memories of a father

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Newspaper Article: Sunday Mail, 22 Feb, 2004

Sunday, July 3, 2011

Tokoh Wargatua Lelaki 1992, 2 Okt. 1992

Newspaper Article: New Straits Times

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Newspaper Cuttings From 1959 Part II

Compiled by Mohd Adnan bin Abdul Jamil

Sunday, October 31, 2010

Thursday, October 14, 2010

Newspaper Articles - 8/11/1967 & 9/11/1967

Saturday, January 9, 2010

MALAYSIA DAY was celebrated yesterday and we joined a distinguished company of diplomats and statesmen who went up to the Shelbourne's upper regions to be greeted by His Excellency the Ambassador for Malaysia and Puan Sri Norhimah Jamil.

This rich peninsula which juts out to form the southern-most part of the mainland of Asia has a population of ten-and-a-half millions.

About half of them are Malays. Of the remainder about three-quarters are of Chinese descent and rather less than a quarter are of Indian and Pakistani descent.

The capital is Kuala Lumpur and the official languages are Malay and English.

Nine sultans run the country and they elect one of their number every five years as Paramount Ruler.

His name, I was told last night by the courteous Press Officer of the Malaysian Embassy, is Tunku Ismail Nasiruddin. All right. You pronounce it.

Malaysia, the Press Officer told me, is the world's largest exporter of rubber, tin and palm oil.

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Newspaper Articles

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

letters from a Father to his Children (05.09.58)

WENTWORTH HOTEL
SYDNEY, 6th September 1958.

Our Darling Dears,

SYDNEY, 3rd September (Wednesday): We left for Sydney early in the morning. Mr. Burns of the Department of Interior, New Zealand stationed at Auckland saw us off. After a smooth flight of 5 1/2 hours by TASMANIAN EMPIRE AIRLINES (TEAL), except for about half an hour of bumpy weather, we got to Sydney. A Qantas representative was waiting for us but he didn't do very much for us. Fortunately Qantas Air Terminal in the City was next to Wentworth Hotel which was a fairly big Hotel - one of the biggest in Sydney. It was expensive - the room we were occupying was comfortable though being provided with a Television set and a Radio. We had even an electric fire place. In the afternoon, as Mak was rather tired, I walked a bit in the City alone. We did not go out at all in the evening. Our minds were too much with you all.

4th September: (Thursday) We checked with the QANTAS regarding the times of departure and arrival and we were so disappointed to find out that we would arrive at Kuala Lumpur on the morning of Saturday

instead of Friday as originally thought, although the time and date of departure from Sydney would not be changed.

In the afternoon we toured the City and the beaches. We visited VAUCLUSE HOUSE, the former residence of the late Mr. W. C. Wentworth after whose name Wenworth Hotel was named. This house was open to inspection upon payment of an admission fee. Mr. Wentworth was well known for his fight for a liberal Constitution for New South Wales.

Lots of love and kisses to Sayang, Adek, Intan, Kuntom, Nor, Adek Shor, Nan, Nah, Ajid and Yong. Will be back tomorrow.

Ever Yours Lovingly,
Mak & Bapak

Wednesday, September 30, 2009

letters from a Father to his Children (03.09.58)

Hotel Trans-Tasmania
Auckland, 3rd Sept, 1958

Our Dear Darling Children,

AUCKLAND, 27th August (Wednesday): We flew out of NANDI this morning. At the Air Port as a sign of "good-bye" all the lady passengers were given a hibiscus flower - Bunga Raya - to keep. The flight by TEAL (TASMANIAN EMPIRE AIRLINES) plane was very smooth and comfortable. There was plenty of leg room as opposed to that in other tourist class of other planes. It was even easier for us to explain that we did not take pork; whereas in other planes the hostess always looked askance at us.

We reached AUCKLAND at about 4.30pm. It was rather cool as this was still at the end of winter. A Mr. Browns of the Internal Affairs Dept. met us and got us through the rigmaroles of the law without ado. We were takan by him to TRANS-TASMAN HOTEL in a Government motor-car. Although, according to the list I left with you all, we were staying at WENTWORTH HOTEL there was no such Hotel in Auckland. We wondered whether you had sent any letters to this non-existent Hotel.

