Cikgu Lee

Budget Wish 2012

2011-10-07T09:17:00.000+08:00

The following view appears on The Borneo Post 7th October 2011

Friends With Special Eyes

2011-08-23T17:12:00.004+08:00

Friends are unique! They are all different even though we call them all, friends.

I have some friends who have one thing in common, they have special eyes.

The first friend is a politician. He first came to me for some computer advice. Then he requested my help in some of his business. He also sought my advice to prepare his speeches when he was the president of one of the organisations.

For all those times he came to me, he was such a nice person. He had all the praises and compliments for me and thanked me repeatedly every time he got a favour from me.

I met the second friend through an association where we were both a member. He was particularly friendly to me, apparently for advice on computer and speeches. He also found nice words to say about me and thanked me after each favour.

The third friend is a reporter. Whenever he needs help on translation he looks for me.

The fourth friend is a contractor. He seems to run into a lot of troubles most of the time. He looked for me to help him solve his problem. Even the wife treats me like her walking dictionary.

The fifth friend is a cameraman. He takes me out for drinks whenever he needs my favour.

I have no problem helping these five friends and I do not expect anything from them. After all it is natural for friends to help each other. What are friends for, we used to say.

However, these five friends despite having totally different professions and family backgrounds, they all share one thing in common. They all have very special eyes. They have eyes that could see through things and people as if they are transparent!

Whenever they do not need my favour, they can't even see me even when we cross paths. I am a total stranger to them. Even if I greeted them they don't seem to notice me.

At first I thought I might have offended them somehow without realising but then when they need my favour again they are extremely polite and courteous again. They could even greet me from across the road!

I have checked with others friends who happen to know them and they concured with me that these people have special eyes.

Despite their special eyes, I still consider them 'friends', not so much to keep them but to remind myself to keep to my ordinary eyes!

Be A Real Man

2011-07-28T05:12:00.002+08:00

I went back to school, SMK Kuhara on 27th June 2011 to deliver a speech on Be A Real Man, about Sex Education.

The Borneo Post 25th July 2011

Sugar Ups Again!

2011-05-11T23:01:00.002+08:00

Every time when the government announced the price increase of any essential items, sugar included, we were assured of prices of others goods would not and should not go up as the increase was minimal. However, not long after that everything went up rocket high and never a single time it came down.

Every time when the government announced the price increase of any essential items, sugar included, we were also told that the increase was inevitable as the government had to shoulder a large sum of subsidies. We were also told every time how much the government could save from the withdrawal of subsidies. We were at the same time assured that the money saved would be channeled to other more important developments.

We were even warned earlier that if the government keeps subsidising the nation would go bankrupt one day, which would not be too long.

Despite all the assurance and warnings, the government announced yet one after another project costing not in the millions but billions. These mega projects are in no way help to lessen the burden of of the people who are troubled with high cost of living. The people are left speechless!

Therefore the increase in price for sugar will definitely cause a chain of price increases almost immediately. The people are still feeling the pain from the previous price increases, last year's hikes of 20 sen in January, 25 sen in July and 20 sen in December.

The government has gone too enterprising and profit oriented that the welfare of the people especially the poor and those in the rural areas are being neglected. Worse still these group of people do not even have the means to voice their frustrations as they have to spend all their time making ends meet.

With such a situation, the best thing the people could do to counter the continued price increase would be to take less sugar and be more health conscious. Instead of taking two table spoon of sugar, reduce it to one. Instead of taking sweet drinks, take plain water as an alternative. Instead of buying drinks from the stores, bring our own drinking water from home. Instead of spending time chit-chatting during morning and afternoon tea or coffee session, take plain water and take a short rest in the office. It would even improve efficiency and productivity. Even coffee shops and restaurants could offer drinks at cheaper price for less sugar.

If the general public could come together and reduce the consumption of sugar, the price increase will eventually affect the sugar producers and not the consumer anymore. We, the consumers, must take charge.

Bung Moktar riles women, told to quit

2011-04-16T08:49:00.000+08:00

Bung Moktar riles women, told to quit

by Sandra Sokial, Christy Chok and Lawrence Shim. Posted on April 2, 2011, Saturday

KOTA KINABALU: Angry women in Sabah have called for the resignation of Kinabatangan member of parliament Datuk Bung Moktar Radin following his latest sexist remarks.

“He should resign. His unspeakable shameless conduct brings embarrassment to the nation. He has no right to put women down to his level,” said Parti Keadilan Rakyat Kota Kinabalu division chief Christina Liew.

Women, she said, make up 51 per cent of the country’s population, therefore they play an important role in nation building,

“It is a shame to have a MP like him who is a loose canon that doesn’t know how to respect women. He is still behaving like he is living in the stone age. We demand an apology from this MP or all Malaysian women must raise up to boycott him,” she said.

“We, therefore, ask the Prime Minister (Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak) and his wife to review this man’s position in the government. He should not even be appointed to any position or fielded to contest in any elections,” said Liew.

Christina’s sentiments were echoed by social activist Anne Keyworth, who is better known as Mama Anne.

She described Bung Moktar as a MP who has no respect for women.

“He seems to enjoy degrading women. He should not be a MP at all. He should learn to stop discriminating against women,” she said, adding that both Najib and Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman should, as she puts it, “get rid of him immediately”.

After the much publicised sexist remarks, Bung Moktar claimed that he has been harassed by women and that his words were taken out of context and was misquoted in the media reports.

“He is always cooking up excuses,” said Mama Anne, adding: “We do not need a politician like him and it is a shame that this kind of person is representing the people of Sabah in the Parliament.”

A retired school teacher, Litty J Anthony, also expressed her disappointment and wants Bung Mokhtar to retract his statement.

“I have been a driver for decades. I would say that I am a careful driver. I have never been involved in any accident or pose danger to other road users.

“So for him to make such remarks is bad. It is hurting and shows his disrespect towards the women in the country. We abide by the traffic laws. We are as responsible as our male counterparts when it comes to driving,” she said.

Bung Mokhtar irked Malaysian women with his sexist remarks, saying that they do not know how to drive and are posing danger to other road users.

Last year, he drew flak from various quarters when he likened the leak at the Parliament House to the women’s monthly menses.

In Tawau, a former teacher, Lee Chye Ewe, said making sexist remarks like what the Member of Parliament from Kinabatangan had done is downright rude and degrading, especially when it was made in Parliament

Lee said it did not count how knowledgeable or how high a position one held, as long as he or she would not respect fellow human beings, he or she should not be respected.

This was not the first time the Kinabatangan MP had made such remarks against women and he had been condemned by everyone from both sexes. Though he had offered his apologies but his repeated remarks showed that he had never learnt his lesson and had never learnt to respect women in particular.

“Making a blanket remark towards all women drivers is uncalled for. They are reckless drivers among men and women. It is just because the MP could not tolerate women drivers and could not hold his patience that he made such remarks. However he has forgotten that his own mother had patiently carried him for nine months before giving birth to him and patiently brought him up for numerous years without any complain.

“This is certainly not the way to show gratitude to women who have given birth to both men and women and took care of them patiently. If he continues to get away with whatever sexist remarks, he is setting a very dangerous example for the younger generation as if men are like him. For a person who respects both men and women, I certainly do not condone what he has said.

“He might think it is fun to make such a remark as if he was talking in a coffee shop. Or he might think he is getting cheap publicity and attention but he is causing anger not only among women but men are equally annoyed by his irresponsible remarks,” Lee expressed.

Meanwhile, Tawau Member of Parliament Datuk Chua Soon Bui also commented that MP’s sexist remark was uncalled for. Worst still, he was shouting angrily at a fellow female MP who demanded him to apologize for his sexist remarks.

Chua said the ill-behaviour has brought shame and was not a good example in front of the many students who were present that day.

“He should not generalize his statements as many of the female drivers are careful drivers; that is why there are slow lanes to cater for slow drivers. He should be reminded that most of the reported hazardous vehicle accidents and deaths on the roads are mostly committed by men.

“ I am not saying that most men are careless or reckless drivers. He should ask the ministry to conduct the root causes of the many accidents, especially the fatal traffic accidents, rather than just pointing fingers ignorantly at female drivers making it a gender issue. I am surprised why no action has been taken by the Speaker as he got away with it every time he made these sexist remarks,” she said.

SAPP Tawau Administration Division Sri Tanjung Liaison committee chairman C.K Yong said obviously, Bung Moktar’s remark was highly bias.

“There is no statistics in the whole world indicating women are lousy or incompetent drivers compared to men.”

Yong noted that the general feeling quite agreed that more women drivers lacked driving etiquette because most of the time they do not give way to others. Some of them appeared to be clumsy in their driving which may cause hazards to others on the roads, be it pedestrians or motorcyclists.

He also said this phenomenon was mainly the fault of the JPJ driving instructors and driving school instructors, coupled with certain element of corruption where vehicle drivers may pass their driving test pre-maturely before they can actually handle the vehicle confidently on the road, whether they are men or women.

Clerk Masja Hussin, also said she did not agree that women are reckless drivers.

Men were the ones that overtook the most and were involved in fatal accidents, she said. By saying women are reckless drivers, is Bung Moktar also saying his wife is a reckless driver too? He should apologize to all women in Malaysia for saying so in Parliament.

“Now he said he is being sexually harassed by women groups– he doesn’t even know what sexual harassment means. He is making a fool of himself,” Masja concluded.

Personal assistant Jenny Lau said: “Don’t say women are bad drivers as men are also the same, and maybe even worst. I have been driving for years and I noticed that most reckless drivers are men; speeding, cutting lanes and so on. Not so much as women drivers.

“Most fatal accidents reported involved men. However, you cannot blame new drivers because they are new,” she said.

Pang Siau Mee, a clerk, said most Malaysian drivers are reckless. “I do encounter reckless women drivers but there are men too who drive as reckless. It is not fair to accuse only women.”

