An Evening of Festivities and Friendships

This Chinese New Year has been rather eventful. We found ourselves attending yet another festive celebration dinner, this time at one of the local hotels on 26.02.2026, courtesy of an invitation from one of my banks. Occasions like these add a pleasant extension to the festive season and provide moments to pause and enjoy the company of others.

Before dinner began, we had the opportunity to watch a Lion Dance troupe perform at close range. The beating of the drums, the movements of the lions, and the festive energy of the performance brought the hall to life. It was a reminder of how these traditions continue to enliven the spirit of the Chinese New Year.

We also had the chance to participate in the customary lou sang once again. Earlier on just before CNY, we had already enjoyed our first lou sang during our company’s Pre-Chinese New Year Annual Dinner with the staff on 02.02.2026. Yet repeating the ritual did not diminish its meaning. As always, the tossing of the colourful ingredients together was accompanied by cheerful wishes for prosperity, good health, and success in the year ahead.

Perhaps the most meaningful aspect of such gatherings is the opportunity to meet people - sometimes new acquaintances, but often old friends whom we have not seen for many years.

That evening, two of the guests I met long ago instantly brought back many memories. One of them was Mary, a former staff member of the Sabah Forest Industries (SFI) Pulp and Paper Mill in Sipitang. The first time I met her was during a reunion on 10.03.2017 - almost nine years ago. That gathering was arranged by Mr. Cheng Lik Seng mainly for several former staff of SFI and some of his acquaintances. I was invited because we had once worked together at Permodalan Bumiputra Sabah Berhad (PBSB). At that time, Mr. Cheng was the Property Development Manager and my immediate superior during my four-year stint in PBSB from 1984 to 1988.

How I eventually came to join PBSB was itself quite an eventful story (Read here). After four years there, I left in 1988 to join Antah-Biwater, where I was involved in the implementation of the Sabah Rural Water Supply Schemes (Read here). A couple of years later in 1994, Mr. Cheng also left PBSB to assume the position of Managing Director of SFI. SFI originally a wholly-owned company of the Sabah Government was privatized in 1994 and Lion Group acquired the majority share of the company. Tan Sri William Cheng, the CEO of the Lion Group appointed Mr. Cheng to be the MD of SFI Pulp and Paper Mill in 1994.

Sharing the meal together in the same table was Charles Wong, who is now retired. Our acquaintance goes back even further, to 1988, when we first met during a job interview shortly after I had left PBSB. That was thirty-eight years ago. On this occasion, he came with his son, now 45 years old. Moments like this make one pause and reflect on the swift passage of time.

Indeed, time has a way of moving quietly yet relentlessly forward.

Guests at our dinner table on 26.02.2026. Mary is second from left while Charles is second from right.

An old photo taken on 10.03.2017 during a reunion dinner of former staff of SFI and friends of Mr. Cheng. Mary is the third from the left, while Mr. Cheng is the third from the right.

Francis Yee (first on the left), a cousin of mine, joined SFI as the Chief Mechanical Engineer of the Pulp & Paper Mill after leaving JKR Sabah.

On the far right is Lau Siew Ching, a former colleague of mine at PBSB (Read here), who was later invited to join SFI as an assistant to the MD, Mr. Cheng.

Maintaining a Tradition - CNY Eve Family Reunion Dinner

Last Chinese New Year in early 2025, our home was filled with the joyful noise of a big family reunion. All three of our children’s families came back from overseas. We had a memorable evening of laughter and togetherness. The function was also joined by families of my siblings (Read here).

After spending Christmas 2025 in Singapore with Sam’s and Paul’s families in late December last year, we decided to keep this year’s Chinese New Year quieter. Even so, we continued our tradition of a reunion dinner on New Year’s Eve.

We met at my youngest brother’s home, where our parents once lived. Being there again brought back many cherished memories. Though the gathering was smaller, it remained a meaningful three-generation celebration, enriched by the presence of Caleb’s two children - Asher and Hannah.

Moments like these remind us that family bonds, love and traditions are worth treasuring.

We were especially happy to have Lisa, my sister-in-law, join us for the reunion. This was her first Chinese New Year spent on her own, without the presence of her husband - my elder brother - who passed away last October. Her presence reminded us of the enduring bonds of family, even in times of loss, and we were thankful that she could share this meaningful occasion with us.

Distributing ang-pow is a cherished tradition that every Chinese family faithfully keeps. For our families, it usually takes place after the reunion dinner. More often than not, the role of giving falls to the mothers, wives, and the younger married women.

