Wednesday, December 9, 2009

We are children of God















My grand daughter, Natalie Anne was baptized on 6 Dec 2009 at St. Teresa Singapore. 13 infants were baptized by Rev. Fr. Daiman De Wind. Her Godmother is Regina Chia from Johore Bharu but works in Singapore.

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Bleak Retirement

My friend, a retired Math teacher has two children. The son is in the US while the daughter in NZ.
I came to know of her about five years ago. When I knew her through the church, she was already living in a very depressive mood. She was moving from place to place due to her instability.

After an accident her children put her into a prestigous nursing home and when she came to know of the fees incurred she forced herself to be dischared. Due to her incapability of living by herself, her children again put her into another cheaper nursing home.

After three weeks there, she went berserk due to the confinement at the home and had to be admitted to a hospital.

I think if she has a gun now she will use on herself.

Sunday, November 22, 2009

Road Bully

My neighbour had deliberately closed the road on his land for almost four months and this had greatly affected the livelihood of the surrounding landowners. The farmers and the elders of the village held a meeting with him to open the road but he had refused and cited that he needed to carry out some earthworks on his land.

Due to this the farmers had to use an alternative dangerous road and when I heard that my brother had fallen, I then decided that we should use the power of the Land Office and when he came to know of this, he immediately paved the road with mud that very morning. Due to this current rainy season, I do not know how long the mud road will last!

Meantime, the farmers had decided to make an application to the Government for a Collection Road of Way permanently to prevent any further harrassment from him and his family.

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Ecumenical & Interreligous Ministry

This inaugural Peninsular Malaysian Conference is mooted by the Archdiocese Ministry of Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs. This Conference hopes to be a common platform bringing together organizations and individuals who are already engaged in or are interested to start interreligious and ecumenical programmes. It was held at the Archdiocese Pastoral Centre, Kuala Lumpur from 10 - 11 October 2009 with a capacity of about 100 delegates from Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak.

This event was officiated by His Grace, Murphy Pakiam of K L Archdiocese and I was part of the organizing team.

Monday, October 12, 2009

Dependency On Foreign Maids

Nowadays, many people have become too dependent on fulltime foreign maids.

I come from a very large family of thirteen and I wonder how did my mother manage without a maid?

Every year about a month to Chinese New Year we would all be busy preparing goodies, spring cleaning, decorating, etc and we all worked as a team. We didn’t have a washing machine but we had plenty of free spring water. My mother would scrub and scrub and we would help her rinse.

We have a big garden and with many types of herbs and vegetables for consumption and we also produced our own cooking oil. We were already enjoying organic food without realization and today you have to pay hefty price for it.
When it came to cooking, everyone had their part to play one would be whisking a big bowl of eggs, another chopping, pounding, grinding and so forth. My father, the “fireman” would control the heat from the burning firewood.

Though I was a career woman I was determined to cook at least a meal for my family each day. Thanks to my husband’s paternal grandmother who had helped us look after the kids while we were at work.

When our youngest was about six she passed away and we had to send him to a babysitter and when he was eight we taught him how to be home alone whilst his two elder brothers were at school. I was lucky that my office was near my home and during my lunch break, I would go home to prepare his lunch.

If every member of the family is willing to sacrifice a little of their time for some housework then those in real need for a fulltime foreign maid would not be grossly deprived.

Enjoy your housework and do not forget to praise yourself for a job well done!

Thursday, October 1, 2009

Terence And Julia

My second son got registered on 11 September 2009 at Maju Junction Registrar, Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, Kuala Lumpur.

Europe Trip

An ex colleague, Angie and myself decided to take a pilgrimage tour that wasn't to Europe from 17-29 Sept 09 organized by Tom Fernandes from Johore Bahru.


Tom, 79 years old was definitely not fit to be a tour guide anymore. During the tour someone was lost at some point of time due to poor instructions by our guide and the local guide and she had to fork out 65 euro for taxi fare to the hotel and another 40 euro for enquiry service and our tour guide didn't even have the courtesy enquire about her wellbeing.


In my opinion, our tour guide was incompetent and insensitive but he was very boastful about himself. Declaring how successful his career and business were and a big fat acccount in the bank but he failed to refund us the portage tip of 1 euro which was not provided and he pocketed the refund from the hotel. What a dishonest man.


Airfare RM10,148 with meals and lodging minus some lunches while on the road. Boarded Air Asia to Singapore. Spent a few hours with my son and his family. Flew to Amsterdam later that night and connect to Rome to arrive at about 9.30am. It was autum. Rome was warm like Malaysia, La Spezia was a bit cold in the night. Lourdes was very nice. Spain, Burgos, Portugal, Lisbon, Amsterdam cold at night but the day can be cool to warm.


