bluetanjong

My First Lemonade in Miri

2010-06-08T04:12:00.000-07:00

It was 1959 and my first bus trip to pasar or the bazaar. I did not use the term town or city then.

With two cents to rub in my pocket I went to the shops thinking that they would be like the shops in my own Limbang. I was a small little 13 years old and a little overage for Primary Five. But I was determined to make it in life.

Coming to Tanjong Lobang School made me feel as if I was in the heaven of education. The door of knowledge was opening to me a school boy from Ulu Medamit. Just a few months ago I was cooking my own rice in my little rice pot in a 15x15 school hut which doubled as our hostel with about 8 other boys and catching my own fish for dinner. "School" was Cikgu Bijit. " School" was all wooden and some exercise books. "School" was one room.

This was what Miri look like then. (Photo from a studio)

I walked all the way to the town early in the morning with Abu Bakar Matassan.

The shops were quite a sight I remember but I was not too intimidated or daunted by the hustle and bustle. I took up my courage and went into a general store and asked for "lemonade" a drink I remember having in limbang and I thought I could get it in any "kedai" or shop.

I believed the shop keeper was gently amused if not speechless upon my request. He was polite enough to this ulu looking boy and turned to his wife for help.

In a split second the towkay neo went out and I was asked to wait a little.

She came back with a black looking bottle with a label. That was my first bottle of aerated water made in Sarawak.

The towkay did not laugh at me or say anything unkind. But I remember this incident until now. That was kindness.

My Desparate Effort : Helicopter Flight

2010-06-07T14:45:00.000-07:00

Helicopters or aeroplanes dropping yellow sheets of information paper to the people about the rebellion updates in 1962.
Helicopter used in those days....flying over Sarawak.

Two big events happened in Sarawak : The Brunei Rebellion and the 1963 Flood(http://www.did.sarawak.gov.my/hydroen/resource/fld63.htm) known as the worst flood in the history of Sarawak. I was very much a part of them in my small ways : I was a young teenager speaking a bit of English from the Ulu and I was terribly affected by them.

At the end of 1962 I went home from Tanjong Lobang after my Form Two year not knowing that Brunei was in the throes of a rebellion but as a young student and a Sarawakian I was told to board the Government boat at Bandar which took me to Limbang. I was uneasy though because there were many soldiers who look like Ibans but they did not speak the language. They turned out to be Gurkhas. There were a few British soldiers too.

My father was waiting for me and we quickly left the town in our small boat. Nothing else happened. There was just this sense that there was a black cloud hanging over our heads. I did not realise that a huge political event was happening at that time.

I only knew that I was going home to the long house and that some kind of "soldier activities" were going on. Perhaps this was the preparation for the Independence of Malaysia that I have heard and read about.

And then all of a sudden our Limbang Valley was hit by a huge flood. My family lived on a hill at that time. Although the longhouse was not inundated our farms were. But then as padi farmers and people with very little material things we were not so concerned with damages. We could plant again. We could fish and we could hunt for food.

When it was about time for me to leave for school in Miri I was a bit concerned. My father took me to Medamit where there was a huge timber camp owned by Limbang Trading and we could not find any transport to Limbang and worst of all my trip to Miri was inconceiveable! It seemed that all communication was cut off. There was the flood and the rebellion was still smouldering.

While waiting impatiently to go to school I caught sight of my first helicopter. It descended almost perpendicularly on to the camp field. It was amazing. Then a few dark looking soldiers jumped out from its belly.

My father was as usual very cool and taciturn.

When the propellers stopped fluttering I gathered up my courage to approach the English pilot. With the little English I have learnt from school in Tanjong Lobang I approached him and asked " Sir where are you going after this?"

He said :"Seria. What can I do for you?"

I said: "Can I go with you?"

He said "Why not?"

He was thoroughly amused by this little dark boy who must have learnt to speak English somewhere. I then told him I was late for school in Miri. And I went to see my father about it.
My father was not too sure but seeing that going up in that prawn looking plane was better than waiting forever for something that might not materialise. I had to go to school after all.

I never thought about paying. I was desperate to go to school. I did not even know what was being thick skin. I was just thinking that this empty helicopter would have space to take me to Seria.

Upon reaching Seria the pilot was so kind that he decided to take me all the way to Miri!!

I have never known his name but I would like to say how much I appreciate that lift from Ulu Medamit.

That was another miracle in my life...being airlifted all the way to Miri from Limbang via Seria because of a kind English gentleman during the 1963 flood.

All Round Education at Tanjong Lobang School

2010-02-14T03:16:00.001-08:00

It was in 1966 when we were all gathered together at the school assembly hall to listen to something which was quite new to us.

A young Dr. Chan was to introduce a very important topic to us : Family Planning.

Most of us did not know what that was.

Dr. George Chan was then very young and he had just come to Miri and we all knew that he had a beautiful American wife. That also amazed most of us at the school.

What I remember most was Dr. Chan introduced us the Loop and he told us how it was to be inserted into a woman's body. A friend tried it in his clenched fist and decided that it was
ticklish
To this day I still remember that statement.

It could really be ticklish I thought.

When it was Dr. Sulaiman's turn to give a career talk he took all of us Form Six students to his quarters at the Peninsular next to the old Miri Hospital.

He and his wife entertained us to what I considered as one of the most impressive career talk I had ever attended in my life.

His pretty wife served us a smashing and delicious iced fruit juice. And to this day I have never forgotten that particular drink too.

But I have forgotten most of what Dr. Sulaiman told us.

I believe that most of my school mates have to this day very lasting memories of what these two men brought into our lives. Poor students like us often needed that little inspiration and that little human touch to make us feel that our minds could be moulded.

And both of them inspired us to use the English language.

Miss Sylvester

2010-02-05T01:52:00.001-08:00

Photos are courtesy of my school mate Ahmad Rony Assim.

Below is Miss Sylvester at the Subang Airport in 1970.

Miss Sylvester with her class in Tanjong Lobang.
We as students would never ask Miss Sylvester her first name. It was not the done thing. So I do not know her name until now.

As I have said previously most of my school photos were burnt by the fire which razed my long house in 1978. So thanks Rony.

Miss Sylvester was one of our favourite teachers. She taught us Geography and helped our imagination to extend beyond our limited hills and rivers.

A little on the shy and quiet side she was never one to raise her voice or say anything untoward. We all liked her in her special elderly ways. She was petite and slim and was always very upright . We would of course never try to upset her in any way. So it was politeness all around us whenever she was present. Our native instincts so to speak were suppressed by middle class values learned in the class rooms.

I remember very fondly for a few encounters I had with her.

One day my friends Reggie and Alec and I were waiting for the bus to go to attend a concert and dance. We heard that Eugene Cox and his brother Sonny were going to play in their band in the Youth Centre. The bus took a long time to come. Miss Sylvester stopped by and asked where we were going.

I was kind of desparate at that moment because I so wanted to see the band and I also knew that a dance would follow. So I blurted out "Miss Sylvester do you think you could take us down to the youth centre? We would really love to watch the band playing."

that was my request in the most polite English I knew .

To our shock and pleasant surprise she turned her little car around and took us down the five kilometres of road!!

Just as we stopped at the entrance of the youth centre I again asked her if she would like to join the dance with us!!

To our greatest surprise she consented and did a few dances with us. We Iban boys were really short of dance partners. But we really wanted to dance very much.

And of all people Miss Sylvester understood us. She did!!

A teacher from Heaven. I will never forget how happy we were to be able to dance in the hall with our very own teacher. We remain forever grateful to her for those precious moments of our lives.

Alec Kaboy

2009-12-22T06:35:00.000-08:00

In 1967 Alec was a prefect in the Tanjong Lobang school with many of my friends. I was not one of the prefects.

Alec came from Kanowit Secondary School (now Sedaya) which was at that time one of the leading schools for rural students. In fact out of KSS came several brilliant native scholars and leaders in the world today.

Alec's home village is Bedil which is today still the main stronghold of the Kanowits a special group of Melanaus.

A gentleman always Alec was a true scholar in our school days. He has a great sense of justice and would be honourable for honour's sake.

My last meeting with him was in the Subang Airport in 1969. I rode a motorbike to meet up with him all the way from MU just to see an "old" friend off to the United States.

I did not know then that it would be 40 years before I would see him again.

Here he is standing with his former classrooms behind him.

Popular place to take a photo. The name of the school has changed. There is no more Tanjong Lobang School.

We had special escapades when we were students. Some would best be forgotten. Some would remain with us forever.

He made it home to Sarawak last year but we did not meet up. But this year he made sure that even though hard pressed for time he came all the way from Bedil to see me and visit the old school.

Many things have changed but he felt that it was like yesterday that he left the school.

I would like to think that he has not changed at all where friends are concerned. And that's very Alec. Bless his heart.

Alexander Isut and Michael Martin

2009-12-01T16:37:00.000-08:00

Here you are reuninted again....after 1968 in Tanjong Lobang School.

The guitar was the sole entertainment instrument as most of us could not afford a radio. Most of us became good guitar players and singers.

These two were the best duets during their time.

How time flies.

Cheers to great friendship.

30/11/2009

Muslim Students in Tanjong Lobang School 1967

2009-11-12T02:55:00.000-08:00

This photo is courtesy of Prof Emeritus Haji Mohammad Abdul Majid.

And he can remember most of the names.....Thanks Uchak.

Photo of Muslim students at TLS in 1967.

1. Hamdan (Bintulu)
2. Dr Ismawi
3. Mahmud Yusuf (Gomen Inspector)
4. ?
5. Haidar khan
6. Zainuddin
7. ?
8. Robert Vatsaloo
9. Abg Hj Kassim
10. Brother of Turkey Hamzah (Bintulu)
11. Sharkawi Bohari?
12. Azmi Bintulu
13. Anuar Khan
14. Azmi Bintulu
15. He married Aminah Lampam
16. Bintulu boy
17. ?
18. ?
19. Maybe Late Ibrahim Shah
20. Awg Rahim Bintulu
21. ?
22. Late Aminuddin
23. Abdullah Sani
24. Mahani Omar
25. Sukinam Domo
26. Cikgu Sepawi
27. Hamzah?
28. Kushairi Suut
29. Mohidin Ishak
30. Amin Sahmat
31. Abu Bakar Matassan
32. Awg Zaini
33. Abdul Hamid (Mayor of Kuching)
34. Fatonah Rashid
35. Saadiah
36. THE GREAT CHIEF COOK: PACIK HAMDAN
37. ZENORAI THE GREAT
38. Abdullah Awg nassar
39. Zainal Abidin
40. ?
41. Yusuf Nassar
42. ASFIA AWG NASSAR
43. ?
44. Wan ali Yubi
45. ?
46. THE GREAT DATO TALIP ZULPHILIP!
47. Zakaria Kawi
48. Wan Muhammad Yubi
49. Ali Junaidi
50. ZAM THE MAGNIFICENT
51. Abdullah Mohd Noor
52. Abdullah ali (famous for jumping down from heights)
53. ?
54. Salomon Tatau
55. From Niah or Sibuti

I apologise for not being able to remember all the names. It was 40 years ago.(Haji)

I thank Haji for the photo and the names...hope others can help us complete the name list!!

Robert Madang and Haji Mohammad

2009-11-09T02:48:00.000-08:00

Robert Madang receiving "allowance increment" from the Prime Minister.

Robert left school to join the Army.

This is our learned professor Emeritus Dato Haji Mohammad.

This is one of the rare black and white photographs which come back to me via the Internet. My group of former school mates have helped a lot by sharing their photos. Mine were mostly burnt in a fire that razed my longhouse many years ago.

A pity then. But now I realise how technology can help us. I am slowly making a small collection of 1959 to 1968 photos.

I used to enjoy printing the old style photos in the school lab. I suppose I can still "develop" photographs today if I have a chance from scratch.

Robert today is a retired Colonel and is an author of two books with more coming. He is a poet too. Haji is Professor Emeritus from MU.

Our struggles as survivors then were all worth it. But friendship is supreme.

thanks uchaks.

Drinking Horlicks and Milo in the Boarding School

2009-11-04T14:41:00.000-08:00

I was once asked by my children what was the most painful part of my student life -

There were many but flippantly I told them this story which still brings a small pain to my stomach these days.

Food in the refrectory was fine and we had the honour of "dining" with Mr. Robert N and Miss McKonkey and other staff members.

Our school mates behaved very well at the "feast". The Muslim students and the Non Muslim students were all together in the refrectory and that was really nice.

Food was very basic. And we even had our own vegetables which we grew next to our hostel.

But at night when it was about 10 we the native students would feel very hungry. There was no supper at all.

Perhaps Alec Kaboy had a few dollars left after his uncle's visit and we could share a packet of dry noodels. Perhaps some one had just come back from the villages and had brought some extra biscuits.

But what we had every night was the sound of the Chinese students like Ang Boon Sian who was a towkay's son who made his Milo or Horlicks without fail.

We could hear the noise of his spoon stirring the hot milo in his tin cup.

And because the milo was hot he would slurp very loudly.

Whether he consciously knew he was doing all these we would never know. But next door to him we the native boys could hear his milo making noises and slurping very clearly through the thin wooden walls.

We could never afford the Milo nor the Horlicks during our student days.....My father did send me money like $15 whenever he sold his rubber in those days which was about three times a year. But that princely sum had to go for a new school shirt or a new exercise books and may be some pencils. (By the way Freda Kedung was rich then and I was one of her beneficiaries - we often received one or two used pencils some her. )

Those images were the most painful.

Chinese Radish and the Late Mr. James Foh

2009-11-01T11:58:00.001-08:00

I am definitely growing to become a little more sentimental these days.

Every bowl of lobak or Chinese radish soup would remind me of the special teacher who taught us how to grow vegetables in our school. The Late Mr. James Foh.

Imagine 1960's Tanjong Lobang School - a school on a promontory washed by the sea on the west and blown by cold sea winds at night. those of us having a thin blankiet could only shiver and think of warm blankets. Electric blanket was not even in the books! I would wear an extra cotton shirt to sleep in. And the mosquito net probably helped many to be jnst a little warmer.

And more often than not as we got awakened by loud snoring around us we could even hear our friends' stomach rumbling. We could be really hungry in those days.

Thus in the day time you could see us working extra hard to bring extra vegetables to our dining table.

This photo I copied from the Internet could be a likely scene of our dear Tanjong Lobang of the 50's and 60's.

We used to work like this under the mentorship of the late Mr. James Foh. He was the one who taught us to grow vegetables the Chinese way. (or the proper way)

In my blurring memories probably all my friends and I grew our vegetables as beautifully as these. Many of my dear Tanjong Lobang photos were burnt in the fire that razed my longhouse in 1983.

This was the favourite and easiest to grow radish or lobak.

Thanks Mr. James Foh!!

John Jau

2009-10-18T03:11:00.000-07:00

How many of you can recognise this guy?

He was one of the Kayans who built the famous boat for the Marudi regatta....

The Principal and the rest of us waited for the Kayan boat to reach the finishing point...it did not happen. But we all live to tell the tale. Such was school life.

Going to School in Tanjong Lobang by Coastal Steamer

2009-06-22T13:56:00.000-07:00

Years ago I kept this photo very carefully.

These were my school mates from the other divisions who would come in with the coastal steamer called Keningau. A few of the girls also had to travel in this manner - it was the cheapest and perhaps the only means for many of us. So going to school in those days was risky and there was no insurance. (No one has heard of insurance at that time.) If a life was lost it was lost. Gone.

Ting Hie Siong was one of the best friends I ever had and we met up often in Sibu when I was working there for a while.

Then there were Rony Assim (now Ahmad Assim) Alec and his brother Angki and YB Hamden.

My journey to and from home was by walking through the jungle- long boat - government boat from Limbang and then the old coastal bus from Brunei. I do not think any 9 year old would do that nowadays.

