Chapter 29: Struggle to Have an Education

Recently, in the Facebook private group called "Lok Yuk Secondary School KK Old Photos", a former schoolmate recounted her story after she completed her Form 3 in 1964 in Jesselton then (Now called Kota Kinabalu). She was told by her father to discontinue her study and instead  to look for a job. Even though it was not what she had hoped for, she obeyed and found a job as a Receptionist in a newly built hotel. But fortunately, the school where she studied had a very kind principal who took the trouble and went to look for her at the hotel and convinced her to resume her study. That gesture emboldened her and she then pleaded with her father (in tears) and her father finally consented. She then resumed her Form 4 four months late!

In those days, it was rather common for parents to stop the older children from continuing schooling and to start working to supplement the family income. Families were comparatively large and 5-kid families were not uncommon in those days. 

I too had a similar experience liked this schoolmate of mine. Even before I took the Form 5 government examination in 1969, I was told by my parents not to continue to Form 6 but to look for a job. Much against my liking, I too consented, But privately without my parents' knowledge, I applied to do Form 6 in Sabah College. I also applied for jobs and I managed to secure a job as a laboratory technician at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital. I was also successful in my Form 6 application and Sabah College offered me a place in the Lower Six Science Class. I told my parents about this offer and at the same time also reported for work at QE Hospital. 

Somehow, my parents could sense my deep disappointment for not being able to continue my study. Just two days after reporting for work at QE Hospital, they told me to stop work and instead to report to Sabah College. That decision turned out to be one of the major turning points in my life. 

Of course, that was not the end of the story. After I passed my Form 6 government examination (HSC) in 1971, I could not afford to continue tertiary education and I had no choice but to get a job. I managed to secure a job as a Draftsman in the Structural Engineering Design Office of JKR Hqs. 

Still, my desire to continue further study did not end after securing a job at JKR. I applied to a few Universities in UK to do a civil engineering degree course. Among them, University of Southampton made an offer to me. However, a letter of support from someone who was financially sound and had a bank account was required. A kind friend, Fen Lan managed to convince her mother who ran a sundry shop (Wan Chong) to get her bank to write a letter of financial support which was sent to the University. By then, even with an offer from a university in UK, the idea of taking up such offer was still a monumental challenge because of the lack of and uncertainty in finance.

Just when I was caught in two minds about whether to pursue the offer from UK, I saw an advertisement in a local newspaper of an offer of scholarship to do an engineering degree course in a local university. I applied and I was successful and secured a place in the University of Malaya. Finally, my dream to pursue a tertiary education in civil engineering became a reality in 1973.

Upon my graduation, I had my father to accompany me to witness my convocation where I was conferred the Bachelor Degree in Civil Engineering in June 1978 at the University Auditorium. It was the only trip that I had travelled with my father alone. He was indeed a proud man and though I had never asked him about the past, I am sure that my dad must have been happy that the decision he made to allow me to continue my Form 6 was the right one.

Looking back, the pursuit of an education particularly the tertiary education had almost been an impossibility. Yet, in the end, it turned out well. Best of all, it was in the University where I studied that I met my wife! 

Life would have been monotonous if it is smooth sailing all the way. It is the twists and turns and the unpredictability that enliven the journey. True to Roman 8:28 - In all things God works together with those who love Him to bring out what is good.

Left: Photo taken in a studio with my father after the convocation in June 1978.

Right: Photo taken with my future wife immediately after convocation at Dewan Tunku Chancellor.

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Life would have been totally different if this offer had been
pursued. But then, this was not a path I was destined to.

Family Get-Together

2020 is an unprecedented year. Because of Covid-19 pandemic, borders of countries are shut and even within country, visits to neighbours are restricted.

This year, our annual plans to visit our children's family in Australia and Singapore were pulverized. With the latest news of the mutation of a more lethal strain of the Covid-19 virus, the hope for overseas  trips and tours may be further delayed.

A new norm nevertheless has emerged. Friends, family members and even unrelated individuals found new way to connect. Zoom and many similar video communication platforms have gained instant fame to link people all over the world virtually together.

In the absence of an actual physical get-together, there are no shortage of ingenious ideas to connect family members together. Our grandchildren in Perth are really good at coming up with games to keep the rest of the family especially the younger ones entertained.

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Our latest granddaughter was born in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic. Until today, we have yet to cuddle and hug her. Yet through online get-together, we are glad to see her growing up fast day by day.

