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Comment by 超人偶爾飛 20 hours ago

From Siquati to Sampanmangio: Frank Hatton's First Expedition Across Northern Borneo (1881–1882)

 Introduction

In the closing months of 1881, a young British geologist named Frank Hatton embarked on what would become one of the earliest documented scientific expeditions into the interior of northern Borneo. Employed by the British North Borneo Company as a mineral explorer, Hatton's assignment was to investigate the region's geological resources while documenting its rivers, mountains, forests, and indigenous communities. His observations were later published posthumously in North Borneo: Explorations and Adventures on the Equator, a work that remains one of the most important firsthand accounts of nineteenth-century Sabah. [1]

Among his earliest journeys was the expedition from Siquati (also recorded as Sequati or Sekuati) to Sampanmangio, undertaken between late 1881 and January 1882. Although relatively short in distance—estimated at approximately 40 to 50 batu (64–80 kilometres)—the journey crossed an exceptionally varied landscape of coastal shores, tidal estuaries, dense tropical rainforest, rivers, and rugged hills.

A Scientific Mission into the Unknown

Frank Hatton arrived in North Borneo in 1881 at only twenty years of age. Trained at the Royal School of Mines in London, he possessed both geological expertise and an adventurous spirit. The British North Borneo Company commissioned him to evaluate the colony's mineral potential, particularly deposits of coal, copper, antimony, petroleum, and precious metals.[2]

Unlike many explorers of his era whose objectives were primarily political or military, Hatton's expeditions were scientific. He carefully documented:

 geological formations,
 river systems,
 mineral occurrences,
 vegetation,
 wildlife,
 and the customs of indigenous peoples.

His notebooks reveal an explorer equally fascinated by natural history and human society.

Comment by 超人偶爾飛 22 hours ago

The Journey from Siquati to Sampanmangio

Hatton departed Siquati on 23 November 1881, beginning a difficult expedition that combined travel by canoe with long stretches on foot.

His route followed the western coastline northward before turning inland near Marudu Bay, crossing forested terrain toward the settlement of Sampanmangio*. According to his diary, the expedition demanded constant adaptation to changing terrain:

 navigating shallow rivers,
 traversing muddy estuaries,
 climbing low hills,
 and cutting paths through dense rainforest.

* historically referred to as Sampanmangio Point, is today known as the Tip of Borneo (or Tanjung Simpang Mengayau in Malay and Tanjung Sampang Mangazou in the local Rungus language)

The expedition eventually reached Sampanmangio in January 1882 after weeks of arduous travel. Hatton later wrote that he had travelled through "rivers, beaches and forests" before finally arriving at the village, reflecting the logistical challenges of exploration in nineteenth-century Borneo. [1]

Observations of the Rungus People

One of the most valuable aspects of Hatton's journals is his description of the indigenous inhabitants of northern Borneo.

During the nineteenth century, British officials commonly referred to these communities collectively as "Dusun." Today, the people encountered by Hatton around Kudat are recognised as the Momogun Rungus, one of Sabah's major indigenous groups.

Hatton observed several aspects of Rungus life that reflected a well-organised and self-sufficient society.

 Settlement Patterns

Villages were commonly established near:

 rivers,
 coastal areas,
 and the foothills.

These locations provided reliable access to water, transportation routes, fishing grounds, and fertile agricultural land.

 Agriculture

The Rungus cultivated:

 hill rice,
 yam,
 taro,
 and other food crops.

This diversified agricultural system enabled communities to adapt to local environmental conditions while maintaining food security throughout the year.

 Hunting and Daily Life

Men commonly carried:

 spears,
 parang (broad-bladed machetes),
 and blowpipes.

These tools served both hunting and defensive purposes, illustrating the close relationship between the people and the surrounding forest.

Women were noted for wearing:

 colourful bead ornaments,
 copper bracelets,
 and finely woven traditional garments.

Hatton regarded their craftsmanship as particularly impressive.

Comment by 超人偶爾飛 22 hours ago

Spiritual Beliefs and Customs

Hatton also documented aspects of Rungus spirituality.

