HALAL Brushes.?

Few day ago, I've attended a small talk regarding on The concept of Halal Certification Procedures conducted by Halal Development Unit Head from Islamic Religious Department, Sarawak (JAIS) as it was required for us to understand and aware on the issue as it affected our industries.

We come to understand that even a paint brush and pastries brush was made from pig hair.. Hence, it is only allowed a nylon brush (white colour) to be used in order to comply with the Halal standard in pastries making. The black brush (red colour handle) that we offen saw in hardware store and supermarket are not allowed and been considered Non Halal. Currently, non of our domestic brush manufacturing do have a Halal certificate for brush it's due to it was never been an issue or debate for such things before.

However, currently such matter has been questioned regarding on the "Halal-ness" and soon well gets to see even a brush with have Halal certificate with it especially brush for food service production & school kids watercolour brushes in Malaysia. Some brushes production company was very intiative or should I said too fast to come out an idea too prove their products was not produce by pig hair in order to safeguard their business while waiting for Halal Certificate or they just feel comfortable with the current quote in every products they have without Halal certification.

Let me share with a picture that I managed to get which it written the quote on the one of the school kids watercolour brushes itself as "Suitable for Muslim".

"Suitable For Muslim" watercolur brush nylon series

Japanese Destroyer Shinonome

While I was googling Google Maps on Miri, I notice that there's a spot which tagged "Japanese Destroyer Shinonome", to tell the truth I never knew such things was existed in Miri nor heard about any old folks brought out such story before.

I wonder is there still left any ship wreckage remains left and why it's there, it's supposed sank in the sea.. Anyone aware whether it's out there for viewing? Maybe I'll plan a trip to have a visit and look around that on the area see what can find out.

World War II history

At the time of the attack on Pearl Harbor, Shinonome was assigned to Destroyer Division 12 of Desron 3 of the IJN 1st Fleet, and had deployed from Kure Naval District to the port of Samah on Hainan Island. From 4 December to 12 December, she covered Japanese landings at Kota Bharu in Malaya.

From 16 December, Shinonome was assigned to cover Japanese landings during "Operation B", the invasion of British Borneo. The official record of her demise, however, is ambiguous. Although some Japanese sources at the time claimed that she hit a naval mine, there are no extant records of either British or Dutch mine-laying in the area.

 It is generally accepted that the Shinonome was sunk by Dutch military aircraft, either (a) on 17 December 1941, after being struck by two bombs from a Dornier Do 24 flying boat X-32 of the Royal Dutch Naval Air Group GVT-7, which detonated her aft magazine, or (b) on 18 December 1941, after an attack by Martin B-10 bombers of the Royal Netherlands East Indies Army Air Force (2de Vl.G).

In either case, Shinonome exploded and sank with all hands in the vicinity of Miri, Sarawak (04°24′N 114°0′E) On 15 January 1942, Shinonome was struck from the navy list.

Shinonome wreckage
The exact position of the wreck of Shinonome remains unknown, but it likely lies somewhere between Seria, Brunei to the north, and Miri town itself. A team of wreck researchers, based in Miri and with help from the Netherlands, has been searching for the ship's remains since 2004. The team has identified several prospective sites, and is in the process of confirming them. The position, orientation and condition of the wreck will help to resolve the lingering uncertainty about the circumstances surrounding the Shinonome's demise.

(Shinonome in 1930)

Source: Wiki - Japanese destroyer Shinonome (1927)

Introduction of Miri City (Sarawak, Malaysia)

Oh my gosh, I almost forgot to share the most important post to you all and it's about my hometown. So here we'll briefly include in this post about my hometown, Miri city (Sarawak, Malaysia)

(Day view of Miri City)

Miri is a city in northern Sarawak, Malaysia, on the island of Borneo. Miri is home to a population of about 300,000 people and is thus the second largest city in Sarawak. It serves as the government administrative centre of Miri District (4,707.1 square kilometers) in Miri Division of Sarawak. Miri was elevated to city status on May 20, 2005 and it is the 10th city in Malaysia (Kuching has 2 cities) and its local authority i.e. Miri City Council is the 10th city council in Malaysia.

( Coordinates: 4°23′34.74″N 113°58′49.08″E / 4.3929833, 113.9803 )

Miri is the birthplace of Sarawak's petroleum industry, which remains the major industry of the city. The first oil well was drilled by Shell in 1910, and is now a state monument and one of Miri's tourist attractions. Shell also built Malaysia's first oil refinery in Lutong, a suburb of Miri in 1914. Recently, vast oil reserves were discovered just offshore northeast of the city. Miri has grown phenomenally since oil was first discovered in the early 1900's, burgeoning into the modern and dynamic business, commercial and educational centre it is today.

The city's other major industries include processed timber, oil palm production, and tourism. The world famous Gunung Mulu National Park with the Sarawak chamber, a half an hour flight from the city, is one of the favourite eco-tourism destinations. Miri is also the main tourist gateway for the Loagan Bunut National Park, Lambir National Park and the Niah Caves at the Niah Caves National Park. Miri is lately known for its exotic coral reefs as well.

 (Night view of Miri City from Canada Hill)

Let's Wiki for more info on Miri & Travelling Info: Wikitravel