Taipei in March: 3

We managed to see the two tallest buildings in Taiwan. Tuntex 85 Sky Tower in Kaohsiung and Taipei 101.

TUNTEX 85 SKY TOWER, KAOHSIUNG

TAIPEI 101

An important structural component: Wind Damper.

Taipei in March: 2

SHILIN NIGHT MARKET

One of the most publicized night markets is Shilin Night Market. It is really huge, a food heaven. We went there three times. The last was to go and eat the glutinous rice balls (both salty and sweet version) for the second time the night before we flew back to KK.

Lanterns spice up the place with a festive mood!

Cantonese bubur taste different here.

  Escargot is unbelievably cheap here !! For NT$150 (about RM 16), one can have 17 nos.

All kinds of seafood

Pork galore!!

Meat wrapped in thin pancake. Showtime - like our roti canai man.

Oysters fried in eggs. We still feel our Malaysian version is better.

Our favourite stall - Glutinous rice balls. We had it 2 days in a row. The outlet owner was surprised that we could find our way back to his little outlet tucked in a narrow side lane

 Caramelised corn on the cob.

" Tien Phin" or sweet dessert.

Taipei in March: 1

A so-call free MAS Airlines KK- Taipei return air ticket exchanged from enrich miles still costs a very substantial sum of RM 893.00 per person just tax and surcharges alone! Nevertheless, travelling on our own and free from the hassle of tour group was an experience not to be missed.

It turned out that touring Taipei on our own was a right decision we made. We took our own sweet time, changed our schedule as and when it suited us. Tried as many varieties of local food as our stomach could handle and tried all modes of transport: taxi, bus, MRT and High Speed Rail  (HSR).

YANGMINGSHAN NATIONAL PARK

SHILIN PRESIDENTIAL RESIDENCE

This was once the official presidential residence of Chiang Kai-shek. Since the next president took over, this had been left unoccupied and kept from public viewing for a very long time until Chen Shui-bian became president. Chen Shui-bian opened it for viewing by the the locals and tourists.

  Cadillac once used by Soong May-ling, wife of Chiang Kai-shek

Chapter 12: Controversy on Date of Birth of Lotimboi

While researching the history of my grandmother's family, I encountered a significant discrepancy - perhaps even a controversy - regarding the ages of my grandmother and her siblings.

 

Most of the people I spoke with, who had some knowledge of the family, agreed that my grandmother was the eldest of the five siblings. However, information found on the tombstones and in printed document suggests otherwise.

 

According to the tombstone, my grandmother was born on is 13.8.1913. Yet, the tombstone of Dungko lists his birth date as 9.9.1895, and a booklet compiled by student researchers records Rampas's birth year as 1907. Although the birthdates of the remaining two siblings, Gomingo and Kundipoi, are unknown, it is clear from the available dates that Lotimboi (my grandmother) could not have been the eldest, as previously believed.

Secondly, the order of Rombis's children as listed in the publication on Gomorun's descendants, is as follows: Dungko, Gomingo, Rampas, Kundipoi and Lotimboi. Whether this sequence reflects the compiler's understanding of their birth order or is merely coincidental, it is notable that Lotimboi's name appears last among the five siblings.

Thirdly, my sister recalled a past conversation with our late mother, in which she mentioned that our grandmother was indeed very young when she married my grandfather. If 1913 is accepted as her birth year, She would have been just 14 when she married in 1927 - a year before our mother was born. However, if we were to accept 1894 as her birth year (which would make her older than Dungko who was born in 1895), she would have been in her thirties at the time of her marriage, which contradicts the family narrative.

I hope to shed more light on this discrepancy by locating the descendants of Gomingo - my grandmother Lotimboi's sister - to determine Gomingo's date of birth. Until then, I will continue to consider 1913 as my grandmother's year of birth, which, interestingly would make her the youngest, not the eldest, of the siblings!

Chapter 11: Rampas Gumpai - A Man Dedicated to Public Service - Part 2

When OKK Rampas Gumpai served as a court official, his wisdom, intelligence, and fair judgment earned the respect of both friends and adversaries. One memorable story, often recounted by his brother Dungko, illustrates his remarkable ability to resolve even the most complicated cases.

This particular case, involving a disputed ownership of a buffalo, had remained unresolved for four years, despite being handled by several OKKs across multiple districts. Finally, in 1958, it was referred to OKK Rampas. Upon reviewing the case, he calmly remarked:

“This is an easy case to resolve. I don’t need the formality of a courtroom, or tables and pens.”