Ceremonies frequently involved the ritual sacrifice of chickens or pigs as offerings intended to seek blessings or protection from ancestral spirits. These ceremonies were conducted under the guidance of respected ritual specialists, today known among the Rungus as bobolizan.

He further recorded the community's belief in:

 bird omens,
 prophetic dreams,
 and ritual taboos observed before journeys or warfare.

Such beliefs formed an integral part of decision-making and reflected a worldview deeply connected with nature.

 Skills and Community Organisation

Beyond agriculture and hunting, Hatton admired the practical skills of the Rungus.

He noted their expertise in:

 constructing durable timber houses,
 basket weaving,
 textile production,
 and maintaining orderly village communities.

These observations challenged European assumptions that indigenous societies were primitive, revealing instead a sophisticated culture well adapted to its environment.

Geological Importance of the Expedition

Although the expedition is remembered for its ethnographic observations, its principal objective remained geological exploration.

Hatton searched for indications of:

 coal,
 petroleum,
 copper,
 antimony,
 and other economically valuable minerals.

His surveys contributed to the earliest scientific understanding of northern Borneo's geological resources and helped shape subsequent exploration conducted under the British North Borneo Company. [1]

 A Legacy Cut Short

Frank Hatton's promising career ended tragically in March 1883 when he died from the accidental discharge of his own rifle during another expedition on the Segama River. He was only twenty-one years old.

Following his death, his father, Joseph Hatton, compiled Frank's diaries, official reports, and correspondence into North Borneo: Explorations and Adventures on the Equator, ensuring that his observations would survive as an invaluable historical record. The book remains a foundational source for the history, geography, and ethnography of nineteenth-century Sabah. [3]

Conclusion

Frank Hatton's first expedition from Siquati to Sampanmangio was more than a geological reconnaissance. It was an encounter between scientific exploration and the rich cultural landscape of northern Borneo. His detailed descriptions of the terrain, rivers, forests, and the Momogun Rungus people provide modern readers with a rare glimpse into Sabah during the early colonial period.

While modern interpretations—such as educational infographics and museum panels—help make his journey accessible to contemporary audiences, Hatton's original diaries remain the principal historical source. Together, they preserve the story of one of Borneo's earliest scientific explorers and the remarkable communities he encountered along the way. [1]

[1] North Borneo: Explorations and Adventures on the Equator - Frank Hatton - Google Books 

[2] Frank Hatton (explorer) 

[3] Our Book Shelf | Nature

Comment by 超人偶爾飛 on July 10, 2026 at 11:55am

George Matib：Large-scale bamboo planting is what Sabah needs

SABAH is a lucky and privileged state in Malaysia. It has always been fed with privileged policies and programme from the Federal Government by the authoritative Malayan Malay Officials.

Recently the Malaysian Timber Industry Board (MTIB) announced Malayan Bamboo Industry Development Action Plan Preparation workshop at Kota Kinabalu. MTIB widely published the outline of its Action Plan. Daily Express published the “goodie goodies” news.

These MTIB policies and programmes are among the many policies introduced in Sabah by both the Federal and State Government. These included: Planting of vanilla, planting of passion fruits, rearing Burung Puyu, rabbit for “satay” and a few others. All were said to provide an income of around RM100,000 yearly to every Sabahan family. That equates to over RM8,000 per month. This would automatically elevate poor Sabahans to Middle Class. This is, of course, great news, unfortunately though, most of the programme funds will be spent in Malaya. Sabah by default will get almost zero. This is fact.

陳楨·福職：舞狮與非物質文化遺產

Comment by 超人偶爾飛 on July 10, 2026 at 11:53am

MTIB is fully aware that Sabah has zero products for local consumption including fruits and vegetables. The only export product is Palm Oil, which is mostly owned by West Malaysian (Malayan) companies and little rubber – that is all. Manufactured goods is also zero.

