Informasi

Ship Programme Enriching Experience, Say Participants

Bandar Seri Begawan - The participants of the ship for Southeast Asia Youth Programme (SSEAYP) Brunei have returned enriched with insights into other Asian cultures.

Natasha Halim, the assistant youth leader for the participants of Brunei Darussalam, who had the opportunity to go on the ship for a period of 52 days alongside 28 other Bruneians, described the experience as overwhelming, as well a lifetime opportunity to know about other Asian cultures. The 2007 SSYEAP participants arrived home three nights` ago, after almost two months of journey from Japan to 10 of the Asean countries.

Natasha shared her experience of the journey and expressed her gratitude to have been a part of this team.

"We began with Japan, where we participated in the Youth Leader Summit. We were divided into several groups and were required to participate in various activities like discussion groups on cultural standings, the environment and such," she said.

The discussions allowed the 10 Asean countries to share all kinds of information, be it in the form of culture or tradition with each other as well as the Japanese participants.

"Most of the activities were centred on team building where everyone was given the opportunity to know one another and form some kind of friendship and exchange culture," She added: "The highlight of the journey was one particular cultural event where participants performed for an hour telling others about their country`s origin and culture. We did in the medium of dance," she said enthusiastically.

Natasha said that although it may not sound as fun on paper, it was actually interesting as all 11 countries got involved in the performance and that in turn took a lot of time on the ship.

"At the end of the day, the programme allowed us to gain a (deeper) understanding of our own culture, as on board the ship, you gain new experiences and meet new people and you just can`t help but share your culture," she said.

Natasha reminisced the last night prior to returning home when almost everyone didn`t wanted to go to sleep for fear of not spending enough time with the other participants.

She added that a sense of loss was felt at the end of the journey.

"Ultimately, a sense of sadness was inevitable but at the same time it was overwhelming and with the intention to keep in touch is always a problem but we all feel blessed for being given the opportunity, she said. Another Bruneian participant, Dk Noorakramen Khairin Pg Alimin, 22, who works in the government sector, said that the two-month trip was worth it, even though she suffered from sea sickness.

One benefit "was the opportunity to know about other cultures," she said.

She suggested that there has always been a misconception of some sort about the other Asean countries but with this trip, the stereotypes drifted away as we gained a better understanding through an exchange of culture on board the ship.

Understanding of one another`s culture was another benefit, she said.

"I find it difficult to describe my experience as one needs to experience it in order to have a better understanding of what the programme is all about," she said.

However, at the end of the day, she said that the participants all became one big family and a fusion of cultures was achieved.

Mohamad Mahadzir Iskandar Zakaria, 24, one of representatives of traditional culture during the programme for Brunei gained a lot from the programme.

Apart from the cultural exchange between the Asean countries besides Japan, he said: "We also made new friends and at the same time learned some new languages.

"The discussions and other activities that were conducted were a great opportunity for everyone to contribute something and in some way it also allowed us the opportunity to promote our own country to other people less aware of Bruneian culture," he said. The activities included kitemaking, folding of the dastar, which is a traditional and ceremonial headdress for men as well as the traditional adukaduk dance, he added.

The programme is based on the respective joint statement issued in 1974 between Japan and six Asean countries, but by 1999, had extended to all 10 Asean countries with more than 8,500 Asean and Japanese participants.

Source: www.brudirect.com (15 Desember 2007)

Bengkulu to hold Raffles beach festival

Bengkulu - Bengkulu province - rocked by a major earthquake several months ago - planned to hold a "Raffles Beach Festival" in May 2008 which will involve neigboring countries like Singapore and Malaysia, a spokesman said.

Edy Nevian, head of Bengkulu provincial tourist office said here Friday, the festival which will take place on the "Pantai Panjang" and "Pantai Tapak Padri" beaches in Bengkulu city, is aimed at showing foreign tourists that Bengkulu beahces are safe from tsunamis.