As in some cases of sibling rivalry, older kids normally take a bit of time to adjust to the perceived "rival" from the new addition to the family and a sense of loss of attention time from parents and grandparents. In one of the online chats, Livvie introduced her grandparents as "uncle and aunty" to her new sister :)

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Unlike previous years, the traditional annual Winter Solstice family reunion dinner could not be held this year. Instead, an online virtual reunion was organized. It brought together the extended family members from West Malaysia, London and Perth Australia. Unfortunately, the Australian signal was poor and the participation from Australia was rather minimal. It nevertheless allowed the rest of the family to get to know a new member to the extended family - Dan Partington, the hubby of Erika who now reside in London.

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This year, the whole big family from Malaysia, Singapore and Australia celebrated our grandson, Nathan's 10th birthday online! While, we could not actually taste the birthday cake, it was compensated by creative fun time contributed by all!

Diego Maradona - Gone but not Forgotten!

The passing of Diego Maradona was reported almost in all major newspapers in the morning of 26 November 2020.

Diego Maradona, recognized by many as the greatest footballer ever lived in the universe barely aged 60 has passed away the day before on 25 November 2020.

Unlike another football great, Pele of Brazil, Maradona was a complex figure. His life was marred by controversies and he was at one time banned from football because of drug problem. Yet, his contribution to football is undisputable. He helped Argentine to win the World Cup in 1986 and was revered as god by many of his fans and countrymen. 

Some of the group members who joined the recent tour to South America did share a sense of loss after learning about the news of his passing. This is understandable because we had spent an afternoon in Buenos Aires touring the stadium he once played and the neighborhood where he spent much of his youth (Read here).

As the headline flashes over the TV non-stop for days after his death, the football fraternity knows that Maradona is gone but he will not be forgotten.

Rest in Peace Maradona!

Taken at the Club Atletico Boca Junior or simply CABJ.

In life and in death.

The Power of Love

Osho, the Indian public speaker, once said, "When you love a person, all fear disappears. And when you are afraid, all love disappears."

This profound truth was clearly reflected in the unwavering commitment of the three young couples who signed up for the Marriage Preparation Course. Their determination to move forward with love, despite uncertainty, is a testament to the idea that love indeed conquers fear.

At the height of the Movement Control Order (MCO) imposed to curb the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic, the course - originally scheduled for June and July - proceeded as planned. Against the odds, the couples faithfully attended all six sessions. Equally commendable were the married-couple facilitators who braved the restrictions and showed up in person to guide the lessons, embodying a spirit of service and solidarity.

Ultimately, the couples' dreams of a traditional church wedding were thwarted by the ever-extending MCO. For their families - who had looked forward to joyful banquets and heartfelt celebrations with relatives and friends - those hopes, too, had to be set aside.

Yet, pandemic or not, their resolve to begin married life together remained unshaken. The legal process to solemnize their marriages continued - if only for now, without the church bells and banquet halls. Love, after all, cannot be postponed.

Stephanie and Bryan.

Presentation of certificates to confirm 

they have completed the Marriage 

Preparation Course.

Chapter 28: The Old Chapel of BCCM KK at Signal Hill, Kota Kinabalu

The Covid-19 pandemic has irreversibly reshaped our understanding of what it means to be the church. For generations, we were accustomed to physically “going to church” every Sunday morning - or evening, for some. But when the global lockdown began in early 2020, congregations around the world suddenly found themselves unable to gather within the familiar walls of a church building. The only viable alternative was to meet virtually, ushering in a new era of online worship and digital fellowship.

Recently, a few of us reflected on how church gatherings and liturgical practices have evolved over the decades. Many found it hard to believe that, in the early years of BCCM KK during the 1950s and early 1960s, men and women sat on opposite sides of the aisle - women on the right, men on the left. Male and female elders always occupied the front pews. As a young lad, I observed the elders’ main duties were quite straightforward: the men rang the bell and collected the offerings.

Over time, however, quiet changes began to take root. I recall noticing a few brave couples choosing to sit together. When their decision drew no opposition, others gradually followed suit. By the time BCCM KK moved to its present location at Dah Yeh Villa, gender-segregated seating had become a thing of the past - an unspoken tradition quietly laid to rest.

BCCM KK originally began as a Hakka-speaking congregation. The English congregation was only established in November 1962 (Read here). I had always worshipped with the Chinese-speaking congregation, but in 1979, after my marriage, I joined BCCM KK (English) because my wife was English-educated. Interestingly, since the English service was founded by an American pastor, it never inherited the same gender-segregation customs. From the outset, men and women sat side by side - a small but telling reminder of how cultural context shapes even the simplest aspects of church life.