It is conclusively stated by MTIB to place Sabah as Number One Bamboo State in Malaysia. The claims that Tambunan has the largest bamboo area in Malaysia is also a gimmick. The policy is defective for the following reasons:

- The limit of growing just 24 hectares is just “main-main” bamboo farm;

- The grant of loan given did not cover living funds for a farmer to survive while waiting for the bamboo to be harvested in the 10th year or RM1,000 per month x 12 x 10 years = RM120,000.

- No mention of end product nor the price per ton of bamboo powder or chips;

- MTIB also did not take into account that countries such as Indo-China, Philippines, Indonesia who have millions of hectares of natural bamboo. It is not exploited or harvested because it costs more. These same countries have also been making various bamboo products for “donkey years”;

- MTIB purposely fail to fix the price of bamboo in the 10th year and more importantly, mention the type of bamboo to be planted.

- MTIB makes no mention when the bamboo will mature, just in case it decides to ban the export of Commercially Cultivated bamboo just like it did when it decided to ban the export of commercially cultivated timber logs.

It is high time that MTIB as a Federal Government Agency when promoting the cultivation of commercial timber and now bamboo, should undertake and give assurance to the prospective bamboo growers in Sabah the following:-

1. There will be no ban of products export from Sabah either by the Federal or State Government;

2. MTIB provide special fund of RM1 billion, just like the Commercial Timber Fund of 4pc interest be only payable after first harvest (11th year);

3. MTIB will set up bamboo processing factory in Tambunan, Beaufort and Kudat by 2030 – when the planted bamboo is due for harvesting;

4. Guarantee a price of US$1,000 per ton of fresh bamboo;

5. Loan application approval within 3 months.

Sabah leaders at this point, after many many years should confront these Authoritative Malayan Malay Officials as to why almost all Federal policy and programmes introduced in Sabah almost always fail.

Replying on supply of bamboo from the wild is impractical as it is costly to harvest, they grow scattered around in many places. Whereas bamboo planted in a plantation is more cost effective and it is practical and viable venture. A large scale bamboo plantation must be established to continuously supply fresh bamboo to the factory. It will act as an anchor supplier of fresh bamboo whilst the rest of the small farmers can join in as the industry grows.

Based on facts and figures, Sabah must undertake large scale Bamboo planting in order to meet worldwide market demand given its unlimited usage application.

George Matib, Tambunan

(Sabah Daily Express, Published on: Sun, Dec 13, 2020)

Comment by 超人偶爾飛 on May 19, 2026 at 7:54pm

當土地只剩下金主的
「土地銀行」（Landbanking）的概念

國家土地屬於全體人民，是實現社會公平與民生福祉的根本保障。法定管理者僅受人民托付履行代管之責，絕非謀取私利的特權，更不能將其異化為少數人甚至個別利益集團的私產。

在一個健康的現代法治社會中，國家土地資源的分配與管理必須遵循以下原則：

公共利益至上：土地的規劃、開發與利用必須以提升全民生活質量、保障社會福利為核心，杜絕權力尋租和土地腐敗。

權力的邊界與監督：法定管理者行使的是行政管理權。這種權力源於人民的授權與憲法賦予的職責，必須在公開透明的制度框架內運行，接受民眾和法律的嚴格監督。

全民共享其惠：土地收益的分配理應普惠大眾，用於社會保障、公共設施建設等民生事業，縮小貧富差距，捍衛社會公正。任何將公共資源據為己有或濫用職權的行為，不僅違背了國家設立的初衷，也必然會損害廣大人民的根本利益。

維護土地的公共屬性，保障人民對土地資源的知情權、參與權和監督權，是防止權力濫用、實現社會長治久安的關鍵。

為什麼人民老感覺「政府像地主」？

雖然法律概念清楚，但現實經驗卻往往產生相反觀感。原因在於，州政府擁有極大的土地裁量權，包括：

發放土地；轉換土地用途；批准發展項目；發出或撤銷TOL；收回土地；徵地；執法拆除。如果這些權力缺乏有效監督，就容易讓人民感覺：「誰掌權，誰就控制土地。」特別是在以下情況：

