The Karimata Islands are a chain of small islands off the west coast of Indonesian Borneo, the largest of which is (Pulau) Karimata, being about 20 km across (east-west), and situated at 1°37′S 108°53′E / 1.617°S 108.883°E / -1.617; 108.883. Karimata has a wide range of ecosystems, from mangroves and tropical rain forest in the lowlands to montane shrubland on the summit of the c.1000 metre mountain (a spectacular example of the Massenerhebung effect). The mountain is composed of granite. A substantial population of cave swiftlets has historically been the source of birds nests for birds nest soup, but has decreased recently to near extirpation, due to over harvesting by non-indigenous collectors who have been arriving from the mainland.

A number of small villages are situated on the coast, the largest of which is Padang, on the eastern tip of the island. The island is renowned by inhabitants of the west coast of Kalimantan to have a serious malaria problem.

Dutch explorers visited the island a number of times, and there have been at least two recent visits by biologists. The island is classified as a nature reserve by the Indonesian government, but there has been no management of the area. There are rumours of plans for large tourist developments.

Erwin Gutawa (born May 12, 1962) is an Indonesian composer and father of Gita Gutawa. In 1985, he started his professional music career by joining the jazz band Karimata, later becoming an independent composer in 1991. As a composer, he won the 1992 Midnight Sun Song Festival in Finland together with Ruth Sahanaya. In 2001 he won the Anugerah Musik Indonesia award for best music arranger for his concert Rockestra.

Erwin Gutawa was born in Jakarta on 16 May 1962. As a child, he enjoyed playing basketball and association football; during this period he also played music on Bina Musika under the direction of Agus Rusli on Televisi Republik Indonesia. As a teen he continued playing music with his friends. After graduating high school, Gutawa earned a bachelor's degree in architecture from the University of Indonesia.

In the early 1980s Gutawa worked as sound arranger for the TVRI series Telerama. However, his professional career began in the 1985 when he joined the jazz band Karimata as a bassist, playing along with Candra Darusman, Aminoto Kosin, Denny T.R. and Uce Hariono. Together with Karimata, he performed at the North Sea Jazz Festival in The Hague that same year.

Phil Perry (born in Springfield, IL on January 12, 1952) is an American R&B singer, songwriter, musician and a former member of the soul group The Montclairs from 1971 to 1975.

In 1972, The Montclairs recorded under the Paula label with minor soul ballads that included "Dreaming's Out Of Season", "Prelude to a Heartbreak", and "Begging's Hard To Do". The Montclairs left Paula Records and disbanded in 1975.

Perry later moved to California with former Montclair, Kevin Sanlin, and teamed up as a duo, that had a short stay with two albums, at Capitol in the early 1980s (produced by Chuck Jackson and Dr. Cecil Hale). One song 'Just to Make You Happy' had a respectable level of success in radio.

In 1985 he married singer Lillian "Tang" Tynes, and began a marriage partnership that has lasted ever since. The Perrys are featured singing background for numersous projects and TV/Radio jingles, as well as in a duet titled 'Do Not Disturb' on the ONE HEART ONE LOVE album, released in 1998. 'Lill' Perry is also featured on the background vocals of Perry's first five solo albums. The nearly 25 year marriage has produced four children, Joseph, Paloma, Philip II, and Jacob.

Ruth Sahanaya (born 1 September 1966 in Bandung, West Java) is an Indonesian singer. She rose to fame in the late 1980s and is perhaps best known for her hit song "Kaulah Segalanya". She has toured internationally, been the Indonesian representative at many music festivals, and has received multiple awards. Having previously recorded under the Indonesian label PT Aquarius Musikindo, she signed with Sony Music in the early 2000s. She is currently one of the three members of a vocal group along with Titi DJ and Krisdayanti called 3 Diva. She is one of the many Christian Indonesian singers that are a part of Christian Gospel band True Worshippers.

Her 1999 album, Kasih, has sold more than 250,000 copies in Indonesia.

She is married to Jeffry Waworuntu, who is also her manager. She has two daughters.

Hang Tuah (Jawi:هڠ تواه) is the legendary Malay warrior who lived during the reign of Sultan Mansur Shah of the Sultanate of Malacca in the 15th century. He was the greatest of all the laksamana, or sultan's admirals, and was known to be a ferocious fighter. Hang Tuah is held in the highest regard, even in present-day Malaysian Malay culture, and is arguably the most well-known and illustrious warrior figure in Malaysian history and literature.

Hang Tuah's illustrious career as an admiral or laksamana includes tales of his absolute and unfaltering loyalty to his Sultan, some of which are chronicled in Sejarah Melayu (the semi-historical Malay Annals) and Hikayat Hang Tuah (a romantic collection of tales involving Hang Tuah).

Hang Tuah became the Sultan's constant aide, accompanying the King on official visits to foreign countries. On one such visit to Majapahit, Taming Sari, a famous Majapahit warrior, challenged Hang Tuah to a duel. After a brutal fight, Hang Tuah emerged as winner and the ruler of Majapahit bestowed upon him Taming Sari’s kris or weapon. The Taming Sari kris was named after its original owner, and was purported to be magical, empowering its owner with invincibility. It is said to be the source of Hang Tuah’s alleged supernatural abilities.