These two, Ka Kiong and Chee Wah greet arrivals. Their role is obvious.

People started arriving around 6 p.m. The din gradually rises to crescendo as the dining hall fills up and alumni chatter with each other.

Report on the MBSloop CNY Dinner on Feb 12, 2011
(Lai Wing Fatt)
 
The function room at the Grand Imperial Restaurant at Sri Hartamas was filled to the brim with 20 tables, a record for this popular annual event. Low Min Chee and Peter Yap the co-organisers, with full support from the MBSalumni committee, were instrumental in ensuring that this will be the best in these series of our annual loop CNY Dinner celebrations.

MC Lai Wing Fatt started the night with recognition of visitors from overseas & welcoming of guests, which include luminaries like Tan Sri Yong Poh Kon, Tan Sri Tay Ah Lek, Justice Tan Sri James Foong & others. Lim Sze Tin, the second highest MBSloop contributor, from Sydney while Cheah Foong Chon, the third highest MBSloop contributor & loop laureate from Singapore, & Goh Soon Sinn from Sydney were present. From Beijing, there is William Tan, a classmate of Lim Yew Tjek (Jack). Local boy Lee Yoke Meng, the top contributor to the MBSloop, was also present.
 
A message from KC Foong, head-honcho of the NZ MBSalumni chapter, conveying his best wishes was read out. Acknowledgement was given the main sponsors – Dato CQ & Carlsberg for the 5 barrels of beer & Kevin Kumar of Black Tie Events Asia, a classmate of Darryn Chiew, for the 5 piece band as well as the sound system.
 
The dinner started with the traditional "yee sang" salmon fish dish which everyone participated on cue from the MC. Entertainment commenced with the junior & amateur dancing champions from William Lor’s dance academy performing their cha-cha, rumba, samba & jive numbers in the limited dance floor space. Next to come on was Darryn Chiew, who recently returned from UK after completing his law studies. Though an accomplished pianist, he claimed that he has never played the saxophone in public until then & performed 2 numbers, one English & one Chinese song for this special occasion. The Whites, with beautiful & sensuous songstress Noni, took over to step up the tempo for the night for the next 45 minutes. After the pulsating performance by The Whites, came the refreshing Kevin Leong, aka Sam Hui of MBS, who gave his humorous & entertaining rendition of famous songs made popular by the Cantopop great. The raucous applause was a good indication of the crowd’s appreciation of the MBS has talent on show.
 
While waiting for the band to perform their second gig, Katsunori Mori, son of our beloved T Mori, performed his unique yodeling song sung acapella to the amazement of the enraptured crowd & school principal Mr Wong Chee Kheon gave an update of the school’s on-going activities & achievements, including the five-star & cluster school status previously conferred & the anticipated award as a School of Excellence. He followed up by leading the attendees in singing the school song.
 
The Whites then continued with part 2 of their performance while Wing Fatt & Jocelyn Lor led some eager dancers to the dance floor. Many stayed back till the wee hours of the morning to continue with catching up with old friends while very kindly "helping" to finish the last barrel of beer.
 
 
MBSloop Dinner 2011

Gathered as we were for the feast
Mindful of those we may have missed
Whether colourful, loud or what
Sang the school song straight from our hearts

Those with talents willing to show
They dance, they sing one even blow
Cha cha, rumba, samba and jive
Darryn’s saxophone added spice

Cantopop was Kevin’s gravy
Silky moves by William Lor’s babies
Kumar’s five piece band stole the show
With music for the young and old

Some were not able to stay late
Leaving early is what we hate
A good party was in progress
It’s joy and laughter at its best
(Every line has 8 syllables)

Chan Wai meets Min Chee

Joash meets Sze Tin

James Lim, Sze Tin, Jerry Kwok, Mrs Kwok

???001 and ???002

???003, Yong Siew Wah, Tham Tatt Seng, Kevin Leong

Jack Lim and the man from Beijing ???004

By 7.30 pm, the hall fills up

Choo Yew Kuen, Fong Yuen Hoe, Eric Wong

???005, Palakrishnan, Goh Soon Sinn

Wong Chee Kheon, Yong Poh Kon, Esther Teo, Fumiyo Mori

Wong Chee Kooi, Tay Ah Lek

Jeyalingam, Raymond Lye, Mrs Lye, Lawrence Sieh

Oldest MBsian attending, Low Kong Ming and wife

Darryn entertains

Peter with some of the current students of the school
???008,???009, Kar Wai, ???010

