Sunset Music Fest 2015 at The Tip of Borneo

The Sunset Musical Fest held at the Tip of Borneo would be remembered with a mixture of happiness and sadness. It was held on 5 June 2015, the day Ranau in Sabah was struck with the most catastrophic natural disaster it has ever faced – the 6.0 magnitude earthquake on Richter Scale.

Soon after we felt the aftershock tremors in the morning of 5 June 2015, we did not think much of its severity and decided to proceed with our driving to our destination, Kudat to attend this Concert which was planned quite some time ago.

 

In fact, while we were on our way to Kudat, our friends in Sarawak and West Malaysia had been trying to contact us via the Whatsapp Chat to check whether we were affected by the earthquake. However, I was not aware of it because I was busy on the wheel concentrating on my driving. We were finally contacted through a phone call from a friend in Sarawak when we were about to check into the Resort in Kudat. We wasted no time to keep our friends informed that we were alright.

 

Sunset Music Fest held annually at the Tip of Borneo is Sabah’s biggest open air concert. Since its launch some nine years ago, it has allowed music lovers to be serenaded with classical music, songs and contemporary tunes. This concert used to feature both foreign and local artistes. But for the concert we attended, all performers are locals.

 

As the concert name implies, the stage is set in such a way to allow audience to enjoy simultaneously the music as well as the panoramic sunset view of the northern most point of Borneo where the Sulu Sea meets the South China Sea.

 

The artistes are all well known local singers. But since we are not great fans and followers of local singers, they were all newbies to us. They sang a great variety of songs in English, Malay, Kadazan and even Chinese. As far as I am concerned, the most impactful among them is a group of young men who called themselves "The La Cantabile". They did well when they performed “The Phantom of the Opera”.

Photo's from Sabah Tourism Board - What it is liked to be a spectator of the Concert.

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Waiting for the concert to commence.

We last visited the Tip of Borneo in 2006 (Read here). There was hardly any noticeable change in the area. But the fact is, we have changed because we are definitely much older after a lapse of nine years!

 

In Kudat, we stayed in a new little beach resort called North Borneo Biostation Resort which is owned and run by a Russian. This Resort is situated at quite a distance from Kudat town centre. Unless one has a car, it would be quite inconvenient to stay there. We chose this place when we browsed through Agoda.com for a place to stay a night after the Sunset Music Fest. This location is quite ideal as it is only about 13 Km southeast of the Tip of Borneo.

 

Even with our faithful Garmin, we still had some difficulty in locating this place. This Resort is tucked inside a coconut plantation and is built on a beach front at an elevated platform some 30 feet above the sea. This hide-away place is ideal for people who want to totally get away from the city and spend a couple of day in “isolation” to enjoy nature and the sea. However, people who hate hot weather and high humidity may find this quite unpleasant and even annoying.

 

The restaurant is huge probably because the owner expected all guests to eat-in rather than travel great distance to look for food outside. I found the food reasonably good and charged at very reasonable price.

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Unusual rock formation at the adjacent Bak-Bak Beach

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After the Concert, we had our dinner at a place called the “Howard’s Place” which is just about one Km from the Tip of Borneo. This outlet is also operated by a Caucasian whom I believe loves sunshine and the tropical sea. I believe he chose this strategic location because of its proximity to the famed Tip of Borneo and the equally famed Beach of Pantai Kalampunian which is also not very far from the rear of his restaurant.

Time with Grandchildren in Singapore

Sam's wedding in Singapore on 1 May 2015 provided an opportunity for our WHOLE family to meet up again. The whole family last met up in December 2013 in KK. Unfortunately in our latest gathering, we failed to have a complete family photo taken!

I had a really wonderful time spent with my two adorable grandchildren, Nathan and Grace. Nathan's charm is ever so contagious that it is just not possible not to like and love him. Though I know that carrying him is a task that will become more and more strenuous because he is a growing boy, it is my pledge that I would love to carry him because it just seems cruel to carry the younger one and ignore the older one.

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Grace is undoubtedly the cutest and most adorable little girl one would ever wish to have. Her big eyes, occasional giggles and passionate hugs truly lighten up my heart. Her spontaneous desire for grandpa's hugs and affinity to her grandpa will forever be a soft spot in my heart.

