Humanitarian Aid to Limbang Flood Victims

Mr. James Lee, PWM President

 Volunteers from HEART

 TYT with volunteers from the various associations

 TYT greeted by YB Paulus Palu Ngumbang at Kuala Lurah

 Press conference at District Office, Limbang

 TYT with YB Dato Sri Dr. James Dawos Mamit 

 Symbolic handover of donations

 Hosted lunch at Musbee Cafe

Yesterday morning, Pusat Belia dan Sukan (the organizers), Persatuan Warganegara Malaysia (PWM), Persatuan Kereta Tahan Lasak Brunei (PKTLB) and Humanitarian Emergency Aid Response Team (HEART), gathered at Pusat Belia (Youth Centre) to prepare for the despatch of humanitarian aid, consisting mostly of foodstuff and bottled water, to Limbang via a convoy of fifteen 4x4 vehicles from PKTLB. His Excellency, Datuk Hj Ag Sahak bin Hj Ag Salleh (TYT), the Malaysian High Commissioner to Brunei Darussalam and Mr. James Lee, the President of PWM also accompanied the convoy. We were welcomed by YB Paulus Palu Ngumbang, a State Assembly member from Batu Danau at Kuala Lurah and proceeded to Limbang where a press conference and briefing was conducted at the District Office. The Deputy Minister of Resources and Environment, YB Dato Sri Dr. James Dawos Mamit also flew in from Kuching to attend the press conference and gave us an insight into the flood situation in Limbang. After the press conference, we were also invited to lunch at a nearby cafe. If I had known that there's going to be a press conference and hosted lunch, I would not have gone in my shorts!

PWM Flood Relief Fund

 Foodstuff for flood victims in Limbang

With many states in West Malaysia experiencing its worst ever floods in recent years which resulted in loss of homes and properties for hundreds of thousands of fellow Malaysians and also by the command of His Majesty the Sultan of Brunei Darussalam to set up the Malaysia Flood Disaster Humanitarian Fund (MFDHF), Persatuan Warganegara Malaysia (PWM) initiated a donation drive on 13th January 2015 and in less than a week managed to receive pledges of more than B$12,500-00! This morning, PWM excos led by Mr. James Lee (PWM President) and Datuk Hj Ag Sahak Hj Ag Salleh (Malaysian High Commissioner to Brunei Darussalam) presented a cheque of B$10,500-00 to Pehin Orang Kaya Pekerma Laila Diraja Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Hazair bin Haji Abdullah, the Minister of Culture, Youth & Sports, who received the cheque on behalf of MFDHF. Another B$2,000-00 was used to purchase foodstuff and mineral water for the flood victims of Limbang which was also hit by floods recently. 

1950 Bond Street Cafe (峰粥)

The husband & wife team from Hong Kong, owners of the cafe

The first floor

Steamed 7 Star Garoupa

Kampong Chicken

Black Pepper Crabs

Tiger Prawns

Don't try googling for this cafe, you'll never find it; in fact, it's not even open yet! The owner is James' niece, Ada & her husband, and last night they entertained us at their cafe which will be opening soon (waiting for the approval of the business licence from Dewan Bandaraya Kota Kinabalu). Ah Fong (Ada's husband) has a passion for cooking and that night, he showed off his culinary skills, whipping up excellent dishes for us to enjoy. The cafe is located along Gaya Street, occupying one and a half shop lots. The ground floor of one shop lot is occupied by Ada's local partner who is a travel agent. In case you're wondering why they named their cafe "1950 Bond Street Cafe"; it's because Gaya Street used to be known as Bond Street and this street was rebuilt in 1950! We are looking forward to the cafe's opening and we'll definitely come back for more great food!

Dreamtel Kota Kinabalu

There's even a sea view (a fair distance away) from my room!

James Luk and I stayed at the Dreamtel Kota Kinabalu for two nights from 1st January 2015. The room is clean with all the basic amenities and most importantly there's free wi-fi! It's located along Jalan Padang where a few other similar class hotels are situated. Right across the hotel is the bus terminal and it's also within walking distance to Gaya Street and most of the major shopping centres. The room is a bit small though but I'm not complaining as James paid for the room!