Malaysia, Sipadan - fires, kidnapping?

In article <430f8842_4@alt.athenanews.com>, david_b_graves@hotmail.com
(david graves) wrote:

> *From:* "david graves" <david_b_graves@hotmail.com>
> *Date:* Fri, 26 Aug 2005 23:22:33 +0200
>
> Hi.
>
> I've got a trip scheduled for Sipadan the 5th of Sept. I've heard that
> this
> may not be the best time to go. Anyone been there of late or heard
> anything
> about kidnappings or the haze over Malaysia or Borneo?

I was there in June/July, not on Sipadan of course because there is only
the Army allowed on there now (since Dec 04). But all appeared normal to
me.

Sipadan was disputed territory for more than 20 years until Christmas time
2003 when the united nations ruled that it was indeed Malaysian territory.
Malaysia had been in dispute with Indonesia over this tiny Island.

The kidnappings took place in 2001 (i think), but the guy who masterminded
the whole thing was caught during a gun fight in the Philippines around
Christmas 2003, i was in Manilla when it made the front pages of their
newspapers

What you mean by "haze" over Malaysia i have no idea ?

Your trip wont be to Sipadan, no guests are allowed on there so i guess
you will be either staying on Mabul,
http://www.morg.co.uk/malaysia/mabul...abul_1145.html
http://www.morg.co.uk/malaysia/seave...al_housing0363.
html
Kapalai
http://www.morg.co.uk/malaysia/kapal...kapali_11.html
or Seaventures
http://www.morg.co.uk/malaysia/seave...the_rig_4.html
.........those resorts are 15 minutes by boat from
Sipadan Island.
http://www.morg.co.uk/malaysia/sipad...isaland15.html
The normal routine out there is for the boat to leave the resort around
08:00am - 09:00am for Sipadan, two dives there and back to resort for
lunch then local dive etc.
But it all depends on what you want to do, you dont have to dive on
Sipadan, my last two trips out there i did'nt dive Sipadan at all.
I hope this is of use and interest to you.

So........enjoy your trip.


Dave Morgan @ Work in the UK
Take out the "goes diving" bit....
Trip photos on line at www.morg.co.uk

<morgand@cix.compulink.co.uk> wrote in message
news:8r6dncpBGcxmk43eRVnysw@pipex.net...
> In article <430f8842_4@alt.athenanews.com>, david_b_graves@hotmail.com
> (david graves) wrote:
>
> > *From:* "david graves" <david_b_graves@hotmail.com>
> > *Date:* Fri, 26 Aug 2005 23:22:33 +0200
> >
> > Hi.
> >
> > I've got a trip scheduled for Sipadan the 5th of Sept. I've heard that
> > this
> > may not be the best time to go. Anyone been there of late or heard
> > anything
> > about kidnappings or the haze over Malaysia or Borneo?
>
> I was there in June/July, not on Sipadan of course because there is only
> the Army allowed on there now (since Dec 04). But all appeared normal to
> me.

This statement could be somewhat misleading to the uniformed. The OP may
think that the reason that no one is allowed on Sipadan is due to the
kidnapping he's worried about. The reason that Sipadan has been closed is
environmental. As of January 1st 2005, all resorts were to vacate the Island
and it has become a fully protected conservation zone. Work is in progress
to list Sipadan as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

Early in 2004 The Malaysian Authorities announced the closure of all dive
resorts on Pulau Sipadan. With effect from 31st December 2004 all five
resorts on the island were required to close their doors and you will no
longer be able to stay on Sipadan.

In recent years the intensive pressure from the five Sipadan Island resorts
started to show on the reefs and marine life. Attempts to regulate the
impact, from the constant procession of divers, with quotas and other
initiatives were not successful and finally the decision was taken to close
the resorts on the island.

Luckily, Kapalai and Mabul are only about 15 minutes from the walls of
Sipadan. And you will find that the dive boats will go over to dive Sipadan
on a regular basis.

The waters around Kapalai and Mabul have their own unique underwater charms.
The resorts at both of these locations are of a more recent construction
than their neighbours on Sipadan and therefore boast more modern facilities.
I can speak to this with regard to Borneo Divers.

I stayed at Borneo Divers both on Sipadan and on Mabul, in May of 2004. The
resort on Sipadan was, ah . . . rustic, putting it kindly. The resort at
Mabul, was very nice, though it still needs some work on the grounds, to be
prettier. Also, I don't particularly care for their view of the rig that
David Morgan favors. ;^)

chilly wrote:
> <morgand@cix.compulink.co.uk> wrote in message
> news:8r6dncpBGcxmk43eRVnysw@pipex.net...
>
>>In article <430f8842_4@alt.athenanews.com>, david_b_graves@hotmail.com
>>(david graves) wrote:
>>
>>
>>>*From:* "david graves" <david_b_graves@hotmail.com>
>>>*Date:* Fri, 26 Aug 2005 23:22:33 +0200
>>>
>>>Hi.
>>>
>>>I've got a trip scheduled for Sipadan the 5th of Sept. I've heard that
>>>this
>>>may not be the best time to go. Anyone been there of late or heard
>>>anything
>>>about kidnappings or the haze over Malaysia or Borneo?
>>
>>I was there in June/July, not on Sipadan of course because there is only
>>the Army allowed on there now (since Dec 04). But all appeared normal to
>>me.
>
>
> This statement could be somewhat misleading to the uniformed. The OP may
> think that the reason that no one is allowed on Sipadan is due to the
> kidnapping he's worried about. The reason that Sipadan has been closed is
> environmental. As of January 1st 2005, all resorts were to vacate the Island
> and it has become a fully protected conservation zone. Work is in progress
> to list Sipadan as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
>
> Early in 2004 The Malaysian Authorities announced the closure of all dive
> resorts on Pulau Sipadan. With effect from 31st December 2004 all five
> resorts on the island were required to close their doors and you will no
> longer be able to stay on Sipadan.
>
> In recent years the intensive pressure from the five Sipadan Island resorts
> started to show on the reefs and marine life. Attempts to regulate the
> impact, from the constant procession of divers, with quotas and other
> initiatives were not successful and finally the decision was taken to close
> the resorts on the island.

IOW, someone finally counted the toilets and figured the sum was too
high. Gee, imagine someone giving enough of a shit to actually try
doing something about it. Strange world.

>
> Luckily, Kapalai and Mabul are only about 15 minutes from the walls of
> Sipadan. And you will find that the dive boats will go over to dive Sipadan
> on a regular basis.
>
> The waters around Kapalai and Mabul have their own unique underwater charms.
> The resorts at both of these locations are of a more recent construction
> than their neighbours on Sipadan and therefore boast more modern facilities.
> I can speak to this with regard to Borneo Divers.
>
> I stayed at Borneo Divers both on Sipadan and on Mabul, in May of 2004. The
> resort on Sipadan was, ah . . . rustic, putting it kindly. The resort at
> Mabul, was very nice, though it still needs some work on the grounds, to be
> prettier. Also, I don't particularly care for their view of the rig that
> David Morgan favors. ;^)
>
>



--
jer
email reply - I am not a 'ten'

"david graves" <david_b_graves@hotmail.com> wrote in
news:430f8842_4@alt.athenanews.com:

> Hi.
>
> I've got a trip scheduled for Sipadan the 5th of Sept. I've heard
> that this may not be the best time to go. Anyone been there of late
> or heard anything about kidnappings or the haze over Malaysia or
> Borneo?
>
> thanks.
> david
>
>
>

I was there in July of this year and I had a great time! I've already
started a campaign convincing SWMBO that we should go back there ASAP...

The kidnappings you refer to were somewhere in 2000 and since then nothing
of the sort has happened again. The presence of the army/police on Sipadan
may reassure you.

So, just go. You certainly won't regret it. The viz is great and at a
certain moment you'll simply stop counting the turtles and the sharks...

Oh yeah, if you have the possibility go and eat at the small open air fish
restaurant at the beginning of the pier in Semporna. The sea food is
delicious and the prices are ridiculous (and do try their fruit juices).

--
Michael Wolf
------------

Cthulhu for President! Why settle for the lesser evil?

remove stopspam to reply

"david graves" <david_b_graves@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:430f8842_4@alt.athenanews.com...
> Hi.
>
> I've got a trip scheduled for Sipadan the 5th of Sept. I've heard that
this
> may not be the best time to go. Anyone been there of late or heard
anything
> about kidnappings or the haze over Malaysia or Borneo?

With regard to the haze over Malaysia, you'll be diving off of Borneo. As
far as I know, that area is not affected and here's a news article from
yesterday to support that. I've highlighted (with ##) the portion that
should interest you most.

Malaysia haze triggers emergency

Kuala Lumpur's landmarks have disappeared
Malaysia has announced a state of emergency in two towns after air pollution
reached dangerous levels.
The pollution is blamed on fires lit to clear land in neighbouring
Indonesia, seriously affecting air quality and visibility across the Malacca
Strait.

