October 10, 2002 - The South West Ampa offshore platform, off the Belait coast, had an unusual overseas visitor last Friday. It didn't require overflying rights nor an immigration clearance to enter the country.
It was a racing pigeon, apparently from Taiwan, that was discovered at the South West Ampa 6 by offshore employees of Brunei Shell Petroleum. The pigeon had a sticker attached to its leg that stated the racing number and telephone number of its owner in Taiwan, who wished his racing pigeon remained in Brunei.
Two red and blue marks depicting Chinese characters were also discovered in its wings.
Mr Wahid bin Hj Ahad, the Operation Support Superior, told the Borneo Bulletin that they discovered the racing pigeon on the platform close to the vicinity of their living quarters.
Mr Wahid, who will be taking care of the blue blood bird while it is onshore, said that the racing pigeon appeared to be weak and hungry when it was found. But yesterday, the racing pigeon looked alert and in good shape.
It is understood that pigeon racing has been a Taiwanese obsession for the past 40 years and they are one of the greatest pigeon racers in the world. - Liza Mohamad
--Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin