The Merlions have landed

We had the honour of receiving a group of 36 Scouts and leaders from Singapore (Toa Payoh District to be exact) lead by Mr. Kumanan (Also a collector that I've known before) who came to visit Sabah from 10 to 16 June 2008 recently. Two receptions was held for them; first at the Sabah Scouts Headquaters at the B-P House in Kota Kinabalu on the 11th June 2008 and second at the Scouts Nature Park in Sandakan on 14 June 2008. In both receptions, besides the singing and dancing and the laughters, a unique badge swapping activity were held where Scouts from Singapore and Sabah, Malaysia swap badges to get a complete set of the Singapore Scout Visit to Sabah Malaysia 2008 badge.

The receptions are part of the long week adventure program where the Singapore Scouts went for snorkeling at the Tunku Abdul Rahman Park islands, whitewater rafting at the Kiulu River, Tamparuli, exploring the world reknown Mt. Kinabalu, the Poring Hot Spring and the Desa Tea farm in Ranau, observing the Orang Utans at the Sepiliok Rehabilitation Centre, the Proboscis Monkeys at Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary and the POW Memorial both in Sandakan.

Alamak... I am so lame

I realised that it has already been more than 7 months since I write in my blog!! How lame... I guess maybe because major things has happened in my life. The biggest thing is when I quit my job and start my own consulting firm. So that explains it.

Now, it's not that during that 7 months I didn't do any Scouting. It's just that I didn't have time to update my blog. So for today, I'm attaching badges which were recently produced by our district during the 2nd Camboree. Also got a Rover Scout uniform from Taiwan (Thanks to Pau Voon of Penang) and awaiting a Scout uniform from France.

Sabah re-joins 50th World Scout JOTA, 11th JOTI 2007

After a lapse of three years, the Scouts Association of Malaysia Sabah Branch officially rejoins the 50th edition of the Jamboree-on-the-Air (JOTA) and 11th Jamboree-on-the-Internet (JOTI) from 20th to 21st October 2007. About 50 Scouts and leaders camped at the Sabah Scout B.P. House starting from 19th October 2007. The Sabah Scouts used the nickname beginning mysakk which represent my=Malaysa, sa=Sabah and KK=Kota Kinabalu while for JOTA, the call sign was 9M4CBP. I used mysakk1.

In conjunction with the JOTA and JOTI, participant badges were produced (See image above). There are two different issues; a bigger souvenir version measuring 7cm x 9 cm (extremely limited, only 10 pieces were made) and the smaller official version measuring 5cm x 7cm. This is the sixth issue of the Sabah JOTA JOTI badge. Previous issues can be viewed at http://www.sabah.org.my/ppmsabah/jotibadges/jotibadges.html. If you need one, let me know. Happy JOTA and JOTI!

50 years and going strong!

Today, 31st August 2007 is the 50th years of our country's independence. It is also the 10th year that we had the Merdeka Kem or Independence Camp. About 300 Scouts and leaders participated in the camp which was held since 26th August 2007 until today at the State Scout Headquaters at the B.P. House. Out of the 300, 180 were part of the Scout Contingent marchers for the Independence Parade. Since 2007 is also a big year for all of us Scouts, badges were produced to commemorate the double celebration (image above). Happy 50th Independence Malaysia and Happy Centenary of Scouting!!

Happy Scouting's Sunrise!

We in Sabah were very fortunate as the National Level Scouting's Sunrise program was held here at our State from 30th July to 1st August 2007. It was held at Mt. Kinabalu Park, the highest mountain in South East Asia and also a World Heritage Site. 38 Scouts and leaders from all over Malaysia and outside scaled Mt. Kinabalu's peak, which stands 4,095m a.s.l, on the 1st August 2007 and wave the Scout flag at about 6.00am, marking the dawn of a new century for Scouts around the world. For Malaysians, 2007 is an extra special year as Malaysia will also celebrate its 50 years of nationhood. Commemorative badges were issued to celebrate the double celebration (See picture). Currently I do not have extras but will try to get some.

Our fundraiser badge has been robbed!

Thanks to a friend of mine, I recently found out that our Inanam District Scout Council 2007 Fundraiser badge has been sold at ebay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Boy-Scouts-Patch-CSP-Malaysia-Council-2007-Inanam-Blue_W0QQitemZ130134353271QQihZ003QQcategoryZ103977QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/Boy-Scouts-Patch-CSP-Malaysia-Council-2007-Inanam-Black_W0QQitemZ130134353352QQihZ003QQcategoryZ103977QQcmdZViewItem#ebayphotohosting

The badges numbered 1 and 70 are definitely fakes as these badges are still in our possession. Also everyone knows that the purchase of these badges comes together with a Certificate of Authenticity from our District Scout Council. Furthermore our Council never issued a black bordered badge. Oh yes, the badges are also smaller.

I did not really think our badges too has become a victim (which somehow actually indicate some value in our badge!) and would like to make a plea to all of you to investigate the background of the seller w-patchauctions-c. My guess is that all the badges that this person is selling are fakes. Correct me if I'm wrong but if I'm right how do we actually stop this person from racking in a few hundred bucks?

Your kind effort is very much appreciated. Thank you.

Sabah First Rover Camp 2007

No excuse, just being lame. Should have put these badges out ages ago. These badges were issued during our State first Rover Camp from 25-31 May 2007. About 250 Rover from around the State including Labuan F.T and Brunei Darussalam attended the camp. In line with the Rover's motto "Service", most of the activities concentrated on Community Projects which include building public toilets at Karambunai village, Kota Kinabalu and painting mural at the local primary school, building vegetable stalls at Kolombong, Kota Kinabalu, and repainting B-P House. Other activities include community sports, community talks, abseiling, indaba and Cultural shows. I have a few of these badges left so if you are interested, give me a shout.