As in previous Chinese New Years, ang-pow were again entrusted to us for delivery to our grandchildren who are living overseas. In a way, we become the “middlemen of blessings,” carrying not just red packets, but also the affection and well-wishes of the elders across the seas.

And in return, we reciprocate by presenting ang-pow to the young children here on behalf of our own children who are abroad. Though oceans separate us, the tradition continues - binding generations together through this simple yet meaningful exchange of love and blessings.

Friends from Vancouver are Back Again

I was quite surprised to receive a WhatsApp message from Vun Kai in the afternoon of 11.02.2026, informing me that he and his wife had returned to KK. At first, I thought they had intentionally come back early to celebrate Chinese New Year, which was less than a week away on 17 February. However, I later learned that their main purpose this time was to attend the wedding banquet of his nephew in Sandakan - the son of his younger brother.

Time truly flies. The last time we met was nearly two years ago, on 29.04.2024 (Read here) . As is our usual practice when friends return from overseas, we spent a morning on 13.02.2026 at a local restaurant, enjoying the fresh seafood for which KK is well known. Interestingly, we chose the same place where we had breakfast last June with Daniel and his wife, Carol, who had returned from Vancouver for their holidays (Read here).

During our conversation, Vun Kai shared the challenges of travelling from Vancouver back to KK. With advancing age, being confined to a seat for such a long-haul journey has become increasingly exhausting. Crossing multiple time zones and enduring a flight from a place 16 hours behind our local time is no easy task. His reflections made me realize that future homecomings may become less frequent.

When we talked about how he spends his time in retirement, his wife was quick to share that Vun Kai has taken on the daily task of picking up their grandchildren from their daughters’ homes and sending them to school. After dropping them, he goes for an hour-long walk around a nearby park. In the afternoon, when school ends, he returns to pick up the grandchildren and send them home.

With a smile, Vun Kai added, “If I don’t do this, what do I do?” His simple remark reveals a meaningful routine - one that allows him to bond with his grandchildren while keeping himself active and healthy.

After the meal, I drove them to the old BCCM KK church premises at Signal Hill. This was a familiar place to them, where they had once spent a significant part of their youth as church members and choir singers in the 1960s and early 1970s, before the church relocated to its current site near the Dah Yeh Villa traffic junction.

One obvious change he immediately noticed was that the church entrance had been shifted from the east to the west.

We met again on Sunday morning, 15.02.2026, at church. After the church service and as we looked around for familiar faces he once knew, we noticed that they had become fewer with each passing year. With a gentle smile, he quipped, “Well, it’s not surprising - I’ve been away from Sabah for almost 34 years!”

It was hard to believe that so much time had passed since he left in 1992. This reality may also discourage him from returning more often, knowing that there are now fewer old friends to look forward to meeting.

Still, moments like these remind us of the enduring value of friendship, shared memories, and the preciousness of every reunion.

The Legacy of Ordinary Fathers

On 07.02.2026, I received a WhatsApp message from the Chairman of Golden Joy of BCCM KK (E), asking whether I would be available to share a message at their regular meeting on 18.06.2026, in conjunction with Father’s Day, which will be on 21.06.2026.

Almost instantly, the request stirred memories of my own father, who passed away exactly twenty years ago on 25.01.2006 (Read here). Barely two weeks earlier, on 25.01.2026, it was the 20th anniversary of his passing.

Whenever thoughts of my father come to mind, I am often reminded of one of my favourite Chinese prose essays written by the well-known Chinese writer, Zhu Ziqing (朱自清), in October 1925, titled 背影 or “The Sight of Father’s Back.” I was first introduced to this essay during a Chinese Literature lesson back in 1965, when I was a Form 1 student. Even after so many decades, the story remains deeply moving to me.

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The following is an abstract of the English translation of the prose:

"................We crossed the river and entered the train station. I went to buy the ticket while father busied himself watching over the luggage. There was quite a lot of it, and we had to tip the porters before they would move it along. Father began bargaining with them over the price.

At that time I was far too self-assured. I felt his manner of speaking was rather awkward and could not help interrupting him. In the end, however, he settled the matter and escorted me to the train.

He selected a seat for me near the carriage door. I spread the purple fur coat he had made for me across the seat. He reminded me to be careful on the journey, to stay alert at night, and not to catch a chill. He also asked the waiter to look after me well.

Secretly I smiled at what I thought was his needless fussing. Those people cared only about money - asking them to help was pointless. Besides, I was already grown; surely I could look after myself. Alas, when I think back now, I realize how foolishly confident I was then. I said, “Father, you should go back now.” He glanced outside the carriage and said, “I’ll go buy a few oranges. Just stay here and don’t move about.”

