An Ex-Blockmate Finally Found After 45 Years

Our recent trip back to KL to accompany my MIL coincided with a mini-reunion dinner for some of the ex-members of the 5th Residential College Christian Fellowship of the University Malaya and their spouses on 29 June 2019.

This reunion had added meaning because I managed to meet a "block-mate" whom I have not seen for over 45 years. This chap Quah Sim Aik was "discovered" by another ex-fifian by accident or by divine appointment as some may like to call it.

As the story goes: Just over two weeks or so before the reunion, another ex-fifian, Sun Nan Ping, his wife and grandson attended a Sunday Worship Service in a Church in Alor Setar. After the service, Sun and Quah started chatting with each other without realizing that they were once friends and stayed in the same Fifth Residential College of University Malaya. Only after ten minutes of conversation and exchange of names that the names rang a bell to them.

In 1973-74, I stayed at a corner unit of the 1st Floor of Block D and Quah stayed at the other end corner unit of the same floor. We saw each other very frequently. I remember in the weekdays, the college was normally quiet after dinner because all residents were deep into "study and assignment". Then at around 9.30pm, the quietness was suddenly broken and punctuated by bouts of yelling and shouting around the male blocks and occasionally from the female blocks.  That was a way of release and getting ready for a simple supper.

Quah was one of those who loved to yell and occasionally being shouted down by some ladies across at Block B.

Quah has been a teacher since his graduation from MU until his retirement. In the end, it is his dedication and service in his Church that proved to be most inspirational to us. Currently, he still serves as the Chairman of his Church and an active leader of the young working adults. His son too is active in Christian ministry. His son is a contributor to "The Asian Beacon", a free Christian publication in Malaysia.

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Block D of the 5th Residential College of Malaya University where we once stayed.  Left photo is the current view with courtesy from Google Map and the right is an old photo taken in 1973.

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A group photo of 5th College Christian Fellowship, 1973.

Quah was seated left of me during the Christmas
Celebration in 1973 in 5th College.

An outing to Fraser Hill, Pahang in 1973.
Quah is standing second from left.
i was squatting at left.

Revisit Sabah Tea Garden

An overnight stay at Sabah Tea Garden was another outing planned for my MIL's visit to Sabah. 

As we moved towards the newly renovated restaurant after arrival to the car park, we could see that the place has undergone a major "face lift" since our last visit over ten years ago (Read here).

A popular backdrop for photography by visitors.

Taking advantage of the world renowned Mt. Kinabalu, the owner has installed a photo frame for visitors to capture the scene of the mountain as a backdrop. The frame instantly reminded me of the photo frame we saw in Stanley, Tasmania (Read here). In the case of the photo frame in Stanley, the frame is perfectly aligned such that the "Nut" fits perfectly within the frame. The frame in Sabah Tea Garden unfortunately is slightly misaligned resulting Mt Kinabalu not centered exactly within the frame!

The restaurant is popular among visitors. Its key attraction is to enjoy the awesome view of Mount Kinabalu while having a meal or snack.

Now, Sabah Tea Garden is also one of the love lock
destinations where couples can go to "lock up their love"!

The Plantation offers both dormitory-typed as well as chalet-typed accommodation. These facilities are built atop a small hill commanding a terrific view of the undulating landscape of the plantation. 

We stayed in one of the semi-detached chalet units which is named after Alfred Dent. This man, a British colonial merchant and entrepreneur was also the founder of the British North Borneo Company established in 1882.

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At the plantation, I met an ex-colleague, Mr. Tam Yaw Kong whom I have not met since 1989. He used to work as a storekeeper when I was working in Antah-Biwater way back in 1988-1989. Being an avid Mt Kinabalu climber, he has since ventured into tourism business, TYK Adventure Tour. He has climbed the mountain more than 500 times, a feat few can rival with.

At the time of our encounter at the Plantation, he and his son (an equally enthusiastic mountain climber and cyclist) were taking a few cyclists to do a cycling tour to Lahad Datu.

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On the way back to KK, we made a detour to Poring Hot Spring of Sabah National Park. We had hoped that my MIL would get a chance to see the real Rafflesia in the Park. Unfortunately, there was none that time. Then, an advertisement put up by a local inhabitant not far from the park entrance gave us a chance to see one. We called the contact number and was soon directed into a fruit farm. After half a kilometer walk, we saw what we looked for and we were not disappointed.

Reaffirming a Heritage

Symbol sometimes does define a heritage. 

SM Lok Yuk, Likas Kota Kinabalu, my alma mater (formerly known as Lok Yuk Secondary School) was established by the Basel Church KK as a mission school. In the past, SM Lok Yuk's relationship with Basel Church was well understood just as much as All Saints School to the Anglican Church and La Salle School to the RC Church. Over time, this understanding gradually subdued and was lost among the new generations. This loss was further hastened by hostile school head and possibly compounded by an acquiescent school management board. 

On 1 June 2019, a cross was installed on a wall of a school block of SM Lok Yuk. This prominent display of the cross combined with Bibles verses reaffirms SM Lok Yuk's heritage as a Christian mission school. This effort was made possible to a certain extent by a receptive school head and a more assertive school management board.

Installation was conducted by the Bishop of BCCM and Pastor-in-Charge of BCCK KK (E).

A file photo of the wall at one time.