In Sandakan, motorists too agreed that not all women were slow drivers as there were men too who were bad drivers.

Chan Ah KAW, Chin Soo Lan and Lye said they found both sexes to be slow drivers.

“It is not true that only women are slow drivers; we find that we have male slow drivers as well. Let’s put it this way, maybe, Bung happened to notice that female drivers are slow on the road. We think he has no intention to hurt the feelings of the opposite sex. Maybe he was rather too honest and pointed out the mistake with the intention to draw a clearer picture about reckless drivers,” said Chan, Chin and Lye.

Meanwhile, Rossa, Tasya and Sida advised Bung to be more careful with his statements in future. Mentioning the gender in any argument invites disputes and misunderstanding.

“Please just leave the sex alone. Let’s cool down and do not go overboard. Bung’s intention is for the police to carry out their duty to summon those who are too slow and too fast on the slow and fast lanes. There are certain speed limits at both the slow and fast lanes,” said Rossa.

“Sometimes, it is rather annoying to find motorists traveling at the same speed making it difficult to overcome when their cars block the whole road,” said Tasya.

Bung explained that he was merely talking about those who had just passed their driving tests.

“May be the police should pay more attention to those cars having the ‘P’ stickers. Warning should be given to these new drivers to remind them not to block the flow of traffic on the road,” said Sida.

Borneo Post 2nd April 2011

Parents divided on sex education

2010-11-19T18:58:00.001+08:00

Parents divided on sex education

by Chok Sim Yee, Adrian Nandu, Christy Chok, Azmie Lim, Lawrence Shim and Alen Kee. Posted on November 18, 2010, Thursday

THE move by the Education Ministry to introduce sex education at primary and secondary schools next year has received mixed reactions from a wide cross section of the respondents in Sabah.

The majority of parents and teachers were divided on the issue. Some have agreed to the idea of allowing children as young as six years old to have sex education in primary schools as part of a drive to curb baby-dumping, promiscuity and spread of diseases such as AIDS and HIV, while proponents were perfectly happy with the proposal.

Sabah Chinese Teachers Association chairman Datuk Eng Thiam Leong said school children would benefit from the common knowledge taught in sex education.

Although the syllabus of the subject has not been disclosed, Eng said educating students on health related issues would be good for them.

Eng, who is also the principal of SJK (C) Chung Hwa Kota Kinabalu, pointed out that the subject would help prevent children from being a victim of sexual crimes, as well as give them the necessary knowledge to counter undesirable materials in the online world.

Deputy Education Minister Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong announced sex education to be taught in all primary schools starting Year One in 2011. Called social and reproductive health education, the component will be taught for 30 minutes every week during Physical and Health Education lessons.

Asked if the teachers would be ready to teach the subject, Eng said it would not be a problem for primary school teachers as it would be taught as common knowledge.

“It’s a compulsory subject for secondary schools, and more like a common knowledge for primary schools.”

However, he added that training might be needed for secondary schools teachers as they would go more in-depth on sex education.

A secondary school teacher, who wished to be identified only as Chai, is in favour of the move, saying that children should be taught to differentiate sexual harrassment from affectionate hugging.

“They should know touching private parts is no-no, and it is wrong to touch them at inappropriate places.

“They (children) might thing adults who hug them are being affectionate.”

Chai also stressed the importance of the syllabus and suggested the syllabus to be uploaded on a website so that parents know what would be taught.

In addition, she pointed out that teachers of the subject must be trained to prevent male teachers from taking advantage when delivering the lesson.

If the subject is taught by a male teacher, she suggested a female teacher to be in the class as well to eradicate all possibilities of undesirable events from happening.

Albert Chia, chairman of SM Michael Parent-teacher Association, Sandakan, expressed support for the idea he described as good, but cautioned that teachers must be properly trained so as not to mislead the young minds.

“Sex education is different from sex activities as in websites and blue movies.

“Basic information such as the difference between the two sexes, how babies are produced, the responsibilities of young parents and the prevention of sexually-transmitted diseases,” added Chia.

Another parent, identified as Michelle, said that parents themselves can also teach sex education to their children at home.

“Parents must teach and remind their daughters how to say ‘no’ to premature sex and how to behave appropriately as an individual to foster family values,” she said.

Another parent, who wished anonymity, said sex education must be closely monitored in schools.

“There is no such thing as allowing total sex education because too much of it may lead to uncontrolled free sex which can also lead young children to the negative side of sex education,” he said.

Teachers and parents should always emphasize on the dangers of sex at a young age and before marriage so that these young minds could always be warned of “unhealthy sex” that the majority of adults would greet with scorn.

In Lahad Datu, a mother of three, Normadiah, 35, said the move was inappropriate for primary school students because they were immature.

“This sex education should be taught in secondary schools because the students are more mature and able to accept this kind of learning. Besides that, primary school students are still young to accept sex education.

“They have a different level of thinking and their curiosities are strong. I think, it is better not to expose them to sex education at the primary school level,” she said.

“In my opinion, the government’s plan to expose primary school students to sex education is a wise move to reduce baby-dumping problem,” said Abdullah Bin Abdul Majid, the leader of SMK Agaseh Parent-Teacher Association.

He said it was good to introduce and teach sex education to 11 and 12-year-old students so that they would be able to understand it more clearly.

“The secondary school students are a bit stubborn and have a very deep feeling of trying out something new.

“We need to teach sex education much earlier to these young children so that they know the negative effects and feel afraid to try it.

“Secondary school students also love to act without thinking about the consequences. When students are introduced to sex education early, they’ll be more careful and are not easily influenced,” he said.

He added that sex education was not merely about sex, but it was also related to family values, and how to protect themselves from high-risk behaviors.

In Labuan, civil servant Haji Salamat Daliman said there was a need to select the most appropriate teachers to teach sex education.

“Teachers who are going to teach the pupils about the subject could be from different backgrounds and religion where they need to be responsible in teaching the subject at school.

“The school administration is supposed to choose the right and qualified teachers to teach the subject and need not have to be religious teachers only to avoid unnecessary problems in the future.

“The teachers must have the proper guideline to teach the ‘new’ subject to the young students and the teachers must apply the right approach according to the students’ level of understanding,” he said.

He said in Islam, the faith teaches its believers to stay away from ‘zina’ (premarital sex) and the elements in the teaching should touch on how to prevent the students from involving themselves in ‘zina’.

“For example, female Muslim students should cover their ‘aurat’ which could attract the attention of male students.

“If the sex techniques are to be taught in primary schools, I fear that they will encourage more students to commit immoral activities.

“The subject too must put in some moral values such as respecting both genders – male and female,” he said.

Meanwhile another government servant, Ahmad Sharizal Mohd Saffian said that to teach sex education in primary schools was a big matter where the module of teaching it should be studied deeply with consensus from different parties.

“The information or knowledge in the module should not only be gathered by biologists or other experts without seeking the views of religious scholars because what is taught to students must not be interpreted wrongly by them.

“Sex itself is broad and that the educators may tell the students from the religion point of view, such as about the cradle of babies starting in their mothers’ wombs to instill the ‘fear of God’ value in their minds.

“While explaining the sex process itself is not the right thing to do, such as how to use condoms rightly to prevent pregnancy and sexual transmitted disease, it will only make them smarter to abuse sex,” he said.

Ahmad also said that to instill awareness among the students to respect their mothers was also important by stressing on the hardship of their mothers in carrying them in the womb during pregnancy.

“The most important thing is whether the objective of the subject is achieved or not, that is to instill fear of God in their minds to stay away from the premarital sex.

“In Islam there is a sex education, for the religion perceives it as a natural thing in human beings.

“Students also must be told that there is a right way for sex, that is through marriage,” he said.

Ahmad added that there is maturity among the young minds, but to introduce sex education at primary school level should be given serious thought as “worried” students might perceive it wrongly.

“I feel that teaching sex education at primary school level is suitable and needed. The pupils will know what sex is.

“Educating them early will make it easy for them to accept the subject so that they know how to face sex in future.

“They will not easily fall prey to vices like becoming a prostitute and being cheated by would-be sex offenders such as rapists, or becoming pregnant before marriage.

“We need to educate our children from an early stage,” said parent James Leong.

Another parent, Gan Chee Chan, disagreed with James, saying that sex education was too early to be taught in primary schools as even at the secondary school level the subject was also just proposed for next year.

“It is better for primary school students to be taught in subjects related to moral, civic and family relationship and values. We need to see the success of sex education subject at secondary school level first,” he added.

The Education Ministry should think about it before introducing sex education in primary schools, said Slamat Mohd.

“If schoolchildren get to know about sex education, I am afraid they will practise it. If the ministry wants to implement the subject, it should be ready to answer the consequences,” he cautioned.

In Tawau, former teacher Lee Chye Ewe said it was interesting to note that the government had announced the implementation of sex education for both secondary and primary schools on two separate dates.

Lee said it was first announced that sex education would be implemented in secondary schools. A few days later it was announced that it would be introduced in primary schools as well.

“Such announcements make us wonder if the Education Ministry is seriously ready to implement the much debated sex education in schools. One wonders if the textbooks or guidelines are ready and have the teachers been identified, trained both on the knowledge and on mental preparedness?

“If the implementation is made in a rush it would produce far more negative effect than the positive result needed. If the teachers are only being sent away for courses starting next year, it would again create shortage of teachers at the beginning of the year when the new school term starts. This has happened far too many times and it should not be repeated.

“The public has been told that the intended sex education is not confined to sex education alone but also focuses on family values. If that is the case why call it sex education? Why not Family Values which will have a wider scope and definitely covers sex education?” he pointed out.

Taking into consideration our multi-racial and multi-religious society, many are still shy and reluctant to talk about sex openly.

“Even parents (and many teachers are parents as well) find it difficult to talk to their children about sex. In order for a successful implementation, parents, teachers and the public must also be educated to look at this issue in a more positive way. We cannot educate the younger generation without the elder generation showing positive examples.”

