peace must be always presented as a natural gift to James Brooke.'
Bong is talking as if he was dreaming again. The beautiful silvery blue Antimony rare metal always transformed and
alloyed with other loving partner and achieved stronger dream with peace and love. Antimony, the origin of
Sarawak.
( written by James Chong, midnight, 5th day of Chinese New Year, Dragon year 27th Jan 2012 )
Friday 27 January 2012
Thursday 26 January 2012
goloden Land -- Sarawak , Chapter 20 , Opium
Opium is the recent name used for a perfume for lady advertised months ago. It signify addiction, mysterious and yet there is a frightening link with modern seduction to self focusing yet unaware of the meaning of true image of nature and the surrounding environment.
Golden Land -- Sarawak , Chapter 20 , Opium
It is fascinating to see how a well known substance used scientifically
for medical purpose has been used by human being. Again the modern internet let us share the wonderful
immediate switch of time from ancient to modern time in term of
virtual abstract idea sharing.
those who have empathy would be able to feel how Opium abuser
felt with the empty period without the anti-depression effect of Opium.
Mr. S M Bong is knowledgeable. He told me what he learned from all
sources about the Opium of Sarawak and the Pium force of the world.
S M Bong said ' England merchants definately earned alot from Opium.'
'What they have earned or robed from innocent people benefit them for many years and even
significantly added to their wealthy status till today.'
I kept quiet as he gave that lecture to me. I admired brave people like Prime minister
William Ewart Gladstone of England who led the Liberal government and
suppressed the Opium trade as late as 1893. It was a tough job to redirect a powerful evil trade.
The brave soul found 'peace' admist war against evil Opium abusing group.
There were many people among the East India company of England who opposed
excessive selling of Opium to our lovely people of the whole world, including the
people of China.
Opium war broke out and Chinese people as a whole suffered most due to
poison of this Opium substance.
It definately affected the emotional status of the gold miners who were mainly
Hakka from Chinese origin. The damage done by the Opium war affected the livelihood of
the gold miners of Siniawan, Mausan( Bau today)and people of Sambas.
S M Bong raised his voice.' It was very tough during the Opium war for Chinese to find
sufficient food to feed their children.'
'When the expenses increased in sarawak region, the gold miners tried the risky way and fought
war with King James Brooke's army. It was almost a suicidal attempt to fight against the riffles and canons of James Brooke army.'
The whole world is interlinked and there is no exception for Sarawak. Opium, thus indirectly affected Sarawak.
After years of hardwork, Sarawak gradually produced a new generation of peaceful people who
fight for peace though not sit and waiting for peace.
Golden Land -- Sarawak , Chapter 20 , Opium
It is fascinating to see how a well known substance used scientifically
for medical purpose has been used by human being. Again the modern internet let us share the wonderful
immediate switch of time from ancient to modern time in term of
virtual abstract idea sharing.
those who have empathy would be able to feel how Opium abuser
felt with the empty period without the anti-depression effect of Opium.
Mr. S M Bong is knowledgeable. He told me what he learned from all
sources about the Opium of Sarawak and the Pium force of the world.
S M Bong said ' England merchants definately earned alot from Opium.'
'What they have earned or robed from innocent people benefit them for many years and even
significantly added to their wealthy status till today.'
I kept quiet as he gave that lecture to me. I admired brave people like Prime minister
William Ewart Gladstone of England who led the Liberal government and
suppressed the Opium trade as late as 1893. It was a tough job to redirect a powerful evil trade.
The brave soul found 'peace' admist war against evil Opium abusing group.
There were many people among the East India company of England who opposed
excessive selling of Opium to our lovely people of the whole world, including the
people of China.
Opium war broke out and Chinese people as a whole suffered most due to
poison of this Opium substance.
It definately affected the emotional status of the gold miners who were mainly
Hakka from Chinese origin. The damage done by the Opium war affected the livelihood of
the gold miners of Siniawan, Mausan( Bau today)and people of Sambas.
S M Bong raised his voice.' It was very tough during the Opium war for Chinese to find
sufficient food to feed their children.'
'When the expenses increased in sarawak region, the gold miners tried the risky way and fought
war with King James Brooke's army. It was almost a suicidal attempt to fight against the riffles and canons of James Brooke army.'
The whole world is interlinked and there is no exception for Sarawak. Opium, thus indirectly affected Sarawak.
After years of hardwork, Sarawak gradually produced a new generation of peaceful people who
fight for peace though not sit and waiting for peace.
Wednesday 25 January 2012
Golden Land -- Sarawak , Chapter 19
Golden Land -- Sarawak Chapter 19 , Pretty slave Girl
history.htmlCached - Similar
You +1'd this publicly. Undo
30 Mar 1996 – Sarawak at this time was under the rule of Brunei. Sarawak ... Division) at that time was under a tyrannical Governor named Pengiran Mahkota. In 1826 ... He even took away and sold Land Dayak women and children as slaves. ... They attacked Kuching and the Astana in the early morning of 19th February.
It is nice to have modern internet where good people share the joy of information and fun.
The above quoted message is for my friends to enjoy the cream of the story of Sarawak. Most people
of multiracial community of Sarawak appreciate the peace and rich culture of harmony living of Sarawak.
To love and cherish is the true heart of Sarawakians as they proudly pronounced as the children of mother land Sarawak--the land of gentle, beautiful hornbill.
The slave trade was famous during the rule of Brunei governor in Sarawak.
