Are There Plenty More Fish In The Sea ?

Hantu Laut

As promised, it would be churlish of me if I don't deliver the story of my weekend fishing trip.

Sabah is blessed with rich fishing grounds and its close proximity has made it a favourite fishing spot for many fishing kakis (anglers) from as far as Singapore, Peninsula Malaysia and Hong Kong. Going by speedboat would take between forty minutes to an hour to reach the fishing grounds. Overnight fishing would require bigger trawler-type boat which would take between three to four hours from Kota Kinabalu.

Since there were 10 of us we opted for the slow boat which only travels around 8 to 10 knots and is ideal for trolling.

We left KK on a bright sunny morning and trolled all the way towards Mengalum Island.After almost four hours of trolling it was more deep frustrations rather than exhilarating fun as there were still no sign of the elusive marlin and sailfish. Even the more common Spanish mackerel(tenggiri) didn't make an appearance.

The sea was flat calm and looked almost lifeless.Maybe we just have to accept that the open ocean is a mighty big place and not every area in the ocean is jammed with hungry predators.In fact only a small portion of the sea is populated with game fish. These are predators that travel the ocean's highways from their breeding grounds to their place of adulthood and demise which could be thousands of miles apart. Those in Sabah waters are mostly juveniles passing by on their way to other parts of the world's oceans. Therefore, to catch them is a rarity and a dream of every sport anglers.

We were also lucky to have spotted some pilot whales in the vicinity.There were about 4 or 5 of them looking for their usual food, squids and krill (bubuk). The whales always make their annual appearance at this time of the year, usually between March to June.

Fishing in Sabah waters can be as unpredictable as its politicians. The seabeds can spring lots of surprises.

After four hours of zero catch at the end of our trolled lines, we decided and probably a wise move to do bottom fishing. To our surprises, we were catching fish like no body's business. With the excitement of a bumper harvest of bottom fishing we decided to abandon our plan of hunting for the big quarry.

At our first stop we caught respectable amount of 'kerisi bali' (Malay) or 'kim-sein' (Chinese), in English it is called by many names, gold-banded job fish,white snapper or sharptooth snapper.This is considered a good eating fish and popular with the Chinese and occasionally with the Indians for fish head curry.

Erbwest Oil Rig

After about an hour when the activity ceased, we moved to another spot near to Erbwest, an oil rig. This spot produced fish of various species.After ten minutes of catching a dozen of uninspiring species I landed a prize eating fish.It was none other than the much sought after coral trout or sunoh(Bajau,Malay) or chee-sien-pan or tung-sing (Chinese). This is the type of fish you pay hundred of dollars in the seafood restaurants in town.My catch weighs about 2.3 kg which is just a nice size for a small family.It's usually eaten fresh and steamed the Chinese way.

The sea again gave us another shocking surprise.My past experiences tell me that night fishing usually are more active than daylight fishing.This one must be the most horrendous night fishing I have ever experienced in my entire life. After 6 p.m the fish completely stopped biting.We shifted spots at least 5 times during the night and every spot bore nothing.It was zero take for the whole night.

At about daybreak the eerie silence of dawn was deeply shaken by the sound of a ratchet running wild on someone' reel at the back of the boat. Someone shouted "The fish are back". True to his word the fish did come back from that time onwards. We were again catching fish, mostly kerisi bali, groupers and breams.

Something at the bottom of the sea has definitely changed the habitual nature of the fish. What it is, I really don't know. Maybe, the scientists from UMS Sabah should do some research on it.

At about noon we decided to head back home, happy and fully satisfied that all our eskies were full of good eating fish. While on the way we put down two trolling lines and after about an hour and a half into the journey we were alerted by the sound of the ratchet on one of the reels and saw a big splash in the water but was to fast to make out the type of fish. I first thought it was either a marlin or sailfish doing it usual tail walk. However, there was no further jumps when my friend Jimmy was fighting it, so it couldn't be a marlin or sailfish. As he brought the fish nearer the boat I caught a glimpse of it under water. The striking gold and green colour of its body can only unmistakenly be one fish, a dorado or mahe-mahe.

Finally after less than 10 minutes of battling the fish on a 30 lbs line, Jim brought it in.It was a bull dorado. It is a pity, such a beautiful fish should be in an aquarium not in our stomach.

In a small way and when we least expected it, we did have one game fish after all.

Note:Practice catch and release all billfish except in competitions if it is needed for judging purposes.

More Resignations On The Way

Hantu Laut

More resignations from Pak Lah's cabinet are expected to come if the "akhbar angin" is to be believed.Many are not happy and don't mind giving up their jobs.

A senior minister is expected to quit soon.

Wait for updates.

Would You Kill A Nation To Save One Man ?

Hantu Laut

"Remember democracy never lasts long.It soon wastes, exhausts and murders itself. There never was a democracy yet did not commit suicide" John Adams (1735-1826) 2nd President of the United States.

Translated in simple language it means no democratic government can last forever and a time will come when it has to go. In a true democratic system that would be the case. In a pseudo democratic system a government can last much longer as in the case of Zimbabwe where a bad dictatorial rule has left the country bankrupt and on the brink of anarchy.

In a continent shrouded in poverty it was once a shining example of prosperity and economic growth. When the blacks took over the country from apartheid driven Ian Smith's government after years of civil war against white rule, it has functional infrastructures, a working economy and a currency almost at par with the US dollar.