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The last major renovation of the old chapel took place just over a decade ago. One of the most significant changes was the repositioning of the main entrance - from its original east-facing orientation to the opposite end, now facing west. The once naturally ventilated hall, cooled by multiple ceiling fans, has since been upgraded with wall-mounted air-conditioners to accommodate modern comfort. Despite these updates, the chapel’s exterior has been carefully preserved, maintaining its original architectural charm and historical character.

This beloved building, along with the nearby Atkinson Clock Tower and the Australia Place, stands as one of the few remaining heritage landmarks in Kota Kinabalu - silent witnesses to the city’s colonial past and post-war evolution. In 1988, the old church building was formally repurposed as the STS Chapel, following the transfer of the compound to the Sabah Theological Seminary.

The last major event I attended at this historic chapel was the wedding of my nephew, Calvin, to his bride Stephanie, in June 2018. It was a joyful celebration held within walls steeped in generations of faith, memory, and quiet resilience.

The Chapel was well decorated for the wedding occasion.

Current 2020 Vs 1960's

The open space that once lay behind the chapel now forms its front, following the reorientation of the building. This small, flat compound was a favorite gathering spot for the pupils of the adjacent Chinese Primary School during recess in those bygone days. It would come alive with groups of boys and girls energetically playing hopscotch, skipping rope, tossing glass marbles, and inventing games only children could dream up.

Today, the space sits quiet and serene, its stillness a stark contrast to the joyful chaos that once filled the air. Yet if one listens closely, it’s not hard to imagine the echoes of the past - bursts of laughter, shouts of excitement, and the patter of tiny feet - still gently reverberating through the breeze, as though the memories themselves refuse to fade.

Current 2020 Vs 1960's

When the Lok Yuk Schools - including the Chinese Primary, English Primary, and English Secondary - were still operating around the chapel grounds, the chapel served many purposes beyond its Sunday worship services. It became a vibrant multi-use space, hosting conferences, youth retreats, musical performances, and dramatic productions. On certain weekdays, it even transformed into an assembly hall for the English Primary and Secondary schools. Students, neatly grouped by class, would climb the long concrete stairs leading up to the chapel, their footsteps echoing through the morning air as they prepared for the school day.

In those days, the chapel welcomed teachers and students of all backgrounds and faiths. Assemblies were conducted respectfully under one roof, with no fear of offending or being offended. It was a quiet testament to the spirit of mutual respect and coexistence that once defined our society.

Sadly, that spirit has dimmed over the years. Malaysia has, in many ways, regressed in its climate of religious tolerance and acceptance. What was once a natural coming together of diverse communities is now too often marred by suspicion, restriction, and division. The chapel stands as a poignant reminder of a more inclusive past - one that we would do well to remember, and perhaps, strive to reclaim.

Current 2020 Vs 1960's

Current 2020.

Current 2020 (Left photos) Vs 1965 (Right photo).

From left: Late Lee Min Jian, Richard Chua Len Kiong,

Me, (Young boy unknown), Late Robert Chin Nyuk Fook,

Robert Lee Tet Leong, Peter Tsen Lip Chong,

Late Wong Fen Onn, Daniel Vun Yoon Cho.

From left: Me, Late Lee Min Jian, Late Robert Chin Nyuk

Fook, Edward Greenawald, Daniel Vun Yoon Cho, 

Peter Tsen Lip Chong.

In the 1960s

Current View.

While the open space in front of the chapel served as a lively playground for young boys and girls, the church veranda and patio were the favored hangout spots for the older boys. Leaning against the railings or lounging on the steps, they would gather in groups - chatting, joking, and observing the younger ones at play - marking their subtle transition from childhood to adolescence. It was a social hub of sorts, where friendships were forged, harmless mischief was planned, and school-day stories were exchanged under the watchful shade of the chapel eaves.

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The Sanctuary

Presentation of Hymn by Church Choir before Evangelistic Drama.

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Evangelistic Drama (1970)

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Choir practice after usual Sunday worship service.

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Old entrance archway

Today, the old chapel - once known as the Borneo Basel Self-Established Church, Jesselton - still stands gracefully atop the ridge of Signal Hill, partially veiled by the surrounding greenery. Though its presence is sometimes overlooked in the bustle of modern Kota Kinabalu, it continues to exude a quiet sense of historicity and timeless elegance.

Like a few treasured heritage buildings in the city, the chapel endured the ravages of the Japanese Occupation of Borneo from 1941 to 1945, surviving an era that saw so much destruction. Its very walls carry the weight of resilience and faith through decades of change.