When the day of the hearing arrived, a large crowd gathered, curious to witness how he would settle the long-standing dispute. The case involved two men - one Lotud and one Bajau - each claiming ownership of the same buffalo. OKK Rampas asked the buffalo to be placed in the middle of a large open field, and then instructed the two claimants to stand at opposite ends. He told both men to call out to the buffalo. The man to whom the buffalo responded would be declared the rightful owner.

As the two shouted and coaxed the animal from afar, the crowd watched in tense anticipation. After a moment of hesitation, the buffalo slowly made its way toward the Lotud man. With that, OKK Rampas announced the verdict. The field erupted in applause, and the crowd gave him a standing ovation.

The creativity and fairness of his approach not only resolved the case but elevated public admiration for his judicial wisdom to a new level. However, his rising prominence also stirred jealousy and unease among some of his peers and colleagues.

It is said that about a month after the case, OKK Rampas attended a celebration in Tuaran. The next day, he fell seriously ill, vomiting blood. Many believed he had been poisoned. He never fully recovered, and sadly, he passed away in 1966. Around this time, he also remarried his fourth wife, Limpoton.

This story raises some intriguing questions:

1. If the buffalo ownership dispute really dragged on for four years, what happened to the poor animal during that time? Where was it kept, and who was responsible for its care and well-being?

2. Could a buffalo truly recognize and respond to its rightful owner after such a long separation?

The tale also brings to mind the biblical story from 1 Kings 3:16 - 28, in which King Solomon resolved a dispute between two women claiming to be the mother of the same baby. Instead of a buffalo, the contested subject was an infant. The story concludes with this powerful line:

“When all Israel heard about the judicial decision which the king rendered, they respected the king, for they realized that he possessed supernatural wisdom to make judicial decisions.”

Whether it was due to Rampas’ wisdom or his other leadership qualities, both he and his brother Dungko were often sought after and courted by aspiring politicians. One such figure was Donald Stephens - later known as Mohammad Fuad Stephens after his conversion to Islam - who would go on to become the first Chief Minister of Sabah.

Today, OKK Rampas can rest in peace knowing that his legacy endures. The Rampas name continues to be associated with public service and leadership. It is hoped that his son, YB Datuk Louis Rampas, an active politician from Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS), will live up to the trust placed in him by the people of Kiulu. More importantly, I pray he reflects on his humble roots and the vast extended family tree - made up of people of all creeds, cultures, and colours - and strives to promote a more inclusive and compassionate brand of politics, something Sabah urgently needs for its continued harmony and progress.

Colourized Photo.

Donald Stephens third from left flanked by Rampas and Dungko on his right and left respectively with other local community leaders in 1962. Donald Stephens was a founder of UNKO/UPKO (United National Kadazan Organisation/United Pasokmomogun Kadazan Organisation).

Chapter 10: Rampas Gumpai - A Man Dedicated to Public Service - Part 1

Rampas Gumpai was another brother of my grandmother, Lotimboi. Although his life was relatively short, it was undeniably a colourful and eventful one.

1907 - 1966

In contrast, his older brother Dungko - whom I regard as a private, family-oriented man who devoted a significant part of his life to serving the community as a pastor and faithful servant of God - Rampas had a very different personality and path in life.

In contrast, Rampas lived a rather “wild” and unconventional life, choosing a path unbounded by Christian values or expectations. He had five wives and was married a total of six times. Following the divorce of his fifth wife, he remarried his fourth wife, whom he had previously divorced. His wives, in chronological order, were Lomidai, Linting, Normin, Limpoton, and Bongnyok. Limpoton remained with him until his passing. Through these marriages, Rampas fathered 13 children.

Rampas was a prominent local community leader and played a pivotal role in the founding and development of Kiulu. He served the people of Kiulu with dedication, leaving a lasting impact on the community. His life and contributions are fairly well documented in a commemorative booklet titled Hari Kenangan, Jadau Kahandaman  - OKK Rampas Gumpai, published on 25 May 1997.

EARLY LIFE

Rampas Gumpai, originally named Gampas, was born in 1907 in Kg. Lumpoho. He later moved and spent his formative years in Kg. Tiung. In 1938, he and his elder brother, Dungko, relocated to Menggatal, where Rampas worked as a labourer on a Chinese-owned rubber estate.

However, with the guidance and encouragement of his brother, Rampas was steered away from a life of manual labour toward a more meaningful role in public service. This pivotal change began when he was advised to study the traditional laws and customs of the Dusun people under the mentorship of Orang Tua Majangkat, an English interpreter at the Menggatal court.