Air quality readings taken in the two towns showed pollution markers to be
above the emergency level of 500.

The haze has prompted hundreds of schools to shut, as well as disrupting
airports and busy shipping lanes.

Malaysian and Indonesian officials met to discuss the fires, which are an
annual problem as poor farmers on Sumatra use fire to clear land for
planting.

This year's haze is the worst since 1998, when Malaysia was affected for
weeks, causing severe economic losses.

The readings over 500 were detected in the western towns of Port Klang and
Kuala Selangor.

MALAYSIA AIR QUALITY
0-50: good
51-100: moderate
101-200: unhealthy
201-300: very unhealthy
301-500: hazardous

Under the state of emergency, all workplaces must shut except for those
providing essential services, and selling food.

Air quality levels throughout the Klang Valley have reached levels
considered hazardous to health. Emergency measures could yet be introduced
in the region's major cities, including the capital Kuala Lumpur, Petaling
Jaya, Putrajaya and Shah Alam.

Schools in Kuala Lumpur and surrounding districts have been ordered to
close, and people have been advised to stay indoors and wear masks if they
venture out.

The BBC's Malaysia correspondent, Jonathan Kent, says the acrid smog that
has enveloped Kuala Lumpur is like sandpaper on the back of one's throat.

Some bars and restaurants have even offered special haze discounts on drinks
to tempt customers in.

##However, the country's tourist destinations including Penang, Langkawi,
the East Coast and Malaysian Borneo are almost entirely unaffected.##

Nevertheless there will be concern that pictures of the haze from the Kuala
Lumpur area will scare away visitors.

'900 fires burning'

With stock markets falling and hospitals inundated with people complaining
of eye, throat and chest problems, Malaysia is offering Indonesia help to
put out the fires that are causing the problem.

The two countries' leaders spoke on Wednesday, and on Thursday, Indonesian
Forestry Minister Malam Sambat Kaban met Malaysian Environment Minister
Adenan Satem in Sumatra, where more than 900 fires are reported to be
burning.

Malaysian officials would say only that there is a definite willingness to
co-operate.

Schools in Kuala Lumpur and parts of the state of Selangor will be closed
until Monday.

Students in schools that remain open are being told to stay in their
classrooms, drink warm water and wear masks if they have to venture
outdoors.

Our correspondent says there is no silver lining to this smog for those
students who have been told to stay at home.

They will have to make up for missed lessons on Saturdays once the pollution
has eased.

In article <0O0Qe.319822$s54.238275@pd7tw2no>, slarson@shaw.canada
(chilly) wrote:

> In recent years the intensive pressure from the five Sipadan Island
> resorts
> started to show on the reefs and marine life.

So they have closed the resorts there......A N D ........appear to be
doubling up on MABUL.......now it really will be a great place to "muck"
dive.....or should i say dive in "muck".......
I wonder how long it will take to destroy the fragile "free house reef" on
Mabul ? Lord knows how long the poor Mandarins on Paradise will last
now....

The "Rig" could be viewed as an eyesore by those from Mabul, it is not to
everyones taste i admit, but it is to mine, i am there for the diving,
nothing more.
It is a little "industrial" when your on board, but it is nice and quiet,
no sand.......jesus i hate sand, no flies......no, none at all. When me
and my wife have been there we have had the place to ourselves on two
seperate occasions for two weeks at a time........with only the weekend
small groups of three or four to swop dive stories with.....we like it
quiet, we can dive exactly where and when we want......and the food is
good too. Its also very inexpensive........
But like i say........not everyones cup of tea...........



Dave Morgan @ Work in the UK
Take out the "goes diving" bit....
Trip photos on line at www.morg.co.uk

<morgand@cix.compulink.co.uk> wrote in message
news:heudnZ2dnZ0YmFGWnZ2dnTquid6dnZ2dRVnyqp2dnZ0@p ipex.net...
> In article <0O0Qe.319822$s54.238275@pd7tw2no>, slarson@shaw.canada
> (chilly) wrote:
>
> > In recent years the intensive pressure from the five Sipadan Island
> > resorts
> > started to show on the reefs and marine life.
>
> So they have closed the resorts there......A N D ........appear to be
> doubling up on MABUL.......now it really will be a great place to "muck"
> dive.....or should i say dive in "muck".......
> I wonder how long it will take to destroy the fragile "free house reef" on
> Mabul ? Lord knows how long the poor Mandarins on Paradise will last
> now....