Since its opening, the chapel has welcomed through its doors a rich tapestry of people - worshipers, teachers, students, the wealthy and the humble alike. All who stepped inside, whether seeking solace, purpose, or community, have in one way or another been touched and blessed by the sacred space. It remains a quiet but powerful witness to generations of grace, fellowship, and unwavering devotion.

A Teacher who Loves Photography: Edward Greenawald

In November 2017, I received a parcel from Greensboro, North Carolina, USA - a package that carried with it both surprise and nostalgia. Inside were 155 black-and-white photographs, each a window into the 1960s. They had been sent by one of my former teachers, an American who had come to Jesselton in the 1960s under the Lutheran Church of America (LCA) to serve as a teacher at Lok Yuk Secondary School. Holding those photos in my hands felt like being transported back in time, to an era that shaped both my school days and the community around us.

After more than half a century, Mr. Edward Greenawald - still a bachelor and now well advanced in age - decided to entrust these old photographs to someone who might find value in them. And indeed, they have found their purpose. Several of these historical gems have since been carefully selected by the School Management Board and are now proudly displayed along the “History Walk” of SM Lok Yuk in Likas, where they serve as a visual reminder of the school’s rich past.

Lok Yuk Secondary School is truly fortunate to have had a teacher like Mr. Greenawald, who not only dedicated himself to the classroom but also to documenting life through the lens of his camera. With patience and passion, he captured countless moments of school life in the 1960s - moments that might otherwise have been lost to time.

Almost all his former students remember him vividly: the teacher in his signature khaki shorts, easygoing in nature, warm, approachable, and always ready with a smile. He was among the most well-liked teachers in the school, and it is little wonder that, even after more than fifty years, his ex-students - now well into their sixties and seventies - remain eager to reconnect with him. He truly made a difference in their lives, leaving behind memories and impressions that have endured long after those days faded into history.

Edward posed with another LCA teacher, Mr. Gores at their residence at Kampong Basel. Kampong Basel is now where Wisma BCCM, the headquarters of Basel Christian Church of Malaysia is situated.

I remember Edward most vividly as my Mathematics teacher, and to a lesser extent, my special English teacher. As my very first Math teacher in secondary school, he left a lasting impression. Under his guidance, I did well, largely because of his unique way of motivating students to enjoy the subject. In one exam, for instance, he introduced “bonus” questions alongside the regular set. His idea was simple yet effective: if students struggled with some of the standard questions, they could attempt the bonus ones to make up marks. For those who did well, the bonus questions were a chance to stretch themselves further. I still recall answering every single regular question correctly, as well as all the bonus ones - though, of course, the maximum mark awarded was still capped at 100!

At that time, many of us were fresh from Chinese-medium primary schools, and our command of English - both spoken and written - was terribly weak. Recognizing this, the school management introduced special English classes to help us bridge the gap. Mr. Greenawald was assigned to lead these sessions. Each afternoon, from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m., all Form 1 students gathered for the lessons, which focused on improving both pronunciation and grammar. The teaching method was unusual yet effective: it resembled the liturgical call-and-response of a church service, where the teacher would say a phrase or sentence and the entire class would repeat in unison. It went something like this…

Teacher: I go to school.

Students in unison: I go to school.

Teacher: We.

Students in unison: We go to school.

Teacher: He.

Students in unison: He goes to school.

Teacher: Now.

Students in unison: He is going to school now.

Teacher: Yesterday.

Students in unison: He went to school yesterday.

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My ex-classmates still smile whenever they recall those chanting-style language lessons - rhythmic, repetitive, and, in their own way, almost therapeutic!

Left: Edward Greenawald in the 1960's and Right: Current.

Year 1965

Mr. Greenawald was once photographed relaxing with a group of Form 1 students during the morning break by the old Chapel. True to his easygoing nature, he blended effortlessly with the students, who felt comfortable hanging around him as though he were one of their buddies rather than a distant authority figure. (I am pictured on the left.)

Teaching staff of 1965  (taken in Dec 1965)
posed in front of the old staff room at the
old school premise at Signal Hill, KK.
Ed is at back row 4th from right.

Amazingly, after more than half a century, the old school block where the staff room was housed is still around. The building has become the Married Students Quarters of the Sabah Theological Seminary.

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A number of these photographs have since been selected for display in the "Historical Corridor" of the current school premises in Likas - a corridor within the school compound dedicated to displaying historical photos of the early years of the school.