1967 - Board of Prefects with Principal Mr. R. Nichol

2009-06-21T05:04:00.000-07:00

Can any one recognise any of these students?

Tanjong Lobang School Staff Photo

2009-06-17T16:24:00.000-07:00

Joan Tze in Tanjong Lobang School 1967

2009-06-15T20:12:00.000-07:00

Joan Tze still looks the same after all these years!!

A group photo of Joan and her friends.

Tan Sri Leo Moggie - Still the Hero

2009-06-13T04:14:00.000-07:00

Leo as we all know him does not need to be Tan Sri-ed or YB-ed.

As my senior in school he was always well ahead of the rest mentally and socially. In life perhaps he was one of the earliest Iban (Dayak) scholars who made it in life and became a political figure for many years until it was time for him to "retire".

One thing I will always remember him for - whatever he did in school he would try his best to do well.

So in an evening of joint celebration of Dayak Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Kadazan Chamber of Commerce and Industry Leo stole the evening with his majestic performace of ngajat.

With superb showmanship he danced with his eyes closed and moved across the stage.

Elias and I - Fond Memories from 1959

2009-06-13T03:13:00.000-07:00

It was the end of the school holidays and my friend Alias Mahmud and his family were going back to Miri from Kota Kinabalu.

Good friends from Tanjong Lobang School days we got talking.

Do you remember the football playing in the rain? What about foot ball in the hot sun? I came in 1959 and he had been in the school register since 1956. So he is my senior in so many good ways.

Those were the days when we had no TV and not even a small radio to entertain us.

Now we are white haired and going into our 60's.

But some things never change : our warm friendship and our sincere wishes for each other.

1961-1962 Mr. William Scott and Boys

2009-06-10T15:43:00.001-07:00

Prof Dato Haji Mohamad Abdul Majid my good old friend wrote in his email to us in the ex-Tanjong forum

"I got this photo from Said Mohidin of Limbang (finished Form 5 in
1962). Please help identify those in the photo. I can identify only
the following:

3. Gabriel Uking
4. William Scott
5 Said Mohidin
6. George Ganang
7. Bernard Agan
11. Henry Lian
12. Mohidin seman
14 . Salleh

Who is the one looking like ZAM?"

I hope readers would write in and tell us more about the photo!! thanks.

Thanks to --
Prof. Haji Mohamed Abdul Majid
Biology Department
Universiti Brunei Darussalam,
Jalan Tungku Link, Gadong,
Brunei Darussalam BE1410

Form Five in 1962 Tanjong Lobang School Miri

2009-06-09T04:22:00.000-07:00

I was a little boy then only wishing to study hard and break away from the vicious cycle of poverty. Most of my school buddies were very determined as well. We often talked together like brothers. Our teachers were like gods and goddesses to us.

One of the activities I remember most fondly was the work party. I took pride in doing all the work for the school as I consider the school my saviour.

One of the teachers I remember most fondly was Mrs. Sargunam. In later years I met her in Kuching and she remined a very kind teacher towards all of us knowing truly that we were from extremely poor families.

So it is good to have this photo digitalised for all of us to remember her and my seniors in school.

Form 5 in 1962 with their class teacher, Mrs Sargunam who was expecting her first baby Sarah.

Do you remember them?

1. Jolhi Saar
2. Said Mohidin
3. Grace Tze
9 Late Abdullah Aziz Khan
10. Hatta Solhi
11. Mohidin Seman
12 . Leong Mei Kim
16. Timothy Liaw Aik Hon
19. Bernard Agan
20 Awangku.... Awg Anu
21. Zamiran Ujang
22. David Tie
23. Salleh
24, Mrs Sargunam
25. Ahmad Razali
26. Musa Girie?
27. Late Waslie Ramlie

Photo is from Prof. Haji Mohamed Abdul Majid
Biology Department
Universiti Brunei Darussalam,
Jalan Tungku Link, Gadong,
Brunei Darussalam BE1410

Court of Justice of the Highest Order

2009-06-08T15:29:00.000-07:00

I must have been a very keen observer of of the carriage of justice even at a very young age. It was 1954 before I was selected to go to school in Tanjong Lobang that I saw what it meant to go to court.

An adultery case had been mentioned in my longhouse and at an appointed day the court was to convene.

It was the most unusual court case but to me it had a great aura of poetic justice and it was deeply imprinted in my young mind.

In the early morning of the court case a clearing was made and no one went to their farms. The plaintiff was my aunt Emor who had accused her handsome husband Galang of committing adultery with a young lady called Enkrama. Emor was one of the most beautiful ladies in our longhouse at that time. Galang was handsome and big in size.

On that eventful morning Emor had hired my grandfather's fighting cock and Galang and Enkrama had hired theirs from Apai Tajak. Before the cock fight was to take place the "president" of the court who was my uncle gave the definition of adultery and mentioned the case. Apai Tajak also stood up to say something in defense.

Everyone was respectful and quiet that morning because the gods or spirits were invoked to be present with us.

When the two fighting cocks were released some how Galang's hired bird took fright and ran into the bushes. The court had thus decided that Galang and Enkrama were guilty. I remember seeing Enkrama looking embarassed and kept her face down. Galang looked very sad and walked away without even bidding good bye to his three young children then. He immediately packed his little bag and took his boat away.

I particularly remember his boat because he had the best outboard motor engine at that time in our longhouse.

Galang was known to have settled in Song in Batang Rajang and later remarried. Emor too remarried and had children. Both of them passed away not too long ago.

Today I am still in touch with my cousins who are children of Emore but I am glad that I have the opporutnity to meet one of Galang's sons from his second marriage.

Justice was carried out in a divine way. But it was sad to see a good couple split up in that way.

Memories in Black and White.

2009-06-07T19:33:00.001-07:00

This is an excellent black and white photo from Datu Professor Haji Abdul Majid of the 1962 Luak Bay.

I am wondering how many people still have these old Kodak photos of the old times.

In retrospect a poor Iban boy like me and a boarder of Tanjong Lobang School at that time to have some keepsakes of our stay at the school was a great feat considering how precarious our lives had been.

All students selected from the rural areas who fortunately studied in Tanjong Lobang school in those days had to travel great distances and many days by land and water. I personally had to walk almost a day to reach a suitable long boat. Later when my father was able to own a boat of his own I was able to board a boat and then paddled two days to reach Limbang where I would board a government boat to reach Brunei and then I would take a bus to Miri.

It was a good time then as no one had even heard of little boys being robbed or abused along the way. If I had lost my photos so easily I would not have any black and white photos left today.

Whatever photos I had I would carry like my precious life home to show my longhouse relatives. These photos they would look at until I came home one year later . Some of these were lost forever when my long house was razed to the ground. Only one album survived because my wife insisted on bringing it back to Sibu during one of our homevisits.

In order to show my friends at school what my father looked like my father actually took a photo in a photo studio in Limbang at a great cost. I treasure that photo till today. That was 1960. I often wondered what if some of my school mates or hostel mates had been nasty and stole this photo from me! I would have lost the most precious memento in black and white of my father .

The Luak Bay was not only our playground. It was more importantly our source of supplementary food. Whereas most students today would have lots of money for tidbits we survived on whatever we could catch from the bountiful sea at that time. Mr. Hicks one of our principals allowed us students to catch fish and crabs at a specific time before our dinner and prep. I am sure many of my school mates then have their own individual stories to tell.

I am glad today that the digital age has enabled me to retrieve some of the black and white photos. I will be posting them from time to time on this blog.

this photo comes from my good and long lasting friend from my Tanjong Lobang Days. Perhaps together we can build a good archive of our school days in Tanjong Lobang School. (Now renamed Kolej Datuk Tuanku Haji Bujang of Miri)

Movie Fan in the 60's in Miri

2009-02-15T07:36:00.000-08:00

Movie fans in the 60's in Miri would probably used the service of one popular guy called Dol.

He was our hero as he could help us buy tickets. We rural boys did not have the ways to manouvre into the front to get the best of the cheapest tickets. But Dol could.

