Return to Similajau @ Samalaju

Exactly one year since our last visit, we returned to Similajau (now renamed to Samalaju), Bintulu, over the weekend to conduct a concise water quality study of the area. We were amazed, how many things have changed throughout the course of the year, with many pre-developmental activities taking place. We also took the time to visit our friends in Kg. Kuala Nyalau, that is home to our ever faithful boatman, Pak Dolah. He told us that if we had come a bit later, about one week from now, we could have joined in, on the local festivities of "makan besar" that is going to be held there. The festival is a local tradition, held annually.

Industrial Training Briefing (January - April 2010)

ALL STUDENTS (EH220 & EH221) SCHEDULED TO UNDERGO INDUSTRIAL TRAINING (CHE671) BETWEEN JANUARY – APRIL 2010, PLEASE ATTEND THE FOLLOWING BRIEFING :

DATE : 8^th JULY 2009

TIME : 6.00 – 8.00 PM

VENUE : DK-H

ATTENDANCE IS COMPULSORY!

Regards,

ZZ

The Mighty Sg. Pahang

We recently had the opportunity to conduct a water quality survey and study of Sg. Pahang and Sg. Semantan near Temerloh town in Pahang. Clearly, the river's reputation as being the longest river in Peninsular Malaysia, stretching from the Titiwangsa range did not dissapoint us in terms of its sheer size and volume. To illustrate this, there is actually an island (or landmass) in a segment of the river, just after the Temerloh bridge. Locals tell us that during the monsoon season, majority of the landmass will be submerged underwater. This fact however, apparently does not impede its ability to support flora and fauna. In fact, we even caught sight of a hornbill, flying from the island towards the horizon. A majestic sight indeed !

Understandably, aquaculture activities flourish here, with predominant yield being ikan patin (silver catfish), that goes for around RM 14/kg (local price). Temerloh town itself is known as Bandar Ikan Patin (Catfish Town). We got our supply of fresh patin from our boatman, En. Alias who is well connected with the local aquaculturists besides engaging his own business. If any of you readers would like fresh supply of Patin, he can be contacted at 013-9166236. We do need to show support for our local fisheries market.

After we concluded our field activities, we decided to indulge ourselves in the delight of durians ! Dr. Mac was more than happy to share his socio-political knowledge of Java island with the local seller whose origins can be traced back to East Java.

Regards,
ZZ

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