1840 was the smale period when highly educated people in europe were crying for the sad slavery of the world and the attention focus on helping to abolish remained the hot topic of Europe.
that was the same period of time when Baron Lars Herman Gyllenbard, the Swedish Prime Minister for justice.
There is true photo copy of diary written by James Brooke's officer and the sight of women and innocent little children were kept in cages under the hot tropical sun at the wharf of south bank of Sarawak River near present day Hiton Hotel.
Time seems to fly and the story of preety girl kidnaped and brought to middle east today sound exactly like the story of pretty girl sold as slave during 1840 in sarawak.
James Brooke, the man meant for peace, pirate eradication, slaves liberation came to Sarawak with his 60 canons on board the battle ship Royalist, realised the uprising of all the people( include bidayus and sarawa local Malays) against the slavery rule of Makota was a natural phenomenon: a natural will of power to survive.
Most people behave as if rich people are good people with out much thinking of pride or prejudice.
The historian of political link usually wrote articles in favour of their ' friends'.
The pretty girl slave is always sold at a higher price. that is the common understanding of demand and supply.
history.htmlCached - Similar
You +1'd this publicly. Undo
30 Mar 1996 – Sarawak at this time was under the rule of Brunei. Sarawak ... Division) at that time was under a tyrannical Governor named Pengiran Mahkota. In 1826 ... He even took away and sold Land Dayak women and children as slaves. ... They attacked Kuching and the Astana in the early morning of 19th February.
It is nice to have modern internet where good people share the joy of information and fun.
The above quoted message is for my friends to enjoy the cream of the story of Sarawak. Most people
of multiracial community of Sarawak appreciate the peace and rich culture of harmony living of Sarawak.
To love and cherish is the true heart of Sarawakians as they proudly pronounced as the children of mother land Sarawak--the land of gentle, beautiful hornbill.
The slave trade was famous during the rule of Brunei governor in Sarawak.
1840 was the smale period when highly educated people in europe were crying for the sad slavery of the world and the attention focus on helping to abolish remained the hot topic of Europe.
that was the same period of time when Baron Lars Herman Gyllenbard, the Swedish Prime Minister for justice.
There is true photo copy of diary written by James Brooke's officer and the sight of women and innocent little children were kept in cages under the hot tropical sun at the wharf of south bank of Sarawak River near present day Hiton Hotel.
Time seems to fly and the story of preety girl kidnaped and brought to middle east today sound exactly like the story of pretty girl sold as slave during 1840 in sarawak.
James Brooke, the man meant for peace, pirate eradication, slaves liberation came to Sarawak with his 60 canons on board the battle ship Royalist, realised the uprising of all the people( include bidayus and sarawa local Malays) against the slavery rule of Makota was a natural phenomenon: a natural will of power to survive.
Most people behave as if rich people are good people with out much thinking of pride or prejudice.
The historian of political link usually wrote articles in favour of their ' friends'.
The pretty girl slave is always sold at a higher price. that is the common understanding of demand and supply.
Golden land -- Sarawak , Chapter 18 , The largest city of Sarawak , Mausan,1856
After a sip of Lunchin Chinese Tea, Mr. S. M. Bong said,
' The historical city of Sambas at the western edge of Borneo island is a lovely city.'
'It is linked to Indian ocean where the sunset is romantic, creative in a sense that no body can resist the charm of love.'
' When I was dreaming-day dreaming or true night dreaming-
I visualized that elegant city Sambas, present Singkawan city'
S. M Bong is day dreaming again.
It is wonderful to have the courage to dream. That is why Bong
achieves as an artist, photographer, fruits orchard nurturer, Durian champion selector,
All his five childrens are creative and all time dreamers.
That was inspired by my youngest uncles sexy Morris car cum taxi, which was one of the three
taxis in Kuching.
I dreamed of becoming a teacher, business man, horticulture scientist,
lawyer,army commander with colourful badges and uniform,
doctor just like any body else who dare to dream during the journey of life.
My day dream is terminated by bong's raised voice, ' Singkawan, the city is lively, the girls there are pretty and
lovely in a sense that they serve you but never spoil you. Yes , the word is they respect you and 'look up' to you.'
I have seen Singkawan girls when they came to Kuching for medical treatment and I agreed with Bong.
Even when they were sick, they keep their dignity and graceful speech and pose.
Singkawan girls talked sofely like singing to charm you. When they described their sickness and suffering, it sounded like they were telling alient's stories. Objective is the term.
S M Bong started singing sofely the enchanting song Bankalang Salo of Java island tune.
Mr. S M Bong is violist of Gading mountain zone too. Of course he sings.
Bangkalan sultan had many beautiful ladies sing and dance for him when Java was the centre of
couthern kingdom of Indonesia, while Brunei sutan controlled since 15th century balance the
political power.
Politic is always a balance of powers. An fragile balance of human greed and occasional
awakening of humane sense.
' That year, the Chinese new year was fantastic for S P Liew and his friends in Sambas( Singkawan).
1853 was a relatively good year after they loss the chance to recover the largest gold nugget ever known
in this world.' S M Bong continued
'There was a Chinese Kingdom lead by Lo Fan Pe who was cheated by the emperor of China and
poisoned with chemicals, may be cyanide made from plants.
My pupils must be very large if some body could measure it for me when Bong mentioned Cyanide.
It embraced my mind to the not so peaceful stories of Cyanide-like poison made by natives of Borneo for
hunting animals and enemies. They killed animals for food with moderation and the best example
is the Penan people who stays in the trees, who sleep for days after excessive full meal with hunted meat.