For several years whether it was a day show or late night show my school mates and I would look out for Dol. Dol would always be so willing to help . But at times the cinema was really full. Perhaps some of us did manage to sneak in and avoided all those searching flash lights of the ticket checkers.

I have fond memories of Pak Cik Dol because I was such a small kid I was often squeezed out of the line for the tickets. Or if I finally managed to come to the box office somehow there would have been too many hands jamming into the opening. I hurt myself several times that way. So Dol's presence at the Miri Theatre was always such a welcoming moment for me.

I never knew if Pak Cik Dol enjoyed the movies as much as we did.

In later years I would meet him in Bekenu where he lives with his son. He has been a broker of some sorts. Enterprising as he always has been he knows how to make a living even at his age. It is good that we can meet up and I can continue to call him pak cik Dol. Although when we were younger as small kids we're just too happy to call "Dol" who was not very much older than us actually. Pak Cik Dol frequents the coffee shops in Miri but he likes Fortuna Coffee Shop best. That's where I have managed to say hello to him and buy him a drink several times.

He looks awfully swanky with his cap on . I met him this morning at the Fortuna Coffee Shop and we shared a cuppa and talked about old times.

Stained Glass Window TLS

2008-11-30T03:06:00.000-08:00

As far as I can remember when I came to the school in 1959 this stained glass window was already there.

To an ulu boy the fact I did not know anything about European art history of stained glass window remains a significant part of my life. I just looked at it as if it was a part of urban structure - very pretty and took it for granted.

As I slowly acquired more knowledge in school the significance of stained glass dawned on me.

Nevertheless it is still a remarkable piece of art in a small part of Borneo. I suppose it is even more remarkable that it is one of the few pieces left in Borneo.
And perhaps Mr.Nicholl had a hand in its design and specifications. I was too young being just 9 years old then and too "ulu"

Upper Sixth Arts Class of 1967

2008-11-28T02:53:00.000-08:00

Staff of Tanjong Lobang School Welcoming Mr. Kum Boo

2008-11-28T02:49:00.000-08:00

Mr. Kum Boo was the Director of Education Department of Sarawak.

It was a big occasion for the school.

This photo is truly a collector's item.

The Tailor Who Won the Hearts of Native Boys

2008-10-02T01:46:00.000-07:00

Tan Chi Kim and David Chin (Photo from David Chin)

It seemed there was only one tailor in town (Miri) and we the native boys who were in dire straits but in desperate need of attire would flock to his shop for some tailoring whether it was to cut a pair of badly needed trousers or to make a drain pipe pair out of a cheap shop bought trousers.

He owned the Nam Kong Tailor Shop on River Road situated opposite the Ban Hup Coffee shop where politicians and government officers sat down for happy hours after they knocked off from work.

Mr.Tam was very friendly and he won our young and innocent hearts. Each trousers he made for us then was just @7.50(material included). And we would be asking him all sorts of questions about tailoring. Aloysius Lisu was a student by our standard a towkay who would always suggest that we went to see him. This was a chance for us to admire the materials and the already tailored trousers. We would also fantasize about our future attire in the shop.

Besides Towkay as we called him was always ready to call us to do a bit of grass cutting and other odd jobs. One day I did a full day's job for him and earned a handsome figure of $5.00. I was rich like a king and felt like one too.

And then there was one incident I would never forget. The kindly Towday offered to send us back to Tanjong in his car instead of us having to walk all the 6 kilometres. When we were at the steep Tanjong hill the car engine suddenly choked and stopped. It was a blue Hillman Hunter by the way. He asked me to step on a pedal and not release it until he said so. I was seated next to him.

He asked" Can you reach the pedal?" I was small and short but my foot just managed to touch the pedal.

I did not know anything about driving at that tender age. But I did as I was told. He then struggled with the other pedals and managed to start the engine. He then told me to let go of the pedal which I did. I felt so proud of myself!! The car then went up the hill like a very ill and arthritic buffalo which had to finish its ploughing.

I can still remember him clearly as if it was only yesterday.

I feel sad that a good and caring man who was an icon to all the native boys of Tanjong has left us. He had touched our hearts and we will remember him fondly. In many ways he was an adult who had played a very important role in our lives when we as boarding students needed that fatherly touch and mentoring very much.

May his soul rest in peace.

The Girls' Relay Team 1961-1963

2008-03-01T15:48:00.000-08:00

1961-63 : The Girls' Relay Team

When we were in junior secondary school in TLS, the boys, especially the native boys formed a very strong and unbeatable athletic team which "conquered" almost all the trophies of local school and open amateur athletic events. We were the golden boys.

But Mr. Sia, our sports master, found it a little challenging to get a girls' team together. He had to scrounge amongst the pitiful small number of girls who might just be able to run and last, more importantly, a few fifty meters or more.

So with a great effort and in the end, he was able to assemble Ngik Koon, Kamariah,Chellenga and Alice Darieng. They were the most unusual looking bunch of girls to be on the sports field. Both Ngik Koon and Kamariah were still having their puppy fat and looked at the most plump and not at all lithe to beat the flying girls looks of the Chung Hua school team.
Only Chellenga and Alice looked a little more promising.

Come sports day, we boys got all excited, knowing that we could be the champions of the day. But we were a little more than apprehensive about the girls. When it was the girls' relay event, we boys were all ready to do all the cheering and shouting by the side. Hoping that at least by our shouts they could just run a little faster.

"Come on, Ngik Koon!!" we all shouted, over and over again.

She ran like a boxer, with her hands pounding the air from her face. Her steps were firm and small. But she was able to finish her part to our delight.

Kamariah , in her sporting best, trotted on but nevertheless finished her part of 100x4 to the glee of all the TLS support team. Her smile was good enough at the end.

Alice ran with all her heart and brought the team forward a little.

Chellenga was light and she managed slightly better.

But in the end our girls' team came in a delightful last.

Our team, especially the girls' team ,happily took part in the athletic meets for three years. We raised and shook our TLS flag high and with the highest of morale. Later the dynamics of the runners and events changed and the four girls delightfully took their places away from the tracks.

The Olympics Games said, "Participation is more important than winning."

But the girls' sportsmanship will always be remembered by us.

Ngik Koon , now in Miri, continues to be charming, helpful and friendly. She has never changed in her attitude towards her fellow school mates. Her warm nature and permanent smile have made her a winner in life.

Kamariah is now a success as an educationist in Brunei. Still the same Karmariah - kind and cheerful. But extremely trim and healthy.

Chellenga is still the same - helpful and caring. She has good words for her friends and relatives and teaches Aborigines students in a school in Katherine, near Darwin, Australia.

Alice is retired from her teaching in St. James, Brunei and now owns a native craft shop in Miri. Always charming, cheerful and a good conversationalist, you will never feel rejected by a charmer like her.

But the years of the Girls' Relay Team would always fill my heart with warmth and laughter.

Those were indeed happy days.

The School Matron - Miss McConkey

2007-12-02T00:14:00.000-08:00

Matron (Miss McConkey) and school boys' pranks

The Matron I remember

The Peace Corps was purportedly conceptualised by John F. Kennedy when he was the President of the United States. His brother-in-law Shriver was the man behind the whole organisation. JFK made this often quoted statement which was imprinted in hearts of almost all literate youths in the world, " Ask not what your country can do for you, but ask what you can do for your country." It was this, many people said, that sent hundreds of thousands of starry eyed, hopeful, energetic, American youths to the developing world to help make a difference, to bring the needy out of the shadows of illiteracy , poverty and ill health.

And because of the world wide popularity of the Peace Corps at that time, Tanjong Lobang in particular was also a beneficiary. We as students also benefited. In this article, I will write about Miss McConkey, who as a Peace Corps Volunteer came to Tanjong Lobang School in January 1964 and stayed until December 1965. She was so good at her work and it was also partly because she loved Tanjong Lobang very much. It was a commitment typical of Peace Corps throughout the world.

There were 10 things I associate with Matron McConkey.

