Memories of Temburong

BLOG 2APictures above showing visits by then PM Goh Chok Tong and then MOS Lee Hsien Loong

Crossing Limbang and entering Temburong brings back Special Memories of my active service in Temburong between 1986 and 1992. The tough and ruggered training in Temburong

jungles in Brunei for active and National Servicemen has been most challenging from then till now. Commanders and soldiers alike would eagerly share their experiences when they reminish on the ruggered terrain and their overcoming Penjarang Biang .

What kept them motivated was the leadersip of their commanders who would not only guide them but would scale all the obstacles before them and with them . The imbued SAF qualities of " Leadership by examples ". Also, without fail, visiting Ministers, Government Parliamentary committees and senior SAF Commanders would frequentl the jungle camp and ensure that soldiers are well trained and properly taken care off. At the same time they too would have a feel for themselves - the pleasures of jungle based instructors..

Taking a walk around Bangar Town , watching the water taxis and the old kampong charm reminds me of the bondage that were so thickly bended. Songs were composed to reflect on the friendship, the training, the bondage, the joy and laughter and finally the parting of friends who had cared for each other in the tropical jungles which are unknown to many a NS man. Rattling off and huming songs like " Song Of JTB, Soldiers In Temburong, Tracks Of Apoi, Way Up Biang, goodbye To You My Jungle Friends , Madu Dan Racun and Kenangan Di Brunei flow from my memories like a running stream. Two of the songs with lyrics are appended below:

" Goodbye To You My Jungle Friend " sung to the tune of "Seasons In The Sun "

Goodbye to you my jungle friends

We've been together since our tour began

Together we climb the hills and trees

Chased by honets, stung by bees

Earn our twenty six fifty
Chorus : We Had Joy , We Had Fun

We Had Training In The Sun

And The Feeling We Share

Can't Be Found Just Anywhere

Goodbye to you my Brunei friends

We've shared a life as a family

Through the good times and the bad

Shared the laughter when we're glad

Shared the burden when we;re sad

Chorus: ....

Goodbye to you my newfound friends

Someday, somewhere we'll meet again

Until that day comes along

I dedicate to you this song

And soon you will be moving on

Chorus.....

So long my friends but not goodbye

And soon you'll be flying in the sky

Back to Singapore where we belong

So i say say it in my song

Please take care till we meet again

This ong was written by The Late Cpt David Kwok . it was especially touching for departing Commanders and staff.

" Kenangan di Brunei "sung to the tune of " Madu Dan Racun "
Brunei Darussalam

Negera dan Indah

Aman dan Sentosa

Disini - lah kami, Di Beri Tempat, Untuk Belatih

Di bandar, Di temburong, di Manapun, Sama Saja

Kita semua, Sama Sama Merasa B Hati Sanu Bariahagia

Chorus: Kami Ucap, Terima Kasih

Dari Hati Sanu Bari

Akan Di Ingat Selamanya

Jasa-Mudalam Hati Kami

Akan Di Ingat Selamanya

Jasa- Mudalam Hati Kami

This song was written by wife Michelle and song so often by " The Jungle Jingles " comprising Russell Oliveiro, JJ Lim and David.

So much for Temburong and River Apoi, we are off to Lawas towrads Kota Kinabalu as projected in my 2nd blog. Until we return one week later after exploring Sabah, I shall try and write a few more songs if my memories allow .

Pictures above shows crossing over to Lawas from temburong. Interestingly , a bridge is finally being constructed to ease commuting between Sabah and Temburong. The new immigration and customs checkpoints are already in place and should be activated once the bridge is completed. The 2nd picture shows a temporary office for Immigration / Customs checkpoints.

Until then, the next Blog will be on 22 nd Oct, where i shall cover Kota Kinabalu and Sandakan