The festival`s organizing committee will organize several events such as an international kite flying competition, beach competitions like volley ball, soccer, beach bike race and ski to highlight the international events, he said.

According to him, other events include a five-kilometer marathon which will take place in May 2008 and wild boar hunting because Bengkulu still has a lot of wild boars.

Local tourists also need to watch such a big event to eliminate the tsunami rumours launched by a Brazilian and had caused Bengkulu province to suffer losses.

The tectonic quake measurng 7.9 on the Richter Scale rocked Bengkulu and neigboring West Sumatra province on September 12, kiling several people and leaving thousands homeless.

Source: www.antara.co.id (15 Desember 2007)

Penans Slowly Abandoning Their Nomadic Way of Life

Kuala Lumpur - The Penans of Sarawak are a misunderstood tribe. Whilst their nomadic way of life is regarded uncivilised by the outside world, the Penans are only too contented to call the remote interiors of Sarawak their home.

Their hunting prowess and the abundance of food in the jungle further strengthened their resolve to remain deep in the belly of the jungle. Money is the least of their worry. The day-to-day survival and being able to bring food back to their families are what matter most.

The Penans are one of the world`s last nomadic people still inhabiting the primeval forest. These last hunter-gathers of Borneo are slowly abandoning their nomadic way of life due the shrinking forests of Sarawak and the enticing modern lifestyle.

FOREST PART OF THE PENAN`S WAY OF LIFE

In Sarawak there are about 9,000 Penans but only some 300 of them lead a nomadic life in the jungle. The nomadic Penans consist of a dozen or so different groups with each informally led by a headman or chief.

Today too it is estimated that less than 10 percent of Sarawak`s original primeval forests are intact. To the Penans, it is not the development per se that worries them but the consequences of such development.

A former nomadic Penan, Ayat Linong, in his 80s, said that Penans were not against activities like logging but feared that such activities damaged the intrinsic value of a forest.

"The forest has been my home for over 50 years. I know every tree there is, and I have always relied on them to heal my physical wounds. My worry is that logging activities will destroy these trees so rich in medicinal value.

"Also, the nomadic Penans depend on the forest for their survival. Hunting helps us find food. If development creeps in, where will they go in search of food? Some of the Penans are happy in the forest, doing what they like best, hunting," he said, his remarks interpreted by his son Pulut Ayat.

REALITY

Ayat perhaps is among the few Penans who take pride in wearing the loincloth. These days he covers his bare body with a shirt. And his typical Penan-look never fails to steal attention among foreigners.

When Bernama met Ayat and his son Pulut in a remote village called Long Kevok in the interiors of Ulu Baram recently, it was surprising to note the difference between Ayat and Pulut, the former who still wanted to retain his Penan heritage and the other who felt compelled to move with the changing times.

Ayat said while it saddened him to see the younger generation of Penan opting for a `modern` look, he knew that was a bitter reality he had to accept.

"Yes, it saddens me to see the young Penans looking so different. The typical Penan hairstyle is gone and so are the long dangling earlobes and the black rattan bangles the older Penans wear.

"For me, while I am now resettled, I still miss not going into the jungle to hunt. I miss not being inside the forest, not seeing the trees. Hunting for us was a matter of life and death. I would sometimes spend a week in the forest hunting for food and would only return to my family when I managed to hunt down a wild boar or other animal," he added.

In spite of his longing for the jungle, Ayat is happy to see his granddaughter attend school.

"I did not have the opportunity to send my son Pulut to school, as there were none back then. I am happy to see our children today being able to attend school," he said.

MATTER OF SURVIVAL

Ayat`s son Pulut, 55, a farmer, said it was not that the Penans refused to come out of the jungle. It was just that food was easy to find in the jungle. And the fact that they are not educated made it difficult to obtain a job.

"We can only rely on hunting because that is all we know. I am illiterate and can only manage the basics of reading and writing through the help of a friend," he said.

