Lidung Jelo Usun Apau Plieran

These are some pics that I want to share with you during 

our recent visit to Usun Apau Plieran

Southern Dulit range on the way to Plieran

Apau Beduk close to Plieran Valley 

 Tiyut river, Upper Plieran

 Lidung Jelo, Plieran

 Plieran bridge #2; Dmax and Hilux

 Plieran river at Lidung Jelo

 Mudung Batu Bora from south

Mudung Batu Bora

logging road heading to Plieran

The spiritual adventure

Picked from sunriseseekers blogspot

 Lawas - Lepo Bunga 4wd ride 6 hours @ RM120 per pax per way

1045am Arrived at Lepo Bunga, gathered bags down for porter service
11-12noon Lunch 
12noon Hike started from Lepo Bunga @ 1700m asl 
0230pm Arrived at Batu Linalit @ 2205m asl (actual 7600 ft/ 2255m asl)
0345pm Arrived at Church Camp, Reked Meligan @ 2085m asl

0630pm ETA Last person in team to arrive at Church Camp
0630am Summit hike @ 2370m asl (actual 7950ft/ 2424m asl) being the tallest mountain in Sarawak
(Bakelalan ppl started as early as 5am - still raining!)
1255noon Prayer service over, 1145am Arrived at Summit, Prayer service ongoing since 11am

descend
0130pm Lunch  
0530pm Arrived at Church Camp
0600pm ETA last person in team






















This is a Christian prayer revival meeting that held every 2 years. This year is at Mt Murut, and next year will be at Bakelalan.
A total of 800 + delegates came for the meeting this year. Two years ago, it was 700+. They came from all walks of age, tribe and nation. The oldest probably 70 years old, and the youngest 2 years old. The Revival Meeting encourages to bring their children along. 

It was an eye-opening trip especially the services and worship are conducted in Malay language (with interpretation in English), in addition to different kind of living environment.  To me, I thought I could adapt to it easily as I had been camping on high altitude. The difference was the extreme weather affected my skin; and the outside public toilet that was strictly to be used; and sleep late, rise early! The coldest is at 16 degrees Celcius, the warmer at 19 degrees Celcius.

The first night revealed that God is our provider when we found out that our porters could only bring our bags containing sleeping bags and warm change the next early morning! Thankfully, our host has extra mats and blankets; and the host family also has extra clothing to be loaned to my team members in wet trekking attire. Thank to Adam for telling me to bring sleeping bag and warm attire along before we started hike, due to insufficient porters. For those who are fit and seasoned climbers, it is advised that they carry their own backpacks as the porters are limited and had to go through muddy trail. A physically fit or seasoned climber could reach Church Camp from Lepo Bunga less than 4 hours (non fit will take 6-7 hours); and from Church Camp to Summit takes 7 hours return in daypack but I took 9 hours return in daypack probably due to crowds and extreme weather change.

The Lunbawangs and other delegates sharing under one roof with us were friendly. When I arrived at Church Camp, I wasn't sure where I would be staying; so I asked the delegates who arrived there earlier of the location of our host. Everyone knew where the host's house. Cooking for 30 ppl done by paid cooks was an efficient job in between tight church services. Not only efficient, but also delicious. The whole Church Camp experience came as a homestay with the local natives that led simple life, the praying on the mountaintop, and 3+ hours church worship and prayer sessions (altogether about 6 sessions).

I felt much of God's presence when I reached the Summit. The ladies in front of me were tired and exhausted, yet they kept on going, and sang praises. Worship became more melodious ringing into my ears everywhere. Many people were hunger for God. They knew that every step of journey comes with hardship and God knew that. When I came down, I saw more of orchids than when ascend time; and felt the soaking of Holy Spirit rain. It was tough under the rain as the summit trail became soft and muddier as compared to the trail from Lepo Bunga to Church Camp.

an encounter with the Lord - Mt Murut

Mount Murud is a sandstone mountain located in Sarawak. At 2,423 m, it is the second highest mountain in Borneo and the highest in Sarawak. Once upon a time this mountain was intensely feared by the inhabitants of the surrounding villages. It was called Gunung Hantu and the mere mention of it brought fear and doom. In fact no one dared to look or even point their finger at the mountain for fear of demonic reprisals and certain death. In short it was a stronghold of darkness oppressing all the villagers that lived under its dark shadow.