According to him, if we were able to educate society we would be able to change the perception of sexual problems among youths. Putting aside the intention to punish and condemn every time we hear of cases of rape or baby dumping, we would be able to encourage youths with sexual problems to come forward to seek for help more willingly and more confidently.

This would be a far better approach to curb the problems of social ills and sexual problems among the youths, instead of imparting only the knowledge without giving opportunity for the victims to seek help, guidance and advice.

Meanwhile, the mother of a 10-year-old girl, Marry Wong also totally agreed and praised the government’s decision. She said sex education should be have been taught in schools few years ago to avoid baby-dumping cases.

棄嬰案

2010-08-18T15:19:00.000+08:00

內閣最近同意將援引謀殺或企圖謀殺罪名來調查棄嬰案顯示內閣認真的要製止這種行為。但是，通過引入嚴厲的懲罰並不是唯一的方法或更好的辦法來解決這個問題。

許多棄嬰者都是強姦，家庭破碎，愛情騙子和社會問題的受害者。更令人悲哀的是，這些受害者（或有些人可能認為他們'罪犯'）都是年輕婦女。只因為她們是女人，會懷孕和生嬰兒，她們就要承擔一切後果和社會的譴責。可是同樣有責任的男人通常沒有被捕獲。

社會譴責非法性行為，未嫁有子，使受害者感到羞辱尷尬，不敢公開要求幫助。把棄嬰案列為謀殺案，我們會更難解決問題。對這些受害者或有意舉報者來說，他們會因為害怕得到死刑判決而放棄求助或舉報。案件可能減少可是問題還在增加。

每個人包括我們自己在內，應該勇於改變我們對這些受害者的態度和看法。如果我們不改變我們的態度，但保留譴責受害者那麼我們是間接的'謀殺者'！

我們應該增加關懷和愛心，提供更多的幫助和援助，而不是要求增加懲罰。一個充滿愛心的社會將有長遠的利益。它能幫助解決很多的社會弊病。

李再有

Baby Dumping

2010-08-18T09:09:00.000+08:00

The decision by the cabinet to classify baby dumping that leads to the death of babies as a crime that warrants the death sentence shows the cabinet is serious about curbing such act.

However by introducing severe punishment is not the only way or better way to solve the problem.

Many who dumped babies are victims of rape, relationships that turn sour and broken family. Even sadder is that these victims (or ‘criminals’ which some might like to call them) are young women who were put into such a situation for being a woman, who gets pregnant and carries baby. And she is the one to shoulder all the consequences and the condemnation of her society. The men who are equally responsible are normally not caught.

The society which condemns the act of illegal sex and make the victims embarrassed to ask for help are now the one calling for severe actions to be taken. By classifying baby dumping as murder, we will make it even more difficult for these victims. More cases will go unreported for fear of getting death sentence.

We, everyone included, should focus more on changing our attitude and perception on these victims before they take the last resort of dumping the babies. If we do not change our attitudes but keep condemning the victims we are indirectly contributing to the ‘murder’!

We should be more caring and loving, offering more help and assistance instead of calling for punishments. A caring and loving society will have long term benefits in solving all the social ills in our society.

Abolish UPSR & PMR?

2010-07-25T06:09:00.002+08:00

Examination is a form of assessment, to gauge the achievements of students, review the approaches and techniques of teachers and to reflect on the success of National Education System as a whole.

That is why students at various level of the education are assessed, evaluated and tested, be it monthly, term, semester, yearly etc. Even teachers give out oral questions, homeworks and exercises to ascertain the students' understanding to the lessons taught.

External examinations like UPSR, PMR, SPM and STPM will ensure the students in various schools all over the country achieve a standard which is uniform thorough out. School based assessments will not be able to compare the standard with other schools.

Feedback from the various type of assessments are important for the teachers and students to know their strengths and weaknesses so that steps could be taken for improvement.

By abolishing the UPSR and PMR examinations, we will have to wait for at least 11 years (6 years in primary school and 5 years in secondary school) to gauge the standard or achievement of a student based on a national benchmark.

11 years is too long a time and remedial steps will not be useful or too late even if it is taken after the results of the SPM examination is known. We are depriving the students of their feedbacks for improvements. This will be unfair to the students and we are putting our future generation at risk.

At the same time we will create a new but unhealthy culture among the students, teachers and parents. All of them will not concentrate during their early years of education as school based assessments will not of their priorities. They will all become complacent.

School based assessments just could not give them enough importance to study harder. Furthermore school based assessments are subjected to abuse and unfair marking. The standard of school based assessments adopted by some schools are also questionable as most questions papers are copied almost entirely from commercial workbooks available in the market.

However, imagine the pressure the students, teachers and parents are going through, come the final year before they sit for their first ever external examination, the SPM. I fail to see the actual reasons why the proposal was made.

Being a former teacher who have taught both in rural and urban schools, being active in Parent & Teacher Association, involved personally in students' discipline and welfare, I strongly object to such a proposal.

The Education Minister, in his eagerness to improve the country's education system, should first solve the problem of teachers been pushed with too many non-teaching related duties, and paperwork. The teachers are the one who hold the key to the success of our younger generation. Unless teacher's woes are not solved, whatever suggestions or proposals will not work.

Yes, I Know

2008-08-13T11:07:00.000+08:00

It is certainly a relief if someone answers, Yes, I know, when we are trying our best to convince him or her. It gives us the impression or indication that our message has been put across. Our mission has been accomplished.

However in reality, it is not always the case. We would say, Yes, I know, when when we are getting impatient with nagging elders, persistent salesmen or just a boring talk. Our intention is to end the torture to our ears. If the persuading party takes it as if we understand, he or she might stop.

We also say, Yes, I know, when we assume we know better what other people are talking. It is good if the other party finds difficulties in relaying the message. However it could be bad if we make the wrong assumption.

Do we always say, Yes, I Know, when people approach us for help? Or do we actually listen carefully before we make our comments, suggestions or even judgments?

Looking around us, we find a lot of people, especially those in power, always say, Yes, I Know, but ended up not knowing anything. worse still when they make bad decision based on their assumption.

Should we also say, Yes, I Know, to people who think they know best?

Good Food

2008-08-11T16:44:00.000+08:00

Whenever after a meal if I am asked how was the food, my answers are always simple, good, nice or delicious. When I have been asked too many times and repeated the answer for far too many times, some people started to doubt my honesty!

To be honest, not that I am not honest, my answer represents exactly how I feel about the food. To me, food are in 3 categories, good, very good and bad. The food that I will go back for more is very good or else it will be just good. The food which I consider bad is one that I will not try again next time.

If you were to ask my mother, she will have a lot more to say, too much flour, too little garlic, too much water and she can go on and on if you are willing to listen. I don't remember much about how my late father commented on food. What I remember is that he cooks well but he seldom cooks. My mother did the cooking most of the time.

I myself like cooking but I never like to follow recipe in total. I like to be a little adventurous and creative. I do not have a measuring can or weighing machine in my kitchen. I never learn to bake a cake because I do not like to measure and weigh everything I am cooking. I think that was how my late father cooked!

Unless I am cooking something simple or else I will not cook at all when my mother around, especially when it comes to traditional food like laksa and nasi dagang or nasi kerabu (rice with Asian salad). I have learned to cook those from my mother when I stood behind her and watched her did the cooking.

Nasi dagang, nasi kerabu and laksa are all my favourite food. I only cook laksa and nasi kerabu when my mother is not staying with me. She cooks better, of course. I used to invited my students and friends to the house when i cooked Kelantan laksa.

Nasi kerabu is one food that I will always take whenever I am back in Kelantan. My younger sister knows that very well. Every time when I am in Kota Bharu, where my sister is working, she will either packs nasi kerabu for me or takes me to where we could find a very good one.

Someone once asked me how I define good food. I said if I could not cook it better then it is a good food. How about bad food, he asked? It is something really hard to eat. That explain why most food are good to me and I have no problem taking any type of food wherever I go.

I guess that also makes me less particular. I take things easy, less worries and happier!

A Morning At The Hospital

2008-08-10T09:57:00.000+08:00

I was at the Tawau General Hospital early this morning after making an appointment with the blood bank.

The normal nurse, Sabariah who handles the apheresis machine was there waiting for me when I walked into the blood bank. Nicholas, her assistant, was also there. Everything was set and ready for me to donate my platelet and plasma, for the 55th time

Sabariah will opt for her early retirement next year. So she is training up Nicholas. Nicholas however is a slow and reluctant learner, his own admission. I have been put on a few trials by Nicholas, of course with the supervision of Sabariah, but he could not remember the procedures well. He kept telling me it was hard to operate the machine as he is poor in using computer.

Ever since I started donating platelet and plasma, three nurses have been operating the machine since February 1999. They were Florence, Juliana and Sabariah. Florence has been transferred to other department while Juliana has retired. Most of my donations over the years were done through Sabariah.

It was supposed to be a normal donation today but it went the opposite. Half way through the first cycle, the machine indicated that the apparatus was not fixed properly. Blood was returned to me without been processed. This was the first time such thing happened. I felt cold and numb on my lips.

When it was fixed the machine refused to draw blood from me, indicating that there was no flow of blood from my vein. My blood samples taken for testing also showed that I have very low platelet count, resulting the lab assistant to come out with a warning. Out of three testings, all the results showed that my platelet count was bellow 100.

Unsatisfied with that, the apparatus was changed and they tried to draw from my left hand for the first time. It failed. Then we moved back to my right hand and tried on a different vein. It did not work either. The machine kept making noise. They reasoned out that it was possibly because of my low platelet count.

Finally after three attempts, leaving three holes on my arms, we gave up. I made a request for them to test my platelet again, this time drawing directly from my vein. And the results showed that I have more than sufficient to donate, 239.