長期默許佔用後突然執法；同類情況出現選擇性執法。土地價值提高後收回發展；政商利益關係複雜；補償標准不一致；土地批准過程不透明。

公眾就會開始質疑：政府究竟是在維護公共利益？還是：借國家權力重新分配利益？

於是，「政府管理土地」在社會心理上，逐漸滑向：「執政者把土地當成自己的。」這也是許多土地爭議背後真正的政治與法律焦慮。

法治社會如何防止「管理權」變成「主人權」？

現代法律制度並不是完全信任政府「自律」。相反地，法治的核心精神正是：所有公權力都必須被限制。因此，即使政府依法管理土地，也必須受到多重約束。

政府必須依法行政: 任何土地決定：收地; 拆除; 撤銷准證; 驅逐佔用者, 都必須依據法律程序進行。政府不能因為「這是政府地」，就跳過法律程序。否則就可能構成：越權; 程序不公; 濫用權力.

行政權必須接受司法審查：在現代法治體系中，法院並不只是處理私人糾紛。法院也負責監督政府。

若人民認為政府：不合理；不公平；惡意執法；違反程序。理論上可以申請：Judicial Review（司法審核）

這意味著：政府不是最終權力來源，法律才是。公共土地必須服務公共利益：這是現代土地法最重要的原則之一。

政府管理國家土地的目的，應當是：城市規劃；公共安全；基礎建設；環境保護；公共發展。而不是：政治利益；朋黨分配；選擇性照顧；權力尋租。否則，「國家土地」就會逐漸異化為：當全支配資源的工具。

土地行政必須透明：透明，是防止權力私有化最有效的方法。包括：土地批准公開；招標公開；條件公開；征地理由公開；補償機制公開。因為一旦土地制度缺乏透明：人民就很難相信：政府是在「管理國家土地」，而不是「分配自己的土地給既得利益者」。

直落昂事件為何引發社會共鳴？2026年5月雪蘭莪直落昂非法工廠拆除事件之所以敏感，正因為它觸碰了這種深層矛盾。

州政府強調：土地屬於政府地；工廠沒有正式產權；有者只是TOL；屬於非法佔用。

但業者則強調：已經營數十年；長期繳費繳稅；有水電供應；與地方政府長期互動。於是社會開始出現一個關鍵問題：當政府長期默許一種存在後，是否還能完全以「非法佔地」簡單定義？

這裡涉及的不只是技術性法律問題。還包括：legitimate expectation（合理期待）；行政公平；信賴利益；國家與人民之間的誠信關係；因此，土地問題不只是：「有沒有地契」，而更是：國家如何運用權力對待人民。

真正的法治，不是政府擁有更多權力，而是權力受到更多限制。一個成熟的法治社會，並不意味著：政府可以無限行使國家權力。恰恰相反。真正成熟的法治，是即使政府擁有權力，也必須持續證明自己受到法律約束。

因此，「國家土地」最重要的概念，並不是：「土地歸政府」而是：「土地由政府代表國家與人民依法管理。」兩者看似接近，實際上卻是兩種完全不同的政治文明。

前者容易滑向：權力私人化；行政傲慢；國家資源政治化。後者則強調：公共托管；法律限制；人民監督；憲政責任。而這道界線，正是法治國家與權力國家之間最根本的區別。

此事若發生在選擧在即，情势對某方人馬不妙的季節，難免叫人聯想翩翩。

Comment by 超人偶爾飛 on April 28, 2025 at 9:44am

《荀子·勸學》還有那麼一句，譯文如下：

螃蟹有六隻腳和兩隻鉗夾，（但是）如果沒有蛇、黃鱔的洞穴它就無處藏身，這是因為它用心十分浮躁啊。

(反觀蚯蚓光秃秃的，却能在大地上生存、活動。)