Life in the villages during the 1930s and 1940s was fraught with hardship. In addition to frequent crop destruction by wild animals, villagers also faced deadly outbreaks of disease, such as cholera, which could decimate entire communities. In 1941, Rampas left Menggatal and returned to Kg. Ranap - one of the few villages still inhabited. This move came in the wake of a tragic cholera outbreak that, in 1939, had led OKK Impas to instruct residents of several nearby villages to evacuate after the epidemic claimed nearly all their lives.

JAPANESE OCCUPATION

During the Japanese occupation of North Borneo, life in the kampung became even more difficult. With access to supplies from the local tamu (market) cut off, villagers were forced into hard labour, including road construction, and compelled to surrender their farm produce to the Japanese forces stationed in Tuaran. The Japanese Kempetai appointed local inhabitants to act as their agents and representatives, instructing them to collect food and other necessities from the villagers. Disobedience was met with brutal consequences - those who failed to comply risked being shot or executed.

In 1945, Orang Tua (OT) Lingguman, the village head of Kg. Ranap, was executed by the Japanese under suspicion of collaborating with the Chinese resistance. Following his death, the Kempetai appointed Rampas as his replacement - both as their agent and as a clerk responsible for continuing the collection of produce from the area. Rampas carried out his duties diligently, earning the trust of the Japanese authorities.

During this period, movement was heavily restricted, and survival was harsh. Many villagers fled to remote areas to hide. Almost all Dusun labourers, who had been working in rubber estates owned by Chinese and European planters, abandoned their jobs and returned to their home villages for safety. Tragically, many conscripted workers tasked with building roads died from cholera, malnutrition, and the absence of medical care.

BRITISH ADMINISTRATION 1947 – 1963

The defeat of the Japanese by the Allied forces in the Pacific brought peace and a renewed sense of hope to North Borneo. With the British assuming control from the harsh Japanese regime, the people looked forward to a more stable and just administration.

In 1947, Rampas was appointed as the Orang Tua (OT) of Kg. Kiulu by the Tuaran District Office. The following year, in 1948, he was promoted to Orang Kaya-Kaya (OKK) of the Kiulu area, a position he held until the late 1950s.

During his tenure, OKK Rampas demonstrated outstanding leadership and foresight. One of his most notable initiatives was the distribution and clearing of land for rubber plantations, aimed at boosting the local economy. He also encouraged rural villagers to move from remote, isolated areas to settlements closer to more developed urban centers, improving access to services and infrastructure.

At the time, the British colonial government had prohibited private individuals from planting rubber. Those who disobeyed faced punitive action. However, OKK Rampas showed both courage and defiance by personally instructing the villagers to proceed with rubber planting. To reassure those who were uncertain or fearful, he boldly told them:

“If anyone asks you who gave you permission to plant rubber, just say it’s from Rampas.”

Empowered by his words, many villagers began clearing the forest and planting rubber trees. Some also started ploughing and cultivating their land for other crops.

In distributing land, OKK Rampas was notably fair and inclusive. Land was allocated to anyone willing to work it - regardless of gender. Initially, each person received five acres, but this was later increased to fifteen. He appointed village heads to oversee the land distribution process and personally visited various kampungs to ensure the land was being properly utilized.

In 1951, OKK Rampas applied for a government grant to build a road linking Tamparuli to Kiulu. The application was approved, with the condition that construction would be carried out by local villagers. While the exact amount of funding remains unknown, he introduced a fair payment system: RM60 was paid for each chain of road built, RM80 for steeper terrain, and RM40 for flat sections. The road was completed by 1953, but due to its narrow and hazardous sections, it wasn’t until 1955 that the first vehicle - a Land Rover - successfully made the journey to Kiulu.

Recognizing the importance of education, OKK Rampas spearheaded the construction of a school to serve the children of Kiulu. In 1952, Sekolah Rendah Kebangsaan (SRK) Pekan Kiulu was established. Due to the region’s difficult terrain and lack of roads, construction materials such as cement and nails had to be airlifted by helicopter. Roofing zinc sheets were transported via rafts along the Tuaran River, a treacherous journey made difficult by numerous rapids. Timber for the school and teacher quarters was sourced from nearby forests. OKK Rampas even taught locals how to plank timber boards from logs. The old shop houses in the town were constructed by local craftsmen using these locally sourced materials.

By 1950, OT Saguman was the only trader in Kiulu with a license to operate a shop, making him one of the earliest shopkeepers in the area. OKK Rampas also owned several shop houses, although he later sold three of them to other individuals. He played a pivotal role in bringing a Chinese trader to Kiulu - an individual who went on to become very successful, with his descendants continuing the family business and maintaining their legacy in Kiulu to this day.

SRK Pekan Kiulu built by Rampas in 1952

Old shop houses built by Rampas in 1953

The land once occupied by Rampas' residential house was donated to the government for the construction of the health clinic.