We have to conclude that the machine needs repair and servicing. What a morning. However if I wasn't there to help detecting the apheresis machine was out of order, someone else would, but later.

Though disappointed with my failed mission to donate for the 55th time, I am happy to help detecting the problem before emergencies. The failed mission costs the hospitals more than RM800 for the two sets of apparatus.

Meeting Characters

2008-07-23T11:04:00.000+08:00

It is very interesting to observe the various characters during a meeting. When we find out that the meeting is not leading us to any solutions or decisions, then we need to look at the various characters in the meeting. The answer is always there.

Some come to the meeting fully prepared, but for the wrong reasons. They will jump on every single opportunity to say something, sarcastically, forcefully and to undermine someone. It is not difficult to detect such a character as they always bring in unrelated matters or deviated from the point of discussion.

Some just sit down and watch quietly without saying a word. Even when opinion is asked they will just say, they follow the majority. These people are good if you want the number for support!

Some think they know everything and always telling others what to do. If they are requested to carry out certain tasks they themselves proposed, they will decline with all kind of excuses. They are just good at talking but never walk the talk.

Some are just too proud and egoistic. If their proposal is pointed out to be wrong they will use 1001 excuses to defend themselves. These people always drag the meeting for selfish reasons.

Some enter the meeting room without knowing anything and come out from the meeting room in the same way. They are just at the meeting because they need to be there.

A good meeting chairperson is one that is able to detect the various characters in a meeting. To be able to handle them effectively will make the meeting fruitful and efficient.

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Malaysian First Astronaut Vs 2nd Astronaut

2008-04-21T10:57:00.003+08:00

PENDANG, April 19 (Bernama) -- National astronaut Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Sheikh Mustapha has proposed that the government postpone Malaysia's second space mission.

He said the postponement was to allow the community to be fully exposed to the programme before the second mission could take-off.

"We need to learn a lot of things about aerospace and the community must have a good understanding of the programme.

"(Moreover) the space mission uses a large amount of public funds," he told reporters after launching Mara Junior Science College's astronaut programme and the astronomy and amateur radio club here Saturday.

Muszaphar said people at the grassroots-level should have a clear understanding of education, technology and skills in aerospace before the mission could be continued.

About 2,000 students, including those from Mara junior colleges at Kubang Pasu and Beseri in Perlis, attended the launch of the programme.

-- BERNAMA

Whatever that has been said earlier about this astronaut project has gone down the drain with what has been admitted by the 'astronaut'.

Forcing people to accept a wrong things will eventually proven to be wrong.

School Fees?

2007-09-09T07:36:00.000+08:00

Prime Minister during his tabling of 2008 Budget announced that school fees will be abolished beginning next year. It sounds like a good news to all parents.

The reality is, school fee is only a small amount to pay as compared to many more fees that parents have to come out with every beginning of the year. Consider the following

1. Contribution for Majlis Sukan Sekolah-Sekolah
2. Contribution for Parent & Teacher Association
3. Contribution for school building and development fund
4. Computer Class
5. Reference Books
6. Work Books
7. School T-Shirts
8. School Neck Tie
9. Toilet Coupon

and many more ... Some schools just find ways to get more money from the parents. Some people are just not resourceful enough to make full use of what they have. Look at the backyards. There are just too many things paid with our money leaving idle.

Gone are they days where teachers prepared homework for students. Gone are the days where worksheet were given to students free of charge.

If we were to learn using personal blackboard and chalk like our elders have gone through, I wonder how many of us will still want to be teachers? How many of us will still learn and how many of us will still send our children to schools?

Wait for January 2008 and listen to the parents. They will tell you more ...

Public Caning?

2007-09-03T20:48:00.000+08:00

Deputy Minister of Education was reported as saying that his ministery will study whether public caning among school students could be re-introduced.

Currently, school principals are allowed to cane trouble-making students but only in a private room with another teacher present as a witness. The government banned public caning in 2004 but allowed school headmasters to cane students in their rooms with a witness.

Many people have since voiced their objections including the NUTP. Even if it is approved (which I doubt) not many headmasters or principals would like to use it. With the increasing cases of gangsterism among students, involvement of politicians and influencial people in school administration, over protective parents and increasing workload for teachers, not many would like to perform the caning to avoid trouble to themselves and their love ones.

A child's well being does not lie with schools or teachers alone. Parents and others too play a very important role. If parents, elders and leaders in our society do not behave, don't expect our young ones to hehave.

It will be an empty talk after all!

No UNDO

2007-09-03T16:33:00.000+08:00

After a colourful celebration of the 5oth Independence Day, shall we all get down to serious business?

The little arm of baby Lai Yok Shan has been amputated due to carelessness. Instead of trying to help the little baby and her family some people find it more important to point fingers at others.

The fatal accident in Bukit Gantang which killed 20 people on an express bus is slowly forgotten. Promises of taking stern action when the news was first reported has slowly fading. Some blame it on the month of Hungry Ghost. Who is the real ghost here?

No one is talking about the leaks in various government buildings now. If there is then people are more interested in the sexist remarks by two irresponsible members of parliament. The big issue or the real issue is always diverted with petty one.

The list could go on. So many things happened and so many promises have been made, so much so that we have lost confidence in those who promised.

The fact remains, things which have been done could not be undone. There is no 'UNDO' function is real life like typing using a computer.

If we are 50 we would have acted differently.

It has been a long time

2007-07-31T16:11:00.001+08:00

It has been quite a while since I have written in this page. No excuses. I will try to make it.

4,095.2

2005-08-30T20:23:00.000+08:00

I finally achieved my dream of years when on 22nd August 2005 I reached South East Asia's highest peak, Mount Kinabalu, Sabah at 4,095.2 meter.

Tourists arriving at Kinabalu Park for the climb.

One for the album a day before climbing on 2oth August 2005

Beautiful flowers at Kinabalu Park.

Comfortable chalets

21 Ogos 2005 - One more for the album before climbing at Timpohon. Walking stickes are our good friends.

Resting at Kandis hut 1 KM from starting point.

Ubah hut, 2 KM from Timpohon

Lowi hut. Many are getting wet.

Mempening hut covered by cloud.

Villosa hut

Porter service at RM7.00/Kg if you are unable to carry your own bags.

Plants along the way.

Laban Rata, about 6KM from starting point. The most difficult part of the day one journey.

Rest house at Laban Rata with Mount Kinabalu at the back ground. End of day one, 21st August 2005.

With my brother, Tsai Fui (Right)

Map to the summit.

Sunset at Laban Rata.

The last supper before day two climb. Canteen at Laban Rata rest house.

Sunrise taken from summit of Mount Kinabalu, 22nd August 2005

Here I am, finally putting my feet on the summit of South East Asia's highest mountain, Mount Kinabalu on 22nd August 2005.

For lasting memory.

Fire In Tawau II

2005-06-19T12:55:00.000+08:00

I was at the scene again this morning to see the row of 10 wooden shophouses which were burnt down last night.

Also ready Cikgu Lee in Malay

Fire In Tawau

2005-06-17T20:51:00.000+08:00

A huge fire started at about 5.30pm today, 17 June 2005 at Jalan Chester Road, Tawau. A row of woodern shophouses was burnt down.

When I was at the scene at 7.30pm, fire was still burning. Just imagine, fire brigade is less than a kilometre away and they found no water to put off the fire!!!

Tawau Hills Park

2005-01-29T21:29:00.000+08:00

Tawau Hills Park on 29/1/2005

One of the activities for Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Abdullah, Semporna Read Crescent Society, when I was the Chief Teacher Advisor, was having picnic at Tawau Hills Park. That was during the years from 1985 to 1988.

Tawau Hills Park waterfall during 1985

At that time, Tawau Hills Park (Taman Bukit Tawau) was also known as Table Waterfall. We had to take about two hours journey traveling from Semporna to the hills park. The distance was about 130KM. It was at this waterfalls that we teacher advisors and society members having fun in the water.

Even though the place was rather far but it was well worth it because of the beautiful scenery. The water was cold and the surrounding was so relaxing. During the end of every year, after the Sijil Rendah Pelajaran examination (SRP has since been changed to PMR), having picnic at Tawau Hills Park is one activity that everyone was looking forward to.

When I was transferred to Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Kuhara Tawau, I too took my students there after the SRP examination. I really like this place. However, whenever I brought my students there, I was strict with rules. No one was allowed to swim or wonder around alone. My responsibilities as the teacher advisor is very important in ensuring the safety and well being of all my students.

No doubts the scenery is beautiful, the river rocks especially those near the falls are slippery. It is dangerous to play near the falls. Furthermore, the pool below the falls curves inward. If one is not careful and dives into the pool, he might get stuck beneath the curve and thus makes it more dangerous. It was also the cause of many accidents here.

There was no unwanted incidents happened when I brought the students there. However, for those visitors who refuse to heed the warning signs and they were met with accidents. It doesn’t mean that this place is not suitable for tourists because, like any other places of interest, no matter how beautiful they are, one still need to exercise extra care and heed all warning.

Main entrance to Tawau Hills Park

After more than 10 years, I decided to re-visit Tawau Hills Park on 29/1/2005 to see my favourite place. It is 20 KM from Tawau town. Not like before, the gravel road has turned into asphalt road. There are also electricity and water supplies. The journey is also so much easier now as there are signboards everyone.

Tawau Hills Park entrance tickets.

Tawau Hills Park sits on a land area of 27,972 hectare which was gazzeted as one of the National Parks in 1979. Besides being the source for the Tawau River it also forms part of the catchment area for Tawau. The park is now under the management of Sabah Parks. Entrance fee is RM3.00 per person. Money collected is used for conservation of the area.

Resting area above the lake.

A place for picnic and relaxing.

Multi-purpose shade.

A beautiful and clean public toilet.

There are many amenities being built here now. Among them are administration block, canteen, public toilet, rest houses, barbecue stove, bridges and many more. For safety, there are also lifeguard on duty.

For those who like to swim or just to soak in the river.

Bridge across the river.

However the once famous waterfalls is now closed to visitors. It has been fenced up. Fencing was unavoidable due to the numerous accidents and complaints from concerned public.

The forbidden waterfalls.

This river has become the alternative to the falls.

Nevertheless, Taman Bukit Tawau or Tawau Hills Park is still the attraction for those who like nature. Many teenagers come here to conduct their recreation activities here. Some even camped here while attending their motivational or confidence building trainings.

Many activities could be held here.

Or Here.

Besides having fund near the river, there are other attraction such as Bukit Gelas Waterfalls, Hot Spring and Lucia Mountains which are walking distance away. Should you feel bored and want to get out of the urban pressure, this is the best place.

Road signs at the park.

A giant yam tree.

Walkway to the chalets

What Goes Around Comes Around

2005-01-01T08:12:00.000+08:00

I received the following story through email. It is such a wonderful story that I could not stop to share.

He almost didn't see the old lady, stranded on the side of the road, but even in the dim light of day, he could see she needed help. So he pulled up in front of her Mercedes and got out. His Pontiac was still sputtering when he approached her.

Even with the smile on his face, she was worried. No one had stopped to help for the last hour or so .. was he going to hurt her? He didn't look safe; he looked poor and hungry. He could see that she was frightened, standing out there in the cold.

He knew how she felt. It was that chill which only fear can put in you.
He said, "I'm here to help you, ma'am. Why don't you wait in the car where it's warm? By the way, my name is Bryan Anderson."

Well, all she had was a flat tire, but for an old lady, that was bad enough. Bryan crawled under the car looking for a place to put the jack, skinning his knuckles a time or two. Soon he was able to change the tire. But he had to get dirty and his hands hurt.

As he was tightening up the lug nuts, she rolled down the window and began to talk to him. She told him that she was from St. Louis and was only just passing through.
She couldn't thank him enough for coming to her aid. Bryan just smiled as he closed her trunk. The lady asked how much she owed him. Any amount would have been all right with her. She already imagined all the awful things that could have happened had he not stopped.

Bryan never thought twice about being paid. This was not a job to him. This was helping someone in need, and God knows there were plenty who had given him a hand in the past. He had lived his whole life that way, and it never occurred to
him to act any other way.

He told her that if she really wanted to pay him back, the next time she saw
someone who needed help, she could give that person the assistance they
needed, and Bryan added, "And think of me."

He waited until she started her car and drove off. It had been a cold and
depressing day, but he felt good as he headed for home, disappearing into
the twilight.

A few miles down the road the lady saw a small cafe. She went in to grab a bite to eat, and take the chill off before she made the last leg of her trip home. It was a dingy looking restaurant. Outside were two old gas pumps. The whole scene was unfamiliar to her.

The waitress came over and brought a clean towel to wipe her wet hair. She had a sweet smile, one that even being on her feet for the whole day couldn't erase.
The lady noticed the waitress was nearly eight months pregnant, but she never let the strain and aches change her attitude. The old lady wondered how someone who had so little could be so giving to a stranger.

Then she remembered Bryan. After the lady finished her meal, she paid with a hundred dollar bill. The waitress quickly went to get change for her hundred dollar
bill, but the old lady had slipped right out the door. She was gone by the time the waitress came back. The waitress wondered where the lady could be.

Then she noticed something written on the napkin. There were tears in her eyes when she read what the lady wrote:
"You don't owe me anything. I have been there too. Somebody once helped me
out, the way I'm helping you. If you really want to pay me back, here is what you do: Do not let this chain of love end with you."

Under the napkin were four more $100 bills.

Well, there were tables to clear, sugar bowls to fill, and people to serve, but the waitress made it through another day. That night when she got home from work and climbed into bed, she was thinking about the money and what the lady had written.
How could the lady have known how much she and her husband needed it?
With the baby due next month, it was going to be hard.. She knew how worried her husband was, and as he lay sleeping next to her, she gave him a soft kiss and whispered soft and low, "Everything's going to be all right. I love you, Bryan Anderson."

There is an old saying "What goes around comes around." Today, I sent you
this story, and I'm asking you to pass it on . Let this light shine.
Don't delete it. Please pass this on to a friend. Good friends are like stars....You don't always see them, but you know they are always there.

Kota Kinabalu International Airport Closed

2004-11-09T10:19:00.000+08:00

I was among the thousands of people stranded in Kota Kinabalu International Airport on 7 November 2004. It started from a Boeing 737 aircraft AK104 from Kuala Lumpur belongs to Airasia which skidded off the runway after landing. It has blocked part of the runway and thus forcing the airport (runway to be closed to all air traffic, except for the one taking our Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi back to Kuala Lumpur.

I managed to record those long waiting moments at the airport.

7 November 2004
2.00 PM
I checked-in at Kota Kinabalu International Airport to go to Tawau. My flight was MH2151 schedule to take off at 5.40 pm. I did not enter the departure hall as it was still very early.

5.00 PM
I entered the departure hall. An announcement was just been made. It announced the arrival of the plane from Tawau to Kota Kinabalu.

5.15 PM
I found an interesting site at one of the duty free shop. It was selling liquor and cigarette. It also has decorations of Hari Raya Greeting hanging from the ceiling.

5.20 PM
Many people were looking out of the windows. There was a plane on the runway but it wasn’t moving. One of the emergency chutes was seen. The talking among passengers was that the aircraft belongs to Airasia which is operating at Terminal Two.

6.00 PM
Time for breaking fast. Announcement was made informing everyone that all flights have been delayed due to airport closure. Further information would be announced later. The short information has created a lot of confusion among the passengers. Many started to corner the airport or MAS staffs for clarification.

6.50 PM
The same announcement being repeated. No new information was given. Everyone was not sure whether they should keep waiting or make alternative arrangements. Entrance to the aerobridges were seen unmanned. There were children playing around like nobody’s business.

8.00 PM
There were talkings that food was provided at the KFC Retaurant outside the departure hall. Passengers who have heard the talking rushed out to the restaurant. No official announcement was made. I had to queue for almost half an hour to get my few pieces of chicken nuggets. That was dinner.

8.20 PM
Passengers started to get tired and restless. Some even lose their temper. Many were seen sitting on the floor. Seats in the departure hall were not sufficient to cater for the huge number of stranded passengers.

Information counter which was manned by only 4 staff clearly could not coup up with thousands of passengers with thousand an one enquiries.

9.00 PM
Some passengers even started to sleep on the floor. They dare not leave the airport as there was no announcement being made on the status of the flights. They couldn’t stand the jam at the information counter.

9.30 PM
Impatience caused more jam at the information counter. Yet there was no announcement being made to inform the passengers.

10.00 PM
Duty free shops started to close one after another. Passengers were still waiting.

11.00 PM
I personally approached the information counter requesting for the official announcement on the status of the delayed flights. Reluctantly, I was told that all flights have been cancelled but they still refuse to announce through the PA system. I saw one of the staff going through sample announcements as they were not sure how to make the announcement.

11.16 PM
Monitor outside the departure hall showing something very interesting but strange. It looked as if the display was affected by the 'millennium bug'. Look carefully at the two conflicting dates.

11.17 PM
Passengers started to leave the departure hall and jammed up ticketing office.

11.23 PM
Cancellation of flights was displayed on the monitors outside the departure hall.

11.30 PM
I left the airport to look for hotel.

8 November 2004
8.00 AM
Most newspapers frontpaged the skidded plane at Kota Kinabalu International Airport.

12.11 PM
I went back to Kota Kinabalu International Airport, the second busiest airport in Malaysia, to continue my journey home. Most flights have been resumed by then. The skidded plane was still there.

3.03 PM
Aircraft belongs to Airasia seeing from close range. I managed to get back to Tawau, finally.

Note

It was just last week, I was requested to evaluate on the performce of the MAS ground staff. I offered myself to be their panel of survey. With the incident on 7 Novemeber 2004 I am sure my evaluation will be much more accurate, supported by evidence.

Bukit Gemok, Tawau

2004-09-09T18:38:00.000+08:00

Tawau, one of the biggest towns in Sabah, sadly has very few interesting places to attract tourists. Most foreign tourists would rather make Tawau a temporary transit before continuing their journey to the world famous Sipadan Island. They would prefer to stay overnight in Semporna rather than Tawau.

However if we were to pay more attention with the intention of upgrading and looking for alternatives, there are certain places that might be able to turn into tourist attraction. One of the those places is Bukit Gemok (The Fat Hill), about 11KM from Tawau town. Its geographical location is 40 19’N / 1170 19’E.

Infact Bukit Gemok is quite popular among the locals, especially the hashers and those who like mountain climbing. Many climbers have been frequenting Bukit Gemok both morning and afternoon. It gives them a good form of exercise and recreation.

Entrance to Bukit Gemok

Bukit Gemok is about 428 meter from sea level and is part of the Bukit Gemok Forest Reserve covering 445Ha. It was declared forest reserves in 1984.

What makes Bukit Gemok interesting is the challenging track to the top of the hill. There is also a canopy walkway, Titian Silara, which is 231 meter long. It hangs from a few trees on the top of Bukit Gemok and provides visitors a good view of Tawau town. The canopy walkway was the second one to be built here after the first one collapsed. It is worthwhile to take some difficulties to climb up the hill before enjoying the fantastic view.

Canopy Walkway on top of Bukit Gemok

I have climbed Bukit Gemok 4 times in total. For the first time I did not manage to reach the top. Due to lack of experience we started rather late. It was already dark before we reached the top. Normal climbing takes 45 minutes to an hour to reach the top while descending only takes about 20 to 30 minutes. Of course it would take much longer if you prefer to enjoy the scenery along the way to the top.