Cyanide, a substnace sound deadly, scary as it linked to killing of Jews duirng Nazi uprising of Second world war.
I am wondering third world war is already around us.
The whole world has changed. There are ipad, Drones that fly around the world with remote toy like controller.
The total number of people killed by weapons since world war two exceed millions of people killed then.
Where is peace !
Peace and love is essential for production in all aspect. I talked to Richard's highschool classmates
last night during a Chinese New Year gathering on the subject of making baby boys or baby girls.
Busy couples tends to make more baby boys, in contrast, nature usually offer more baby girls as the first child
for most couples.
'That Chinese New Year of 1853 was calm in Sambas Indonesia for Liew and his friends,' bong talked in a dreaming voice.
' do you know that Gold was famous around Sarawak and the golden dragon stretched all the way to Sambas of Indonesia.'
Bong is having a more serious day dfreaming again. I kept quiet as he enjoyed his day dreaming.
However I agree that Sarawak was famous as the powers of greedy people
came for mainly one major aim--to get or robe gold from 'nature'.
Siniawan and Bau of today used to be the largest city of sarawak.
More than 3.000 Gagaoi ( Bidayu, land Dayak people of 1800) people killed by enenmy in one day
recorded as facts.
The sad past recorded true head hunting in factual form as greedy people fought against each other.
Largest cities changed their status overngit due to wars.
I recalled memory of the clear beatiiful river water of Bau and Siniawan, collectively the city of Sarawak, the largest city or state in northern part of Borneo during the mid nineteenth century. It seems like the story of yesterday
compressed by modern computer.
' The historical city of Sambas at the western edge of Borneo island is a lovely city.'
'It is linked to Indian ocean where the sunset is romantic, creative in a sense that no body can resist the charm of love.'
' When I was dreaming-day dreaming or true night dreaming-
I visualized that elegant city Sambas, present Singkawan city'
S. M Bong is day dreaming again.
It is wonderful to have the courage to dream. That is why Bong
achieves as an artist, photographer, fruits orchard nurturer, Durian champion selector,
All his five childrens are creative and all time dreamers.
That was inspired by my youngest uncles sexy Morris car cum taxi, which was one of the three
taxis in Kuching.
I dreamed of becoming a teacher, business man, horticulture scientist,
lawyer,army commander with colourful badges and uniform,
doctor just like any body else who dare to dream during the journey of life.
My day dream is terminated by bong's raised voice, ' Singkawan, the city is lively, the girls there are pretty and
lovely in a sense that they serve you but never spoil you. Yes , the word is they respect you and 'look up' to you.'
I have seen Singkawan girls when they came to Kuching for medical treatment and I agreed with Bong.
Even when they were sick, they keep their dignity and graceful speech and pose.
Singkawan girls talked sofely like singing to charm you. When they described their sickness and suffering, it sounded like they were telling alient's stories. Objective is the term.
S M Bong started singing sofely the enchanting song Bankalang Salo of Java island tune.
Mr. S M Bong is violist of Gading mountain zone too. Of course he sings.
Bangkalan sultan had many beautiful ladies sing and dance for him when Java was the centre of
couthern kingdom of Indonesia, while Brunei sutan controlled since 15th century balance the
political power.
Politic is always a balance of powers. An fragile balance of human greed and occasional
awakening of humane sense.
' That year, the Chinese new year was fantastic for S P Liew and his friends in Sambas( Singkawan).
1853 was a relatively good year after they loss the chance to recover the largest gold nugget ever known
in this world.' S M Bong continued
'There was a Chinese Kingdom lead by Lo Fan Pe who was cheated by the emperor of China and
poisoned with chemicals, may be cyanide made from plants.
My pupils must be very large if some body could measure it for me when Bong mentioned Cyanide.
It embraced my mind to the not so peaceful stories of Cyanide-like poison made by natives of Borneo for
hunting animals and enemies. They killed animals for food with moderation and the best example
is the Penan people who stays in the trees, who sleep for days after excessive full meal with hunted meat.
Cyanide, a substnace sound deadly, scary as it linked to killing of Jews duirng Nazi uprising of Second world war.
I am wondering third world war is already around us.
The whole world has changed. There are ipad, Drones that fly around the world with remote toy like controller.
The total number of people killed by weapons since world war two exceed millions of people killed then.
Where is peace !
Peace and love is essential for production in all aspect. I talked to Richard's highschool classmates
last night during a Chinese New Year gathering on the subject of making baby boys or baby girls.
Busy couples tends to make more baby boys, in contrast, nature usually offer more baby girls as the first child
for most couples.
'That Chinese New Year of 1853 was calm in Sambas Indonesia for Liew and his friends,' bong talked in a dreaming voice.
' do you know that Gold was famous around Sarawak and the golden dragon stretched all the way to Sambas of Indonesia.'
Bong is having a more serious day dfreaming again. I kept quiet as he enjoyed his day dreaming.
However I agree that Sarawak was famous as the powers of greedy people
came for mainly one major aim--to get or robe gold from 'nature'.
Siniawan and Bau of today used to be the largest city of sarawak.
More than 3.000 Gagaoi ( Bidayu, land Dayak people of 1800) people killed by enenmy in one day
recorded as facts.
The sad past recorded true head hunting in factual form as greedy people fought against each other.
Largest cities changed their status overngit due to wars.