Jack Lim, Roshan, Darryn

Darryn, Ron Lim, Peter, Wong Chee Kheon, Jack Lim

Dinner starts with raw fish

???011,???012, Kah Foo, Eric, Chris

The Whites holding the diners to rapt attention

Mrs Low, Kong Ming, Shu Nam, Eric, Ka Kiong, Kwai Chee

Jack, Mrs Pala, Palakrishnan, Ron Lim, Heng Yuen, Ming Hun

Darryn, sound engineers, Min Chee

Peter with the sound engineers

Peter, Sze Tin, Weng Fatt

???013, Katsunori, Chiang Quan

Peter and bodyguards

The Whites, Weng Fatt, Kevinkumar

Shu Nam, ???014, Jack, Chiang Quan, Esther, ???015

Fumiyo, Poh Kon, James Lim, Chiang Quan, Peter

The man from Beijing, ???016

Fuat Wai, Hsien Loong, Chuen Inn, Jonson, Chun How, ???017, ???018

Need help with identifying these MBSians
???019, ???020, ???021,???022, ???023

And help with these too
???024, ???025, ???026, ???027

Tolong !!!
???028, ???029, ???030, ???031, ???032

???033, Weng Keong, ???034

Wayne, Mrs Pala, ???035, Lai Cheong

???036, ???037, ???038, ???039

William introduces the dances

Kevin Leong aka Sam Hui

Tatt Seng, Min Chee, Wayne, Lai Cheong 
Most of the people have left, leaving these chaps to finish the beer

Peter, Kwok Lim
Tatt Seng, Min Chee, Wayne

Duck

Read all about it here.

The first paragraph reads:

It would be fair to say, unlike some schools, many of the successful old boys of MBS come from a poor background with many coming from the slump of Ho Ching Yuen and Petaling Street. These people have known and experienced poverty and perhaps it is this experience that had moved many to help the poor to achieve their dreams. Many have had help from other quarters to achieve their own dreams and felt that it is a baton that is worth passing on.

The document as a PDF can be downloaded here.

EVENT: MBS Alumni Loop CNY 2011 Dinner

DATE : 12th February 2011 (Saturday)

VENUE: Grand Imperial (click for their website)
(non halal)

ADDRESS :
Hartamas Shopping Centre (click for Google Maps)
60, Jalan Sri Hartamas 1,
Sri Hartamas, KL (Coordinates: N3 09.798 E101 39.407)

(click to enlarge picture)

TIME : Drinks at 6pm, Food at 8pm
NUMBER OF TABLES : 15 – 20 Tables
PRICE : RM90/person at 10persons/table
BEER : 3  Big Barrels (sponsored )
OTHER ALCOHOLIC DRINKS : Sponsored and bring your own

To reserve a table or even just come with a few classmates, please email:

Watch this space for announcements and developments.

For the uninitiated, there is this Chinese New Year gathering since 2007 open to ALL MBSKL boys and girls who have left school or currently still in school. The only qualification is that you have some connection with MBSKL.

Update 11/01/2011 7.00 pm from organiser codename “Katak” and PeterYHH

ROLL-CALL* (Schedule Eight)

Table A – Jerry K
Table B1, B2 and B3 – W and J Lor
Table C1 and C2 – LKLim and Lai WF
Table D1 and D2 – Peter YHH
Table E1 and E2 – P Chan and Low MC
Table F1 and F2 – Wong CF
Tables G1 and G2 – Ho CW
Table H – HoSN
Table I – CQTeo
Table J – JLim
Table K – RLim + LeeYM
Table L – YoonFK and Logan
Table M1, M2 – FooKH

Total Tables taken todate (25/01/2011) : 21 tables (Targetted 15 – 20 tables)

EmCees: Lai Weng Fatt/Robinson
CFO* : Chan Ka Kiong (CKK)/Ho Chee Wah (HCW)
Entertainers: Sam Hui of Malaysia, William Lor Dance Troupe, Sexo Saxophonist and Gang

* In order to lighten the unenviable task of these 2 gentlemen on the night, tableheads can make prior payment directly to:
Payee: MBSKLAA
A/c No: 3154151311
Banker: Public Bank
Please notify CKK (0122922940) or HCW (0193358433) with a text after paying into bank account, especially when you are paying in by cash.

Past years’ Loop Dinners
2010 2009(no blog) 2008 2007

(TMET)

Newsletter December 2010

The TMET was launched 20 November 2010 at the Royal Selangor Golf Club. While the TMET Facebook page is being developed, it is the TMET committee’s intention to disseminate information to all available MBS sites to reach as many MBSians as possible. If your address is in the TMET data base, you will receive a personal copy. If you do not have an email address yet, a hard copy will be posted to you by “pigeon” post until you are able to get an email address.