I'm sure it's going to become a problem. When last I was there, we were
calmly and respectfully, hovering over some mandarins. All of a sudden a
large group of Japanese divers arrived and pretty much pushed us out of the
way. So we went on a little tour and on our return, the other divers were
standing on the reef taking pictures. Yes, standing . . .

Aaaaarrrrggggghhhhhhh!

> The "Rig" could be viewed as an eyesore by those from Mabul, it is not to
> everyones taste i admit, but it is to mine, i am there for the diving,
> nothing more.

You don't have to *look* at it from your vantage point. :^)

> It is a little "industrial" when your on board, but it is nice and quiet,
> no sand.......jesus i hate sand, no flies......no, none at all. When me
> and my wife have been there we have had the place to ourselves on two
> seperate occasions for two weeks at a time........with only the weekend
> small groups of three or four to swop dive stories with.....we like it
> quiet, we can dive exactly where and when we want......and the food is
> good too. Its also very inexpensive........
> But like i say........not everyones cup of tea...........
>
>
>
> Dave Morgan @ Work in the UK
> Take out the "goes diving" bit....
> Trip photos on line at www.morg.co.uk

In article <ud0Re.338380$s54.198844@pd7tw2no>, slarson@shaw.canada
(chilly) wrote:

>
> I'm sure it's going to become a problem. When last I was there, we were
> calmly and respectfully, hovering over some mandarins. All of a sudden
> a
> large group of Japanese divers arrived and pretty much pushed us out of
> the
> way. So we went on a little tour and on our return, the other divers
> were
> standing on the reef taking pictures. Yes, standing . . .
>
> Aaaaarrrrggggghhhhhhh!
>

I have seen the same thing happen on several occasions, we dont bother
going to see them anymore, its a waste of time, you wait patiently only to
get a band of 6 to 8 divers treading water above the coral, landing on the
coral and then kick seven kinds of shit out of while trying to get their
balance.......poor Mandarins must wonder whats hit them.
I blame the resort guides, they are in charge of their groups, they should
give strong and stern briefings and limit the numbers they take.

> > The "Rig" could be viewed as an eyesore by those from Mabul, it is
> > not to
> > everyones taste i admit, but it is to mine, i am there for the diving,
> > nothing more.
>
> You don't have to *look* at it from your vantage point. :^)

You should try the Rig, the views are stunning......mainland as the sun
sets........the view of tropical Mabul and Kapalai is lovely......whats
the view like from Mabul ??????????............i rest my case.....stay on
the Rig. ;^)

Dave Morgan @ Work in the UK
Take out the "goes diving" bit....
Trip photos on line at www.morg.co.uk

<morgand@cix.compulink.co.uk> wrote in message
news:fvadnZ2dnZ06ldP2nZ2dnR3wiN6dnZ2dRVnypJ2dnZ0@p ipex.net...
> In article <ud0Re.338380$s54.198844@pd7tw2no>, slarson@shaw.canada
> (chilly) wrote:
>
> >
> > I'm sure it's going to become a problem. When last I was there, we were
> > calmly and respectfully, hovering over some mandarins. All of a sudden
> > a
> > large group of Japanese divers arrived and pretty much pushed us out of
> > the
> > way. So we went on a little tour and on our return, the other divers
> > were
> > standing on the reef taking pictures. Yes, standing . . .
> >
> > Aaaaarrrrggggghhhhhhh!
> >
>
> I have seen the same thing happen on several occasions, we dont bother
> going to see them anymore, its a waste of time, you wait patiently only to
> get a band of 6 to 8 divers treading water above the coral, landing on the
> coral and then kick seven kinds of shit out of while trying to get their
> balance.......poor Mandarins must wonder whats hit them.
> I blame the resort guides, they are in charge of their groups, they should
> give strong and stern briefings and limit the numbers they take.
>
> > > The "Rig" could be viewed as an eyesore by those from Mabul, it is
> > > not to
> > > everyones taste i admit, but it is to mine, i am there for the diving,
> > > nothing more.
> >
> > You don't have to *look* at it from your vantage point. :^)
>
> You should try the Rig, the views are stunning......mainland as the sun
> sets........the view of tropical Mabul and Kapalai is lovely......whats
> the view like from Mabul ??????????............i rest my case.....stay on
> the Rig. ;^)

LOL

In article <gueRe.343974$s54.138282@pd7tw2no>, slarson@shaw.canada
(chilly) wrote:

>
> LOL

;^)

Dave Morgan @ Work in the UK
Take out the "goes diving" bit....
Trip photos on line at www.morg.co.uk