Mr. Brown offered to help and told us that if we were going to WELLINGTON, the capital of New Zealand, Mr. Nash, the Prime Minister would give us lunch. We have,

however, decided not to go as it was quite a distance from Auckland.

We went to bed rather early. It was pretty cold, ooh!

Thursday, 28th August: After breakfast, we were interviewed and photographed by a correspondent of a local newspaper, "AUCKLAND STAR". This attracted some attention in the Hotel.

This afternoon the Governments' car which was at out disposal picked us up and took us round for sight-seeing in AUCKLAND. We were taken to the top of Mt. Eden, named after Sir Anthony Eden's great grandfather(?) who was at one time Governer General, New Zealand. From here the view of Auckland City was very pleasant, though rather cloudy as it was threatening to rain. This was now an extinct volcano. We also passed ONE TREE HILL, another extinct volcano. This stood in CORNWALL PARK in which was situated the first wooden house erected in Auckland - about 100 years ago. We stopped at the WAR MEMORIAL MUSEUM which was situtated in AUCKLAND DOMAIN. The Museum included a wonderful selection of MAORI relics and carvings.

In the evening we bought a copy of the "AUCKLAND STAR". We were rather disappointed. While the record of the interview was there, only my photograph was published whereas a photograph of Mak and Bapak together was taken.

Friday, 29th August: Mak was provided with an electric iron this morning and later in the morning we went out to the City. AUCKLAND is the biggest City in New Zealand but it does not compare with London or New York in size.

In the after three Malay students came to see us. We chatted till late in the afternoon. One of them was a Colombo Plan student and the other two were here on their own doing civil engineering.

In the evening another batch of students - four Chinese and one Muslim Indian - came. Mak was not feeling too well and stayed in bed. Most of them were officials of the Students Union here. They were going to celebrate the Independence Day Anniversary and invited us to attend on Sunday evening. We went on talking till rather late in the night.

Saturday, 30th August: We went out this morning to WAIWERA. Unfortunately this was a cold, wet morning. It's not unusual as this was still winter - though the end of it. We went round WAITEMATA HARBOUR and through EAST COAST BAYS to lunch at SOUTH PACIFIC HOTEL. WAIWERA is a Maori word meaning hot water. There is a hot water spring here. The hot water is piped to a swimming pool at the Hotel.

On our return we went through HELENSVILLE along which was a beautiful rural scenery.

Sunday, 31st August: We had a very quiet day. We stayed in the Hotel all day. In the evening two Malaysian Students, Siew Wai Cheong and Zahariah accompanied by a New Zealand girl came to fetch us to the dinner organised by the Malaysian Students Union on the occasion of the first Anniversary of Merdeka. The dinner was attended by some New Zealanders and Mr. & Mrs. Holgate, a former Director of Education in Malaya. Most of the Students were Chinese on Colombo Plan Scholarship. There were only 5 Malay Students - two private - in Auckland. It's sad to see so few Malays! There were also a few Indonesians attending.

After dinner I was asked to address the gathering. I feel that I did quite well. There was a dance after this and we stayed back - just to watch!

Monday, 1st September: Just before we left the Hotel this morning we were so happy to receive a letter from home as we have not received one since New York. We went to a flat where two Malay Students, Zaidin and Aziz were staying. Che' Ibrahim, a Colombo Plan scholar studying printing and Che' Zahariah, another Colombo Plan scholar doing B. Sc. were also there, cooking curry and rice for us. Ooh, how we enjoyed a real curry lunch after about one month.

After lunch, we, except Zahariah who had to see her friend off, went to the Zoo. It was raining and cold but we enjoyed both the company and the sight.

We got back to the Hotel at nearly 6 o'clock.

Tuesday, 2nd. September: We went out with Che' Ibrahim round the City. Before lunch I had a hair-cut. That's a fairly good record? A hair-cut at Paris, London, New York and now, Auckland. Of course in Auckland it was cheap - 3s.6d. Later we had food at a Chinese Restaurant. We didn't like the food. From there we went to the Teachers' Training Centre Hostel. I found it in bad shape!