I recalled memory of the clear beatiiful river water of Bau and Siniawan, collectively the city of Sarawak, the largest city or state in northern part of Borneo during the mid nineteenth century. It seems like the story of yesterday
compressed by modern computer.
Wednesday 11 January 2012
Golden Land , chapter 17 , Sir Henry Keppel
Written by Dr. James M C Chong
Golden Land -- Sarawak
Chapter 17
Sir Henry Keppel
Sir Captain Henry Keppel was the admiral of the fleet against slavery and piracy at west Africa since 14 June 1809.
He became a great friend of James Brooke and helped him with HMS Dido. I read the original type writting memoir of Sir Henry Keppel and here is the text,
' MEMOIR OF MR. RROOKE.
to preparation and inquiry — a year spent in the
Mediterranean had tested his vessel, the Royalist,
and his crew — and so completely had he studied
his subject and calculated on contingencies, that
the least santjuine of his friends felt as he left the
shore, hazardous and unusual as the enterprise
appeared to be, that he had omitted nothing to
insure a successful issue. ' I go,' said he, ' to
awake the spirit of slumbering philanthropy with
regard to these islands ; to carry Sir Stamford
Raffles' views in Java over the whole Archipelago.
Fortune and life I give freely ; and if I fail in the
attempt, I shall not have lived wholly in vain.'
" In the admiration I feel for him, I may far-
ther be permitted to add, that if any man ever
possessed in himself the resources and means by
which such noble designs were to be achieved, that
man w^as James Brooke ! Of the most enlarged
view^s ; truthful and generous ; quick to acquire
and appreciate ; excelling in every manly sport
and exercise ; elegant and accomplished ; ever ac-
cessible ; and above all, prompt and determined to
redress injury and relieve misfortune, — he was of
all others the best qualified to impress the native
mind with the highest opinion of English charac-
ter. How he has succeeded, the influence he has
acquired, and the benefits he has conferred, his
own uncoloured narrative contained in the follow-
ing pages best declares, and impresses on the world
a lasting lesson of the good . '
Golden Land -- Sarawak
Chapter 17
Sir Henry Keppel
Sir Captain Henry Keppel was the admiral of the fleet against slavery and piracy at west Africa since 14 June 1809.
He became a great friend of James Brooke and helped him with HMS Dido. I read the original type writting memoir of Sir Henry Keppel and here is the text,
' MEMOIR OF MR. RROOKE.
to preparation and inquiry — a year spent in the
Mediterranean had tested his vessel, the Royalist,
and his crew — and so completely had he studied
his subject and calculated on contingencies, that
the least santjuine of his friends felt as he left the
shore, hazardous and unusual as the enterprise
appeared to be, that he had omitted nothing to
insure a successful issue. ' I go,' said he, ' to
awake the spirit of slumbering philanthropy with
regard to these islands ; to carry Sir Stamford
Raffles' views in Java over the whole Archipelago.
Fortune and life I give freely ; and if I fail in the
attempt, I shall not have lived wholly in vain.'
" In the admiration I feel for him, I may far-
ther be permitted to add, that if any man ever
possessed in himself the resources and means by
which such noble designs were to be achieved, that
man w^as James Brooke ! Of the most enlarged
view^s ; truthful and generous ; quick to acquire
and appreciate ; excelling in every manly sport
and exercise ; elegant and accomplished ; ever ac-
cessible ; and above all, prompt and determined to
redress injury and relieve misfortune, — he was of
all others the best qualified to impress the native
mind with the highest opinion of English charac-
ter. How he has succeeded, the influence he has
acquired, and the benefits he has conferred, his
own uncoloured narrative contained in the follow-
ing pages best declares, and impresses on the world
a lasting lesson of the good . '
Monday 9 January 2012
Golden Land --Sarawak, Chapter Sixteen , Golden girl and silver spoon
Miss Angela Burdett was the elegant lady with the fashionable post
painted by outstanding artist. The upper class society of England was filled with
admiration talk and notes for the gorgeous lady.
She loved Sarawak because there was a hero who fullfilled her dream .Sir James Brooke
was her hero.
The development of Sarawak was largely related to the graceful, kind hearted lady who
gave money to Sir James Brooke as soon as he wrote to her.
Her present in Sarawak history was another gold mine of the legendary land.
Angela Burdett-Coutts as she was known later, was a philanthropist, the daughter of Sir Charles Burdett. Her mother side grand father, was banker Thomas Coutts. In 1837 she became the wealthiest woman in England whebn she inherited her grand father's fortune of nearly three million pounds.
Eleven years younger than Sir James Brooke, Angela was actively receiving letters and contacts from Sir James Brooke.
With the charm of heroic appearnace, Sir James Brooke had wriiten letter to Mrs Brown and thus disclosed that he had, in the past, successfully formed union with another lady and had a son Reubin.
Lady Angela was well known and very helpful to Sir James Brooke. A lady who showed care and freindship to a gentleman who had been seriously wounded during the war in Burma. He was known to have serious injury that rendered him to sexually very safe to the lady.
The fairy tale and freindship continued till sir James Brooke's death in 1868. Angela went to heaven on the 30th of December 1906 with white snow around her beautiful home.
painted by outstanding artist. The upper class society of England was filled with
admiration talk and notes for the gorgeous lady.
She loved Sarawak because there was a hero who fullfilled her dream .Sir James Brooke
was her hero.
The development of Sarawak was largely related to the graceful, kind hearted lady who
gave money to Sir James Brooke as soon as he wrote to her.