Firstly, I realised, and for the rest of my life, the full meaning of the the word "Matron" .I firmly believe that every Matron in the schools of Sarawak should perform like her. She should be the role model for all Malaysian school or college matrons in fact.

Secondly, she lived in the Peace Corps quarters next to the Girls' Hostel "Penelope". This quarters had long been pulled down in the development of the school in the last fifty years or so. The quarters was purposely assigned to her so that she could be near the girls, which numbered less than a hundred, mainly from the Orang Ulu community and some Chinese from Limbang, Bintulu,the Baram, Kanowit, including Kho Poh Tin whom I remember fondly as she came from Limbang like me.

Thirdly, as we called her Matron only, out of respect, I never knew real name until after I left school. In fact, at that time, it was impolite to call our teachers by their full name. We called our teachers, Sir, Miss, or just Teacher. Perhaps it was because of this, many students did not get to know the names of their teachers.

Fourthly, I can still remember her typical day as I observed her "unbreakable, sure routine of her role as matron" and it was very military like in routine. She would come very early, walking to the school, without fail (I think she never had sick leave) and checked the kitchen, and the refrectory and then when the school started, she would be in her office. throughtout the day, she would administer to those who fell sick. And in fact, her office, which was next to the Principal's office, was the dispensary for the school. In her room, would be the cabinet for medicines, ointment, bandages, alcohol, scissors, anything you could imagine for a small clinic.

Then she would take time to check the cleanliness of the boarding houses and to find out who were sick and unable to attend classes. Those who were sick like Robert Madang, with mumps ,had to be isolated in put in the sick bay. those who came under her care would never forget the Florence Nightingale touch as she was a very genuine and personal carer.

Fifthly, she shared our food and that was a very endearing aspect to many of us native students. Together with Mr Nicholl and Mr. Bob Lynn they would eat with us. This was partly to ensure that quality of school food was really up to the mark. We were very conscious of their presence and so we behaved very well. Perhaps this was how we developed our "fine" table manners. We never made unnecessary noise, or ate voraciously or behaved like "monkeys" like many of the modern kids today. We were became very careful and polite diners. Years later, when I guided my students and my own children, table manners were my top priority. I have Matron and the leading teachers to thank for. there was definitely a big difference between "dining" and "eating fast food".

Sixthly, Miss McKonkey was tall,slim, and in her fifties.To me,she looked very fit and very healthy, and most importanlty, kind and benevolent. She wore nice spectacles and she would also ride her bicycle every day too. Her attire would also be a white blouse and a blue denim skirt which would flutter in the wind as she cycled along the road. She would wear different skirts, but they would be always having blue as a main colour. In that way, I would always remember her being very American in her colour choice. Her blue and white became like a uniform of a matron in retrospect. I can still see her light coloured bicycle as if they were right in front of me.

Seventhly, an amusing incident would always come to my mind, when thinking about Matron. It only showed how much the boys liked her. It was my first time, following Edward Gella and Emapni Lang in raiding the pantry. The two boys and two others, Tan and Liaw, were having some serious fun trying to get the lovely biscuits which were meant for the teachers for their morning tea break. We ate all the biscuit ration which she had already carefully laid out for the next day. So the boys all agreed that we must leave one biscuit for Matron. It was Empani who said, "This biscuit is for Matron."

The next day, we peeped at the staff room and sure enough, there was no biscuit for their morning tea. I remember that no fuss was made out of it. But Matron had her one biscuit in a very reflective way. It was very painful to see that. And we never "raided" the biscuits again. I am not sure if the teachers suspected any one. But then many boys had made attempts to get extra food because food was never enough for growing boys, who did not have any money to buy extra food.

Eighthly, from 3 to 4 every day, Miss McKonkey would be there with us at our work party. I have very fond memories of work party because that was how we "pay back" our beloved school for what it did for us. We kept the school clean and repaired all the broken furniture. We had a lot of fun working and learning at the same time. We were like "keeping our house clean" and our family was the entire school community , including our beloved Matron. I believe that many of us were indeed very grateful that the school even had a "resident nurse" to look after our health and well being.

Ninthly, during all the Sports Days that she was with us, she was there for us with all the equipment ready. It was very reassuring to have her presence there. And Sports Day would just be another memorable day with nothing untoward. Some of the students would definitely remember how they were given good rub downs by the Matron and the girls who were given the roles to attend to the "injured".

Finally, I remember her as a person who never raised her voice at any one of us. Even though she was not what we call the fierce type, we held her in great respect because she was just so firm and fair. and I presume that she was very at home with the girls and the girls with her.

I can still see her very clearly now, if I were an artist I could paint a very fine portrait of her. A school would definitely be an excellent school with a Matron like Miss McConkey.

Fish Heads and Fish Eggs

2007-11-18T18:23:00.000-08:00

Remembering our dinning hall or refrectory in Tanjong Lobang School,is both fun and nostalgic, and sometimes bittersweet,especially with friends in the later years of our life.

Our school was a special training ground for many of us who eventually became principals of secondary school. Mr. Richard Tze was the man responsible for starting a student kitchen committee to look after food ration and checking of the meals. The committee was super efficient in supervising even the cooks! I used such a student committee to check all the food ration coming in when I was the Principal of Sedaya in 1975. The students also supervised the cooking and the whole dining system of more than 2000 students. That year, the boarding students of the school had too much good food. Having a reliable student committee with a teacher in charge is a good system.

I remember that the early years of TLS saw volunteer teachers as the Matron. Amongst them I remember Miss McCormick.

Students were as naughty as can be. In this special episode I recall the Fish heads and fish eggs incident .

We had noticed that our fish dish in the refrectory had no fish head or fish eggs. We were actually eating very good and highly priced fish like tenggiri or duai (pomfret)

Fish heads were highly regarded by the native students as we liked the bite and the taste of heads. Rice would be well consumed if accompanied by a serving of fish head. We would eat the fish eyes, and we would enjoy biting the soft bones of the head. Fish roe was indeed a delicacy to many of us, including the Chinese and Malay boys. So we had to find out what happened to the fish heads and fish eggs of our fish!!

It took us some time to investigate. Heading our secret team was Gilla Baul. Two Limbang Chinese boys who were indignant about the missing fish heads and fish eggs also took part in this underground movement. I was the little small boy who followed them.

We checked the kitchen carefully and noticed every movement of the cooks and other kitchen staff. Then one evening at an appointed time, Gilla prised open the kitchen lock. At that moment, I sort of thought that the leaders were not at all thieves. They were the superheroes who were out to find the cause of missing fish heads and eggs! So we went in, bravely, as if we were Hercule Periot or Perry Mason, or Sherlock Holmes,and we did indeed find what we were looking for! We found a big bag of fish heads and fish eggs all wrapped up properly in the kitchenh freezer. Apparently, the cooks had been keeping them in order to sell to some friends.

We were elated as if we had solved a puzzle. Immediately as if vengeance was in our hands, we cooked the fish heads and eggs. It was a feast or celebration for all of us in the hostel.

However, to our horror, the next morning, Tan, one of the Chinese boys, appeared with his eyes all swollen, looking like a red gold fish. It was both horrifying and hilarious at the same time. He had had too many fish eggs!! But being very good natured and having a great sense of humour, he did not complain.

But the upside of the incident made the cooks realise that the students loved fish heads and fish eggs too. Putting it very mildly.

From then on, we had the whole fish, including the eggs for our meals. Our secret voice was strong and a grievance was redressed for the good of the whole student population. I would never know how the teachers or the non academic staff feel about this as it was never discussed in our presence. Definitely we were not viewed as guerrillas all out to despose the then ruling power of the school!

Letter from Sam

2007-10-15T16:35:00.000-07:00

Sam came for a visit (2008) Photo with Dr. Abeng Lim (KB Brunei) at his lovely home.

In May this year, quite unexpectedly, I was "discovered" by a long lost friend Sam Teo from my school days.