But today this mountain has become a holy mountain – a sanctuary of the Most High God. Everyone coming to this mountain can feel the joy, the peace and the tangible presence of the Lord. My husband and I were so blessed this year to make a journey to Mount Murud. It was a holy encounter that renewed our love for Jesus as well as refreshed us with a sense of awe and reverence for the Lord!

What is it that causes pilgrims to Mt Murud to have such a holy encounter?

The secret lies in the lives of the Ibus and the Bapas of the Bekelalan revival that took place over 30 years ago. They are the custodians of the mountain. For the last four decades they have lived a consecrated and devoted life to the Lord. This year is the 40^th anniversary of the Bekelalan revival. One generation has passed but the spirit of the revival has not.

When I reflect on the lives of these godly men and women three distinct characteristics stand out.

Firstly there is this hunger and passion for God. No matter what happens they start the day by coming together at 5am to pray. Not satisfied with that many of them will spend days in fasting and seeking the Lord. The yearly Mt Murud prayer conferenceis merely an extension of this lifestyle.

Secondly there is a deep humility and dependence on God. When they were preparing for the Mt Murud conference they spent months seeking the Lord for which person they should invite and even who would be allowed to minister at the altars. It is this spirit of brokenness and humility that allows Jesus to take center stage in all their decision making. For them it is not just a song they sing but a belief they live out.

What is the evidence of this? Looking at the logistics of organizing the Mt Murud Prayer Conference it astounds me as to how on earth did they know how to feed and house 700 delegates with no prior registration. The delegates came from all over the world. Mt Murudis  a mountain cut off from the outside world and only accessible by foot. There is no wifi, no telecommunication and recourse for back up plans!! For these godly men and women God is their back up plan! No wonder they went about their hosting with calm, warmth and amazing  hospitality. It was a sharp contrast to the stress we often feel when we organize conferences – inspite of our slick organization and great technology!  

But what impacted me the most was the way the people honored God. On Mt Murud everything was done  to honor the Lord. Our hosts not only cooked for us but would also wake up at 4am for morning prayer.  I was deeply impressed that every act was done in an act of worship – from carrying supplies up the mountain, to cooking and the disposal of rubbish, to welcoming us into their homes all was done as an act of worship unto the Lord!!

It was no wonder then that by the time we went to the worship service the whole atmosphere was filled with a deep presence and reverence of God. When worship started it was evident that the focus was only on the Lord Almighty and nothing could take His place. No credit was given to any human being – not  even the invited speakers names were mentioned. No mention was made of any special guest even though in our midst were the ex -bishop of the Methodist church and the president of SIB Sarawak.  Indeed God alone was honored and all of us worshippers fixed our whole attention on Him and Him alone!

When instructions were given to the delegates on how to honor God no one felt offended but rather they felt this was the honorable thing to do before an Almighty God! All of us were left standing in awe and reverence in the Presence of a Holy God.

What did I learn from this visit? For me I realized how important it is to honor our Lord when we come to worship Him. When we honor Him greatly we will also encounter Him. This is what worship is really all about. Indeed worship is never about just singing  songsor going through all the motions that make up a service. Worship is not worship unless God is revered, honored and loved.  Worship is an encounter with the Living God. But how can that be unless we His people long for Him, hunger and thirst for Him and seek to honor Him above all else like the villagers of Bekelalan.

picked from SIBKL website

Belaga people finally get free ferry rides across Melurang River

Last updated on 23/03/2014 - 18:01
Posted on 23/03/2014 - 17:59
Anna Chidambar

http://www.theantdaily.com/sites/default/files/styles/article_single_large/public/images/articles/penans-finally-get-free-ferry-rides-across-melurang-river-1024x576.jpg?itok=r43FIkpd

SARAWAK FOCUS: The hue and cry over exorbitant ferry fares have finally been
put to rest as the operator of the ferry service has now agreed to waive the
fees for Penans using the improvised ferry that crosses the Melurang River
in Murum.