Her present in Sarawak history was another gold mine of the legendary land.
Angela Burdett-Coutts as she was known later, was a philanthropist, the daughter of Sir Charles Burdett. Her mother side grand father, was banker Thomas Coutts. In 1837 she became the wealthiest woman in England whebn she inherited her grand father's fortune of nearly three million pounds.
Eleven years younger than Sir James Brooke, Angela was actively receiving letters and contacts from Sir James Brooke.
With the charm of heroic appearnace, Sir James Brooke had wriiten letter to Mrs Brown and thus disclosed that he had, in the past, successfully formed union with another lady and had a son Reubin.
Lady Angela was well known and very helpful to Sir James Brooke. A lady who showed care and freindship to a gentleman who had been seriously wounded during the war in Burma. He was known to have serious injury that rendered him to sexually very safe to the lady.
The fairy tale and freindship continued till sir James Brooke's death in 1868. Angela went to heaven on the 30th of December 1906 with white snow around her beautiful home.
The Golden Land --Sarawak , Chapter Fifteen , The Heros
I read about Sir James Brooke when I was five years old. I followed my second sister, M L Chong, who taught all subjects in a huge primary school at twenty fourth miles Serian Road( known as old road at present). Most family members said I had chance to meet more friends in a country side primary school.
The education regulation was strict to let six years old and above to study primary one in those years. In a country side school, the headmaster was greatly respected by all people around that area. That was part of the reason I got a chance to start schooling when I was five years old in the year 1957.
The historical stories were writen by people from United Kingdom. That time, pirates related mainly to people who fought against Sir James Brooke. After thirty years, I read the story of a pirate captured by Alexander the Great from Greece. The pirate said to the King,
' Around mediteranean sea you have many ships and fighters so that you are called King even you killed more people than me. I have only one ship and few men that is why people called me pirate.'
That statement, though not exactly true, had imprinted a search of objective angle of view and there were many great historians who could offer us more solid facts for truth of civilization.
Sir James Brooke was finally buried at the Sheepstor church at Dartmoor of Southern England after many years of hardwork in Sarawak Kingdom. According to his friends, he was loved by his friends and people since he had tried his best to improve the living of the people of Sarawak. Many people joined the venture in Sarawak and the population grew rapidly.
Those who took part at the burial ceremony witness many people cried and then every body wiped tears as they recalled the good deed their hero Sir James Brooke had done for them and the world.
I mentioned this to my S. M. Bong, the artist, violinist, Durian farmers and the talkertive story teller, during an afternoon tea with Boh Tea, milk and one cube of sugar. He started to recalled the story of his hero Mr. S P Liew:
S. P. Liew and his gold miner men and women stayed at Sambas till the celebration of Duan Wool festival ( literary means mid-noon festival as the legend related to all people went to the river of Chu 2,000 years ago to help the primeminister of Chu, who drown himself at the river next to the capital to protest the weak emperor using crooked gang's idea and ill treated the common people)
During the year with La Nina weather factors, traditional culture of China is to keep the best blankets available for prompt utilization to keep the whole family warm and prevent frozen to death. The day fifth of the fifth Chinese farmer's calendar month signify the best chance to welcome warm Spring. That happened for thousand of years and proven to be a valuable tradition and the culture reflect cul;ture derived from living experience.
Culture is living.
S P Liew disciplined himself in planning the best time table for the group to act in order to survive. The following year, 1853 was a realtively peaceful year as the previous year of the Dragon had released all the Dragon anger as they believed. Almost all people found an excuse for the previous bad Dragon year. They always belived that Dragon year would eventually lead to good years.
The price of Gold apprciated gradually and there were signs of properity. The starvation of 1839 was hadrly remembered by anybody in Sarawak. Those years of starvation eventually led to aggravation of Malay uprising against the ruler of Brunei, th country that prospered since the time of Admiral Cheng Ho ( also known as Zheng He of Ming Dynasty of China).
During his initial visits and attempts to help the Governor of Sarawak from Brunei, Sir Jmes Brooke tried to pacify the uprising by a peaceful negotiation method. War has started before Sir James Brooke sailed his Royalist battleship to Sarawak ( in 1839, only a small portion of north western part of Borneo was names as Sarawak under the rule of Sultan of Brunei.)
It was the political skill of Sir James Brooke to balance the power of Chinese Gold Miners who self governed upper stream gold mines area with the largest concentrated population in Sarawak. The uprising war of Sarawak local Malay and native group eventually stopped due to continous poor economy and starvation, and peace restored in 1840.
Inflation was always around human civilization as long as there is trading activities. Cost of living was high and the income was relatively low. It was noted that there was certain understanding or agreement made to let the Gold Miner kept pat of their wealth and their freedom without much interference from the Sir James Brooke and the Brunei Sultan Group. After the peace of 1840, the local Malay of Kuching Sarawak improved their living standard and their link with Sir James Brooke.
The initial reasons of harsh rule of Brunei Governor, captured of native Malay girls as slave by the 1835 gang from the friends of governor was hardly recalled by the people. It was a new environment with strong army, well equiped battleship Royalists and fifty eight war ships armed with modern weapons and army include people from Kuop ( now Kuap area of Sarawak). Sir James Brooke became King and ruled Sarawak with significant development.
