2nd Flood in 2009 in Kuching

While everyone was busy for Chinese New Year, it just rained and rained.. Just as predicted, the water levels rose and many areas were flooded again.

This time, the residents affected were better prepared and all evacuated early. The SK Chung Hua No. 4 where SUPP Batu Lintang Flood Relief Committee were assisting, registered almost 600 evacuees even though the water levels did not get as high as the previous flood.

The District Office and army were better coordinated this time by providing transport for the people to come out from the affected areas.

Charitable organisations came with food for the evacuees the very first night!

Luckily the rain did not persist and by today all the people left for the homes.

From all the floods, rumours have been spread and became a subject during the Chinese New Year visiting that speculated that the barrage made floods worst and allegations by DAP that the Government did not build another canal which was supposed to alleviate any floods.. I'm surprised that the government did not make any clarification on that allegation - so that the people will be better informed of the situation. 

It just shows that the authorities must catch up with times and have a more open dialogue with the people on issues affecting them.

Perhaps our authorities should adopt 'the open day' program where once a month people can come in, without appointment to meet the State's authorised spokesman on any problems. We have to inculcate amongst the people the proper complaints channel rather than wild speculations.

We in SUPP did have such open days at the HQ in Kuching, somehow there were not many people who came. Perhaps those were better days then.. Maybe with better publicity, people may want to come forward. 

I look forward to brighter days ahead - literally!

To those going back to work and to school - back to reality. Have a good year of the Ox ahead.  

 

 

Change in SUPP?

Start of 2009 - first news of SUPP reveals that the internal squabbles in Sibu is still there. 

What a disappointment! What happened to the talk last month during the Delegates' Conference?

Well if we still continue this way, we will see our own members lose heart and turning away....

What a start to 2009!

This 2009 has been a really wet start. January gave us one of the worst floods in Kuching for years!

Our Batu Lintang and Batu Kawa areas were worst hit. Our Batu Lintang Flood Relief Team did a good job manning the Relief Centres at SMK Green Road and Chung Hua primary School No. 4 at Jalan Nanas.  Our Batu Lintang Women Section Secretary Tay Moi Moi almost lived there for 5 days (only leaving to get sleep at home) together with Centre Coordinator Wilson.  

At the height we had about 250 evacuees there. I feel heart-warming to see so many well wishers we just dropped in with contributions for the families there.

Now that they are back in their own homes - their real challenge face them. They lost almost everything during the floods. I hope that the authorities will look into how to assist these families. They can co-ordinate people who are willing to come out to help, but need the authorities to organise them and to identify the recipients.

Of course other than these families, we have the traders at Market Street, India street whose goods were damaged from the floods.

Well, our problem is only a mini scale of what Hurricane Katrina did to US!

Weather looks promising the last few days. My family had a nice outing to Sematan yesterday - we had lunch at the famous Ah Nien Seafood and rested with nice cool lemonade at Palm Beach Resort. At least the local Taiko Hing Moh did something good for Sematan - you now can have nice clean facility in Sematan. Well done, Hing Moh Family.

Then we drove to Pandan Beach - this was the nicest beach before, but it was a disappointing to see so much rubbish, plastics on the beach.

We must do something to educate our people about plastic - the worst invention by human kind.

Hope you all got through the rains alright. I suppose everyone is busy with Lunar New Year preparations.

 

 

2009

Happy New Year to all.

I had a great end of year break with my family. My husband, Tony & I took all our 4 kids to Beijing. It was freezing (minus 15 degrees!!!) but we were lucky there was sunshine in the day when we went to Great Wall and Forbidden Palace. The scale of these structures were amazing. The Olympic Village was also magnificent and the Chinese are so proud of that. Their propoganda is so good that all the Chinese feel that the 2008 Olympics showcased China to the world and was a statement to the world that China has 'arrived'!

The only thing we thing we did not quite enjoy was the food. It was oily and quite bland. Maybe we didn't know where to go. But even their famous Peking duck (according to my kids - because Tony & I don't eat meat) was not as tasty as the ones in Singapore or Malaysia! they even had serial number for the duck!!!

Shopping if you are good at bargaining is good. We can even bargain down to 10% of the opening price!!! We all bought our Chinese outfit for New Year even my daughters had their first cheongsams..

After the cold we had a few days to chill out in Bangkok. That was cool - we had great food and shopping was also good for the kids. 

Malaysia must learn how Thailand promotes itself. The place is buzzing.  Lucky for us the airport demonstration was over, that was bad.

Back to Kuching on 2nd January 2009 - rain, rain and more rain. Our rooms were mouldy and damp. Few days of washing and getting kids ready for school. Stocking up the kitchen and getting all chores done.

SUPP was uneventful as usual - also I am hopeful that when we get down to work, young leaders will be given the trust to do something. Well let's see what will come up next.

Everyone is anxious about Lunar New Year and how rain is going to affect them. Well, let us pray that our people will be safe and will ride through these tough times. This year is for us to be careful and prepare ourselves for leaner times.

Interesting development about DAP and their disagreement with their Pakatan Rakyat partners on Hudud Law applications if they come to power. Everyone should follow closely on the arguments and not let ourselves be blinded by the urge to change at the risk of bigger issues.

2009 - first 2 weeks - saw possibility of our people being laid off in  manufacturing industries. Also bad news for manufacturers in Sarawak as they seek the government's assistance to alleviate the high freight charges, lack of manpower, high energy charges and bad infrastructure.

We have challenging times ahead. I hope SUPP will take up my suggestion of forming a think tank which would include all the stakeholders including private sector to really hear their problems.

Let me have your feedback anytime.

Have a good 2009 ahead.

CHENG YI 12th January 2009