Must see Movie: Setem

About the Movie
'SETEM' is based on the original idea by Kabir Bhatia, who is also the scriptwriter and the director of the film. The first draft was submitted on September 2006. The movie was shot from the 20th of January 2008 to the 29th of February 2008, and post production process went on from March 2008 until march 2009. The length of the movie is 110 minute and was shot by Panasonic Vericam first and finished on 35mm fro cinema release. It is rated PG-13, and has 23 leading actor, along with 500 extras. The shooting locations include area in Klang Valley, Klang and Malacca. This is 23rd movie produced by Tayangan Unggul Sdn. Bhd. and will be release in 51 cinema nationwide on 30th of July 2009.

Click here for more detail on SETEM and other extras

After watch the movie at Bukit Raja, I recommended to you all to watch this movie. This is another great work piece of art. Congratulation to the director Kabir Bhatia because his brilliant idea in making the movie. I like the flow of the movie. But the story is a little bit slow at first and then you will found it full of laugh until the end of the movie. You'll will find it like there is the ending of the movie but the story keep on moving until the ending credit.

Overall I give thumbs up and 4/5 stars for this movie. Totally worth it. Support local movie industry.

Update: Why so racist?

Hadi should be forgiven for ‘cawat’ remarks: Adit
By Churchill Edward

KUCHING: A member of Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) State Leaders’ Council said yesterday that PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang should be forgiven for uttering the degrading ‘cawat’ remarks which had offended the Dayaks.


Gabriel Adit, the assemblyman for Ngemah, said if indeed Hadi had uttered such remarks, he should be informed of the truth and facts about Sarawak.

Adit added: “If he had said it (cawat), then he should be forgiven for his ignorance because he (Hadi) did not know what he was talking about. Forgive him. Teach him.”

“… to err is human, but to forgive is divine,” he added.

Adit said he would not debate on whether Hadi was misquoted by the press or whether the remarks were a reference to a state of mind of the people in Lubok Antu.

He said damage had been done and the people in Sarawak were very angry.

However, he pointed out, it was not what the Dayaks wear that would make him or her, a Dayak.

“If people in Peninsular Malaysia are ignorant about us (Sarawakians) we should teach (or inform) them about the truth,” he said when contacted yesterday.

A member of the State PKR political bureau, Baru Bian, said his party condemned such statements if indeed Hadi had uttered them.

“There has been so much reaction from various quarters in Sarawak on the purported statement made by PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang in the run up to the recently concluded Manek Urai by-election where he was quoted to have said the opposition lost in the Batang Ai by-election because the voters there did not know how to vote as they were still wearing ‘cawat’ (loincloth),” said Baru in a press statement yesterday.

Dayak leaders in PKR condemned such statements if indeed Hadi had said it,” he said, adding even national PKR advisor Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had made a similar stand on Saturday.

He said Anwar through a Malaysiakini report on July 25 said PKR did not subscribe to such a view and it was not in line with Pakatan Rakyat’s (PR) vision of an egalitarian Malaysia.

At the meeting of PKR State Supreme Council here on Sunday, Baru said he raised the issue and requested Anwar to convey and communicate with Hadi on the feelings of the Dayak leaders in PR.

“If such statements (including ‘cawat’) were made, it is just right and proper that the PAS president apologise as this is perceived as demeaning, degrading and insensitive to our peoples’ feeling,” he stressed.

On July 11, Hadi was quoted by news portal Malaysiakini as saying: “In all previous by-elections, the results favoured us. Only in Batang Ai did we lose because they did not know how to vote, still wearing cawat (loincloth). I am not trying to insult but those places dressed nicely voted for PAS”.

The Batang Ai by-election was held on April 7 following the demise of Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) vice-president Datuk Dublin Unting on Feb 24 after a heart attack.

It was held simultaneously with the Bukit Selambau and Bukit Gantang by-elections.

A political greenhorn from PRS, Malcolm Mussen defended the seat for BN after he won with a convincing majority of 1,854 votes over Parti Keadilan Rakyat’s (PKR) Jawah Gerang, the former five-term Lubok Antu MP.

It was also the only by-election won by BN after six by-elections following March 2008 general elections.