Every development linked with a price, and the expenses was relatively high in Sarawak. Tax collection was the only solution to plan for the future Sarawak administration and development. Tax applicable tot he natural resource included famous Antimony ( native name for the metal was Sarawek which meant Antimony. The silvery colour metal mined from sandy area, especially Tonglong basin linked to poetic description of mining in sandy river, as Chinese Hakka related the action as mining through the sand}
Every person( per head) was taxed four Real annually and it was recorded in the diary of the tax collector (the Collection in Gedong, third largest town in Sarawak 1859).( One Strling pound then converted to One Real of Sarawak currency. One US dollars then converted to one point six Sarawak Real. Gold price in Sarwak was thirty Real). The tax had been carried out for many years before the quoted date of this particular diary.
The people gradually became restless and they could have written the situation before the uprising of Mau San Gold Miners before 1857.
S. M. Bong recalled what he learned,
' That year the weather was very bad indeed. They Liew and his fellow gold miners fought against the Angry Dragon year. 1857 was the year of Roster. Heavy tax, levy, tax per capital head of every household added more burdens to their lively hood.'
S. M. Bong lowered his voice as if he was dreaming,
' That year 1857, they had no choice but tried to keep themselves alive. They gathered knives, hoes, Sharpened Bamboo sticks and trusted their human body and ordinary body of fresh and blood.'
' Some of them were over confidence with their Kunfu ( Martial art). Their nightmares started when their uprising met Canon of King Brooke's army. The Iban 'soldiers of Brookes new Allies were famous fighters.
The whole area of Mau San was burned and all living things killed. S P Liew's young beautiful wife and their three yers old daughter and 6 months old son fled to the limestone mountain and showed her people the passage to the limestone inner caves.
the river was tainted red with blood. The wind was crying hard and the rain poured with waterfall. The women formed fighers group and guarde the entrance. They destroyed the waves of attacks from the Rajah's troop.
The next day, the whole place was surrounded by troops formed by the paid soldiers of native Iban from North East Zone, Dayaks from Kuap region and natives from Kuching. With the mighty riffle snipers accracy, all Miners teenage daughters and their relatively young mothers and small children and nfants were forced to escape to deeper zone of the caves and left the guarding to the strongest martial art ladies.'
' Fire were ignited and all might pushed towards the giant cave. the smoke created by the green leaves and tree branches created suffocating agony.'
'ill this very day, the place is called Ghost cave. The skeletons of mainy female, old people, young lasses, and infants were scattered on the floor of that cave at Mau San( now Bau town).'
S M Bong continued, ' It is possible to see skeleton held tightly together like the Pompeii of Vesuvius Italy, collapsed against the wall of Ghost Cave in Sarawak.'
That was the golden lesson of the Golden land-----peace is gold.
The education regulation was strict to let six years old and above to study primary one in those years. In a country side school, the headmaster was greatly respected by all people around that area. That was part of the reason I got a chance to start schooling when I was five years old in the year 1957.
The historical stories were writen by people from United Kingdom. That time, pirates related mainly to people who fought against Sir James Brooke. After thirty years, I read the story of a pirate captured by Alexander the Great from Greece. The pirate said to the King,
' Around mediteranean sea you have many ships and fighters so that you are called King even you killed more people than me. I have only one ship and few men that is why people called me pirate.'
That statement, though not exactly true, had imprinted a search of objective angle of view and there were many great historians who could offer us more solid facts for truth of civilization.
Sir James Brooke was finally buried at the Sheepstor church at Dartmoor of Southern England after many years of hardwork in Sarawak Kingdom. According to his friends, he was loved by his friends and people since he had tried his best to improve the living of the people of Sarawak. Many people joined the venture in Sarawak and the population grew rapidly.
Those who took part at the burial ceremony witness many people cried and then every body wiped tears as they recalled the good deed their hero Sir James Brooke had done for them and the world.
I mentioned this to my S. M. Bong, the artist, violinist, Durian farmers and the talkertive story teller, during an afternoon tea with Boh Tea, milk and one cube of sugar. He started to recalled the story of his hero Mr. S P Liew:
S. P. Liew and his gold miner men and women stayed at Sambas till the celebration of Duan Wool festival ( literary means mid-noon festival as the legend related to all people went to the river of Chu 2,000 years ago to help the primeminister of Chu, who drown himself at the river next to the capital to protest the weak emperor using crooked gang's idea and ill treated the common people)
During the year with La Nina weather factors, traditional culture of China is to keep the best blankets available for prompt utilization to keep the whole family warm and prevent frozen to death. The day fifth of the fifth Chinese farmer's calendar month signify the best chance to welcome warm Spring. That happened for thousand of years and proven to be a valuable tradition and the culture reflect cul;ture derived from living experience.
Culture is living.
S P Liew disciplined himself in planning the best time table for the group to act in order to survive. The following year, 1853 was a realtively peaceful year as the previous year of the Dragon had released all the Dragon anger as they believed. Almost all people found an excuse for the previous bad Dragon year. They always belived that Dragon year would eventually lead to good years.
The price of Gold apprciated gradually and there were signs of properity. The starvation of 1839 was hadrly remembered by anybody in Sarawak. Those years of starvation eventually led to aggravation of Malay uprising against the ruler of Brunei, th country that prospered since the time of Admiral Cheng Ho ( also known as Zheng He of Ming Dynasty of China).
During his initial visits and attempts to help the Governor of Sarawak from Brunei, Sir Jmes Brooke tried to pacify the uprising by a peaceful negotiation method. War has started before Sir James Brooke sailed his Royalist battleship to Sarawak ( in 1839, only a small portion of north western part of Borneo was names as Sarawak under the rule of Sultan of Brunei.)