Since then we have exchanged news, stories and revisited each other through an ex-student google forum. I was delighted to find out that he now resides in Missouri, USA, even though he did try his best to come back to work in Shell Sarawak. Qualified as any one for Shell, he was rejected probably by a small man sitting behind a Shell desk with heaps of application letters which he could not bother to reply and within months Sam had to return to the USA, unable to serve his beloved country. He speaks and writes Arabic besides Chinese, English and Bahasa Malaysia, is extremely good in photography (since 1962) and is a genius in computer science.

I have asked my friend if I could borrow his letter to Mr. Ruthe, one of our Headmasters for inclusion in my blog. I just hope that even more people would read articles which are written from our hearts. Thanks Sam for sharing.

May our passion for our old school Tanjong Lobang School, Miri, live on!!

========== Letter to Mr. A. D. Ruthe ===========

Dear Mr. Ruthe,

I should have written this letter 45 years ago, but I always thought procrastination was (is?) a virtue. Anyway, late though it is, here goes my note.

During my relatively short time at TLS, I had had a few Headmasters before you, and one after. None of those Headmasters impressed me as you had. Permit me to express my personal views and feelings toward you, Mr. A.D . Ruthe, my Headmaster, Teacher and Mentor.

A.D Ruthe - my Headmaster

I never knew what "A.D." stood for, and never had the urge to find out. It was quite enough to know you as Mr. A.D. Ruthe. We weren't supposed to know your first name anyway, for after all, it would have been impolite to address you by your first name. I did finally learn what the "A" was - from Linda, your lovely daughter and my former classmate. Now I know " A.D. Ruthe" was "Alan D. Ruthe". But what was the "D"? Oh well, it doesn't matter.

The most memorable encounter I had with you, as Headmaster, was when you and I had a very lively shouting match. You may have forgotten that episode, but I have not. It was that verbal battle I had with you, and the outcome thereafter that brought admiration from me for you - my Headmaster.

You knew I played basketball for TLS, and was a very good player.

There were several school team players from the then Fourth Division (Bintulu, Sebauh area) who could not stand the sight of me. Most of them were upset with me for having won the heart of a young lady from their "neighborhood". Consequently, during basketball team practice, they had deliberately excluded me from any play. I decided that if I wasn't wanted, then I should leave the team. I subsequently asked the coach and was given permission to leave TLS team and play for Miri Machinda Club.

TLS team played Machinda Club, and lost. I contributed over 30 points in that match. The coach was furious, and his fire was fed more fuel by the TLS players. I was summoned to your office, supposedly for a good beating - by you.

You, and certainly the coach, were probably expecting me to just apologize and walk out with my "tail between my legs". I started to defend my action. The coach, with his selective memory, declared that he never gave me permission to leave the TLS team, let alone play for an outside team. I lost my cool, and raised my voice. The coach responded in kind. You showed irritation, and, being a good executive, proceeded to side with the coach. At that point, all three of us were having an intense verbal battle. What happened afterward did (not?) surprise me.

You permitted me to continue to play for Machinda.

Mr. Ruthe, you never told me this, but I suspect your decision was probably based on your belief that although I was a rebel, I was not a stupid person - at least not stupid enough to blatantly break TLS school rule: leaving TLS team to play for an outside team without permission.

Whatever your reason, I thank you and I admire you for your fair mindedness.

A.D. Ruthe - my Teacher and Mentor

You knew I could write, with some degree of clarity in delivery. You graded my papers with decent but not the best marks. Your one and constant comment was: "Write on something familiar to you, for only when you do that can you express yourself with the needed passion."
I wanted to go into medicine, and surgery no less. Consequently, I often wrote about medicine - good writing but lacking in substance. After your comment and guidance, I began to write about something that I knew. You were somewhat surprised, yet pleased, when I wrote about romance in secondary school. You gave me a very good mark in that paper.

Thank you for your help, I got a very good grade in English in my School Certificate.

Mr. Ruthe, I don't know if you were a great man in New Zealand or not, or how you compared with your compatriots - socially and professionally. All I know about you is from our relationship at TLS. In my mind, you, Mr. A.D Ruthe, are greater than all the TLS headmasters combined. You had reinforced my belief that it is OK to stand one's ground, as long as one is in the right. I did that during our "battle", and you did not shut me up, kick my butt and send me packing the next morning. I doubt if many other Headmasters would have tolerated my behavior under that same circumstance.

I hope you are successful in reading this e-mail. I am certain some of your internet-savvy friends at "heaven.com " will help you - in case you have any trouble with GMAIL.

Sincerely, Sam TeoFormer student at TLS (1961-64)

Miss Rose Chin - Extraordinary English Teacher

2007-10-15T14:51:00.000-07:00

Miss Rose Chin with her brother David Chin and other family members in New Zealand. Photo courtesy of David.
1968 was the last year of my school at Tanjong Lobang School. I had been in the school for NINE years. It has been a loving home, a training ground and Mr. McCormick was right. It was like heaven.

Now that I am 61 I have the privileges of sharing my memories with friends while my mind is still good. It is not fair just to remember Mr. Robert Nicholl only. Like the Beatles song, "In My Life", I remember them all.

And today, one of the teachers I would like to remember is Miss Chin.When the newly graduated

Miss Rose Chin walked into our English class that particular moment, we being only just a few years younger than her, knew that she was nervous. She kicked the rattan waste paper basket and we waited patiently,respectfully and knowingly for her to start her lesson.

Only Reggie Tersan laughed softly and said,"She's nervous!" She did not flinch at all but continued with her business of teaching.

Reggie went on to become her favourite and best English student.

But for me,in just that moment I knew that she was all business and that she would get on with her teaching to the best of her ability and we would benefit a lot from her refreshing approach.

Physically, she was a strong woman, one that was used to changkul-ing soils and hard farm work. She had the sun burnt skin of a farmer's daughter. So we as the native students of the class, immediately felt that we could relate to this new teacher who had just come back from Australia.

Mentally, she was really intelligent and she had an admirable command of the English languange. I am proud to say that I was in her class long enough to learn all the important tenets of the English language that year. All my fellow classmates benefitted from her teaching as well. None of us dare to upset her, while most understood her intent and purpose completely. She was clever and she could impart knowledge to us. So for that we were willing and respectful students. Her mental strength challenged us to be disciplined language learners.

One thing which really impressed me as the weeks became months and the months became a year. She was able to talk non stop on a topic she was teaching. Sometimes I thought that she was not breathing at all, even at the commas and the fullstops. Was she really able to speak like a train? In later years when I met her, she was still the same. I really believe that it was listening to her fast talking that I developed a very good listening skill and long concentration span.

In terms of opinions , I had the feeling then that Miss Chin always had her mind strongly made up. Even though I did not make a really good impression on her (as I was always saying "but ....." and disagreeing with her) and I was not that goody goody kind of student, I felt that she was able to be objective towards me. She gave me a good evaluation without showing she was biased, like so many other teachers would do. She kept a very good poker face when it came to students who were not paying attention or pulling their weight.

I would say that during her time in our school she was one of the most dedicated teachers. She worked hard and we could all see that very very clearly. She meant business and would not tolerate any nonsense in class. And she came across to us then in every thing she did, she was just so proper and such a perfect Chinese woman with all the classical ethics and moral values. In later years when I became a Principal, I had wished that all English teachers should be like her and as many students as possible would have excellent results in English.

We should have more English teachers like Miss Rose Chin.

Remembering Mr. Martin Wilson of New Zealand

2007-10-15T14:48:00.000-07:00

Although I did not come to know Mr. Wilson as well as Mr. Nicholl I had the privilege of being associated with him on several occasions when I was in Lower Sixth 1966. But I will always be grateful to him because he helped me realised what I could do to help myself become an adult. Besides,he made a remarkable impression on me on what it was like to be a knowledgeable person. And in 1966 because of him I felt I became a taller Iban.

Mr. Wilson was a very intelligent and knowledgeable man who was interested in many things. He was interested in archaeology, history,natural studies,photography and the sciences. So I thought, here we had a Renaissance man from New Zealand.

Besides he had a lot of sympathies for the Maoris. This had impressed me greatly as I am of Iban descent.

