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THE sudden appearance of colourful flags, posters, bill boards and candidate ‘T’ boards along highways, roads, in cities, towns, and villages in connection with the 13th general election (GE13) has somehow given this Borneo state of Sabah an atmosphere of festival or carnival.

MY expectation is that the coming 13th general elections (GE13) shall be a lightning affair. Once Parliament is dissolved, the State Assemblies too shall follow suit, except for Sarawak. The Elections Commission (EC) shall meet immediately and announce Nomination and Polls dates.

BALIKPAPAN, the second largest city in East Kalimantan (Kaltim) after Samarinda, is often referred to as the City of Oil.

THE Department of Fisheries (DOF) in Sabah has embarked on a new plan to use the black bass as a “bait” to lure fly fishing travelers to this part of Borneo, taking advantage of the many river tagal sites where such sport could be promoted.

VILLAGERS at Kampung Suasa in the Beaufort District of Sabah celebrated a bountiful harvest of giant fresh water prawns, popularly known by locals as ‘udang galah’ on August 9 following the introduction of the ‘Tagal System’ of fish conservation for rural communities along river banks.

Borneopedia salutes Pandelela Rinong anak Pamg the new Borneo Olympic star who took the bronze in the 10m diving event at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London last week. We pay tribute to her for her exemplary display of sportsmanship at a global stage.

JUDGING from latest development in the Sabah political scene, it is becoming clear that any notion of opposition parties and groups forming a united front to face the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition one-to-one in the upcoming 13th general elections is wishful thinking.

IN Japan it is known as fugu, but to us on Borneo we just call it ikan buntal, the puffer fish or blowfish that has the ability to inflate and turn itself into a big round ball the moment it is threatened by predators.

HARVAAD graduate Datuk Jeffrey Gapari Kitingan, president of the United Borneo Front (UBF), has a dream. His fancy is to bring all opposition local-based political parties in the two Borneo states of Sabah and Sarawak under a single roof, to be known as the United Borneo Alliance (UBA).

THE clock is ticking and there is no turning back. In a matter of hours the New Year would dawn upon us, like it or not, ready for it or not. For those who are uncertain of where they stand or going, the year 2012 is getting too close for comfort.

THE tragic death of Australian tourist Jenna O’Grady Donley who was killed by a bull pygmy elephant on Dec 7 whilst taking pictures of it at close range, reminds me of my failure to sight these Borneo elephants in their natural habitats during my many journeys into the wilds in the last few years.