But Pulut made sure his children attended school.

"I realise that education is useful in helping my children earn better and a good life. I am not afraid of modernisation because I know it helps. It is not fair to blame the Government for not helping us. It does but we need more help like proper houses and jobs.

"What we do not want to see happening is the indiscriminate logging because that spoils the jungle. It is in the jungle that the Penan make their own medicine, with the help of the many trees that have medicinal value," he said.

Ayat said health-wise the Penans in the jungle suffered from stomach-ache, headache, chest pains and joint aches, not to mention being exposed to inherent dangers like falls from hills and being bitten by poisonous snakes.

Both Ayat and Pulut have their respective identity cards which they had applied some years ago.

"We know the identity card is important, so we applied for it," said Pulut.

A DRASTIC CHANGE

Fellow Penan Yakup Pun, 35, a farmer, said the lack of education prevented the Penans from venturing out of the jungle.

"We cannot find any job outside. And living in the jungle is easier for us plus the food is free there. We do not have to worry about money to buy food," he said speaking in Malay.

Still, Yakup, like Ayat, realises the need for education to shape a better life.

"Our parents were not exposed to all this and they in turn could not educate us on the need for education. Likewise we know that cleanliness is important but our jungle life never exposed us to this important aspect," he said.

CHANGE INEVITABLE

The natives` community leader known as Pemancar, Laing Jok, 50, said the Penans took a long time to embrace development.

"We need more help in building schools, roads, and providing us with electricity and telephone facilities. I believe the Penans must develop themselves and can start by changing the way they look at development," he told Bernama.

He said divorce was high among the `modern` Penans and most Penan girls were married off at a tender young age of 10.

"These girls are married off to men 10 or 20 years older than they are. Some of these girls end up marrying loggers who come in to log the trees. Some of these loggers are already married but hide this fact from the Penan girls. However, in the case of a divorce, the women do not despair. They persevere and get on with life," he said.

Laing Jok said more efforts had to be made to get the Penan children interested in attending school.

"Because of their way of life, these children feel happier inside the jungle than in the classroom," he said.

Source: www.bernama.com (15 Desember 2007)

Dureza cites Libya`s continuing role in Mindanao peace efforts

Davao City - Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Sec. Jesus Dureza cited Libya`s continuing role in peace and development efforts in Mindanao.

During the courtesy call of Saif Al-Islam Muammar Al-Qaddafi, President of the Qaddafi Foundation for Charity Associations and Development on President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo last Dec. 13 at the Malacañang Palace. Dureza said that the visit underscored Libya`s important role in the ongoing efforts to establish a permanent peace in Mindanao.

Qaddafi is the eldest son of Libyan President Moammar Al-Qaddafi. In 1976 Pres. Qaddafi brokered a peace agreement between the Philippine Government and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) in their capital of Tripoli. The agreement became known as the 1976 Tripoli Agreement and ended the raging secessionist war waged by the MNLF against the Government under then President Ferdinand Marcos.

"Libya will continue helping us in the peace and development efforts, especially in southern Philippines. It is a continuation of what has been started in 1976." Dureza said.

For her part President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo cited and thanked Libya`s continuing support to peace initiatives in Mindanao during Qaddafi`s courtesy call which was attended by Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales, Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Jesus Dureza, Libyan Ambassador to the Philippines Salem Adam, and Libyan Embassy Charge d`Affaires Sadek Osman.

Source: www.pia.gov.ph (15 Desember 2007)

Malay students falling behind in O Level English

Kuala Lumpur - MALAY students have fallen behind other races in academic performances, especially in O Level English, according to the Education Ministry`s latest 10-year examinations report card released on Friday.

In 2006, 80.6 per cent of students passed the subject, down almost five per cent from 85.1 per cent in 2005.

The decline put a brake to almost 10 years of steady improvement in O level English by Malay students, since 1998 when just 58.2 per cent of them passed the subject.