No jet lag because slept most of the time in the plane and arrive at 3.30pm at Singapore and connect back to KL to arrive about 8pm.

Monday, August 31, 2009

A Philanthropist

During one of my trips to Singapore, my aunt, a very smart businesswoman cum lawyer took me to visit a Home named Ju Eng.




The founder of the home was Elder Ang Oon Hue, BBM (1911-1998). In the 1940s he bought a 2 acre freehold land and built a primary school for the benefit of the children living in the vicinity. In 1995 this land was handed over the Singapore Government for conversion into a home for the poor senior citizens, elderly, frail and the sick.

At the home, we found this cute and happy lady at the piano.



She is so alive despite her disability and entertained us with a few beautiful Christmas numbers.

Thursday, August 20, 2009

Crying from the ground

The surface of a mysterious letter within the MACC hopefully will be the key to justice for TBH.

Look at the many that had died in detention! You scream and yell but your voices will not be heard but it will come a time, those involved will be grinding their teeth when the truth comes to light.

In a basket bad of apples there is bound to be one or two good ones. Whoever that person is at MACC, a place in heaven is reserved for YOU.

Cain was jealous of his brother, Abel and killed him. The Lord said to Cain, "Why have you done this terrible thing? Your brother's blood is crying out to me from the ground, like a voice calling for revenge" Genesis Chapter 4 verse 10.

Keep up the good work whoever you are and work for the glory of God in your capacity while you journey here on earth.

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Mystery Letter halts TBH inquiry

Lawyer Gobind Singh Deo representing TBH's family revealed a six page typewritten letter he received purportedly contained "explicit details" which may be material to the case was adjourned to 24 Aug and was allowed by Tan Hock Chuan, the lawyer representing the Selangor State government to give the police a chance to verify the allegations in seeking the truth.

Herald August 16, 2009

From what I experienced at the Anti ISA Street Rally Protest, here was what I wrote.

Thursday, August 6, 2009

TBH INQUEST CONTINUES

The Inquested started again at 9.10am (2nd day). The 1st witness, security guard Siti Zabedah Yahya first spotted Teoh's body. She went to the storeroom of her office during her lunch break at 1.10pm on July 16 as she was fasting.

After 20 minutes she got up to close the windows. She looked down and saw a man lying near the fifth floor corridor. She didn't know whether the man was lying (down) or fainted and she took a screw from a table and dropped it to wake the person but he didn't move. When he didn't get up after 5 minutes she then called her friend and also alerted Mohd Ridzuan Samsuri of the building's maintenance department.

He was then having lunch at the restaurant on Level Two and rushed to the scene with his colleague Rosli Salleh and saw the man lying in suspicious manner. Ridzuan saw Teoh's body covered with blood and he panicked and ran. He alerted his supervisor, Mohd Khairul Izwan M Nasir and security personnel on his walkie talkie at about 1.50pm. Ridzuan said that he saw the deceased wearing a blazer and white pants and the knees had dried blood.

Teoh Beng Hock you are sacrificial lamb for Justice in Malaysia.

Sunday, August 2, 2009

Anti ISA Street Protest Rally

A rally was held to protest against the ISA Act on 1 Aug 2009. The starting point was at Sogo Shopping Complex along Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman to Istana Negara as the final destination to hand a memoradum to our King.

Knowing the traffic congestion, my son and myself took a commuter from Seputeh station and alighted at Kuala Lumpur.

Our objective from the very beginning was to support the Rally but "NOT TO BE ARRESTED AT ALL COSTS". After what I saw and experienced my earlier preception changed. We must stand up and be counted for what is right even to the point of being arrested.

We went on foot to Masjid Jamek station and many people had already gathered there. The procession started around 2pm and soon after there was shouting and yelling and people were running helter-skelter.

The Police were already arresting the people and people were shouting Reformasi, Hidup Hidup, Hidup Rakyat, Mansuhkan ISA, etc. and we ran with the crowd seeking refuge behind buildings.


There was the cat and mouse game came into play.As time went by, many rounds of tear gas were fired and those closest the MFRU suffered the most with reddened eyes and were soaking wet.I was told that water could be contaminated and I was running even faster to avoid it. Along the way, I saw a Chinese youth pouring his limited water to a breathless Malay man which immediately reminded me of the Good Samaritan parable right before my eyes. I couldn't keep up the pace with my son and I had to hold on to his shirt tightly and another hand gripping my umbrella.

As we were running we were given free table salt to defuse the effect of tear gas and the true spirit of Bangsa Malaysia cannot be disputed. All races became friends like we had known each other for a long time and we were all very concerned about each other's safety.

The March continued without fear to PAS HQ as the alternative venue. Why the march because those who had died in detention can no longer march or speak so they need us to do it for them.

My big sunglasses and a face mask gave some good protection but I could still feel the burning sensation on my face and eyes. My son was not so well protected and he was coughing and gasping for air like many others.

We ran through a tall building and a water hose from above provided drops of water which gave some relief and people were scrambling to wash their faces. As we ran further we came to a sugarcane bush but we had to run again because the MFRU were inching in.

We ran from side to side of the road seeking shelter but the shops immediately pulled down their shutters and we had to continue our run. Along the way, I met a young girl who was lost and was sobbing. I told her "Do not be afraid" and we continued our journey until we arrived at the PAS HQ at Jalan Raja Laut. There was an enormous crowd and the road was closed. We felt safer at this place because of the astonishing crowd. Many people suffered many hours of traffic congestion on the roads of Kuala Lumpur and Selangor but this has to happen for the sake of our children and our children's children.

See you at the next Rally.

Pictures from Star Publications and Malaysiakini.com

Thursday, July 30, 2009

Scratch-And-Win

Two staff members of a scratch-and-win company at Danau Desa, Taman Desa were roughed up by several men believed to be disgruntled customers.

This is not the first time, a couple of years of ago, an elderly widow who lived alone, one day received a call from a company operating under the same concept was told that she had won a big prize. Inspite of her inability to walk properly, she still insisted to go. I decided to accompany her because I knew it was a scam.

She had great difficulty climbing the flight of stairs and when she finally arrived she was asked to purchase items from the store which amounted to thousands of ringgit. I kept signalling to her not to commit herself and thank God she didn't have the money at that moment and the sales personnel failed in their attempt. I hope sales staff who are working in these conditions will look for alternative jobs eventhough with a lower pay and stop taking advantage of their easy preys.

Many a time we are conned because of our own greed. Having said that, I hope the Police will protect the citizens from being conned further. Hey, Police seal their premises and revoke their licences!!!!!

Picture by Star Publications.

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Inquest for TBH

Beng Kee, brother of Teoh Beng Hock demanding justice for his late brother! Though there was very strong support for a Royal Commission for Teoh Beng Hock's death but only an Inquest was accorded by our Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak. The Inquest started on 29 July 2009 but was postponed to Aug 5. This postponement is a blessing that will allow Gobind Singh Deo, the lawyer for Teoh's family more time to study the evidence in greater detail.

However, Veteran DAP politician Lim Kit Siang continued to call on our PM to expand the scope of a royal commission to include circumtances leading to Teoh's death.
Thank you Malaysiakini.com for the picture

Friday, July 24, 2009

Justice for Teoh Beng Hock

23 July 2009
Chinese Assembly Hall, Kuala Lumpur

The DAP organized a Justice Awareness Campaign for Teoh Beng Hock. As many as 3,000 came in support of the gathering and the spirit of 1 Malaysia was apparent. Speakers from PR came in full force. Stalwart Lim Kit Siang lashed out at the government about their deception of the Royal Commission to only investigate into human rights for TBH. He is already dead he don't need the human rights anymore. Beng Hock's family needed to know was the cause of his death!
When Soh Cher Wei arrived together with her family there was a standing ovation and she later spoke that she will treasure Teoh Beng Hock Jr. and hoped that she could register Teoh Beng Hock as father of the child.
All the people were indeed very angry with MACC, the police and the government and demanded to know the truth that had contributed to TBH's death. No stone will be left unturned as acclaimed by many prominent government leaders but the people had lost hope in them.
TBH was the first DAP member to die in custody and this had greatly angered his comrades.
Let me tell you, the anger cannot be erased easily and the PR members will not stop until the truth is revealed. See you at the next assembly!

Thursday, July 23, 2009

TBH laid to rest

Thousands mourn the death of Teoh Beng Hock
Cortege leaving his family home at Alor Gajah
Community Hall at Semenyih Memorial Hall
Chief Minister of Penang
YB Lim Guan Eng

Burial of TBH

Beng Hock, who suddenly became a Malaysian household name was laid to rest on
20 July 2009.

The Malaysian Sacrificial Lamb




Teoh Beng Hock, rest in peace.

Beng Hock, you did not die in vain. Instead an eye opener to many Malaysians.
Justice will be mooted out you in due time.

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

TBH vigil at Stadium Kelana

Kelana Stadium
In memory of Teoh Beng Hock, a vigil for him was organized on 19 July at 4.30. We arrived quite early due to very light traffic and managed to park right in front of the stadium which will rare for a football gate.

Slowly people more people arrived. There were many speakers. Selangor Menteri Besar, Abdul Khalid, Tunku Aziz, Chief Minister of Penang, Lim Guan Eng, Karpal Singh, Selangor Speaker, Teng, Lim Kit Siang, Parliamentarian Secretary, Karpal Singh and many others.

