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For all the change to modern buildings, one thing that has not changed is that the people wherever we went remain very friendly and genuinely pleased to meet up again with the British who had helped them in Confrontation - not an attitude one meets everywhere in the world.Īfter a few days in and around a much changed Kuching, with a 15 storey Hilton amongst other alterations to the landscape, we set off down the tarmac dual carriageway for the Serian District, the real purpose of my visit. I also thought that for those who passed through Kapit it might be interesting to see the contrast between the old police station, which I believe was a company headquarters, and the new District Council office next to it. Having flown into Sibu, we took the high speed ferry to Pelagus rapids, and I thought a photograph of the modern river transport, a very high powered diesel speed boat, would make an interesting contrast to the longboats of yesteryear. By the time I arrived in August 1964 the Battalion had moved, but I decided to start my trip there just to see what it looked like. The Battalion initially deployed from Hong Kong into a vast area along much of the Rajang River basin, with Battalion headquarters based in Sibu, an important administrative centre. We were there as part of the British Forces who were supporting the Malaysian Government to deter and defeat Indonesian incursions into Sarawak, a campaign known at the time and since then as Confrontation. By then the Battalion, commanded by Corran Purdon, had been in the Far East for more than 6 months. Holding him is a Rifleman from Fiji, Peni Levaci, an all-round sportsman who played rugby and was an Army heavyweight boxer.Īs part of a trip to Malaysia in 2007, I thought it would be fun to take a trip down memory lane by returning to Serian District of Sarawak where I joined the Rifles in 1964. He said looking at the scenario at Putrajaya now, it is likely that GE15 will happen sooner rather than later.Behind the water pipe and wire, the boy Nyanin. He added the synergistic partnership will be a leap forward for the Borneo States.
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He said he is confident that the Borneo Alliance will have the support of all Sarawakians and Sabahans as it offers for the first time a combined strategy and common purpose in our position within the federation. Its president Datuk Seri Wong Soon Koh said the party’s newly formed election committee has been given the mandate to liaise with like-minded Opposition parties in Sarawak and Sabah to formalise a Borneo Alliance which will be a credible and significant third force in federal politics. “Can PSB’s proposal provide the hope?” she asked.Įarlier this afternoon, PSB has called on all the Opposition parties in Sarawak and Sabah to work together as a united front in the coming GE15. “Of course the concept of a Borneo alliance is feasible and will attract support,” she said, adding that voters in Sarawak and Sabah are looking for hope. “Has it reached agreement with the other Sarawak Opposition parties on allocation of seats?” she asked. Sarawak People’s Aspiration Party president Lina Soo said it is better to get more details from PSB, on how will it work with other opposition parties in Sarawak, prior to forming a Borneo alliance. Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak president Bobby William said his party is open to PSB’s proposal, but will study its nitty-gritty first before making a firm commitment when the time comes. Voon said many critics have underestimated PBK which fielded 73 candidates in PRN12, adding that had the party had enough funds things could be different.īobby William (seated, 6th right) and PBDS new office bearers after the triennial delegates conference. He said united Opposition parties in Sarawak could be a credible force to face Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) in the coming GE15 expected to be called later this year. “After the 12th Sarawak state election (PRN12) in December last year, all of us know each other’s strengths and weaknesses,” he said.