It was the political skill of Sir James Brooke to balance the power of Chinese Gold Miners who self governed upper stream gold mines area with the largest concentrated population in Sarawak. The uprising war of Sarawak local Malay and native group eventually stopped due to continous poor economy and starvation, and peace restored in 1840.
Inflation was always around human civilization as long as there is trading activities. Cost of living was high and the income was relatively low. It was noted that there was certain understanding or agreement made to let the Gold Miner kept pat of their wealth and their freedom without much interference from the Sir James Brooke and the Brunei Sultan Group. After the peace of 1840, the local Malay of Kuching Sarawak improved their living standard and their link with Sir James Brooke.
The initial reasons of harsh rule of Brunei Governor, captured of native Malay girls as slave by the 1835 gang from the friends of governor was hardly recalled by the people. It was a new environment with strong army, well equiped battleship Royalists and fifty eight war ships armed with modern weapons and army include people from Kuop ( now Kuap area of Sarawak). Sir James Brooke became King and ruled Sarawak with significant development.
Every development linked with a price, and the expenses was relatively high in Sarawak. Tax collection was the only solution to plan for the future Sarawak administration and development. Tax applicable tot he natural resource included famous Antimony ( native name for the metal was Sarawek which meant Antimony. The silvery colour metal mined from sandy area, especially Tonglong basin linked to poetic description of mining in sandy river, as Chinese Hakka related the action as mining through the sand}
Every person( per head) was taxed four Real annually and it was recorded in the diary of the tax collector (the Collection in Gedong, third largest town in Sarawak 1859).( One Strling pound then converted to One Real of Sarawak currency. One US dollars then converted to one point six Sarawak Real. Gold price in Sarwak was thirty Real). The tax had been carried out for many years before the quoted date of this particular diary.
The people gradually became restless and they could have written the situation before the uprising of Mau San Gold Miners before 1857.
S. M. Bong recalled what he learned,
' That year the weather was very bad indeed. They Liew and his fellow gold miners fought against the Angry Dragon year. 1857 was the year of Roster. Heavy tax, levy, tax per capital head of every household added more burdens to their lively hood.'
S. M. Bong lowered his voice as if he was dreaming,
' That year 1857, they had no choice but tried to keep themselves alive. They gathered knives, hoes, Sharpened Bamboo sticks and trusted their human body and ordinary body of fresh and blood.'
' Some of them were over confidence with their Kunfu ( Martial art). Their nightmares started when their uprising met Canon of King Brooke's army. The Iban 'soldiers of Brookes new Allies were famous fighters.
The whole area of Mau San was burned and all living things killed. S P Liew's young beautiful wife and their three yers old daughter and 6 months old son fled to the limestone mountain and showed her people the passage to the limestone inner caves.
the river was tainted red with blood. The wind was crying hard and the rain poured with waterfall. The women formed fighers group and guarde the entrance. They destroyed the waves of attacks from the Rajah's troop.
The next day, the whole place was surrounded by troops formed by the paid soldiers of native Iban from North East Zone, Dayaks from Kuap region and natives from Kuching. With the mighty riffle snipers accracy, all Miners teenage daughters and their relatively young mothers and small children and nfants were forced to escape to deeper zone of the caves and left the guarding to the strongest martial art ladies.'
' Fire were ignited and all might pushed towards the giant cave. the smoke created by the green leaves and tree branches created suffocating agony.'
'ill this very day, the place is called Ghost cave. The skeletons of mainy female, old people, young lasses, and infants were scattered on the floor of that cave at Mau San( now Bau town).'
S M Bong continued, ' It is possible to see skeleton held tightly together like the Pompeii of Vesuvius Italy, collapsed against the wall of Ghost Cave in Sarawak.'
That was the golden lesson of the Golden land-----peace is gold.
The Golden Land -- Sarawak , Chapter Fourteen
written by Dr. James Chong 09-I-12
Golden Land -- Sarawak
Chapter Fourteen , Cooperaton is gold
The group of Gold Miners led by Mr. S. P. Liew headed towarded Sambas ( Singkawan of Indonesia).
It was rainning everyday at the end of 1852. The total rain fall was double of other period of time in Sarawak.
For three days the group of one thousand five hudred men and few women including the newly wed wife
May Sun of the leader Liew, struggled against the rain and strong wind.
It was unusual to encounter strong wind during the year end monsoon seasons. They laboured their tract through
thick tropical forest during day time. It was almost completely dark during periods of most heavy rain in the forest.
What they could hear was the sound of splashing water from the hundred feet tree top hitting the thick layers of
giant tree leaves.
Suddenly S.P. Liew ordered the group to stop. The intermittent broken chain like travelling group stopped, looked at each other
and kept complete silence. They knew that they were in the Dutch controlled area of Borneo Island ( present day Indonesia Kalimantan)
That area was the notorious zone of Dayak head hunters, who got all aspect of rewards from their head man with
the presentation of 'enemy's' head. The rewards include food, wine, the most pretty girl to the brave head hunter.
S.P. Liew had a handsome cousin Ah Ma Liew, who made friend with a Dayak ( then called Dyak) youth and went to his long house many times and
taught him and his fellow villager the modern ways of food cultivation including slow heat soil compose and practical crop farming.
They grew white carrot and Spinage vegetable which was fenced up infront of the long house.