To my disappointment only a crowd of about 3,000 were present. Malaysians please get up from slumber and come forth for the sake of our children and our children's children. Justice for Teoh Beng Hock cannot be comprised.
Thanks to Malaysiakini.com for the picture

Life Snatched Away


16 July 2009 was a very black day for Malaysians.

Teoh Beng Hock (30), a political aide of Ean-Yong Hian Wah of Seri Kembangan constituency was robbed of his life at MACC's office (Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission). He was hauled up for questioning for the purchase of Malaysian flags for Merdeka amounting to RM2,430.00 at 5pm on 15 July and found dead on the five floor by a janitor a day later.

MACC claimed that he was released at 3.45am and was founding sleeping on the settee after the release. If he was released, why didn't he leave MACC's office for his impending marriage to Soh Chei Wei (28), a school teacher who hailed from Batu Pahat the next day! Did he had to return for another interrogation after that short break? "We need a private investigate like "monk" an entertaining TV serie.
He was seen by Tan Li Liang, a councillor for Klang at the pantry around 6am and they just merely acknowledged each other and Tan only knew later that day that Teoh had fallen to his death from the 14th floor. MACC won't accept responsibility for his safety because according to MACC Teoh was already released at 3.45am!

Tan was also interrogated by MACC the same day and he was threatened by the interrogaters that his wife will be taken away from him and there will be no one to look after their children but this threat did not deter him from speaking the truth. This is fortitude Tan possess! Courage to stand by the truth even in an extreme threatening situtation. We need more people like Tan. Long live Tan.

Monday, June 15, 2009

Home Alone

I hear a sound......, a distant drum. Far away, far way.
Oh..... I am sleepy.

snoooooze....................... Ring Ring Ring. Who is at the door, I am sleepy......

Watch out I am coming.

My boss is not in. I am in charge!!!!!








Sunday, June 14, 2009

Ah Mah Status

Standing - Left to right
My youngest son (Edmund), eldest (Kelvin) my daughter in law (Ai Cheng) and my mother in law.

Kelvin and Ai Cheng resides in Singapore. They were blessed with a beautiful girl, Natalie on 17 April 2009 after six years of marriage. She is a bundle of joy (full moon).



about six weeks

Family Bond


My mother in law had an invitation to her cousin brother's 80th birthday celebration at Kampong Koh, Sitiawan. At first, I was bit reluctant to go because of the distance however, my youngest son proposed that we should go for the auspicious occasion.
During the journey, we passed a good acreage of padi fields. The greens on both sides was very peaceful and hardly any cars at certain stretches and my son was practically cruising along the road with great ease at the wheel. The journey took about 4 four hours because we were unsure of the route.

We arrived Lumut jetty about 1.30 and decided to take the opportunity to visit Pangkor Island. We parked our car at Lumut jetty. Parking fee RM5 half a day, a full day RM10 and then boarded a ferry to Pangkor Island RM10 to and fro each person.
Ferry service is 1/2 hourly and the journey was also 1/2 hour. We boarded a double decker ferry with aircon seats available as well as open air standing spaces at the upper deck with a roof.
Though it wasn't very hot but I was not adventurous enough to be totally out in the open without my sunblock. The weather was superb and looking far into the horizon was very uplifting. Standing from where I was, my lips could constantly tastes some drops of sea water as we glide along. It was a very beautiful ride.
My mother in law and her brother.
When we arrived at the island many local people were promoting they transport services. Teksi RM50 van RM60 and as we went further away from the jetty we were successful to have a van for RM40.

Mr Tan, the driver took us round island and since were from the same clan, we immediately felt very much at home. We had a pit stop for some local food by the beach and some window shopping.

We got into the van again and was taken to satay making factory cum shop. I made a complain at the reception that one their products looked attractive from the outside but the quality inside differed from the outside. When I brought this up to them, they seemed to be aware of the problem and I told the sales girl to inform the top management of my complaint. We then caught the ferry at 5.10 back to Lumut and proceeded straight to the function at ACS Hall.

The host has nine children. 2 boys and 7 girls and all happily married. His wife passed away a few years ago. The choir presentation by his grandchildren almost (30) of them and another song by his sons and daughters together with their spouse. It is a closely knit family. Though they had very little practice due to time constraints because they are spread all over Malaysia and one daughter in New Zealand but they performed well.

The host is so full of life each day and lives his life to fullest. He actively participates in the senior citizens group activities. The event was fun filled.

All good things must come to an end. Since we had a long journey home, we left soon after the cake cutting ceremony and arrive home safely at about 12.30am and off to bed immediately to attend the morning mass at HRC animated by our BEC.