Lee Tak Suan speaking at the launching of TMET

Mr. Yong Chee Seng Presenting his speech

The total fund pledge is approaching RM850,000 with some of the MBSians sending in their pledges directly and some through their cluster groups. This is very encouraging as the details of the TMET have not even been fully publicised. If you need a pledge form, please contact the leader of your Cluster group or email to the TMET address. No money will be collected yet. Meanwhile, have fun among your friends in your Class of XX Cluster

Mr. Chooi Mun Sou, an old MBS boy of the law firm Chooi & Co. has completed the draft for the TMET and this is currently being reviewed by the founding trustees. He had promised to make it water-tight at the TMET launch.

Robert Chan and KC Foong who were at the launch have returned to New Zealand and promised to generate support for the TMET .The Australians too are doing something and in Japan, Dr. Anthony Foong advised that he is one of 2 known MBSians in the country. Any one knowing anybody in Japan please contacts him via his email address in the MBSLoop. Hopefully MBSians in other countries will form their own clusters or make contact directly with the TMET.

Meanwhile if you have any questions to ask, please email the TMET. Your name will not be published but the question and answer may be posted in a FAQ page when the web page is fully operational.

The TMET committee already had three meetings since the launch although nothing much is expected to be achieved over this crazy period called Christmas.

The TMET committee takes this opportunity to wish everyone

“A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR”

Royal Selangor Golf Club
Saturday, 20th November, 2010

Click on image to enlarge

The founding members of the T. Mori educational trust fund, namely:

Lee Tak Suan, Tan Sri Tay Ah Lek, Datuk Wong Chee Kooi and Pong Wah Cheong and your beloved spouses, members of the pro-tem committee, members of the T. Mori family, fellow alumni of MBSKL, Datuk-Datuk, Datin-Datin, distinguished guests and friends, ladies and gentlemen.

Let me first express my sincere gratitude to the founding members for inviting me and giving me this honour and privilege to address you at the launching of this trust fund. Tonight is a momentous night marking another very important milestone in the annals of our beloved alma mater, the Methodist Boys’ School, Kuala Lumpur. This year marks the 113th year of our school’s existence and we are one of the oldest schools in Malaysia. Through her portals have passed generations of students who have contributed immensely to the growth and development of our country. There has never been any doubt that MBSKL ranks among the best schools in Malaysia, providing quality education and producing citizens whose contributions effectively prospered our country and many other countries to which our students have chosen to live.

What are the reasons for this success story?

From a humble beginning starting in the upstairs of a bicycle shop in the then Batu Road, then migrating to an abandoned pork market in Malacca Street (given permission by the then Kuala Lumpur town board) we have now a prominent home on Petaling Hill.

Yes, we have well-equipped facilities with compatible information technology, central server, wifi compatibility etc. etc. and recently two new wings completed under the centennial commemorative project. For this we owe Dato’ Lee Tak Lum. After a lapse of several years since we celebrated our centennial in 1997 and almost forgotten, he took the initiative to revive the project.

In my perception, what makes our school great is not only the brick and mortar. The real substance is the human element – the people, students, teachers, staff, alumni, parents, supporting friends and the public. MBSKL has become what it is today because over the years principals, students, teachers, parents, the church and the alumni association have toiled and endeavored to create, with their contributions, a culture and tradition of loyal support, giving us our physical structure and more importantly a spirit of oneness among us.

Tonight we see another great effort which will go down in the history of our school, the laying of a foundation of support which will certainly go towards enriching the culture and tradition of a unique nature. The founders of this trust began their noble work in helping their alma mater in 1999 when they were informed of a need to repair the roof of the hall. Their first commitment of RM250,000 paved the way for more to come.

Following that they began to invest in academic development of deserving cases. In their eyes, deserving cases were not those with high excellent achievements, but those who are under-privileged with good enough results to obtain places in local tertiary institutions but unable to do so because they will not rank among those who will be awarded scholarships and neither will their families be able to finance their studies. Their aim to help such students to achieve their objectives for a better life and spin out of the circle of poverty  is indeed noble! This is much in line with the core of Methodist education and much in the hearts of our pioneer missionary forefathers. What is more, they have won over support so tremendously that they have approached the target of one million ringgit to start this trust fund.

There are wider objectives that they envisage to incorporate into this trust fund. These include financing courses to train teachers in MBSKL and later expanding to others, in the teaching of English, sponsoring hot meals for students who cannot afford  to have decent meals, helping defray expenses like special or extra-curricular fees and other financial needs of the school.

Allow me to ask. “How many schools in this country, be it national schools or any other type of schools have such noble and comprehensive support from alumni as our MBSKL?”

The establishment of this trust fund is indeed a historical milestone in the annals of our beloved MBSKL which, tonight, sees another solid brick built into her rich edifice of culture and tradition which ranks second to none. Naming this fund after our beloved principal, Mr. Takamizu Mori or fondly known to us as Mr. T. Mori, is a wise and most appropriate choice. Most of us here tonight know Mr. T. Mori.  To many of us, our lives have been touched by his true dedication to educate the students of MBSKL in particular and students of the country in general. Many of Mr. Mori’s deeds were not confined to MBSKL alone. His colourful life and charitable heart took him into activities which served the nation, the youth and sports in particular, in ways which few can compare.