For the second attempt, I started at 2.00 pm with my two boys. With the little experience gained from the first attempt we were able to walk faster. There were 7 stations built for resting along the walkway. The last being at the very top.

Through out the journey, we would walk past natural jungle which is cool and with refreshing air. The cries of insects and once a while screams of monkeys adds to the feel of nature. There are a few places which are considered quite dangerous as climbers need to manage through slippery rocks. Certain areas are quite steep. It is also advisable not to climb during early in the morning or when it rains.

Slippery rocks with fungus make it difficult to climb.

Along the journey, besides being extra careful one can also find various kinds of plants and trees. If you are lucky you might find some rare species of insects and birds. There are times when you could see monkeys jumping from trees to trees.

This is what you might see while climbing

During our second attempt we took about an hour to reach the top. We were very happy to be able to make it. We spent another hour enjoying the scenery and walking along the canopy walkway. Almost the whole of Tawau town and its surrounding area were visible.

In front of Titian Silara canopy walkway

There were many people at the peak of Bukit Gemok. There were even senior citizens and children who have challenged themselves to be up there. One thing similar about them were that they were all wet due to heavy sweating. However, everyone displayed their pride of being able to reach the top.

Another view of Titian Silara.

My third attempt to climb Bukit Gemok was about two years ago. I went with a few of my Tawau Toastmasters Club members. It was part of our Club activities. My two boys went with me too. We too a shorter time to reach the top this time. However the canopy walkway was under repair at that time. We were told that there were accident before that causing the walkway to collapsed.

One of the many stations for resting. There are 7 of them all together.

On the afternoon of 4th September 2004 I clim Bukit Gemok for the forth time. I went with my family and a few friends. We found out this time that the entrance has been given a face lift. We each paid RM1.00 for the entrance. No receipts were given. We were informed that they were not ready yet.

Way to the top

The route to the top of Bukit Gemok did not change much. Since we were already used to the route we spent more time looking around appreciating the beauty of nature. It reminds me of my younger years where I used to play in the jungle.

Bird eye’s view of Tawau.

We were rather surprised when we were at the top. The canopy walkway has been replaced with a much stronger one. It is narrower compared to the previous one but gives one more confidence.

Titian Silara

Our view on Tawau is a bit limited this time as it was covered by trees which have grown bigger and taller compared to a few years ago. Nevertheless it was still a wonderful experience watching the surrounding from the top of Bukit Gemok, 428 meters from the sea level. Nature lovers will surely like this place.

Wild plants at Bukit Gemok

One question which I have yet to find the answer is, why it is called Bukit Gemok or the fat hill.

Tree more than hundred years, one of those where the canopy walkway is hung.

About Love & Friendship

2004-09-07T08:38:00.000+08:00

I received a nice email from a friend. I think the best thing to do with something really wonderful is to share it with friends.

Nobody is perfect until you fall in love with them.

Love starts with a smile, grows with a kiss, and ends with a tear.

Don't cry over anyone who won't cry over you.

What do you do when the only person who can make you stop crying is the person who made you cry?

If love isn't a game, why are there so many players?

Good friends are hard to find, harder to leave, and impossible to forget.

You can only go as far as you push!

Actions speak louder than words.

The hardest thing to do is to watch the one you love, love somebody else.

Don't let the past hold you back, you're missing the good stuff.

Life's short. If you don't look around once in a while you might miss it.

A best friend is like a four leaf clover, hard to find and lucky to have.

Some people make the world special by just being in it.

Best friends are the siblings God forgot to give us.

When it hurts to look back, and you're scared to look ahead, you can look beside you and your best friend will be there.

True friendship never ends.

Friends are forever.

Good friends are like stars.... you don't always see them, but you know they are always there.

Don't frown, you never know who is falling in love with your smile.

Everything is okay in the end. If it's not okay, then it's not the end.

Most people walk in and out of your life, but only friends leave footprints in your heart.

If u love something... let it go.
If it comes back to you its yours....
If it doesn't then it never was.

A kiss is just a kiss until you find the one you love.
A hug is just a hug until its from the one your are thinking of.
A dream is just a dream until you make it come true.
LOVE is just a word until its proven to you

Letter of Complaint

2004-08-17T21:40:00.000+08:00

I joined Tawau Toastmasters Club in 1999, which is one year after I was introduced to it. Since then I have been actively involved in various Club activities. I also took the challenge to hold various responsibilities in the Club. These include being the committee member on various levels until I was made the President this year. Besides that I was also given the task to be the Organising Chairman for the Club Installation and Speech Contests.

Organising an event gives one the opportunities to go through many experiences. Although we have tried our very best to carry out an event successfully with ample preparations, there tend to be some unforeseen circumstances that disrupt and disturb the original programme.

While carrying out the recent Club installation, where I am the President, the organising committee went through many challenges. These challenges weren’t come from within but outside the Club. It was caused by the hotel we have chosen to hold the ceremony. After all the bad experiences we went through, I wrote a letter of complaint to its General Manager. The letter is reproduced as follow:

Dear General Manager,

Disappointing Service

It is in deed with deepest regret and reluctance that we have to bring this matter to your kind attention.

The Tawau Toastmasters Club, either as a Club or its individual members, has been regular patronage of your hotel. We have used your facilities either for social or business functions both for our own or those of our acquaintance. It is because of this long term relationship that our Club has chosen your hotel for the fourth time to hold our Club Installation Banquet.

Our Club has made a booking on 15th May 2005 for your Ruby room to be used on the evening of 8th August 2004. We have specifically mentioned to your Sales Manager that adequate time must be given to us for the preparation especially on the decoration of the whole room. It is a standard practice for any function room where enough time must be allocation for preparation. Details of the programme were also discussed with our members.

I have also personally met with your sales Manager and reminded her that we do not want bad experience from the previous year to repeat. There were overlapping of booking the year before and we were forced to start our decoration after 5.00 pm where our function starts at 6.45pm. It was impossible and ridiculous to force that into us. Therefore, it was only after some argument that we were allowed to start our decoration at 2.00pm. Such experience has prompted me to remind your Sales Manager not to disappoint us this year.

However, we were informed this year, again, just a few days before our function that we would not be able to do our decoration earlier because there was another booking which overlapped our earlier booking. We were asked to accommodate for your eagerness to make more business and to please your new customers.

When I confronted your Sales Manager, she merely told me that she has to do business, as if we were asking something for free and our continuous support for your hotel has no
value at all. She refused to even consider any possibilities of solving our problem, which was intentionally created by your hotel.

I had not choice but to request for an appointment with your goodself and was glad to be granted the opportunity to voice our disappointment. I should thank you for your
understanding and making suggestions which were reasonable and acceptable to us. I was also assured that we would not face any problem.

However, your assurance was not delivered by your staff. We were at your hotel at 1.00 pm on 8th August 2004 to carry out the decoration. To our great dismay, nothing was ready. The stage, which you said is the centre of attention, was no where to be found.

I sought for the person-in-charge and was shown to one staff of yours. He told me that the stage was still in the other conference room and would only be moved over after they finish their function, which would be after 5.00pm. I requested for another stage but was bluntly informed that your hotel has only one stage. I was also told by your staff-in-charge that we could do our decoration without the stage. He was implying that he knows more about stage decoration and hall arrangement.

I protested and he said he could not do anything since there was no directive for him to set up the stage
after 5.00 pm. Disappointed, I demanded to see his higher authority. He refused and insisted that he is the person in-charge and I could only talk to him.

Only when I raised my voice out of frustration that I was brought to meet the Duty Manager. Frankly your Duty Manager was helpful and immediately instructed the staff-in-charge to set up another stage. Apparently your staff-in-charge was lying when he informed me earlier that your hotel has only one stage. I do not understand why he has to lie to us and purposely making things difficult for us. I, or the Club, have no grudges against him and we never receive this kind of treatment from him during our previous encounters.

After the initial unwarranted trouble, we managed to complete our decoration and the room was set. Nevertheless our nightmare did not end there.

First, we found out that the dance floor was loosely fixed and the sharp edges were not covered. Apparently they did not use the correct lace and edging for the dance floor. This has resulted two of our guests to fall.

Second, despite repeated reminder to your staff-in-charge that we need to finish the dinner in one hour’s time and been promised that they would speed up their service, they seems to work too slow and leaving too much time in between dishes. This has caused delayed to our programme.

Third, the food served was not up to the normal standard that we have tasted before. The fish was not fresh and the shark fin soup was rather watery. We are wondering, was it because of the series of bad encounters we have with your staffs that we were offered sub-standard food or was it because your service is actually deteriorating.

It is not our normal practice to complain since we believe in trusting and respecting each other. Our Club motto for this year is “Together We Excel”. We help each other
to improve and excel. However, we felt that as your regular customers we have been short-changed and taken for granted. Even if we are using your facilities for the very first time, such treatment is certainly uncalled for.

With such unpleasant experience that we had with your hotel staff, it is only right that we high light this matter to your goodself and seeking for your explanation. We are also requesting for a discount for the charges you have billed us. This will go far in proving that you value your regular customers and taking your customers’ view seriously, and of course for the betterment of your hotel.

Should you need further clarification on the matters raised please do not hesitate to contact me.

Thank you.

President

I faxed the letter to the hotel. 3 days later I received a call from one of the hotel staff. She told me that the hotel has agreed to give us a discount which is equivalent to the price for one table. I thanked her and requested the Club treasurer to settle the bill.

Of course my letter was never replied. Neither the General Manager nor the Sales Manager contacted me. I did not expect them to reply to my letter. I know they would not want to be quoted with anything black and white.

I informed the good news to the Club members and everyone was relieved. At least something has been done, or compensated for all the inconveniences that we have gone through.

Like I said at the beginning of my letter, we were rather reluctant to make any complaint. However, after taking into consideration the rights of the members and other consumers alike, we ought to do something. Even so, the draft was read by committee members before it was sent to the hotel.