Grace, an "avid" food lover is surprisingly dexterous in handling all the eating utensils at her age.

Getting ready for the down hill ride by Luge

Preparing to enter the 4D Cinema, Universal Studio.

Madagascar Carousel, Universal Studio.

With Minion

Inside a Dinosaur Egg at the Jurassic Park
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At the Trick Eye Museum, we had so much fun capturing mind-boggling photos. The place left us with so many beautiful and unforgettable memories.

Sam is Married!

While the rest of the world was celebrating International Labour Day, my son chose to tie the knot with his soul mate, Rachel on 1 May 2015.

This occasion was particularly precious because this would be one of the rarest of the rarest when the whole family could be reunited. I had great time spending with the family of Serene and the grandchildren.

This photo is probably the last picture Sam took with the parents at 8.30am just before he went off to gate-crash the bride's house. In exactly 10 hours' time, he would transit from being a bachelor to becoming a married man. There were moments when I did feel a sense of loss when I was reminded of Genesis 2:24 - A man shall leave his father and mother, and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. But that thought quickly vaporized when I knew that I would actually be gaining a new "daughter".

 

The wedding was held in an old Gothic-style magnificent chapel built in 1904 now being referred to as CHIMJES.

Photo from Wikimedia Commons

Photo from Wikimedia Commons

Photo with compliment from Elliot Ng

Abstract of wedding speech:

Marriage is the beginning of a new life, the beginning of a journey of togetherness. We are so glad that our son, Samuel has found a lovely lady, his bride, Rachel to hold his hand all his life and make the journey of life together, to discover the mystery and splendour of marriage life. Of course, it would be dishonest if we say that there will not be tough and trying moments. There will definitely be quarrels and disagreements.

When we first met Rachel, we found out what a smart, strong and independent girl Rachel is. But even more so, we find her to be a thoughtful, caring and compassionate woman. We wish to express our appreciation to her parents, Mr. & Mrs. Chong Kam Wah, who have raised her up so well.

Samuel is one of our three children, second child after his older sister. One of the incidents that I could never forget about him is that I forgot to pick him up from school after the school day ended during his primary education period. I think he was in Primary 2 at that time. Normally, I would send him to school in the morning and pick him back after school during lunch time. That particular day, I was so caught up with some work that I totally forgot about picking him up. I also forgot to notify my wife about this. By the time my wife returned home in the late afternoon, she discovered Samuel was not yet home and she called to ask me where Sam was. I said. "Wow, he must be still in school because I forgot to pick him up!". I rushed to the school immediately and to my great amazement, he was lying on the pavement alone by the road side where children were usually picked up. He showed no sign of distress and in spite of his hunger, he did not cry or grumble. His patience indeed was remarkable. I felt really bad and of course got a lecture from his mother.

That quality of his patience and perseverance is probably how he could carry on a long distance relationship (Singapore and England with a time zone difference of 7 hours) and finally won the heart of Rachel.

Photo with compliment from Elliot Ng

Poignant Moments with Family Members - Sam is Getting Married

Poignant moments captured during the wedding of Samuel and Rachel.

 Nathan with Paul Qiu

 Nathan with Sam Qiu

Groom (Sam Qiu) and Ring Bearer (nephew) and Flower Girl (niece) - Photo by Elliot Ng.

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Birthday celebration of MH was simple but memorable! All eyes were on the camera except Grace who found the cake just too irresistible :)

Passing of a Statesman - Lee Kuan Yew

The news of the death of Lee Kuan Yew at 3.18am on 23 March 2014 which I received in the morning was initially treated with skepticism and was suspected as another hoax. I googled CNN and BBC and all reported the passing of LKY. Then, Sam whatsapped, "Hey Dad, LKY passed away for real". That message put all my doubt away. LKY, the Founding Father and first Prime Minister of Singapore has indeed left this world.

I did feel a sense of loss on knowing that LKY has finally gone. This was probably because of two reasons. One is that two of my children are now working in Singapore. One in fact is going to get married to a Singaporean. Second is because of historical sentiment - I grew up at one period of my life when Singapore was part of Malaysia.