The issue reached boiling point in late February prompting Belaga District
Officer Abdul Halim Abdullah to call a meeting between 20 Penan village
chiefs from Murum and the ferry operator believed to be either a subsidiary
or a sub-contractor of logging concessionaire Shing Yang Group.

Belaga police chief DSP Bakar Sebau had confirmed the meeting and revealed
that besides some 20 Penan village chiefs from Murum and the logging
concessionaire in the area, representatives from Sarawak Rivers Board (SRB),
Sarawak Energy Berhad (SEB) and the police also attended the meeting.

The outcome resulted in an unanimous decision that the Penans re-settlers at
Metalun and Tegulang would not be charged for using the improvised tongkang
ferry to cross the Melurang River which came as a welcome relief to the
natives who were being taxed for carrying out their daily tasks.

Raymond Abin, an official with Save Sarawak's Rivers Network (Save Rivers)
told theantdaily: "The Penans are now allowed to use the ferry service free
of charge as agreed in the meeting held on Feb 25 between the Penan village
chiefs and the ferry operator. It was enforced with immediate effect."

Some of the village headmen who attended included Lian Buek from Long
Menapa, Madai Salo from Long Luar, Abok Jalong Long Tangau and Paren Usak
Long Singu.

Sentiments on the ground was that the local people had been very tolerant
and had given up both their lands and the rivers for the Murum HEP Dam and
had been re-settled but they considered the Murum area as their hunting
ground as well as the place where they could get their jungle produce such
as rattan.

"Charging the natives such a high price was like adding salt to injury. They
have already been made to endure so much by being re-settled in the Metalun
resettlement area and they still need to get around and go about their daily
activities of hunting and fishing. This is their way of life and it should
be respected," Abin said.

The affected Penan villages are those resettled in the Metalun resettlement
area, from the villages of Long Menapa, Long Luar, Long Tangau and Long
Singu.

According to Abin who is also the regional coordinator of Borneo Resources
Institute Malaysia (Brimas), the Sarawak government under former Chief
Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud had granted logging and plantation
concessionaires to the Shin Yang Group that covered more than 100,000
hectares of land and forest areas comprising the entire Murum dam catchment.

The ferry service was set up to negotiate the river and the reason provided
by the operator for charging high fees on vehicles belonging to outsiders
for using the ferry which was actually a barge was to discourage them from
entering the concession area and to 'protect their interest'.

The operator stated that the makeshift ferry was used by the logging company
to cross the swelling Melurang River as a result of the impoundment of the
Murum HEP Dam. The logging company was actually planning to build a bridge
across the river so the 'tongkang' service was just a temporary means of
crossing the river.

While the Penans were guaranteed their free rides, at the meeting the
operator also agreed that it would not charge government vehicles crossing
the river. Unregistered government vehicles could also use the service free
provided those using them got prior verification from the district office in
Belaga.

The operator had also extended the daily operating hours from 7am to 6pm
from the previous closing time of 5pm and had agreed to provide the service
at any time in case of emergency involving the Penans. The operator had
rationalised that it could not extend the operations 24 hours a day as the
current expenses reached a staggering RM80,000 a day for the two tractors
from both river banks to pull the 'tongkang' across the river.

The 'tongkang' operator had been charging RM150 per crossing for a 4WD
vehicle, while a truck below 10 tonnes was charged RM250 per crossing.
Logging trucks and dump trucks were charged RM400 per crossing; a trailer
without goods RM1,000 per crossing and those with goods were charged double
the amount.