Mr. T. Mori is a true blue MBSian. He came to Malaya with his parents, a sister and a brother in 1908. He joined MBSKL in 1918 and did brilliantly in academic studies and in almost every sport played in the school; winning an award to study at the Raffles College in Singapore. He completed his Diploma in Arts and returned to his alma mater to teach in 1931. Except for a break between 1941 and 1945 when his whole family was incarcerated by the British Government, he faithfully served MBSKL as teacher, senior assistant and principal until he retired in 1969.

In his tenure in MBSKL he has touched the lives of many students, colleagues and staff under him. He is well-remembered for his no-nonsense approach in administering discipline. Recalcitrant students had felt the sting of his canes which he used with fairness and justice. Frequently when I meet up with students who had a taste of his cane, they recollect with humour and even gratitude that they got their just desserts. I have not encountered anyone who went under his cane, recount their punishment with grudge or resentment. On the contrary, the recollection inevitably is with  a sense of happy recollection. Not long ago I met  a former student who is a grandfather now, lamented; “Mr. Yong, why schools do not appoint headmasters like Mr. Mori now, eh? When we played truant he caned the daylights out of us and before caning ask us which cane to choose also!” Yes, many students express their gratitude to Mr. Mori for his fatherly care for us, especially those who were under-privileged whom he noted and went out of his way to care. We have heard that on many occasions when he spotted students who were not in the tuck-shop during interval he would ask them why. He had a keen eye to spot needs. Out of his own pocket he would give out money so that they can have a snack. Indeed the hot meal programme was started during his tenure.

With the growth of student population in the 1950s and 60s, the school was literally bursting at the seams. We had 16 floating classes and all pure science classes had to use the laboratories as home rooms. Even the school hall was partitioned to be used as classrooms. Rising to this challenge, he launched a campaign to build a new block of 6 classrooms, teachers’ room, art room, geography room and an air-conditioned library with a canteen in the basement level. This is the T. Mori block. As usual, we had very little help from the government, but the alumni rallied and Mr. Mori’s good friends generously donated classrooms to ensure that the project was completed. One of the classrooms was contributed by the late Mr. & Mrs. Navaratnam, the parents of Datuk Rasmah Bhupalan who is with us tonight.

During his young days, Mr. Mori played almost every sport that was played. He played football and rugby for the state of Selangor and Malaya. I was told this anecdote of his rugby prowess. In a game between the All-Blues (all Asian players) against a team of Mat Sallehs, the latter just could not deal with a nippy forward who was running rings around the big clumsy Mat Sallehs. It was a wet and muddy field at the Padang. To fix this nippy and cheeky forward, they got together and jumped on him every time he got the ball. In one of the tackles there was a whole pile of Mat Sallehs on top and as they peeled themselves off,  T. Mori’s face was almost 6 inches in the mud but emerging unscathed and cheekily grinning!

Mr. Mori was a faithful and dedicated member of the YMCA giving his time and whole- hearted support to serve the youth. He was president of the KL YMCA for many years and also headed the national YMCA. His dedication and his sincerity in serving the YMCA persuaded him to sacrifice his own financial security by mortgaging his home to provide finance to build the block which we now see standing at Brickfields.

When his active playing days were over, Mr. Mori did not cease to serve society.

He was very much involved in the Football Association of Selangor and Malaysia as their secretary and council member. He was also a member of the Juvenile Court, visitor to the Sungei Buloh leprosarium and a member of the Malaysian Youth Council.

When our first Prime Minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman needed to go on official visit to Japan, Mr. T. Mori, being a personal friend, was appointed liaison officer and interpreter. Appropriately his services were recognized by our Yang di Pertuan Agong who awarded him the KMN and the Japanese Imperial Government awarded him the Order of the Sacred Treasure of Japan.

And so it is very right and appropriate that we name this fund the T. Mori Education Trust Fund for its objectives are very much after the heart of Mr. T. Mori.

Tonight, while we pay tribute to and honour a great man, a true son of Malaysia, an exceptional and outstanding MBSKL alumni, we must acknowledge and express our heart-felt gratitude to Mrs. Mori snr. and to members of the family.

Mr. Mori had given his life to serve us. Many of us are what we are today because of his sincere service and sacrifice. We thank Mrs. Mori because without her understanding and willingness to bear long hours and many days of loneliness at home, holding fort in raising her lovely family and giving him her support, we could not have benefited from his sacrificial dedication. We are indeed honoured that the Mori family are able to be with us to share this momentous event to name this trust fund after Mr. Mori. From the depth of our hearts, we say a very sincere “thank you” (arigato gazaimazu)

To all of you who are present tonight, allow me to say a big thank you.