Following the ‘cawat’ remarks by Hadi, the State Barisan Nasional (BN) leaders wasted no time to react by providing fiery statements to the press.

Copyright 2009 © The Borneo Post Sdn Bhd. All rights Reserved.

Why so Racist?

Hadi’s ‘cawat’ remarks degrade Dayaks: Mawan
By Samuel Aubrey

KUCHING: The ‘cawat’ (loincloth) issue continued to become a hot topic with Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP) president Dato Sri William Mawan becoming the latest Dayak leader to lash out at PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang for making the remark.

He said the comments made by Hadi were very degrading to the Dayaks and a reflection of the opposition’s ignorance of the real situation in Sarawak.

Speaking at the launching of SPDP Muara Tuang Division Saturday night, he was very fiery and animated in his speech especially during the part when he slammed Hadi.

Using hand gestures, the Social Development and Urbanisation Minister said the ‘loincloth were at least put at the right place’ and not at other parts of the body.

But in the present modern times, he went on to say that loincloth is no longer practised and he blamed the PAS president for not understanding the standard of living of the people in Sarawak.

“Our cultural dancers only put on loincloth when performing traditional dances … (That is why) I wonder if he (Hadi) had ever visited Sarawak to understand the lives and living standard of the people.

“(To Hadi), don’t sidestep the main issue (on the factors leading to the loss in Batang Ai by-election) and talk about something else to distract the people, like talking about the loincloth,” he added.

Hadi, in a Malaysiakini report on July 11, was quoted as saying: “In all previous by-elections, the results favoured us. Only in Batang Ai did we lose because they did not know how to vote, still wearing ‘cawat’ (loincloth). I am not trying to insult, but those places dressed nicely, vote for PAS.” The Batang Ai by-election was held on April 7 following the demise of Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) vice-president Datuk Dublin Unting on Feb 24 after a heart attack. It was held simultaneously with the Bukit Selambau and Bukit Gantang by-elections.

A political greenhorn from PRS, Malcolm Mussen, defended the seat for the Barisan Nasional (BN) after he won with by a convincing majority of 1,854 votes over Parti Keadilan Rakyat’s (PKR) Jawah Gerang, the former five-term Lubok Antu MP.

It was the only by-election won by the BN after six by-elections following March 2008 general elections.

On a related matter, Mawan also likened the opposition parties to Western folklore legend Pied Piper as they were only good in enticing the people, but yet to prove they could do better than BN.

“On the opposition parties drumming for support in Sarawak, I have great conviction that they will not get anywhere.

“They are just like Pied Piper - playing the flute, entice and lure people to listen to that beautiful music yet leading them down the ravine and to the sea,” he said.

In his advice to the SPDP Muara Tuang Division, he hoped the members could work together with other BN components and form a strong BN front for the coming state election.

Although Samarahan parlimentary and Muara Tuang state constituencies are not represented by SPDP, he said the party could still play a vital role by consolidating the position of the BN in the area and ensuring the victory of BN candidates.

Muara Tuang is currently represented by Dato Sri Mohammad Ali Mahmud of Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB).

The adjacent Asajaya seat is held by Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, while the Samarahan parliamentary seat is represented by Dato Sri Sulaiman Abdul Rahman Taib, both from PBB. Sulaiman is federal deputy tourism minister.

“If you look at the area, SPDP does not have any YB (elected representatives) here. But it is down to us to demonstrate our role as a fellow component in the BN by managing to rally our support in an area that does not have our YB.

“This is the spirit I call for in SPDP Muara Tuang Division - to demonstrate and put ourselves as example to others. Together we can form a strong Barisan team, a united front that will ensure victory in the next election,” he said.

He was happy to see that SPDP had members of all racial backgrounds in Sarawak.

“SPDP is one of the component parties in Malaysia that is truly multi racial. Our committees are multi racial. Our outlook, stand and principle are all multi-racial,” he added.

Copyright 2009 © The Borneo Post Sdn Bhd. All rights Reserved.

Why so Racist?

Hadi’s remarks reflect PAS, PR leadership: PRS women chief

KUCHING: Pakatan Rakyat (PR) can forget about making any headway in Sarawak, particularly in the Dayak majority areas, if its leaders continue to talk like PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang.

