First station awarded MS ISO 9002
The Sungai Apong Shell Station at Kuching-By-Pass in Kuching, was the first recipient of the MS ISO 9002 on 18 October 1996.
The award was based on the station’s implementation of a quality system complying with the MS ISO 9002: 1994, a model for quality, assurance in production, installation & servicing. It is also awarded for the station’s receiving, storing and sales of Shell Oil Lubricants & the execution of ‘Servis Bagus’.
The station is owned by Kho Hun Ching and managed by his son Patrick Kho Guan Teck, and has a current workforce of 11 staff. It only commenced business in July 1990.
Youngest to climb stairs on clenched toes
At the age of nine years old, Tay Chong Wii succeeded in climbing 20 floors on his clenched toes, on 2 September 1999.
The pupil of SRK Kenyalang, Kuching achieved his feat up to the 20th floor of the 21-storey Menara Pelita, Kuching where the State Tourism Ministry’s office is located. As practice, Chong Wii had trained at home for over four years, inspired after watching a show of record-breaking climbs on television.
Upon the completion of his mission, he was greeted by the then Minister of Tourism, Dato’ Dr. James Jemut Masing.
First rock climbers
On 22 August 1999, trio Kevin Nila, Mathew Nuek and Jong Sze Fui were certified as the first rock climbers in Sarawak. Their batch graduated after a one-day intensive basic rock climbing course at the new Batman Wall at the Fairy Caves in Bau.
Organised by Best Systems Sdn Bhd, the course covered sports climbing topics like safety awareness, knotting the harness, basic climbing techniques and belaying. Rock climbing at the Batman Wall has since attracted many rock-climbing enthusiasts especially during weekends.
First to climb Mount Everest
Photographer and former army personnel, Rapaee Kawi is the first Sarawakian to reach the Mount Everest Base camp some 17,712 feet above sea level in April 1997.
The Melanau from Dalat, trekked and hiked without a guide on the last day of the ten-day walk, determined to transfix Sarawak’s flag on the world’s most famous mountain. However, after a two-hour walk, a severe snowstorm settled in, forcing him to seek refuge until the following day where he continued and succeeded in his feat. The Mount Everest mission took place from April 29 until May 29 1997, when Rapaee was 40 years of age.
A parachute jumper during his service in the army attached to the Rapid Development Force (PAC), he has received numerous awards and recognition for his feat by both the Malaysian Government and the United Nations (UN).
(To be continued)