Beyond the railing of the opposite platform stood several vendors waiting for customers. To reach them, one had to cross the railway tracks - climb down from this platform and climb up again on the other side. Father was rather stout, and I knew it would not be easy for him. I offered to go myself, but he would not allow it, so I had no choice but to let him go.

I watched him wearing a small black cloth cap, a black jacket, and a dark blue cotton-padded robe. Slowly and awkwardly he made his way toward the tracks. Climbing down was not too difficult. But when he tried to climb up the platform on the other side, it became much harder. He grasped the edge with both hands, drew his legs up after him, and his heavy body leaned slightly to one side as he strained upward.

At that moment, seeing his back, tears suddenly filled my eyes. I quickly wiped them away, afraid he might notice - and afraid others might see.

When I looked out again, he was already on his way back, holding several bright red oranges in his arms. As he crossed the tracks he first set the oranges down on the ground, climbed down slowly himself, then gathered them up again before continuing.

When he reached my side of the platform, I hurried forward to help him. We returned to the train together. He placed all the oranges onto my fur coat in one heap. Then he patted the dust from his clothes, looking somehow relieved. After a moment he said, “I must go now. Write to me when you arrive.”

I watched him walk away. After taking a few steps he turned back, saw me, and called out, “Go inside now. There’s no one in there.”

I waited until his back disappeared into the crowd of people coming and going, until I could no longer make him out. Then I returned to my seat, and once again my tears began to fall..............."

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Naturally, when we think about fatherhood, we tend to admire great fathers in the Bible - men like Abraham or Jacob. But the truth is this: In real life, it is often the quiet and ordinary fathers who help to shape remarkable children.

They are not famous. They do not leave behind great sayings. They do not stand on stages or receive awards. Many of them hardly say very much at all. But day after day, they faithfully do what fathers are meant to do.

They work hard to provide for the family.
They protect their loved ones.
They make sacrifices quietly.
They love faithfully.
They remain humble.

They do not seek recognition.
They do not expect praise.
They simply do what is right.

And though they may never write books or become well known, the legacy they leave behind is written in the lives of their children.

Company's Pre-CNY Annual Dinner 2026

Pre-Chinese New Year (CNY) annual dinners have been a long-standing tradition of the company, dating back to its inception in the late 1980s. As the company grew over the years and welcomed a diverse workforce drawn from Sabah’s multi-ethnic communities, this tradition naturally expanded. Annual lunch and dinner gatherings were subsequently introduced to also mark the Christmas season and Hari Raya, reflecting our inclusive culture and appreciation of cultural diversity.

The most recent pre-CNY annual dinner was held on 02.02.2026 at a local seafood restaurant. This year’s gathering saw a record attendance of thirty participants, comprising twenty-seven staff members - including the directors and the spouses of the directors. The strong turnout was a testament to a growing workforce and the close-knit spirit and sense of belonging within the company.

As is customary for a Chinese New Year reunion meal, the dinner began with lou sang, where participants gathered around the table to toss a colourful salad together, symbolising prosperity, good fortune, and abundance for the year ahead.

Group photo after the dinner.

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Group photo after the dinner on 21.01.2025.

Last year’s Pre-CNY Annual Dinner was held on 21.01.2025 at the Shangri-La Tanjong Aru Resort, attended by twenty-seven participants. It was an evening of warmth and fellowship, offering another moment to pause and appreciate the journey we have taken together. For more insights into the company’s annual CNY dinners and lunches during the earlier years, please (Read here).

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I joined the company in 1989, just one year after its establishment, and over the past decades I have witnessed its steady and resilient growth. The company has been fortunate to receive a continuous flow of work, allowing it to sustain operations and provide stable employment through both good times and challenging periods. Significantly, no staff members have ever been retrenched. Even during the trying years of the 1997 global financial crisis, the company chose compassion over expediency, implementing reduced working hours so that every employee could remain on the payroll.

As I reflected during the dinner, it was striking to realize that nearly thirty-eight years have passed since the company first commenced practice. Many among the present group had not yet been born when this journey began. Over the years, countless individuals have come and gone, each leaving their mark and contributing in their own way to the company’s story.

From its inception, the objective of the company has been clear: to contribute meaningfully to the infrastructural development of the State, thereby uplifting the well-being of the local community. At the same time, the company has sought to provide a platform for successive generations to apply their skills and knowledge, earn an honest living, support their families, and pursue their aspirations. This, I believe will continue to be the core value in guiding the company's practice.