Today, hyperinflation runs in unbelievable six digits, the infrastructures broken down and the currency worthless currently exchanging at US$1.00 to 53 million Zimbabwe dollars. Robert Mugabe would rather destroy the country than give up. The damage he has inflicted on the country would take generations to repair

Where the democratic process has completely failed the only option available to remove a bad government is by way of the guns as was the case in some African countries where every successive regime led by selfish and corrupt leaders unwittingly takes the country deeper into the abyss.

Nigeria and Angola are oil producing countries and are examples of states that have failed democratically and economically in spite of being significant oil producers.

Angola is in a shambles after 27 years of civil war which ended in 2002.The war had killed 1.5 million and displaced 4 million people.It produces about 1.26 million bbl/per day of crude oil and with a population of 12 million it is still a poor country. Oil production contributed almost 85% of GDP. Its per capita income is not a true reflection of the actual income distribution.Lots of oil money are going into personal coffers of corrupt politicians.Nigeria shares the same faith or even worse as it has much bigger population. The economy is heavily dependent on oil whose revenues have been squandered through corruption and mismanagement.It also produces and exports the highest number of con-man in the world.

At the other side of the scale a different ball game is played. This is where oil revenues had been put to good use, in the United Arab Emirates particularly Dubai.From an impoverish region of small principalities 30 years ago, it has been transformed into a modern state with high standard of living.It has successfully diversified its economy and oil is now only 40 % of GDP as compared to Angola's 85 %.

One have to visit the city of Dubai and the port of Jebel Ali to see how oil money had been put to good use to develop a poor region into a modern country with first class infrastructures. Its per capita income (PPP) is currently at US$55,200.

Malaysia is a country with different success story.It has been transformed from a mosquito- infested tropical backwater into a modern nation with good infrastructures, diversified economy and a pluralistic society that have worked together well.

Although it is an oil producer, it is considered small in comparison with Opec members and oil is not the mainstay of the economy.Malaysia is a multi-sector economy with bigger component of its GDP in manufacturing and services. Export of crude oil is a small portion of the GDP. It has journeyed economically well due to good fiscal policy, a fairly efficient civil service and moderately industrious population.

Over the past few years there were rumblings of discontent among Malaysians with the leadership of Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. The euphoria of 2004 has turned to dismay, despair and dislike.Although the economy shows impressive growth rate of over 6 % in 2007 it has not benefited the people directly. The rising cost of goods, petrol, corruption in government and rising crime rates have destroyed the people trust in his leadership.

Although Abdullah should not be totally blamed for things beyond his control, most Malaysians were under the impressions that he can at least lessen the impact as not to burden the people.

The poor showing of Abdullah's ruling coalition (BN) at the just concluded elections was the result of the people's anger at his lack of leadership and some of his ministers' unnerving arrogance and unjustifiable racialist remarks against minority ethnic races in the country. Their imperious and impudent remarks had left deep-rooted resentment among ethnic Chinese and Indians. Most people believe he has no control over his men and they took advantage of his weaknesses.

The Chinese are the economic engines of the country. Malaysia has much to thank this industrious people who have contributed immensely to almost every sector of the economy. Government must be seen to do things for the greater good of all the people in the country and not just for one particular race. The NEP, an affirmative actions for Malays and bumiputras had overstayed its welcome. It has not benefited all Malays, most of it have been used as a gravy train to enrich a few.

Abdullah has lost his credibility and integrity with the people and at least two sultans are at loggerheads with him, two appointees for deputy minister have declined his offer, one deputy minister has resigned, two menteri besar were appointed by sultans in defiance of his choices and the rank and file in his party have lost direction.Some are with him, some are not and some are undecided.

Is there any other good reason that Abdullah has that he should not resign from his Prime Minister's post and also that of President of UMNO ?

Additonal reading:
Nuraina A Samad's Borrowed Time

A Typoon Is Brewing In The "Land Below The Wind"

Hantu Laut

At the rate Sabahan ministers are leaving Abdullah's cabinet very soon there wouldn't be any of them left to represent the state at Federal level. Rumours abound that some more ministers would be leaving soon as most are disappointed with Abdullah's treatment of those from Sabah and Sarawak by giving them minor ministry and deputy ministers ignoring the facts that without them there wouldn't be any Abdullah's government.

When the full result was made known the next day after polling, most Sabahans were exuberant and were in high expectation that they would get better deals this time.Unfortunately, that was not the case, it got worse. Even Shafie Apdal who were in better ministry before was shifted to less important ministry, Ministry of Unity,Arts and Culture.Coffee shop talk says he may be next in line to leave.

While Hanifa Aman, a two-term deputy minister expecting something better was offered a deputy in a less appealing ministry which he rejected outright.Ghapur Salleh left probably for the same reason.

Newcomer Liew Vui Keong of LDP Sabah who won on wafer thin majority was given a deputy in a better ministry, Ministry of International Trade and Industry. This is the same man who slammed him on the Mazu controversy in Sabah.

A strong rumour is going around that a new party is being formed by some unhappy parliamentarians to shift the balance of power.

The possibility is very high as Sabahans felt they are being ignored and belittle by the Prime Minister. He can appoint non elected members to be full ministers and ignored those who have worked hard to bring victory to the party.

What criteria Abdullah used to appoint his ministers is a mystery but it certainly looked like more on ad hoc basis.

It also now appeared that UMNO days may be numbered in Sabah. There is very strong sentiments among Sabahans now wanting to tukaron bangkad (changing shirts).

Watch out Pak Lah ! A typhoon is brewing in the "Land Below The Wind".

Related article:
Will Sabah Change Shirts In The Malaysian Elections