To the founding members of this trust fund and all the pro-tem committee members and all those to have contributed and pledged to contribute to this trust fund, I want to say a sincere thank you. We all love our alma mater and one way or another we have been blessed as students of MBSKL

MBSKL has achieved the school of excellence status.. It is what it is today because in a very big way it is due to the loyalty and love of the alumni. Tonight you have concretely manifested this with positive action. You have enriched the tradition, culture and spirit of MBSKL and truly make it Malaysia’s Best School!

Thank you, God bless and GO FORWARD MBS!
Yong Chee Seng

This speech in PDF format can be downloaded here.

Mr. Yong Chee Seng’s speech at the launch is the subject of the next post.

Download pledge form for the Trust (Microsoft Word format)
DO NOT SEND ANY MONEY YET

Click on pictures to enlarge

Professor Robert Chan (3rd from left) a 1960er came in from Auckland to meet his classmates and reports:

I am giving a personal account of the Dinner and Launch held on Saturday at the Royal Selangor Golf Club. I came back to Kuala Lumpur from Auckland with KC Foong and I believe that we travelled the longest distance for the occasion. For me it was nostalgic, meeting some classmates whom I’ve known for over 60 years for the first time since I left school. We were at a tour of the school on Friday morning. We behaved in a way excited children do when many class and school mates meet up after a long absence. Sadly, I was not able to remember many of them. However, some friends were able to jog my memory and we recalled events of the past. Now the present difficulty is in remembering their names. The photographers were present and KC even managed to capture an image of the MBS ghost.

The setting for the dinner was befitting the grand occasion this was, and the event went smoothly. I sensed that a great deal of effort went into the organization which was headed by classmate Lee Tak Suan and his able team. I was very happy to see among the 13 or so tables that so many MBSians of other years (mostly younger of course) were present. KC and I were particularly delighted to see the Loop represented by (in no particular order) Peter Yap, Wan Heng Yuen, Ng Pui Wan, Wayne Cheah, Wong Tuck Meng, Jeffrey Yue, Davy Woo, Lee Yoke Meng, Mah Teck Keong, James Lim, Ho Shu Nam, Albert Rajaratnam and others. Some like Low Min Chee would have come but was unable to. There was much mingling but insufficient time to see and talk to everyone present.

The official guests included the Mori family, principal Mr Wong Chee Kheon, former principals and former teachers of the school. I was particularly delighted to see Mr Yong Chee Seng, my form teacher in 1959, who only a few years ago brought me out of hibernation when he introduced me to KC and the Loop. Mr Yong gave the principal address and recounted the history of Mr Mori and his long association with the school interspersed with his usual style of humour. He managed to produce some of the canes that Mr Mori used – he was apparently very fair-minded, giving the students the choice of cane to be used on their backside. I was not one of the lucky ones who had that privilege. He had said to me, “Robert, you are too old now to be caned; I do not want to suspend you since you have been playing truant for too long; the only option left is for me to sack you”. Fortunately for me, he did not carry out his threat but he did put me on the school’s black book, one of the first I believe. Teachers had to write a brief report on the behaviour of those on the list. Any misbehaviour would result in sacking. The rest is history. I behaved and several years later went back to school to see Mr Mori to tell him that I graduated from university and was studying nuclear physics. I suspected that he was quietly proud that he had a role in saving me. There are many such similar stories around him. I hope those of you who remember incidents at school would recount and share your experiences.

All MBSians, without exception, who knew Mr Mori respected him and some owed him a big tribute. It is the school spirit he fostered that kept many past pupils proud to have belonged to a school that nourished and guided them and prepared them for life. For this I believe the Education Trust was named in his honour. Although Mr Mori is the name associated with this Trust it is the underlying reason for it which is important – to help students in need and these may well include many different types in need. An extreme example is someone who may even be a graduate and who has a particular talent but cannot afford to continue to a postgraduate course. This student may well qualify as much as someone who is just starting tertiary study at university or at a trade school. Alumni who do not know Mr Mori, nevertheless have their own headmasters and teachers to relate to. If you share the same school spirit that I do then it does not matter what era you belong to – the worthy cause is the same.

For me it is easy to have faith in the people who are behind the TMET. They are successful people I’ve known for a long time. Their private funding of scholarships for needy students is now no longer secret. Their desire to continue this scheme openly (long after they are gone) has resulted in the TMET. They are not ready to accept donations towards the Fund yet but they are anxious to get it started. There are still many hurdles to overcome and yes, there will be criticisms of the way it is being carried out. The key point is that the sooner the scheme is started the sooner some students can receive the benefit. If they waited until every i is dotted and every t crossed, the scheme may never get off the ground. The people involved are people of integrity; the governance and operation of the Fund will be water-tight. If you have ideas, criticisms or comments bring it out in the open. It is healthy to sieve from all this and retain the best. So I urge you to be positive, think about it and pledge your support in real terms. There is no limit – we pledge what we can afford and from our hearts.

