A Pleasant Experience In Exotic Borneo

Seumas Tan Nyap Tek*,

Advocate & Solicitor

During the recent school holidays, I took my family to Sandakan to experience what was themed as an “adventure tour of Exotic Borneo”. It was going to be a no frills kind of holiday with basic amenities. I had prepared my children to “rough” it out and be closer to nature. Before we left for Sandakan, many friends told us that Sandakan is like Kuala Lumpur, 30 years ago where life was more relaxed and things moved at a slower pace. They told me that most of the shops in Sandakan will be shut at 6.00pm and Sandakan town will then be a sleepy town. Though that was true, what really impressed me the most was the people. The people were genuinely friendly and when they help you, they do it sincerely.

We joined an adventure tour package organized by a Sandakan based company called S.I. Tours. Apparently, “S.I.” stands for “special interest” tours where the company specializes in all kinds of tours relating to adventure in Sandakan and the surrounding areas. We had a very knowledgeable nature tour guide called Leo who is a Malaysian of Filipino descent. He was very proud of the Company when he spoke about his bosses. He related a story to us about how the owners (husband and wife team) made it from rags to riches. Leo told us that because the owners had experienced hardship in their lives at one time, therefore, they could relate and have a better understanding of the staffs’ welfare needs. Leo mentioned that some staff members were given loans to purchase their first house. The owners realized that having shelter, especially one that was your own, is a dream come true for many people. Therefore, the owners assisted the staff members to achieve that dream.

When my family and I visited the private jetty which S.I. Tours owned, I was surprised at the level of loyalty that the employees showed when talking about their bosses. As a customer, you will immediately know that there must be something special about the employers. The employees at the private jetty showed us some of the photographs taken at the various company functions. The first thing my wife and I noticed was that the bosses looked like very simple and humble people. No wonder the employees looked up to them as fine examples. Leo told me that most of the employees had worked there for many years for a very simple reason – they were treated well and with respect by the bosses. Therefore, the employees repaid their bosses by making sure that the Company’s customers were happy. I must say that I was certainly happy with the services rendered to me and my family.

We had a wonderful time in the Sukau rainforest, the Selingan Island, Guamantong Cave and the Sepilok orangutan sanctuary. Based on our itinerary, the last day of our stay in Sandakan involved a city tour and it was anticipated that the city tour would end at 12.30pm. Thereafter, we would be sent to the airport for our flight back to Kuala Lumpur at 7.00pm. Realizing that it was going to be a long wait in the airport, I asked Leo whether there were any other attractions in Sandakan that we could visit. Before he could reply, I suggested the crocodile farm that I saw on the way from the airport to the town. Leo said that could be an idea, though, not many tourists visited the farm as they normally like to see the animals in the wild. I informed him that I would gladly pay for the tickets as this was not in the itinerary given.

After a sumptuous buffet lunch at the Sabah Hotel, my family and I met up with Leo at the appointed time. Leo had been an excellent tour guide. He was patient, knowledgeable, helpful and guided us for the last 3 days. To show our appreciation, I gave him a tip. He was reluctant to accept it but I insisted that he take it as we truly appreciated his services in making the tour a fantastic one.

It was raining when we reached the crocodile farm. Leo immediately went to the ticket counter where he took out his wallet and wanted to pay for the tickets. When I saw that, I immediately ran towards the ticket counter and asked him to put his wallet back as I was the one who suggested visiting the crocodile farm and this was not included in the itinerary. Leo wanted to use the money I gave him to pay for the tickets. I told Leo that the money I gave him was for him to keep. Payment for tickets was a separate issue. Leo was embarrassed but nevertheless, he thanked me. I was impressed that there are still honest and sincere people around. Needless to say, we had a great time in Sandakan. I must also add that I am extremely proud of my kids – Ashley and Douglas for roughing it out there. As a matter a fact, they were the only kids in the Sukau Rainforest at that time.

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*Seumas Tan practices in the area of Employment Law covering issues dealing with human resource matters. He practices under the name and style of Messrs S. Tan & Co. and may be contacted at Seumas@STanLawyers.com.my.

No Medical Leave For Fakri Even When He Was Ill

KOTA BAHARU, June 6 (Bernama) -- Mohd Fakri Mohamad Noor has been working at the National Kenaf and Tobacco Board for 25 years now and never once took medical leave. Not even when he was sick.

The 48-year-old director of corporate communication of the board said that he had observed that many government and private sector employees were "too ready" to take medical leave.

"Maybe I was trying not to be like them. That is probably why even when I fall sick, I take emergency leave instead of medical leave," he told reporters at the a staff gathering here.

At the gathering, Mohd Fakri received a certificate of appreciation for being the only employee who has never taken medical leave.

Mohd Fakri joined the board in 1986 as a technician and was later made assistant principal of the training centre.

He became the corporate planning officer and director before assuming his current post.

He said that another reason he did not take medical leave was his accumulated annual leave.

"If I need time with the family, weekends are enough. I still have 80 days of annual leave left," said the father of five.

"So, should I become ill at work, there is always the annual leave to draw from," Mohd Fakri.

"Certainly, there won't be any medical leave."

-- BERNAMA

Indonesia-Malaysia Ink MoU On Maids

BANDUNG, May 30 (Bernama) -- The signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Kuala Lumpur and Jakarta today ended a two-year freeze on Indonesian maids working in Malaysia, thus paving the way for the arrival of maids in two weeks.

Indonesia stopped sending maids to Malaysia from June 2009 following reports on cases of abuse by employers, and a lack of benefits like a minimum monthly salary and a day off for maids.

The signing of the MoU will supercede the one signed in 2006 between the two countries.

Under the revised MoU, the roles of the Indonesian maid, employer and agent would be clearly spelled out together with guidelines and responsibilities of those concerned.

Maid agencies in Indonesia would be required to send only trained maids and provide replacements if the ones they send do not meet employers' requirements and agents providing assurance for maids under their care.

The maids will be allowed to hold their passports, get a day off in a week while a Joint Task Force would be set up encompassing representatives from both countries, to monitor the situation.

Human Resources Minister Datuk Dr S. Subramaniam signed on behalf of Malaysia while Indonesian Labour and Transmigration Minister Muhaimin Iskandar inked on behalf of his country.

Both countries also agreed that the salary would be determined by market forces but Indonesia requested that such wages cannot be lower than the minimum wage in Indonesia.

-- BERNAMA

Malaysian Bar Wants Employment Act 1955 To Be Amended To Protect Domestic Workers

KUALA LUMPUR, May 31 (Bernama) -- The Bar Council wants the government to amend the Employment Act 1955 to ensure comprehensive statutory protection for domestic workers.

Its president Lim Chee Wee said domestic workers only received minimal protection under the Act, which did not confer them the same measure of protection as other workers.

The Act among others excluded the domestic workers rights on rest days, paid public holidays, annual leave, sick leave, maternity leave and termination benefits, he said.

"Consequently, they are not entitled to a day of rest per week or to a limit in the number of hours that they can be compelled to work," he said in a statement here Tuesday.

Lim said relying on the employment contract to protect domestic workers was inadequate as they did not have the bargaining power to negotiate contractual terms in their favour and furthermore, local workers generally did not have such contracts.

Further, as such contracts were private in nature, aggrieved workers would have to pursue legal remedies under private contract law, which accorded them less protection, he said, adding that once amended, it would allow the Human Resources Ministry to enforce the provisions and prosecute those who breached them.

-- BERNAMA