Sometimes we are forced to be unpopular to fight for our rights, and the rights of others who might be equally affected. Or else we would be taken for granted.

Tawau Toastmasters Club

2004-08-14T11:24:00.000+08:00

On 1st July 2004, I am officially the President of Tawau Toastmasters Club which I have joined since 1999. Toastmasters Club is an international club which could be found in many countries. The Club intends to improve listening, speaking, communication and leadership skill through its carefully planned education programme.

Two pieces of news appear in the local dailies:

Lee Chye Ewe Takes Over As President

Lee Chye Ewe will be Tawau Toastmasters Club’s new president for the term 2004-2005. During the recently concluded election, Grace Yong was made Vice President Education, Rosslin Peter Rosen the Vice President Membership and Jordan Tan Vice President Public Relations.

The secretary post goes to Chu Ket Mee. Lucy Lo is the new treasurer while Snehalatha holds the post of sergeant-at-arms. Meanwhile the four committee members are Annie Pang, Elizabeth Goh, Vera Yap and Victor Raja.

Tawau Toastmasters Club, which was formed in 1996,is an international club focusing on improving members’ communication and public speaking skills. It conducts its meeting on every second and fourth Mondays at 7.15pm at Grace Inn Conference Room. Membership is open to all who wish to improve their English as well as speaking and communication skills. It is the only English-speaking club in Tawau which provides such training.

Lee Chye Ewe takes over from Yalah Munur on 1st July 2004. Yalah who is the Club President for 2003-2004 will take up the role of Area Governor for Area K 2 (which covers Tawau, Sandakan and Lahad Datu) from Victor Raja.

Before being elected as the Club’s new president, Lee Chye Ewe was the Vice President of Education. He had also held various positions in the Club since joining in 1999. These positions include Vice President Membership, Vice President Public Relations, Secretary and committee member.

Lee was an active member and took part as well as organised various speech contests. He is the first member in Tawau to achieve the Advance Toastmaster Silver award. He is currently working for his Advance Toastmasters Gold Award.

Besides Toastmasters Club, Lee Chye Ewe is also active in other social activities. Among his involvements are:

1. SRJK (c) Hing Hwa Parents and Teachers Association Chairman (1999-2001)
2. Tawau Hakka Association Committee Member (1997-2000)
3. Tawau Buddhist Lodge Secretary - Malay & English (1998 – 2004)
4. Rumah Warga Tua Air Panas Visitor Board Secretary (2001-2004)
5. Tawau Federation of Chinese Associations Committee Member (1999-2001)
6. Tawau Chinese Primary School Working Committee Member (1999-2001)

Lee has also presented many seminars, talks and briefings on Information Technology, Internet, E-Commerce and motivation for various organisations. Among them were Tawau Liberal Democratic Party Youth, Sabah Progressive Party Youth, Malaysia Indian Congress, Rotary Club Tanjung Tawau, Rotary Club Lahad Datu, Hakka Association Tawau, Tawau Regional Library, Holy Trinity Church, SM Teknik Tawau, SMK Kuhara Tawau, SMK St Patrick Tawau and many more.

He is also a well-known multi-lingual master of ceremony who has conducted many important functions since 1990. He was the Master of Ceremony for most of the grand functions carried out in Tawau, which were officiated by Chief Ministers, Federal and State Ministers. He was the MC for the recent 2003 Malaysia Cocoa Festival.

Besides his involvement in social and charitable activities Lee Chye Ewe is also a regular blood donor since 1982. He donates blood, plasma and platelets regularly at the Tawau General Hospital. He also co-founded Taman Mulia, a non-governmental organisation which helps to gather volunteer blood donors and collect used reading materials and clothes.

Lee was a secondary school teacher for 12 years before resigning and joined a private firm. He was teaching English and Computer in school. He was the Assistant Afternoon Supervisor before leaving the teaching profession. For his excellence contributions in school he was given the Excellence Teacher’s Award in 1993. Lee is currently working for a construction company in charge of administration.

Tawau Toastmasters Club will hold its 8th Installation Banquet on 8th August 2004. There are a lot of interesting events been planned for the evening, themed International Night. Among them include karaoke competition, dance and games besides the formal installation ceremony. Attractive prizes will be given away too.

The installation of the 2004-2005 Executive Committee Members were held on 8th August 2004. Reports on the function is as follow:

Tawau Toastmasters Club 8th Installation Banquet

Out going President Hj Yalah Munur putting on Club Medallion for President Lee Chye Ewe

With 88 people seating in 8 tables, Tawau Toastmasters Club's 8th Installation Banquet was held on 8th August 2004. The function was carried out successfully with lots of meanings, funs and fond memories for all those who were present.

Organising Chairlady, Patricia Chai, in her welcoming speech stated that the combination of various 8 was specially chosen to coincide with the Club's 8th Installation. She hopes the auspicious significance would bring about a more dynamic and active environment for Tawau Toastmasters Club.

Out going President, Haji Yalah Munur,meanwhile thanked his 2003 - 2004 Executive Committee members for working closely with him. He pledged to continue supporting the Club under the new leadership of Lee Chye Ewe. He believed that with Mr Lee's vast experience both inside and outside the Club, Tawau Toastmasters Club would achieve greater heights. Haji Yalah Munur has taken up a higher post as the Area K2 Governor. He also presented the Club Awards to his 2003 - 2004 Executive Committee Members.

The 2004 - 2005 Executive Committee Members were installed by Assistant Division K Governor (Marketing), Victor Raja. Victor, who was once the Club President, congratulated the newly elected team and calling all members to give their full support to the new Executive Committee lead by Lee Chye Ewe.

The President, Lee Chye Ewe, when delivering his maiden speech, thanked all members for their support and confidence in him. He pledged to do his best, working hand in hand with his members to further improve the Club. He has chosen the theme "Together We Excel" for the Club.

Lee also said that he was very touched by the Toastmasters spirit where it provides a very healthy, sincere, encouraging and supportive environment for learning and improvement.
Toastmasters Club offers the opportunity for members to learn, improve and polish their listening, public speaking, communication and leadership skills.

Lee also pointed out that, little gestures like a pat on the shoulder, an agreeable nod, an encouraging smile, a supportive applause and a warm hand shake actually give a lot of encouragement and confidence to a person standing on the stage. These are the real gestures that help to produce so many fine speakers and leaders. These are also the gestures that we should give to our children, friends and colleagues for them to take up greater challenge.

Tawau Toastmasters Club, has all this while, provided such encouraging and supportive environment for its members and guests. Lee further called for everyone to practice the Toastmasters spirit in every day life. He also encourages the public who are interested in improving their communication skills to join the Toastmasters Club.

Guest of honour, Division K Governor, Richard A Gontusan, when delivering his speech congratulated the newly installed Executive Committee and its President, Lee Chye Ewe. He also thanked the previous Executive Committee lead by Hj Yalah Munur.

Richard said that going on stage to deliver a speech is like a magic. A good magician needs constant practice to fine-tune his skills. Similarly, a good speaker needs to continuously speaking to improve and excel.

Richard, who as the Division K Governor, said there are 27 Toastmasters Clubs in Sabah under his supervision as the Division Governor. Toastmasters meetings are conducted in English, Mandarin and Bahasa Malaysia.

Richard later presented Advanced Education Awards to 3 members. They were Chu Ket Mee who achieved the Advanced Toastmasters Bronze Award, Grace Yong and Jordan Tan who achieved the Advanced Toastmasters Silver Awards.

Besides the formal installation ceremony, members and guests were also entertained with a number of exciting programmes. There were group karaoke singing competition, solo karaoke singing competition, tissue papers fashion contest and best dressed competition. All prizes for the two singing competitions were sponsored by Schwarzkopf International while prizes for best dressed male and female were sponsored by the President.

Among the invited guests were Tawau OCPD ACP Sulaiman Junaidi and his wife, Tawau Mandarin Toastmasters Club President Datin Yuen Siew Kien, Sandakan Toastmasters Club President Luna Chua, Area K5 Governor Fung Thin Ken, Past Presidents of the Club, Eleanor Pang, Bernard Lee and Elizabeth Goh. Also present were past Area K2 Governors Judy Goh and Dora Chiu from Sandakan.

New Executive Committee Members being installed

Friendship

2004-05-26T07:56:00.000+08:00

Friendship

is a promise

spoken by the heart

It is not given by any pledge

nor written on any paper.

It is a promise

renewed everytime

when we keep in touch.

THE VALUE OF A SMILE

2004-05-19T12:02:00.000+08:00

by Author Unknown

A smile cost nothing, but gives much.

It enriches those who receive,
without making poorer those who give.
It takes but a moment,
but the memory of it sometimes lasts forever.

None is so rich or mighty that he can get along without it, and none is so poor but that he can be made rich by it.

A smile creates happiness in the home,
fosters good will in business,
and is the countersign of friendship.
It brings rest to the weary,
cheer to the discouraged,
sunshine to the sad,
and is nature's best antidote for trouble.

Yet it cannot be bought, begged, borrowed, or stolen,
for it is something that is of no value to anyone
until it is given away.

Some people are too tired to give you a smile.
Give them one of yours,
as none needs a smile so much as he who has no more to give.

I have used this nice poem before for my students and also my motivation programme. It would be nice to truely understand the power of a smile. Use it, generously.

The Pirate Story

2004-04-05T15:08:00.000+08:00

Sept 24, 1985 -- 11 people were killed and several injured when 15 armed pirates landed on Lahad Datu town and fired randomly at the public before robbing a bank of RM190,000. The attack was over in about 30 minutes.

Police and military personnel pursued the pirates and smashed the group which was hiding on an island near international waters.

During the robbery of a bank in Lahad Datu, Sabah, I was teaching in Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Abdullah, Semporna, Sabah. Semporna is about 200KM away from Lahad Datu.