GO FORWARD MBS.

Robert Chan
1950-1959(F4)
Auckland, New Zealand

Dear Prof Robert,

I am telling a story which I have heard from either Mr Yong or someone more senior to me. Its about the late Judge of Singapore, Lai Kew Chai. Incidentally he died immediately after he retired ( So it may not be so good to retire after all). It seems that Mr T.Mori had given him guidance and got him to study the Arts and in the end he achieved the success and became a very prominent Judge in Singapore. Mr Mori had touched many people life including mine when he once chased all the primary school students off the field before the afternoon session started and cannot even sit on the concrete steps. I could not run in time during the confusion of events and got one lash from Mr Mori for sitting on the steps.

So Robert, I am one better than you as I had got one lash from Mr Mori-just for sitting down and not running fast enough due to day dreaming
But Mr Mori’s daughter had taught both myself in MBS and also my wife when she was teaching in Malacca.Talk about a small world

LYM

Great write-up, Robbie. Not only did you give a great account of the dinner, you also surreptitiously (in a nice way, of course) rooted for TMET. I fully concur with what you said and my hat off to the founders of the fund for their selflessness and foresight.

At the risk of throwing in some controversy, I wonder if we should nominate a permanent chairman for the fund. Permanent, of course until he/she vacates the post. Permanent in the sense that he/she doesn’t have to get voted in every year. What about giving sweeping powers to this person? The idea is to have someone who really has the vision of the fund, lest annual election of chairmen may not provide sufficient continuity and, worse, as the fund gathers steam, we may find some ill-intending smooth talker who may try to get in for selfish interest and control the sizeable funds there. Yes, it is a double-edged sword. You could also get a Permanent Chairman with ill-intent. So, this is by no means a request, much less a call for a PC. Just to open up a discussion point, if that is needed. If not, just tell me to shaddap and I’ll oblige.

I leave it to the silks to figure out how this can be enshrined in the constituion, how his/her powers will be espoused or contained, how he/she can be appointed (eg., veto powers given to Board of Governors of MBS or Methodist Education Foundation or Kobenpy or something like that) or removed, etc.

Regards
LST

ST,

The TMET trust will be run by 4 trustees. The founding trustees Mr. Wong Chee Kooi and Mr. Lee Tak Suan have indicated that they will carry the ball for at least three years to ensure that the TMET gets a good start. The third trustee is from the T. Mori Family . The fourth trustee is Dato; Teo Chiang Quan who will receive the ball to carry it forward. TCQ represents a younger generation and when both Wong Chee Kooi and Lee Tak Suan retire, it is anticipated younger trustees will be appointed and they will be “trained” to take over when TCQ retires.

It is vision of the founders that younger generations will take this through to the future.

Mr. Chooi has envisaged protectors are appointed to ensure that the Trustees stay on course with the objectives of the TMET. The legalities are still being worked out. Until this is ready, teh TMET will not be taking any money from donors.

What you have pointed out is real and need to be addressed.

KC

ST,

Thanks for your support and the pertinent suggestion. Dictatorships have been known to work well in some countries. Seriously, KC has responded to you and has made it clearer how things are working out.

One point that is perhaps worth considering is the establishment of clusters to promote and generate interest. At present we have a unit or cluster (or cell – careful of the CIA) in NZ who we hope will try to work closely together to get a pledge from the cluster as a whole for those who wish to be part of it. Of course, individuals could do so separately. What we envisage is that similar clusters form in Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, and in other overseas centres. Someone must take the initiative to get the thing going. In some large centres there are already groups of alumni forming social gatherings from time to time. The TMET could well provide a focus. So here is a challenge.

As for the largest centre – KL – there already exist many clusters. For example, Albert Rajaratnam has informed us that his class of 57 meets once every two months, and they have an annual dinner often in KL and sometimes in Singapore. He showed me a photo of the most recent meeting which included Cheong Choong Kong. Their activities are not confined to eating and socialising. They have several classmates in need and they are supported by the group. One group that meets regularly include the class of ’67. There are many others doing the same. These groupings could be the basis of the clusters in KL. Each will have their own set of interests and different headmasters or teachers they relate to. If they agree with the basic principles the TMET could well provide a focus for these clusters.

Excuse me for being so cheong hei.

Robbie

Hi Robert

I instituted this ‘system’ in 2006. Right from the word ‘Go’ I told myself that folks nearing the completion of their 7th decade on earth become increasingly forgetful. The notes allowed for focussing on the items in an objective manner. The participants wished some items would be swept under the carpet. The notes does not allow this to happen.