Tegulang Kenyah Badeng NCR case

Penans, Kenyahs affected by Murum Dam have moved to Tegulang Resettlement Area

MURUM: 

The resettlement of families from three villages affected by the RM4 billion Murum hydroelectric dam project to Tegulang Resettlement Area (Tegulang) was completed yesterday.

Seventy-two (72) families from the Long Malim Kenyah (18 families) and Long Malim Penan (54 families) moved to Tegulang yesterday.

The first batch, involving 89 families from Long Wat, was resettled there on Sept 9 this year.

The 944 megawatt (MW) Murum dam project affects a total of seven villages. The remaining four would be resettled in Metalun, which is not ready yet.

Eighty-four (84) 4-wheel-drive (4WD) vehicles started bringing the 72 families to Tegulang at 8am. Some bade farewell to their village at about 9.30am.

In the thick of action were Belaga assemblyman Liwan Lagang, Belaga Deputy Resident Joseph Ikan, personnel from eight government agencies and Murum dam project proponent Sarawak Energy Berhad (SEB). A medical team was also in the convoy.

The convoy was supposed to reach the resettlement site by 2pm, but they made it only at 5.10pm because some 20 Kenyah Badeng natives, who lived around the area, had set up a blockade at a site that was about a 10 minutes’ drive from Tegulang.

The protesters, led by their village head Gara Jalong, claimed the land occupied by the Tegulang Resettlement Area was their ‘Tanah Adat’ (ancestral land) and as such they should be compensated for the loss of land, fruits and cash crops planted there.

YB Liwan then held two separate meetings with two different groups of Kenyah Badeng, but both meetings were led by Gara Jalong.

A consensus was struck at 5pm, and the blockade was dismantled to allow the convoy to past through.

Read more: http://www.theborneopost.com/2013/10/12/3-longhouse-families-resettled/#ixzz3TJ6sQm6B

Kenyah Badeng's old longhouse sites in Plieran river

History
As requested by the Baram Resident officer, in 1897 some of the Kenyah Badeng (the Madangs) of Plieran migrated to Baram headwaters in Long Tebokan (Teboken), Sungai Tebokan and two years later after harvest festival they moved downriver to Long Benalui, Sungai Data (tributary to Silat river) where Dr. Charles Hose, the Baram Resident visited their village at the foot of Mudong Alan in October 28, 1898. The remaining who refused to migrate to Baram, finally move to Long Malim, Long Petan and Long Ca, Sungai Danum to join the other Kenyah Badeng (the Madangs) groups in Danum.


Lidung Jelo, Usun Apau Plieran (Pliran / Pelieran) is a fully abandoned Kenyah people populated old village settlement in 1910s, Belaga, Sarawak Belaga district. Due to the great pressure from the Baram Resident officer, in 1891 practically all the inhabitants of the Baram had accepted the Rajah's government and acknowledged it by the payment of some tax, called door-tax two dollars per family. The Kenyahs, not feeling themselves needed of any such protection, were less ready to accept the Resident's proposals. First of all, they desired peace, or at any rate less warfare, and it was possible to convince them that this result might be achieved by pointing to other districts such as the Rejang and Jenalong (Tubau), with whose affairs they had some acquaintance. During our recent expedition to village site in Lidung Jelo, Usun Apau Plieran, we found two piles of old houses still standing.