Expressing anger over Hadi’s remarks about Batang Ai voters recently, Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) women chief Doris Sophia Brodie said yesterday the remarks reflected the type of leaders PAS and PR have.

“Obviously, PAS and Pakatan are not ethnic-sensitive, thus they can forget about making their existence felt in Sarawak especially in Dayak dominant areas. On top of that, it is such remarks that stir racial tension,” she said.

“I think what Hadi said should hit the nail squarely for Dayak opposition leaders. Clearly, Pakatan and PAS do not have them or the Dayak at heart, to them the Dayaks are just to make the numbers and their laughing stock.”

In this respect, she said the PRS women of Batang Ai, Simanggang and Bukit Begunan divisions would come out in full force to support PRS Batang Ai youth in its plan to burn PAS flags in Engkilili town today to protest Hadi’s remarks.

Hadi, in a Malaysiakini report on July 11, was quoted as saying: “Semua pilihanraya kecil sebelum ini keputusannya memihak kepada kita. Cuma di Batang Ai sahaja kita kalah sebab mereka ini tidak reti undi, pakai cawat lagi. Saya bukan nak hina tetapi tempat yang pakai molek, undi PAS. (In all previous by-elections, the results favoured us. Only in Batang Ai did we lose because they did not know how to vote, still wearing loincloth. I am not trying to insult but those places where people dress nicely, vote for PAS).”

Hadi made the remarks in the run-up to the Manek Urai by-election, which PAS eventually won.

The Batang Ai by-election was held on April 7 following the demise of PRS vice-president Datuk Dublin Unting on Feb 24 after a heart attack.

The Barisan Nasional (BN) had picked Malcolm Mussen Lamoh to defend the seat.

He won by a convincing majority of 1,854 votes over Parti Keadilan Rakyat’s (PKR) Jawah Gerang, the former five-term Lubok Antu MP.

Held simultaneously with the Batang Ai by-election were by-elections in Bukit Gantang, Perak, and Bukit Selambau, Kedah.

In both seats, BN lost by a majority of more than 2,000 votes.

Leaders from all Sarawak BN parties, including Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) deputy president Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu, Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) president Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr George Chan and PRS president Dato Sri Dr James Masing have condemned the remarks.

They have demanded a public apology from Hadi as they felt that the remarks were an insult to the dignity of the Dayaks.

So far, there have been no opposition Dayak leaders who have voiced their dissatisfaction over Hadi’s remarks.

PKR Sarawak advisor Dato Sri Hafsah Harun, in fact, had defended Hadi, saying that he could have been misquoted by Malaysiakini and if indeed he had said the voters still wore ‘cawat’, he meant their old thinking in supporting the BN.

Doris yesterday also dared Hadi to come to visit Sarawak and especially Batang Ai to see the development and the lifestyle of the people for himself.

“When he comes he better be dressed ‘molek’, in case he might feel embarrassed if our people ‘outdress’ him,” she said.

Copyright 2009 © The Borneo Post Sdn Bhd. All rights Reserved.

Why so Racist?

Saturday, July 25th, 2009
PRS Batang Ai Youth plans protest against Hadi with PAS flag-burning
By Saibi Gi and Raynore Mering

KUCHING: Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) Batang Ai Youth is planning to torch Parti Islam SeMalaysia (PAS) flags in a show of protest in Engkilili town tomorrow.

Its deputy chief Edwin Raoh said they were very angry with the disparaging remarks made by PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang about Batang Ai voters recently.

“His statement insults the dignity of the Iban people. We are very upset and we are very offended. We are planning to burn PAS flags,” he said yesterday.

He hoped that with the burning of the flags, the people of Lubok Antu and Engkilili would realise how opposition leaders really saw them.

Hadi said in a report in Malaysiakini on July 11 that the opposition lost in the Batang Ai by-election because the voters did not know how to vote and they were still wearing ‘cawat’ (loincloth).

Also reacting to the remark was PRS information chief Richard Wil Uban who wanted to know the stand of Dayak leaders in Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR), specifically Ngemah assemblyman Gabriel Adit Demong and former Lubok Antu MP Jawah Gerang.