KC, you and I had a superb lunch this afternoon. Do enjoy your dinner with TM tonight.

Regards
Albert
KL 48-57

Download pledge form for the trust
DO NOT SEND ANY MONEY YET

[click on images for full size]

Not everyone was able to make it this time. Kok Ken and Heng Mun are in Malaysia. Li Voon is somewhere in China. Edward Leong is in Wellington, Kok Kong had prior arrangement, Chris Sit had to pull out the last minute because his wife was not feeling well.

Steven Au is missing in action. Henry and Hon Loy could not be located. Lilian couldn’t make it from Hamilton. Wai Sek Mau miscalculated by one day!

Anti clockwise from all the alcohol: Woon Chai Goh, Gado Gado, Chicken Wings, mixed springroll samosa-prawns and Thai chicken feet ( thoroughly washed and manicured!) …and Tsing Tau barley water

We had a great time chatting, laughing and ripping into each other. Of course politics were discussed. Michael promised to charter a plane to fly back to vote at the next election. Those wearing blue jerseys have to find their way home.

Anti clockwise from the gado gado: Sey Ngan Chai’s roast duck and siew yoke; Brickfield’s spicy Indian chicken, human hand!…and more of the same. Others still to arrive.

The food was really really good. Except for the Sey Ngan Chai’s roast duck, all the food were created by some of these siew cheh…Ooops! Koo Liang master chefs.

Left to right: Jamie Fu, Lee Yap, Veron Tham, Siong Tang, Serena Yap, Lee Lee Foong, Stephanie Yap.

The master chef supervisors, the main food testers and consumers of barley water:

Anti clockwise: The trishaw man Danny sitting on his lang cheh; Michael Yap, Frank Yap. Amster chatting to Michael Fu in the back ground and Albert Yap drinking ‘barley water’ while surveying the food.

Yap, Yap and Yap posing for the photo: Michael Fu still trying to win an argument in the background. He had one too many orange juice to drink !

Rita Chan and Michael Fu having a yarn. Michael, Danny and Bernard waiting for the signal to dive into the food.

Our professor Dr. Robert Chan complimenting Siong and Amster about the excellent gathering while Lee Lee and Jamie are planning for the next one!

Back to the main subject: Food More food had arrived. Tai she tow’s wat tan hor, fried noodles and Kampong Bharu’s nasi birayni. Still missing are the hokkien noodles and rojak.

Bernard arguing with Veron. Queue from this way. Veron wants it the otherway. ….but I have waited at this end since 5.00 pm!

The photo of the world’s first home made DURIAN ICE CREAM ?
Sorry this is under patent application. No can show lah!
Everything no MSG. Just kah yim and kah choh!

Occasioned by a visit by Ngiau Hoh Kong from Melbourne, MBSloopers of the 60s met up and it turned out to be a historic reunion of 5 patrol leaders of Eagle patrol in the 60s.

The 5 Eagles

From Left: Low Min Chee (1967), Patrick Foo (1966), Wang Kuo Shing (1965) Wayne Cheah (1964) and Foong Kwok Chuen (1963)

The party also comprised MBSians from 5 countries

Leong Kum Sang (Sweden), Ngiau Hoh Kong (Australia) and Kwok Chuen (New Zealand)

The others are from Malaysia and Singapore

The rest of the gathering

Hoh Kong, Kwok Chuen, Patrick, Seng Chim

Min Chee, Kah Foo, Kuo Shing

Pala, Kum Sang, Hoh Kong, Kwok Chuen

Standing: Weng Fatt, Soon Sinn, Kuo Shing, Weng Keong
Seated: Wayne, Kwok Lim, Pala, Kum Sang, Hoh Kong, Kwok Chuen

Standing: Weng Keong, Fook Sang, Peter
Seated: Wayne, Kwok Lim, Pala, Kum Sang, Hoh Kong, Kwok Chuen

Standing: Pala, Lai Cheong, Tatt Seng, Kuo Shing
Seated: Simon, Wayne, Wing Fatt, Son Sinn, Weng Keong

Standing: Pala, Tatt Seng, Kwok Chuen, Chee Wah, Peter, Weng Keong
Seated: Lai Cheong, Hoh Kong, Wayne, Son Sinn

Meanwhile back in the farm, that olive farm in New Zealand, another MBSLoop Chinese New Year do.

The Auckland MBS Chinese New Year party was planned sometime ago. It was to be on the 20th February 2010 but the date did not suit everybody so it was changed to 27 February, one day after the MBS CNY in Kuala Lumpur.