Long Ampan Aing site

pile of an old house in Lidung Jelo

Location
The Usun Apau Plieran Highlands is a series of beautiful mountain lying slightly over 820m above sea levels (asl) and flanked by jungle-covered peaks rising to more than 1,4000m. Bukit Busing around 1,300m and Mudung or Bukit Batu Bora around 1,400m are the highest peaks not far from this area. To be exact, Usun Apau Plieran is located at the Upper Plieran (Sungai Plieran) and Sungai Tiyut (tributary of Plieran river). There are a few old longhouse sites at these areas such as (Long Ampan Aing (to the western ear, Ampan Aing in Kenyah enunciation sounded like Abanang or Ampan Ayng, hence Sungai Abanang), Long Bora (Sungai Bora), Long Taa, Ka Laeh and Lidung Jelo. Long Ampan Aing and Lidung Jelo were the most important of the Kenyah Badeng settlements in Plieran in early 1840s. You will easily notice a variety of fruit trees along the Plieran river bank with the most common being local fruit such as durian, rambutan, pulasan, bamboo, terap, langsat, 'eman', 'nanga' or sago palm (Eugeissona utilis), 'mali' and 'buah alim' (wild mango) when you take a boat ride from Plieran bridge at Long Ampan Aing, Long Bora, Long Taa, Ka Laeh to Lidung Jelo (upstream). All these crops were planted by the Kenyah Badeng people in 1840s-1890s.

GPS reading at the site, elevation 2338m asl

Langsat trees

Huge durian tree

Fruit trees

Lidung Jelo
Lidung Jelo (also known as Lidong Jelor) is a remote Kenyah's longhouse settlements in the mountainous interior located by the Plieran river bank, Belaga division of Sarawak. There are many local fruit trees which still grows wild in these old settlements area. This place is important because it is one of the earlier settlements that is used to be the stronghold for the Kenyah in the Plieran.

Lidung Jelo site

Small boat and the water rises after heavy rain overnight

Mudung or Mount Batu Bora
Batu Bora is a mountain comprising a group of peaks in Plieran. It is located in Batu Bora, Plieran, which is 3.5 kilometres from the Plieran River. The mountain stands out prominently from the lowlands as a hilly and forested area. Batu Bora is also known by the Kenyah name Mudung Bora, which refers to White (as cotton) mountain, the highest peak is 1,400m. It is also possible to climb Mudung Batu Bora, but this is for planned expedition, experience guides, and porters will be needed.


Climate
The mountainous inland region extends from Sarawak's watershed boundary with East Kalimantan. This region is generally over 725 metres above sea levels with substantial areas exceeding 1,400 metres. The climate is quite pleasant in Plieran, it can become quite chilly in the morning and the evening. The most important feature of Usun Apau Plieran is the cooler climate. The area has an average temperature ranging from 19°C to 28°C. The mean minimum temperature is consistently below 26°C.


How to get there 
Usun Apau Plieran is accessible from [[Bintulu]] by 4WD along the logging road. Travel to Usun Apau Plieran involves a six hours 4WD drive from Bintulu to [[Belaga, Sarawak|Belaga]], using the Bintulu-Bakun trunk road and the road to Bakun / Murum Dam. From the Murum's Dam junction passing along the logging road and palm oil plantation roads, it takes about 2–3 hours to reach the Usun Apau Plieran Highlands. A variety of other treks include 5 days long trails leading to East Kalimantan (with overnight stops in the rainforest nearby Upper Iwan river).

Location of the Lidung Jelo in Plieran river

REFERENCES 

Longhouse and Jungle: an expedition to Sarawak  Guy Arnold (1959)

Interior of Borneo: Oamaru Mail, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 10471, 2 June 1910, p.1  Dr. Charles Hose

North-West Borneo, Sarawak: near the Madang Country (Nov.), between the headwaters of the Batang Kayan, Rejang and Baram rivers; Silat River; Lata (Data) River; Long Purau (1898) Dr. Charles Hose

The Sarawak Museum Journal, Volume 41 (1990) p.43, p.44, p.46

The Pagan Tribes of Borneo (a Description of Their Physical Moral & Intellectual Condition with Some Discussion of Their Ethnic Relations) (Dr. Charles Hose with William McDougall) (1912)

The Life of the Longhouse: An Archaeology of Ethnicity Peter Metcalf  p.263 & p.264 (The Madang Country / The Madang People)

Maps of Malaysia and Borneo: Discovery, Statehood and Progress: The maps of the interior (1892) p.179 By Fr Durand, Richard Curtis