Revisiting 1978: Where My Engineering Journey Began

The other day, 21.04.2026, while having yamcha with an old friend, Jeffrey Lo, we spent quite some time reminiscing about the past - from our university days to the very first jobs we landed after graduation.

I shared with him that soon after completing my studies at the University of Malaya in early 1978, I went to see the then Director of Jabatan Kerja Raya (JKR) at the JKR headquarters in Sembulan, the late Datuk K.S. Fung. To my surprise, the Director asked me to start work almost immediately. I was posted on secondment to the site office at Kota Kinabalu International Airport, where I worked alongside the British consulting engineers, Scott Wilson Kirkpatrick, who had been appointed to design and supervise the construction of the new taxiway and the new terminal building (Read here).

While discussing the construction of the KK International Airport terminal building, Jeffrey recalled that the earthworks contractor responsible for the taxiway and site preparation for the new terminal was Goh Brothers. I then remembered that this was. In fact, it was a joint venture between Goh Brothers and Syarikat Berjaya.

He mentioned the name Law Keng Hatt as the main building contractor, but the name did not sound quite right. After giving it further thought, I recalled that Lim Kah Ngam (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd - an established building contractor from West Malaysia at the time - was actually appointed as the main building contractor.

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Talking about my very first job, I can’t help but revisit those old photographs taken at the airport project site where I served as the Assistant Resident Engineer for the site supervision team. For a young engineer, witnessing a water-logged swamp - constantly influenced by tidal fluctuations - gradually transformed into a vast stretch of reclaimed land for a terminal building and taxiway was nothing short of magical. It was not only a memorable chapter of my early career, but also a powerful lesson in what engineering vision and teamwork can achieve.

I was recalled to work at JKR Headquarters in 1982, just before the new terminal building was fully completed. The terminal, located at the southeast end of the runway, was finished shortly thereafter and began serving the growing needs of air travel in Sabah.

With the steady rise in air traffic and the corresponding increase in passenger arrivals and departures over the years, the terminal later underwent a major upgrade and expansion between 2005 and 2009 to enhance its capacity, facilities, and operational efficiency.

Echoes of Friendship Through Time - CG Birthday Celebration

Each year, our CG organizes a few rounds group birthday celebrations for the members. As most of us are in our senior years, the occasion is far more than a simple social gathering marked by cake, the singing of birthday song, and the exchange of well-wishes. At this stage of life, a birthday becomes an opportunity to reflect on the depth of our journeys and the many lives we have touched along the way.

Celebrating with the birthday "girls" on 10.04.2026.

Reaching this season of life is, in itself, a significant milestone. It speaks of resilience through changing times, challenges overcome, and lessons learned over decades of living. A celebration at this point becomes a tribute to endurance, wisdom and a lifetime of experiences.

At the same time, birthdays in later life carry a quiet awareness of time’s passage. With each passing year, there are fewer familiar faces at the table. Friends who once celebrated with us have departed, leaving behind memories that are fond yet tinged with sadness. Their absence is felt more keenly on such occasions, reminding us that life is fragile and that every shared moment is precious. This gentle awareness does not diminish the joy of the celebration; rather, it deepens its meaning. It encourages us to cherish the company we still have and to value every opportunity to gather while we can.

At this stage of life, we are also keenly aware of the importance of good health and mobility. Even amid conversations about knee pain, backaches, and the difficulty of climbing stairs, we recognize all the more the importance of seizing opportunities for togetherness while it is still possible. The laughter we share, the meals we enjoy, the photographs we take, and the conversations we hold become treasured memories for everyone present.

Ultimately, such celebrations remind us that every year is a gift, and that the timing of our final journey is never known.