But there have been steady improvements in the overall pass rate for English language, which exceeded 85 per cent.

The pass rates in Mother Tongue language and Mathematics for O level students have also risen to above 95 per cent and 85 per cent respectively.

The data on the performance of the major races in the three national exams - the Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE) and the O and A levels - is released every year to provide feedback to the communities on how their children have fared.

At the A level, the overall percentage of students who obtained at least 2 A and 2 AO level passes, including General Paper, remained above 90 per cent.

For the PSLE, the overall proportion of students who passed remained above 95 per cent.

Source: www.straitstimes.com (15 Desember 2007)

Cara Kilat Raih Orgasme 1 Menit

Kedahsyatan orgasme menjadi klimaks terpenting dalam agenda seksual. Sayangnya, tak semua pasangan mudah meraih titik ini karena berbagai alasan. Apakah Anda ingin mewujudkannya bersama pasangan?

Dalam urusan bercinta, orgasme adalah kunci dari kedahsyatan yang bisa menggiring keintiman tersebut menjadi sebuah pengalaman sensasional. Tak heran ketika klimaks tersebut tidak teraih, maka agenda seks pun akan terasa hambar. Guna mewujudkan orgasme yang maksimal, maka kedua pasangan harus saling mengerti satu sama lain, terutama dalam memberikan stimulasi dan rangsangan di titik yang tepat. Apalagi, wanita pada umumnya memerlukan waktu lebih lama dalam menyalakan gairahnya. Dengan rangsangan tepat yang Anda lakukan tersebut, maka orgasme dalam 1 menit pun bukan lagi impian. Berikut ini cara kilat raih orgasme, seperti diulas Askdanandjennifer.

Cari tahu hal uang disukainya

Mencari tahu apa yang dia suka menjadi kunci terpenting dalam mewujudkan impian orgasme yang dahsyat. Jika Anda tahu di sudut mana rangsangan akan bekerja maksimal, maka orgasme dengan mudah akan digapai. Misalnya, cari tahu bagaimana dia suka disentuh dan di titik mana menyukai sentuhan itu Anda daratkan. Yang perlu Anda lakukan, adalah bertanya dan amati dirinya. Kedengarannya mungkin hal ini cukup mudah, namun sayangnya pria kerap gagal dalam melakukannya.

Cermati kebutuhan seksualnya

Belajarlah di mana titik panas yang bisa membuatnya bergairah dan rangsanglah daerah tersebut dengan sentuhan lembut, seperti dirinya ketika merangsang dirinya sendiri saat melakukan solo seks. Percayalah, hal ini akan membuatnya mencapai orgasme berkali-kali dengan sangat intens.

Manjakan fantasinya

Setiap orang dapat memenuhi keinginan seksual seorang wanita. Jadi ketika Anda sudah mengetahui fantasi favoritnya, segera wujudkan hal tersebut. Kebanyakan wanita berfantasi tentang pria yang memiliki posisi lebih kuat. Jika Anda selalu ragu dalam ranjang, sekaranglah waktunya untuk bertindak kuat dan tegas. Tak hanya itu, beberapa wanita memiliki fantasi seks tentang koboi, bajak laut di mana secara umum bersifat sama, yakni orang yang memegang kendali.

Rangsang klitorisnya

Sudah bukan rahasia lagi bahwa klitoris seorang wanita adalah pusat orgasme. Itulah sebabnya banyak pria langsung menuju ke area ini sebagai upaya mereka dalam memberikan orgasme terhadap pasangan. Namun untuk membuat efek orgasme ganda, berikan rangsangan lebih di titik ini dengan sentuhan, belaian sambil menggoda dirinya. Dijamin, dia pun geli tak tertahankan dan mengantarkannya pada puncak orgasme lebih cepat. (Dwi Indah Nurcahyani - Okezone)

Sumber: http://lifestyle.okezone.com