Now that Peninsular Malaysia politics is increasingly moving toward racism, bigotry and Islamisation, East Malaysians (Sabah and Sarawak) are feeling more and more alienated from the original agreement in the formation of Malaysia. Some even go as far as to argue that a referendum of some sort should have been conducted by the remaining partners, Malaya, Sabah and Sarawak on the validity of this union when Singapore was "asked" to leave this federation.

Before 23 March 2015, LKY was the last founder of Malaysia still alive. Now that he is gone, any chance of getting evidence and verification on the founding agreement from someone in the know of this founding process is finally gone. The sense of loss is therefore understandable.

LKY is admired as a great and visionary leader of our time. His foresight and determination to single-handedly transform Singapore from a backwater kampong to an ultra modern city state is unparalleled and an indisputable fact. It did cross my mind many times to guesstimate the kind of Malaysia would be like if Singapore is still part of Malaysia. That exercise of course is futile but nevertheless is good for keeping the mind active.

LKY was quoted to have said at one time:

"I am no longer in active politics. It's irrelevant to me what young Singaporeans think of me. What they think of me after I am dead and gone in one generation will be determined by researchers who do PhDs on me.

I did what I thought was right, given the circumstances, given my knowledge at the time, given the pressures on me at the time. That's finished, done. I move forward. You keep on harking back, It's just wasting time.

I have no regrets. I have spent my life, so much of it, building up this country. There is nothing more that I need to do. At the end of the day, what have I got? A successful Singapore. What have I given up? My life."

He will be remembered as one among the rare species of Great Men of the past such as Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela. His passing will be missed for a very long time.

A Time to Die: My Father-in-Law

Death is one word many people are not comfortable speaking about. It is a subject often avoided, yet it lingers in the back of our minds. One question that inevitably arises is: “What is the most appropriate time to die?”

Naturally, everyone hopes to leave this world at the "right time" - a moment that seems fitting and peaceful. Yet, the truth is that the sense of appropriateness is not for the dead but for the living. Those who remain are the ones left to bear the weight of loss. When death comes suddenly, as in tragic airplane disasters or other calamities, the grief of the family members and loved ones is magnified. Such deaths feel painfully "inappropriate," leaving behind shock, sorrow, and questions that will never be fully answered.

The wisdom of King Solomon reminds us: “There is a time for everything… a time to be born and a time to die” (Ecclesiastes 3:2). Death is part of the rhythm of life, and though we cannot dictate its timing, Scripture shows us examples of those whose lives ended in what can be seen as a timely and fitting way.

• Abraham lived 175 years. Then he breathed his last and died “at a good old age, an old man and full of years” (Genesis 25:8). His long and fruitful life ended in peace.

• Isaac lived 180 years. Likewise, he died “old and full of years” (Genesis 35:29), surrounded by the blessings of his lineage.

• Jacob’s passing was especially poignant. Before his death, he had the opportunity to gather his sons and bless each one. Scripture records: “When Jacob had finished giving instructions to his sons, he drew his feet up into the bed, breathed his last, and was gathered to his people” (Genesis 49:33). His death was not sudden or chaotic, but deliberate, calm, and filled with meaning.

These biblical accounts remind us that while untimely deaths cause anguish, there is also such a thing as a timely death - a passing that allows one to complete life’s journey, to bless loved ones, and to leave behind a legacy of faith and peace.

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On 26 February 2015, I accompanied my wife on a flight to Johor Bahru for the reunion of her former classmates of the CHIJ Batu Pahat Class of 1970, scheduled on 28 February. Alongside this joyful occasion, we had also planned to spend a few days with her aging parents, both already in their eighties.

However, just a day before our departure, we received distressing news: my father-in-law had suffered a stroke and was admitted to Batu Pahat Hospital. The stroke had left him unconscious and half-paralyzed. Our hearts sank as we adjusted our plans - not for a reunion of friends, but for what we feared might be a final reunion with him.

The very moment we arrived in Batu Pahat, we went straight to the hospital. Though he could no longer speak, we sensed he was still aware of our presence. When my wife held his hands, he gave faint but deliberate squeezes, as if assuring us that he could still hear and feel us. A brain scan confirmed severe hemorrhaging.