讓当今的人反思，有的個人或社會，所有的好處都有了，却偏偏不好好實幹，整天還老盯着别人的好處，想佔人好處。这不只是浮躁，還貪婪呢。

原句：蟹六跪而二螯，非蛇蟺之穴無可寄托者，用心躁也。

小說法，大道理，可以在不同的語境中使用。

Comment by 超人偶爾飛 on April 7, 2025 at 5:55pm

陳明發：自我表達機制

中國學者陳思和（許紀霖等，1996）曾預測，當知識越來越普及，經商的、當官的以及從事各種行業的人，都可能有較高的學歷。但他也憂慮，對於世界的人文關懷，並不是人人能做的；這使到人文學科的知識分子具有特殊的地位。這個社群，秉承了入世態度，對世界、對社會有著獨特的理解方式和介入方式。什麼方式呢？就是從政治中分離出來後，建立起來的一種自我表達機制。

許紀霖、陳思和、蔡翔等：《道統、學統與正統》，載王曉明編 《人文精神尋思錄》，文匯出版社，1996，第55頁。（見：陳 昶｜民間：從文學史走向思想史 ——也談陳思和的「民間」話語與學術思想新變｜注釋㉕｜《南方文壇》2023年第5期）

Comment by 超人偶爾飛 on April 3, 2025 at 4:04pm

陳明發：四月·宫崎駿

四月是最為殘酷的月份，
從混雜著
記憶和欲望的荒地......

     (艾略特 1922)

我說 你是人間的四月天；
笑響點亮了四面風；......

     (林徽因，1934)

......從混雜著
記憶和欲望的荒地
人人都變成了宮崎駿
漫畫中的人物

......笑響點亮了四面風
四月，誰曾
走進過宮崎駿的世界？

     (陳明發 2025)

這幾天，ChatGPT祭出#宮崎駿風格構圖的AI應用程序，一般民眾樂得自己在視象世界裡，變成了大師敘事中的形象。

日本動畫家宮崎駿導演的《龍貓》（My Neighbor Totoro，1988）, 我看了不知多少遍。當然，不是每一回都是從頭看到尾；但有好幾幕我的私己經典，可是來來去去都不時看。每一回看完，都有心境又洗滌一番的清涼感；因為源自個人體驗交織而成的共鳴，給了我一種"重遇美好舊時光"的意會。

這裡提一提其中三幕：

陳明發《龍猫：不僅僅是童心》

Comment by 超人偶爾飛 on March 11, 2025 at 10:44am

西海岸內陸災情嚴重·賓客涉水趕赴會場

盡管西海岸及內陸多地因山崩、水災及道路受阻，影響出行，主賓、特別嘉賓及多名福州社團代表仍克服困難，從根地咬、亞庇等地趕赴實必丹，出席實必丹福州公會第4屆（2024-2026）理事宣誓就職聯歡晚宴。

沙巴暨納閩福州社團聯合總會總會長拿督黃勤如及沙巴古田公會會長鄭仁保，因金馬利根地咬路段山崩封路，改道吧巴—實必丹—丹南—根地咬，並於當地逗留一晚。

翌日，兩人原計劃經根地咬前往實必丹，途中遇路段塌陷封閉，遂繞行擔布南—兵南邦—吧巴—保佛，全程逾220公里。途中，他們更遭遇保佛魯馬丹路段嚴重水災，最終由實必丹福州公會主席甲必丹蘇詩登派人接載，涉水趕赴會場。

主賓拿督謝向智、拿汀李碧仙等人亦克服漲水路段，提前順利抵達。眾多福州社團代表，包括納閩福州公會、亞庇閩清公會、兵南邦福州公會與沙巴古田公會等趕到實必丹。

晚宴後，黃勤如、鄭仁保及部分代表連夜返回亞庇，謝向智、納閩福州公會主席曾祖忠等則於次日涉水返程，出席沙巴亞庇屏南同鄉會宣誓就職晚宴。

蘇詩登表示，本屆任期結束後將退位讓賢，但黃勤如則希望他繼續領導，推動公會發展，落實會所計劃，讓實必丹福州人擁有自己的家園。

黃勤如強調，福州人應充滿信心，積極發展公會，並宣布沙巴暨納閩福州社團聯合總會2026新春交流聯歡晚宴將於明年1月23日在斗湖舉行。

保佛魯馬丹水漲船高路區車輛被困形成車龍。（11.3.2025 星洲日報）
（亜洲時報 9.3.2025）

相關：Abraham Kok 李志良臉書

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