He said that Hadi must surely know that Adit and Jawah are Ibans and yet he still made such derogatory comments about members of the community.

“I feel demoralised and looked down upon. We have been in Malaysia for 45 years and they are still talking about us as if we are cavemen.

“But what are Adit and Jawah going to do now that their friend in Pakatan Rakyat (Hadi) has insulted their dignity and the dignity of the Ibans as a whole? What do they have to say?” he asked.

Adit and Jawah could not be reached for comments yesterday. PAS, PKR, Sarawak Democratic Action Party (DAP) and Sarawak National Party are members of Pakatan in Sarawak.

Wil added that voters had the right to vote for whoever they chose and no one should think that those who supported the government or Barisan Nasional (BN) did so blindly.

“Voting is every eligible Malaysian’s right. I can vote for the opposition if I want to. But I vote for the government not because I am a fool.

“It is those people who vote for the opposition even when they have been receiving assistance from the government of the day who are fools,” he said.

He pointed out that he spent five days in Engkari to help campaign for the BN during the Batang Ai by-election and every longhouse along the Engkari river had tiled corridors, flush toilets and other amenities.

“Where are the people wearing ‘cawat’ there? If Hadi doesn’t believe me, ask our Deputy Prime Minister (Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin) who visited the place during the by-election.

“But I wish to say this to all Dayaks of Sarawak, if we are marginalised it is because of people’s ignorance of our existence,” said Wil.

PRS secretary general Datuk Wilfred Nissom, meanwhile, said as far as he could see, no one cast their votes in their loincloths during the by-election.

At the same time, he said there were not many spoilt votes so it must mean that the people there knew how to vote.

“Actually, I think that the people in Batang Ai are very smart because they know what a constituency under PAS or Pakatan is like. They have seen the level of development in Permatang Pauh, so they decided to vote for the best, and that’s BN,” said Nissom.

Copyright 2009 © The Borneo Post Sdn Bhd. All rights Reserved.

Celebrity: Yasmin Ahmad (Biography)

Yasmin Will Be Remembered For Her Quality Works

KUALA LUMPUR, July 26 (Bernama) -- Yasmin Ahmad left a legacy of her works in the film and advertisement arenas, thriving on the themes of love, family ties and comedy against the backdrop of multiracial Malaysia.

Born in Bukit Treh, Muar, Johor on July 1 1958, Yasmin, who graduated in psychology from Newcastle University, United Kingdom, had won local and international creativity awards.

Married to Abdullah Tan Yew Leong, she began her career as a copywriter with Ogilvy & Mather before joining Leo Burnnett as joint creative director in 1993 and rose to become its creative executive director until her death.

Her creativity could be seen in many Petronas' commercials and evoked emotion of the viewers especially during the Aidilfitri celebration which would certainly be missed by viewers this year.

In the filming industry, Yasmin, however, drew much controversy in view of her openness and boldness in analysing social issues.

She was at the mercy of critics since her first movie, "Rabun" was screened in 2003 followed by "Sepet" (2004), "Gubra" (2006), "Mukhsin" (2006), "Muallaf" (2008) and Talentime (2009).

Despite the drawbacks, she also earned rave reviews for "Sepet" which was accorded the Best Film Award and the Best Original Screenplay Award at the Malaysian Film Festival 2005.

"Sepet" also bagged several international awards, namely the Asian Film Award at the Tokyo International Film Festival 2005, the Grand Prix Award at the Creteil International Women's Film Festival in the same year.

"Gubra" won the Best Screenplay award at the Malaysian Film Festival 2006.

"Muhsin" won the Generation kplus - Best Feature Film and the Deutsches Kinderhilfswerk Grand Prix award at the Berlin International Film Festival.

"Mukhsin" also won the Best Asean Film at the Cinemanila International Film Festival 2007.

"Muallaf" won the Asian Film Award - Special Mention at the Tokyo International Film Festival 2008.

While leaving indelible mark at home, Yasmin's movies gained international recognition as they were shown in Berlin, San Francisco, Singapore and at the Cannes Film Festival.

-- BERNAMA