The robbery was carried out by a group of pirates in commando uniform at around 1.00 pm. The Marine Police in Lahad Datu has requested for help from Semporna. On receiving the request the Marine Police jumped into their speed boats and rushed to Lahad Datu. Their action has created fear among the local folks especially those at the market which was just beside the marine base.

The locals were really scared of pirates as they have gone through numerous unpleasant encounters with them. So they too ran for their lives leaving behind all their fish and vegetabels. The stores were emptied in just a matter of minutes. The whole town was quite and deserted.

Meanwhile parents started to flood the school where I was teaching. Buses were waiting outside the school. They rushed in to look for their children. The school was in chaos. There was no way to control the situation. In less than an hour the school too became empty.

Only a few teachers were left behind including myself. We have never seen such things before. I was just posted there in January after graduated from teachers training college.

A few days later, we learned from the news that the pirates were killed in a neighbouring country.

FATHER FORGETS

2004-04-05T13:37:00.000+08:00

W. Livingston Larned

Listen, son: I am saying this as you lie asleep, one little paw crumpled under your cheek and the blond curls stickily wet on your damp forehead. I have stolen into your room alone.

Just a few minutes ago, as I sat reading my paper in the library, a stifling wave of remorse swept over me. Guiltily I came to your bedside.

There are the things I was thinking, son: I had been cross to you. I scolded you as you were dressing for school because you gave your face merely a dab with a towel. I took you to task for not cleaning your shoes. I called out angrily when you threw some of your things on the floor.

At breakfast I found fault, too. You spilled things. You gulped down your food. You put your elbows on the table. You spread butter too thick on your bread. And as you started off to play and I made for my train, you turned and waved a hand and called, "Goodbye, Daddy!" and I frowned, and said in reply, "Hold your shoulders back!"

Then it began all over again in the late afternoon. As I came up the road I spied you, down on your knees, playing marbles. There were holes in your stockings. I humiliated you before your boyfriends by marching you ahead of me to the house. Stockings were expensive-and if you had to buy them you would be more careful! Imagine that, son, from a father!

Do you remember, later, when I was reading in the library, how you came in timidly, with a sort of hurt look in your eyes? When I glanced up over my paper, impatient at the interruption, you hesitated at the door. "What is it you want?" I snapped.

You said nothing, but ran across in one tempestuous plunge, and threw your arms around my neck and kissed me, and your small arms tightened with an affection that God had set
blooming in your heart and which even neglect could not wither. And then you were gone, pattering up the stairs.

Well, son, it was shortly afterwards that my paper slipped from my hands and a terrible sickening fear came over me. What has habit been doing to me? The habit of finding fault, of reprimanding-this was my reward to you for being a boy. It was not that I did not love you; it was that I expected too much of youth. I was measuring you by the yardstick of my own years.

And there was so much that was good and fine and true in your character. The little heart of you was as big as the dawn itself over the wide hills. This was shown by your spontaneous impulse to rush in and kiss me good night. Nothing else matters tonight, son. I have come to your bedside in the darkness, and I have knelt there, ashamed!

It is feeble atonement; I know you would not understand these things if I told them to you during your waking hours. But tomorrow I will be a real daddy! I will chum with you, and suffer when you suffer, and laugh when you laugh. I will bite my tongue when impatient words come. I will keep saying as if it were a ritual: "He is nothing but a boy-a little boy!"

I am afraid I have visualized you as a man. Yet as I see you now, son, crumpled and weary in your cot, I see that you are still a baby. Yesterday you were in your mother's arms, your head on her shoulder. I have asked too much, too much.

If only we could see our children, our students from their own point of view, we would be able to understand them more. We would not put our yardstick as theirs.

If teachers could entertain their students like their own children and not treating them as products in a factory, the students will understand more about life, about love and responsibility.

Schools will have less disciplinary problem and could concentrate on educating and molding a child to be someone useful and respectable.

Teacher

2004-04-04T22:51:00.000+08:00

A good teacher speaks the language of the intellect using words to communicate.

An excellent teacher speaks also the language of the subject, tutoring the skills.

A great teacher speaks as well the language of emotion, inspiring, motivating, encouraging and instailling in her students a genuine desire to excel and a fervent love for the subject.

A great teacher is every achiever's first mentor!

Farewell Speech At Tawau Air Panas Old Folks Home

2004-04-04T21:57:00.000+08:00

I was appointed Secretary of Board of Visitors for Tawau Air Panas Old Folks Home in 2001. I was invited to make a speech on behalf of the Board's Chairman Mr Loo Chi Soon. Here is the speech.

Salam bahagia dan salam sejahtera.

Saya bercakap bagi pihak Pengerusi Lembaga Pelawat Rumah Warga Tua Air Panas Tawau, Encik Loo Chi Soon, yang tidak dapat bersama-sama dengan kita pada malam ini. Beliau menyampaikan salam kemaafan kepada semua hadirin.

Tuan-tuan dan puan-puan, saya ingin mengambil kesempatan ini untuk mengucapkan terima kasih kepada Encik Ahmad Jimmy, Penguasa yang akan bertukar ke Kota Kinanabalu pada penghujung bulan Mac ini. Saya dimaklumkan bahawa pertukaran beliau merupakan persediaan dalam proses kenaikan pangkat. Untuk itu kami juga mengucapkan syabas dan tahniah atas kejayaan Encik Ahmad Jimmy.

Selama hampir tiga tahun Lembaga Pelawat penggal ini bersama-sama dengan Encik Ahmad. Banyak pengalaman yang telah kami lalui. Banyak juga yang dapat dilakukan demi kebaikan dan kebajikan warga emas di Rumah Air Panas ini. Kami percaya, kesediaan Penguasa menerima cadangan, nasihat dan teguran daripada pihak Lembaga Pelawat merupakan faktor utama kejayaan Rumah Warga Tua ini. Hasil daripada kerjasama yang erat yang terjalin telah dapat kita sama-sama saksikan dengan pelbagai pembangunan fizikal dan perubahan sikap di rumah ini.

Pertukaran Encik Ahmad, walaupun merupakan satu kehilangan, namun kita tetap mendoakan kejayaan buat beliau. Semoga beliau akan dapat menjalankan tugas dengan baik di ibu Pejabat Perkhidmatan Kebajikan Am di Kota Kinabalu.

Tuan-tuan dan puan-puan, pada masa kita mengucapkan selamat tinggal kepada Encik Ahmad Jimmy, kita juga mengalu-alukan kedatangan Penguasa yang baru, Encik Mohd Taufiq Leong. Saya difahamkan beliau merupakan seorang yang berpengalam dan pernah berkhidmat di beberapa tempat yang berlainan. Oleh itu tidak kurangnya kalibar Encik Mohd Taufiq untuk tugas sebagai Penguasa yang baru.

Oleh yang demikian, besarlah harapan kami agar Encik Mohd Taufiq akan dapat melaksanakan tugas beliau dengan baik dan dedikasi. Pihak Lembaga Pelawat akan memberikan kerjasama yang sewajarnya untuk menjayakan pelbagai program bagi kepentingan penghuni rumah ini. Warga emas, kakitangan, Lembaga Pelawat dan masyarakat umum di Tawau menaruh harapan tinggi terhadap Encik Mohd Taufiq untuk meneruskan tugas-tugas yang mulia di Rumah Warga Tua Air Panas ini.

Kepada Encik Taufiq dan kakitangan Rumah Warga Tua Air Panas, saya berharap anda sekalian akan cuba menyelami sanubari penghuni di sini agar perasaan mereka lebih difahami. Anggaplah warga emas di sini sebagai ibu bapa dan saudara-mara kita sendiri agar tugas dan tanggungjawab kita akan menjadi lebih komited dan prihatin. Tanpa kejujuran dan keikhlasan adalah sukar untuk kita berhadapan dengan orang tua.

Saya juga tidak lupa untuk mengucapkan terima kasih kepada Encik Abd. Aziz Wasli, Timbalan Pengarah 1, Jabatan Perkhidmatan Kebajikan Am Sabah yang turut bersama-sama dengan kita dalam majlis perpisahan pada malam ini.

Selamat maju jaya dan selamat malam.

Sekian.

Writing

2004-04-04T02:54:00.000+08:00

I like writing since I was small. I remember reading a lot of stories and essays during that time which has influenced me to write.

My first writing appeared in Utusan Pelajar when I was in Standard 6. Then I wrote once to a Chinese tabloid about watching a couple kissing. I was in secondary school then.

I started writing again when I was in Form 6. I was staying with my sister for a while and got influenced from my brother-in-law, Lim Swee Tin, a great poet.

My poems and essays were published in newspapers and magazine. one of them being,

Senja Pulang Perlahan

Di sini aku ketemui akhirnya
sebuah kepulangan yang agung
senja pulang perlahan
bersamamu
sehiris daging yang berdarah
semahkota kemuliaan
selembah kepalsuan
sebuah kematian.

Senja pulang perlahan
sebuah janji yang takkan dimungkiri
sedang menantimu.

Senja pulang perlahan
bersama bayangku yang kian berbalam.

This was written in 1981. It was published in January 1982 issue of SARINA

And this was me when I was much younger with a typewriter borrowed from my brother-in-law.

The Beginning

2004-04-04T01:29:00.000+08:00

It was while browsing through those pages on the world wide web that I found a lot of interesting stories in blogs. Blogging has become a new way of expressing one's ideas, feelings, thoughts, suggestions, comments and more.

Blogging is the easiest way to put things on a web page. It has simplified the making of a webpage. Therefore it is not surprising to see so many youngsters blogging about their daily activities. There are of course interesting news to be read as well.

Being a teacher for 12 years, there are a lot of stories, experiences and ideas which I wish to share. At the same time I also wish to polish my writing skills.

Thus I join the big blogger family through out the world. This is the English version of my blog. I have a Bahasa Malaysia version at Cikgu Lee (http://cikgulee.blogdrive.com)