In the afternoon, Mr. Holgate who was Director of Education in Malaya picked us up to go to his house - a place called HOWICK, 14 miles out of the City. We had a very enjoyable time. The house was situated on a very good site, overlooking a bay and we had a lovely curry dinner. Mr. Holgate and his wife later sent us back to the Hotel. They were very kind indeed to have entertained us.

Lots of love and kisses to Sayang, Adek, Intan, Kuntom, Nor, Adek Shor, Nan, Nah, Ajid & Yong from

Yours Ever,
Mak & Bapak

Friday, July 24, 2009

letters from a Father to his Children (27.08.58)

HOTEL MACAMBO,
NANDI, FIJI, 27th August.

Our Dear Darlings,

Saturday, 23rd August: (HONOLULU) After posting our letter to you all in the morning we strolled about the town and was attracted to a restaurant called WAIKIKI SANDS. We discovered that it was a nice Restaurant on the beach of WAIKIKI serving Cosmopolitan food. We went in. Food - Japanese, Korean, Chineses and a few others - was laid on the tables to be taken personally - no restrictions as to the amount and it cost only $1.45 each. We enjoyed the food very much as well as the water melon and pine apples at the end of the meal.

In the afternoon we went to the INTERNATIONAL MARKET PLACE to watch Polynesian Dances. They were very interesting indeed. In the evening while waiting for the time to be picked up for the Air Port we sat in the gardens of our Hotel watching and listening to Hawaiian dances and music. The orchestra comprised only three with only one dancer.

At the Air Port there wasn't the bustle of arrivals. HONOLULU seems to care more for the arrivals than for those departing! This gave the impression of commercial tourism more than anything else.

While Honolulu was beautiful, it lacked the "native touch". Shops were stocked more with imported goods. The streets ware splattered with tourists - mostly Americans - who went "native". The women dressed themselves in MUUMUU - a long baggy gown. It tickled us to notice how these tourists behaved and dressed. They looked very odd.

We left at about 12.30 AM - about two hours later than scheduled and after a twelve hour flight and stopping at CANTON Island we arrived at NADI at 10.30 AM on MONDAY. This was wonderful and exciting. We lost one day, SUNDAY. There is a geographical explanation for this of which I was not clear. We shall discuss this when we get home.

Sunday, 24th August: LOST!!

Fiji: Monday, 25th August: We stayed in our Hotel - MOCAMBO - all day to rest. This Hotel was not near any City. SUVA, the capital of Fiji, is 137 miles away. We do not propose to go there.

Tuesday, 26th August: We went out on a tour by taxi to LAUTOKA. Before we went we were told that this was the second biggest town on the Island. On the 16 miles journey we passed by some nice scenery. There were many sugar cane plantations along the route. They belong to Australian Companies

employing Indian labour mainly. We passed some Fijian Villages with poor type of houses. Here again we were told that the natives were not hard-working enough! There were still plenty of land but no one wanted to work it as these uncultivated areas were not supplied with roads! I don't think the Fijians could be blamed. They seem to prefer fishing to working the land.

We were rather disappointed when we got to LAUTOKA as the place was very small - even smaller than Kuala Kangsar Town. We were taken round the town and we were happy to see a Mosque - a pretty, though a small one. We bought some "muruku" from an Indian hawker and watermelon - just two slices - from the market.

On our way back we stopped at a beach where we met some Fijians. They gave us coconut water to drink. We took a group photograph and one old chap gave me his address to send a copy of the snap. We went straight on to NANDI Town which was even smaller than LAUTOKA. We found that there was also a Mosque in NANDI. After going round we returned for lunch.

At MOCAMBO HOTEL we found two Waiters who had been to Malaya. They spent most of their time in Batu Pahat. After dinner tonight we listened

to the Hotel 3 man Orchestra playing sweet Fijian hits.

Well, how are you all getting on? We will be home in 8 days. In the meantime we are anxious to receive some news.

We wonder if Yang, Ayah Nyah, Enjang, Dak, Chor and Pak Ni know of our date of return.

Love and lots + lots of kisses to Sayang, Adek, Intan, Kuntom, Nor, Adek Shor, Nan, Nah, Ajid and Yong. Sembah salam to Tah and salam to the others.

Yours Ever Loving,
Mak & Bapak

P.S. Some more photos.