Mr. Wilson taught us General Paper in Lower Sixth. We had one interesting class with him which inspired me to be even more interested in writing. This lesson also taught all of us that learning was a happy event.

One day Mr. Wilson asked us to write an essay on "The Eating Habits of People of Sarawak ", Deep in thought, I really wanted to be different in my approach of writing. So off I went and wrote .

the next day, Mr. Wilson abruptly told us that he would read aloud one piece of writing. He read aloud the following lines with some drama :"The manner in which the respective community in Sarawak eat reflects their culture and to a certain extent their values...." I still remember that I specifically wrote this ".when it comes to eating, the Chinese eat very fast and that it is in a matter of minutes they could consume a bowl of rice with chopsticks.." And to my surprise after he read that he laughed melodiously . He had really enjoyed this particular piece of writing he said. Much to my embarrassment it was my essay and that particular part was a little exaggerated by him. In hindsight I cannot now say whether my approach was mature or not. But perhaps he also knew that I would not be annoyed by him for reading aloud my work.

Alec Kaboy turned to me and said, "Uchak, that sounds like you!" I kept a very straight face at that remark. To this day, no one knew that it was me who wrote that essay.

I never let any one know who was the writer. Neither did Mr. Wilson. For keeping that confidence I started to learn to trust a teacher like Mr.Wilson and I knew that he was a man who would never betray a friend. That was an important lesson in life for me: a good person would and should not betray his friend.

Later, during the school mid year break, he wanted to give us poor ulu boys a chance to earn extra money. Probably he liked Robert Madang and I more than the others. He took us to do archeological diggings for the Sarawak Museum in Bakong. We got to know him better as we experienced digging into tombs and deep caves.Besides Robert Madang, and I he took Ali Junaidi , and Borhan Tahir..

It was perhaps another twist of fate that I had again a chance to prove myself to him. Our boat driver Pak Cik Daud was suddenly taken sick, I volunteered to be the driver in his place for the last week of our stay at Bakong. Dispersing all the doubts of the others in the team I managed to negotiate the narrow Bakong River. When a huge motor launch was ahead of us, making difficult waves, our long boat almost sank and every one was fearful that death was eminent. But even though I thought I was not going to handle the outboard well, I managed to triumph against the odds and saved the boat from sinking. It was a very proud moment for me and Mr. Wilson gave me a pat on the back.

Later in the year, Mr. Wilson chose Robert Madang and I for the Kinabalu climb. I was a complete pauper and could not even afford a towel. But being a very perceptive man, he saw to it that I had the finances to go on the adventure of my life. My heart was in my mouth from the moment we set off for the trip from Miri to Kota Kinabalu by plane.When we reached KK or Jesselton we were joined by Mr. Voon and Mr. Yong.

Both these Chinese teachers gave us, which to me, was my first great Chinese dinner in one of the restaurants called Nam Chong.

You could not find a happier native boy on the plane at that time. Wind on my face, a few cents in my pocket and a whole adventure ahead of me. And this was because a white teacher was able to find a way to finance my trip.

Every one could see that I gave my all for the trip: I carried half a tin of kerosene on my bare back up the mountains, I did everything with an eager heart. And with great determination I made myself truly useful and a member of the team. I would not let any one of them down.

Even though I felt the terrible cold at 8000 feet I kept my enthusiasm high.. Robert and I had tried to keep our feet together. On the second night at 11 ,000 feet level, I had great difficulties in attending to the call of nature. Mr.Wilson came later into the next cubicle remarked rather loudly," I have the same problem." And a while later, I heard him say, "Oh Mother I did it." Before he left the cubicle, he humourously wished me luck. Many years later Jeliang Mersat would tease me,"Oh Mother I did it."

We left the last camp at 4:30 in the morning.

When the sun came up and lit up the whole sky as we reached the top of the mountains, I knew I could climb more moutains in my life in the future. And nothing was impossible.We had reached the top without one of Mr.Wilson's son, Mark. It was the third day of our climb.

We did have a good time taking photographs, and I still have a copy of the photo after all these years. The journey back, descending the mountains was more painful on my knees. And when we reached the base camp, which was just a little hut,we were given a certificate to certify our ascent, which I consequently lost. We stayed the night there, sharing the hut with two Japanese men. One of the Japanese men shared with me a bottle of sake, along with it he tried to teach me a Japanese song.

The cold on the mountain was inspiring and awesome.I realized that I really like the cold. It was that which spurred me to be determined to make it overseas one day.I really have to thank Mr. Wilson for helping me to realise my potentials and that I could be some body some day.

Thomas Sia,Wilson Sakan and Bicycles in Tanjong Lobang

2007-10-10T14:57:00.000-07:00

A batch of ulu boys, bicycles and a wonderful hill. These are good materials for a great Travel and Living Documentary.

But video recording was not even invented in 1960! All that one could see at that time was recorded in the mind.

My great memory of Thomas Sia was that he was a big boy with a big heart. He kept his hair well groomed like Elvis,he rolled his sleeves up to the shoulders to show his great muslces, as was the style of the day.

And then, he had the luxury of a beautiful bike - high saddled, low handlebars. He was akin the Michael Schaumaker, the Grand Prix driver of today. You know the feeling when Thomas passed by with his bike. He had speed, he had style, he had everything an ulu boy would wish for.

The Tanjong Lobang hill slope, going down to Teman Selera was indeed a steep slope and most students would run all the way down the slope but dread going back up hill. It would be a real drudge.

One day Thomas being the good hearted boy he was he offered Wilson Sakan a joy ride on his bicyle. Thomas put Wilson to seat on the bar and the two giggle as they rode around, Wilson in front and Thomas on his saddle. It was good to see two boys (Form Three, about 16 years old) on a bicyle having a fun time out.

Then without really realising what Thomas was about to do, Wilson found himself floating down the slope. It was a truly free wheeling experience.

When they reached the bottom of the hill, Thomas casually said," That's it. Good ride wasn't it?"

By then Wilson had crumpled into a nervous ball of human tensed up muscles and was weeping away.

"Thomas why did you do that? I almost died of fright!" was all Sakan could say. He had almost stopped breathing by then. He had held his breath when Thomas skillfully steered the bike down the slope at top speed.

Sakan had never been on a bicycle before in his life.

That ride helped him see life and death flashing in front of his eyes. We believed that he must have closed his eyes during the ride too.

One memory that would always flash through my mind was the way the late Taba bin Besar cycled down the hill at tremendous speed and almost killed himself. He flipped over the bike and fell into the drain. His face was very very damaged and that was a traumatic occasion for me because any physical harm was very painful to me.

Bicycles continued to be an important part of our lives. Most of us Ulu boys did not own one as we made do with walking all the way to town, which was about 5 kilometers, hitching rides from our teachers and taking the slow bus.

Philip Assan and Retirement

2007-08-27T05:44:00.000-07:00

1966. I saw a tall lanky boy checking into the school. I did not think very much of him at that moment. He could be cool and aloof - the type of Iban boys from the town. But I could not be more wrong.

Philip and I were mates in Tanjong Lobang School in Sixth Form. And we have been the very best of friends since then,or true brothers. He has always been warm and understanding towards me, even though I am a bit older. In Tanjong we shared our lean (both in terms of money and body shape) days. We seldom had two cents to rub together. But sometimes when he had a windfall, all of us in the hostel would have a treat. When my father sent me a registered mail, it could be a $15 gift. What a fortune at that time. And what joy I had to share with friends.

We studied hard because that was the only way for us to get out of the vicious cycle of poverty. (Royal Professor Ungku Aziz is one of the best economists of the world. He understood poverty like nobody did. He was my Vice Chancellor and mentor at the University of Malaya 1970-1973, Unfortunately Philip never went to my university otherwise he and Ungku, as we all called him then, would have been the best of friends and the two could have talked philosophy non-stop)

I did not realize that at that time Philip was struggling with his English! He had taken an 8 in Form Five and that was why he did not get a Grade One. But he persevered. He has that trait to persevere until today. I have never quite met an Iban who could struggle for life and death so much as Philip. He struggled for his life, he struggled for his education and he struggled for his family. He did struggle for his position and even his claims as a civil servant. Very few people understood him and his suffering as much as I did. Sometimes life deals out lemons to Philip too often.