Difficult decisions soon confronted the family. His children were torn: should they consent to brain surgery, clinging to the fragile hope of prolonging his life, or should they forgo invasive intervention and instead ensure he remained in comfort, leaving the outcome to God? The tension was palpable. In the midst of these deliberations, one child expressed his struggle through a WhatsApp message: “Any positive side we could look to? Dad is still not giving up. Should we give up then?” His words reflected both love and anguish, as well as the heavy burden of letting go.

As I watched the uncertainty and emotional conflict, my thoughts turned to the biblical patriarchs - Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob - who lived to a ripe old age and whose deaths came at a time of fullness and completion. With that in mind, I felt compelled to encourage the family. At 3:25 p.m. on 27 February, I sent this message to the group chat:

“For the hesitant, it’s time to be strong and face the very likely ultimate eventuality before it is too late.”

The intent was not to give up hope, but to remind them of the importance of presence - of being there to share in his final earthly moments before God called him home.

On 28 February 2015, at 6:57 p.m., my father-in-law breathed his last. Mercifully, almost all his children and family members were gathered around him, each one having had the chance to say their goodbyes and to spend those sacred final hours by his side.

Though his passing was sorrowful, it was also deeply meaningful. His family was united in love at his bedside, and he departed not in loneliness, but surrounded by those who mattered most.

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I came to know this man because of my marriage to his youngest daughter. He came to Sabah only once in 1979 to attend our wedding blessing ceremony on 07.04.1979.

Photograph taken at the front of the Church Building of
BCCM KK immediately after the Wedding Blessing Ceremony.

He was a simple man - a man who spoke only when necessary. That was always my impression of him. I still remember writing to him in 1978, asking for permission to marry his daughter. He never sent a reply, but that silence never bothered me. In the end, he entrusted his daughter to me, and that was all the answer I ever needed.

In the early years of our marriage, it was clear that he was a highly respected figure in the small town of Sri Gading. People from all walks of life - regardless of race or religion - would come to the house seeking his advice, especially on matters of land, dealings with local authorities, or personal disputes. He had a quiet authority, and in that little town, almost everyone knew him by name.

But as the years passed, the visits grew fewer. Many of his peers had passed on, and new rules and regulations introduced by the authorities were beyond his grasp. Slowly, his influence waned, and he became more and more of a lonely man.

Whenever I visited Sri Gading, I made it a point to let him “belanja” me - treat me - to breakfast, whether at his favorite roti canai stall or the little shop famous for its lontong. Over those simple meals, he would recount his life stories and recall the deeds he had done for the community. He took great joy in telling those stories, even if some were repeats. For me, listening to them never felt tedious; rather, it was a window into his past, and a way of honoring the life he had lived.

One memory I treasure deeply was our short trip together in late January 2013. It was the only real tour I ever took with him - a simple one-day journey to the southernmost tip of mainland Asia, Tanjung Piai. That trip, though brief, now holds special meaning. It was more than just a drive; it was time spent together, sharing moments that have since become part of the legacy he left behind (Read here and here).

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A road in Sri Gading named after him is testament of his contribution to this little town.

He stood next to the road sign named after him in Sri Gading.

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Father and youngest daughter's final moment.

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History would record that Lim Kheng Siang lived 88 years. Then he breathed his last and died at a good old age, an old man and full of years.

I may add that his close family members were with him when he died and many who knew him, his friends and acquaintances came to bid him farewell.

His children.

His grandchildren and great grandchildren. My two sons also came from Singapore to attend his funeral.

Ushering the Year of the Goat in 2015

These days, occasions when family members could get together for reunion seemed to come and pass at incredible speed. The recent Chinese New Year 2015 did allow us to have a small family reunion. This would be the very last time the boys came back as bachelors. By next year, they will come back as married men :)

It has been a very long time ago since this satay grill was brought out for use. Its usefulness has not diminished as evidenced by the delicious grilled lamb chops prepared by the boys for our simple family reunion dinner.

Eating Tangyuan has been one of our CNY traditions.

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Earlier on 30.02.2015, we joined the rest of the siblings and the rest of the family members to have a CNY Eve reunion dinner at my parents home in Taman Public. This was attended by Sam and Paul as well.

Family reunion dinner at my parents house in Taman Public.

Even though my parents had passed away for a number of years, the effort initiated by the siblings to have meals together during CNY is something to be treasured and hopefully continued for many years to come.