Kota Samarahan

"Kota Samarahan. What is it like? Will it be like Miri? KK? Kuching? Or Sitiawan?"

These thoughts swirled through my mind as I boarded the flight to Kuching on the 5th of August, 2009. I had hoped that it'd be like Miri. Lots of trees and forest. By the sea. Like Miri.

So, the moment we touched down at Kuching airport, we hopped into the Enova. And Nazri, our multi-talented PETROSAINS staff drove all the way to Kota Samarahan.

It has been almost 8 months since I last stepped foot on Borneo soil. I really feel like kissing it so, so much to let it know that I'm back!

Anyway,back to my story. Kota Samarahan is about 60km from Kuching. It takes about half an hour to 45 minutes journey from the Grand Margherita Hotel. On the way, we passed by several industrial areas, including XFAB, the semi conductor company, UNIMAS, etc.

Surprisingly, the size of the roundabout in Sarawak never cease to amaze me each time we encounter the gigantic roundabout. Land is Sarawak is too vast that the government decides that having more roundabouts is more conducive than having lots of traffic lights. And so, the round about is about 1km in diameter. Wide enough to build a bungalow lot, to plant millions of wild flora and fauna, complete with its own drainage system. I'm impressed.

As Nazri drives on, from the South to the North, I observe that sunlight touches every spot on the ground. There's not a single dark spot anywhere. Trees have been chopped on our left and our right. Short, green bushes that grow to the height of our knees are mushrooming upon this land, a land which was once filled by lush green forests and tree trunks, 10 times the size of the average human species.

I was devastated. Greenery should only be sacrificed if we are sure that they will be developed. Displayed right in front of our very eyes, were greens that had once stood tall and proud, chopped off in the name of development, empty land, bare land, surrounded by creeper plants and short bushes. Where are the buildings that were supposed to be built here? Where are the houses that are supposed to be constructed? Trees! Which provide cool shades under the burning sun, which provides shelter to lost animals, have been sawed off, left with their stumps , still rooted onto the ground. What a waste. Such, is the flaw of human's hasty decision making process. Nobody stops, even once, to think about the consequences. Evidently, following one's impulse, is never a wise move to make.

Finally, after 45 minutes, we arrive at Kota Samarahan. To describe it as small, is an understatement. I think it takes about 15 minutes to visit every part of the town. There are many shop-houses here. The civic hall is one of the most spacious halls that I've been too. Well, I still prefer Miri. No sea in sight in Samarahan, just like Kuching. I just see rivers. No sea. At least in Miri, I still get to see hills, caves, gardens and the calm, reflective sea. Miri is close to my heart, no matter where I go, I'll always remember her.

To have an idea on the location of Kuching, Mukah,Bintulu, Miri, Brunei, Limbang (Click here).