The greenery was a rare sight around the traditional stilted huge building which was 63 rooms used by 63 families.
Tubit, the strong young Iban man of 20 years old learned fast and soon became the wisest handiman in that community.
He stayed in the same room of 20 feet by 60 feet room with no window but double layers thick bamboo wall at the back.
The bamboo they used was a foot in diametre. There was lots of giant bamboo in Sarawak which was one of the asset of the golden land.
Young Ah Ma Liew told his good friend one day that he intended to go back to Sambus to his young wife. That night
after great feast and best wine from the long house, Ah Ma Liew head was cut off by his friend Tubit.
For five days the head was smoked above a fire with green leaves and various plants addec on top of the fire. Tubit sang, drank wine and talked to
skull,
' Ah Ma, now we are together all the time.' Tubit Grinned and there was a mixed expression of loss and satisfaction.
The whole long house community kept quiet about the killing. Ah Ma Liew was not Tubit's enenmy. He was his sincere friend who offered
all he had to his friend.
S P Liew's mind drifted to 1949, that year he loss his nephew Ah Ma.
The same year Jagou Long House mourned for the tenth years of serious loss with three thousand two hundred and thirteen villagers killed by enemy
from the north east, the sea Dayaks.( also known as Iban )
S P Liew signaled to settle for a night rest and told the twelve group leaders to set up shelter, guards and fire to make supper.
They had stone hard rice cookies which was brown in colour. After dried cabbage called Tung Choy was added in the soup of brown stone-like rice,
a delicious glutinous rice was ready for the whole group.
It was simple for the miners to start a fire even during the strongest raining day. They used Phospherous, cotton wool like fine pieces of wood cut
from the centre of huge tree trunk, which was dry and ready for handsome fire.
The reached Sambas and the rain stopped. It was always sunny during the morning of winter ( end of the year) in Sambas.
There were friends around Sambas and they gathered the resources ready for the Spring.
S P Liew dreamed of the huge gold nugget that night. One day he would be back in Sarawak -- the Golden land.
Golden Land -- Sarawak
Chapter Fourteen , Cooperaton is gold
The group of Gold Miners led by Mr. S. P. Liew headed towarded Sambas ( Singkawan of Indonesia).
It was rainning everyday at the end of 1852. The total rain fall was double of other period of time in Sarawak.
For three days the group of one thousand five hudred men and few women including the newly wed wife
May Sun of the leader Liew, struggled against the rain and strong wind.
It was unusual to encounter strong wind during the year end monsoon seasons. They laboured their tract through
thick tropical forest during day time. It was almost completely dark during periods of most heavy rain in the forest.
What they could hear was the sound of splashing water from the hundred feet tree top hitting the thick layers of
giant tree leaves.
Suddenly S.P. Liew ordered the group to stop. The intermittent broken chain like travelling group stopped, looked at each other
and kept complete silence. They knew that they were in the Dutch controlled area of Borneo Island ( present day Indonesia Kalimantan)
That area was the notorious zone of Dayak head hunters, who got all aspect of rewards from their head man with
the presentation of 'enemy's' head. The rewards include food, wine, the most pretty girl to the brave head hunter.
S.P. Liew had a handsome cousin Ah Ma Liew, who made friend with a Dayak ( then called Dyak) youth and went to his long house many times and
taught him and his fellow villager the modern ways of food cultivation including slow heat soil compose and practical crop farming.
They grew white carrot and Spinage vegetable which was fenced up infront of the long house.
The greenery was a rare sight around the traditional stilted huge building which was 63 rooms used by 63 families.
Tubit, the strong young Iban man of 20 years old learned fast and soon became the wisest handiman in that community.
He stayed in the same room of 20 feet by 60 feet room with no window but double layers thick bamboo wall at the back.
The bamboo they used was a foot in diametre. There was lots of giant bamboo in Sarawak which was one of the asset of the golden land.
Young Ah Ma Liew told his good friend one day that he intended to go back to Sambus to his young wife. That night
after great feast and best wine from the long house, Ah Ma Liew head was cut off by his friend Tubit.
For five days the head was smoked above a fire with green leaves and various plants addec on top of the fire. Tubit sang, drank wine and talked to
skull,
' Ah Ma, now we are together all the time.' Tubit Grinned and there was a mixed expression of loss and satisfaction.
The whole long house community kept quiet about the killing. Ah Ma Liew was not Tubit's enenmy. He was his sincere friend who offered
all he had to his friend.
S P Liew's mind drifted to 1949, that year he loss his nephew Ah Ma.
The same year Jagou Long House mourned for the tenth years of serious loss with three thousand two hundred and thirteen villagers killed by enemy
from the north east, the sea Dayaks.( also known as Iban )
S P Liew signaled to settle for a night rest and told the twelve group leaders to set up shelter, guards and fire to make supper.
They had stone hard rice cookies which was brown in colour. After dried cabbage called Tung Choy was added in the soup of brown stone-like rice,
a delicious glutinous rice was ready for the whole group.
It was simple for the miners to start a fire even during the strongest raining day. They used Phospherous, cotton wool like fine pieces of wood cut
from the centre of huge tree trunk, which was dry and ready for handsome fire.
The reached Sambas and the rain stopped. It was always sunny during the morning of winter ( end of the year) in Sambas.
There were friends around Sambas and they gathered the resources ready for the Spring.
S P Liew dreamed of the huge gold nugget that night. One day he would be back in Sarawak -- the Golden land.
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