THERE was a time when outfits worn by natives in Sabah can help identify the wearer. Through traditional clothing, it tells of where they are from, the community they belong to, their status… in short – their identity profile – by the cuts, colours, designs, accessories and threads.
BACK to exciting travel writing as a roving reporter. The usual thing is everybody travels to places. What about travel to hearts and minds to see what unsung folks in Sabah’s Murut heartlands are thinking and doing?
In so doing, I was stunned by a core of real conservationists doing real conservation among people one least expects – Murut Tahol in the middle of nowhere set to monetise their stock of belian treasure standing rather than logged and cut down for short term money!
That happened December 3, 2021, in far flung valley-bound Kampung Salinatan, Pensiangan, hemmed in by pristine forests and soaring hills by the bank of crystal clear River Saliu.
After a scintillating afternoon boat battle up pure river Saliu against multiples of roaring rapids steered on by unbelievably skilful Murut lads, sights of undisturbed riparian reserves impressed all the way, sheer jungle, a stock of 500 year-old famous hardwood belian trees soaring by the river bank, e
EVERYBODY thinks honesty and trust is important. But can we find a theft-free place on earth that needs nobody or any policeman around to punish thieves for non-compliance, except a belief in the punitive power of an unseen force?
Yes, you can, deep inside Sabah!
Well, this is the pleasant surprise which inspires this reflective story on the question of trust.
How safe and secure we can all feel if everybody can be trusted not to steal. Yet, there is such an innocent unsung village in Sabah
IT’S back to original call as a travel writer – a roving reporter, venturing into the remotest parts of Sabah and bring back stories to city folks.
The challenge is great, the satisfaction immense. You can be in back-breaking 4WD over a logging road for hours without seeing any sign of civilisation, but suddenly a beautiful jungle-clad valley village popped up in front of your eyes!
In 1986, that was my appointment in old Sabah Times – everywhere I went, pristine rivers, intact forests, true culture inspired me: pure tea-leaf color water roared down multiple rapids over the Padas river, crystal clear Sapulut, Danum, Long Pasia and Segama rivers where you could see schools of big fish beside your raft. Even Kinabatangan river was only light yellow, intact forest canopies and massive trees soared around Batu Pungul