On the day the master chefs probably started early to prepare their dish for the evening. I know for sure that the Yue Sang lady was too busy and Lum Kok Kong and I were left to “go find the fish” for her dish. The two of us left at 6.00 am and launched the boat at Takapuna. Within 15 minutes we had our fishing rods in the water but we were pulling up babies. Unfortunately, they were not the good looking two legged ones. We had to throw about 10 of those critters back into the water – for next year. Having been told not to return if we can’t get fish, desperation sets in and we changed spots a couple of times. The final spot that we picked didn’t have an ikan bilis on the fish finder but it was telling lies. The first big fellow was a Boy Scout as it undid the knot on the hook under pressure. Somewhere in the wide open sea there is a fish with a hook on its mouth (latest fashion craze) but happy to be free to live another day. 8 others were not so lucky and they ended up in the fish bin and reappeared in the evening as Yue Sang and “ikan baker on banana leaves”. Boy, didn’t they taste good.

The crowd turned up at the Olivale Grove Resort early. By the time we turned up, they were all in a happy mood yapping away especially Yap, Yap, Yap and Yap. The fermented barley water helped of course. Kids were running all over the place among the olive trees and the goodies were piling up on the dinner table as the chefs drifted in.

There must have been 50 adults and children at the party. At about 7.00 pm, after an hour of starring at the food, Michael gave the signal and the three big dish of Yue Sang were tossed into shape and into very happy tummies. This was followed by uncountable plates of high cholesterol food (who cares?), wine and more barley water. Amid laughter, back slapping and “friendly insults” the food were demolished. Desert which followed were hardly touched as there wasn’t enough room for anything else.

The sound of guitars strumming in the air soon attracted a small group of people and we sang (tried to sing) for a while. This was followed by a photo session and the MBS School song – the only song which we could remember the words and sang to the end!

This year there were a few more new members and the numbers have grown. The new people blended it really well and soon were talking like old mates. We all left close to midnight knowing that we had a great evening. There were talk already of having a Hawkers Evening and plans were tossed around for the 2011 do! It will be different when it comes. Maybe we can all cramp into Kok Zen Ken’s Farr 1020 for a sail to Waiheke for a picnic… with Woody Knot following behind….. with the fish.

Thanks to Jamie, Michael and the family for being great hosts again. Not only did we use up the water from their water tank but we left them the task of cleaning up the mess. Michael was told in no uncertain term that he is not allowed to sell the olive orchard!
We felt sorry for the following people who didn’t make it.
• Wan Heng Mun escaped to KL on a business trip and missed out on a great do.
• Danny “Lat Foo” hurt his back and couldn’t make it to the car so she MBSian
Lilian Loh Kin Ley couldn’t do the 1.5 hours journey from Hamilton to get to the party
• Wai Sek Mau lost his senses and couldn’t smell out a good feed
• Leong Yap was commanded by Allana to be in KL for their mother’s special
birthday

The New Zealand choir singing the MBS Song:

(click on image for full size)
Front L to R: Chan Mong Fatt, Soon Li Voon, Tan lee Lee, Alice Hon Loy, Chan Ken Meng
2nd Row L to R: Robert Chan, Michael Yap, Amster Tang, Bernard Yap, Sit Chee Kin, Frank Yap, Micahel Fu
Back L to R: Albert Yap, Steven Au, Edward Leong, David Chow, Danny Tham, Lim Kok Kong, KC.Foong; Kok Ken Zen

(click on image for full size)
FR Girls : Stephanie Yap; ; ; ; ; Jolene Chow;Selena Yap; MR: Siong Tang; Lee;Serena Yap; Maggie Sit, Angel Au; Joanne Lum;Jamie Fu BR:Veronica Tham; Lorna Kok

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Lee, June Leong, Siong Tang, Amster, Maggie Sit

SerenaYap, Rita Chan, Lauren Yap

Lee Lee and Stephanie preparing the Yue Sang

Yap, Yap, Yap and Yap

KC, Michael, Rita and Robert

Lee, June Leong, Siong Tang

Serena, Rita, Lauren

Back: Steven, Michael
Front: Albert and Michael

KC and Lee Lee

Li Voon, June, Veronica, Maggie

Tan Jit Meng and Robert

KK, KC Michael, Mrs. Kok and Ken Zen

Nyonya Kueh for desert

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The Yue Sang

June and Edward Leong; Frank and Serena Yap
Before it disappears!

The Yue Sang Stampede

Li Voon and Jit Meng

The Fu girls – Sabrena and Justina

The Fu boy, Nick reaches out

Nick, Yuin Khai and old man Foong

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Food, glorious food

Amster (in white cap), Yuin Khai, Mong Fatt and Chris

Chan Keng Meng and hubby

Alice and Lee Lee

Then it got dark

and darker

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What noise are they generating

(click on image for full size)
A Happy Chinese New Year – smiles all around
Bring on 2011