But he did he manage to gain a scholarship to go to England, and his English was more than excellent and he read everything he could lay his hands on from Machiavelli, The Prince to Cicero, from Shakespeare to Sun Tzu,from the Greek Mythologies to All Men are Brothers. He reread all those classics when he was working in the civil service and now in his retirement, he is reading more than ever. He has become a philosopher.

Philip worked hard and was both proactive and innovative. His methods of surveying are still being practised in Sarawak these days. He thought good thoughts. But most of the time they remained in the boardroom.

Anyway he was happy to be able to travel the lengths of Sarawak and rub shoulders with the drivers,the low ranking staff. Today after his retirement, he could still call them and they would happily and respectfully tag along their "tuan" all over Sarawak again. You cannot find this kind of boss-staff relationship any more.

These days he has a chicken farm (200-300 ) somewhere along Mile 32 in Kuching. He gets up early when the birds start singing. He feeds the chickens and then goes for his coffee in the bazaar which would be teeming with folks of all races. Chickens,a pig or two, barbequed fish, vegetables both imported and local, would be seen every where. And Philip would take all these in with his coffee and roti kaya as he chats with his acquaintances and fellow farmers.

As if by magic by 10 o'clock all these activities will come to an end. Plastic bags,empty bamboos,and the remains of the day will be strewn everywhere. It would be time for Philip to go back to his farm. Once back in the farm, he can laze around again, basking in the sun so to speak. Then he would take his pipe out and have a good smoke.

Occasionally he will doze off - his afternoon siesta if he has no company. He will wake up to feed his chickens and soon it will be time to cook his dinner.

Well, he chuckled when he talked about all these. when you are retired you wonder if you have a true friend. Where are all his friends? Perhaps they are still busy with their board meetings,conferences, seminars.

A few days ago, he was told to go and receive his KMN. He found it too much of a hassle to present himself to the Agong. What would the badge do for him now? He is not applying for another job! And it is not a cash reward either. He still can do with a few cents more.

He has left all his computer technology behind and he carries an old Nokia which he finds still serviceable.

He gives his pipe another puff and he is ready to speak on The Golden Lotus and its implications. Be always ready to have time in your hands. He will take you on a journey of learning.

1973 students

2007-08-15T20:12:00.000-07:00

Bolhassan bin Bujang
Awangku Meralie
Ashaari Rosli
Ayub bin Ali
Abdul Samat Md Ali

Christina Chin
Chong Siew Pui
Choo Sin Lee
Chai Shoon
Chaili Bolhassan

Deli Sharari
Hadeni
Irene Jong Kuie Moi
Julaihi Narawi
Jumastapha Lamat

Jamulludin Hj Ibrahim
Jamil Julaihi
Jamali Hussain
Lawrence Rining Selutan
Leon Terence Joseph

Michael Lisa Kaya
Masta bt Edris
Mat Zain Masli
Mohd Trudin
Mohd Ibrahim

Noriyati Zaini
Nelson Kadir
Paulus Mering
Peginal Edward Mleda
Roslie Sahran

Sukhvindu Singh
Sarudu bin Hoklai
Suni Ahmad
Tony Anis
Zaidi Mat

Zaidi Omar
Zalil Karim
Sainuddin Kuan
Amin Ramlee
Abg Yamin bin Abang Syaries

Bujang Poli
Carter Ballang
Dominic Lusat Sagan
Helen Ilai
HermanJolly Udan

Hamisah Kana
Hamka Othman
Hamden Salleh
Ishak bin Hashim
Juliah bt Sabri

Jemat bin Lihi
Kassim Bujang
Lo Sing
Luk Tak King
Leong Ha Mui

Lim Kian Lam
Mary bt Saradum
Matang Paturan
Nelly Aren Wan
Radazil Alision

Saini bin Bohari
Sulaiman Shari
Shukarimin Chaseman
Salbiah Ibrahim
Sylvestrer Jengi Jemat

Wan Bustaman Lain
Wan Mahli Syhed
Aziz Davidson
Awang Draup Pgn Dee
Bolhassan Dee

Chan Kat Leong
Chin anakLubi
Chen Nang Kwang
Chai Seng Hiong
Chong Yuen Kheng

Chong Ei Choo
Danien ak Ranggu
Goh Hai Chuan
Ho Sze Min
Kok Pui Leong

Kueh Lip Piang
Kong Chian Sein
Kueh Lak Tee
Liew Say Fah
Lu Lei Chin

Leong Wei Chong
Lo Jim Ping
Law Kung Teng
loh Leh Goh
Mu Ah Choi

Phang Chun Yow
Pan Kim Yuk
Redit Ak Robert
Steel ak Sindku
Sim Hoi Chuan

Sandim binBesar
Sharkawie bin Zain
Sim Siau Huat
Ting Kong Yu
Tan Gek Lian

Wong Kuek Yuong
Wong Chii King
Yong Chin Hieng
Wong ai Seng
Abdul Kadir

Abot ak Naros
Chiam Tou Ping
Chia Nyat Fatt
Idris Hj Suhaili
Ibrahim b Hj Abdullah

Isaali Hj Wasli
Jemat Bujang
James Kulleh Ajan
Kumbang Tuggnag
Kuek Yong Kwang

Law Ing Tuang
Lai Siew Ching
Lee Suan choo
Lee Jook Mui
Lungah ak Jayan

Lim Chong Sit
Ling Hau Ching
Likot Tomis
Lim Guan Pheng
Mordiah bt Sani

Moses ak Agat
Michael Wong
Rahman Kasat
Phang Liang Kiak
Robin Lusong

Ting Ming Dai
Tiong Tack Kieng
Vincent Huang Huat Choon
Wong Leun Heng
Yong Wei Ding

Zamahari Talip
Ngui Kwong Chuan
Li Liong Ching
Su Sai Lung
Awang Abd Karim

Awang Ko Badar
Boniface Bait
Bong Chin Tzin
Bowi Mayot
Babu ak Suwen

Charles Tera Jolly
Chua Pheng Khoon
Chua Siong Sieng
David Kusir
Eden Ann Foo Thiang Eng

George ak Anung
Hii Tow Peck
Intan Gudom
Ling Teck Seng
Ling Liong Ming

Lo Ling
Liew Jiu Ming
Leong Yung Chen
Mahili Saabe
Ngu Koh Hee

Ong Gee Tiong
Peter Chu
Philip Goh
Roki Sabu
Stanley Ajang Bato

Teh Shiok Guat
Teng Lung Fong
Wong Ing Yung
Wong Siew Ming
Wong Siew Ping

Tay Boon Huat
Teo Yang Tuan
Sim Kian Tze
Yong Mie Ling
Pui Chow Eik

Mohamad Zain bin Relly
Hamimah bt Haji Dollah
Andrew Wong Hieng Hock
Awg. Kasmunmarjaya b Awag Mahran
Chua Sung Hua

Cheong Kim Wah
Edmund Daging
George Ling
Geraldine Lim
Hj Juni b Hj Lee
Henry Teo Huat Hin

Abdul Rahman hj Pozan
Hjjah Fatimah Hj Hadzran
Japar Sidik Bujang
Kiu Cheong Kin
Lily Hii Chiu Sieng

Loh Moi Moi
Lau Lang Chu
Loh Eng Kee
Liew Khim Lan
Lucy Tang

Lau Boon Lai
Ling Chai Kua
Mary Tong Yew
Nelson Kolony
Nicholas Chin Shen Kong

Phyllis Pan Chee Hua
Ting Ngiik Kiong
Tan Kee Choon
Voon Chun Siong
Zarina Sauni

Yong Ser Vui
Ling Hung Cheng
Adrian ak Nyaoi
Ahmad bin Fadzil
Akam bin Tah

Alias bin Sam
Ardi bin Spawi
Arek ak Tuen
Ahmad Saktian
Akit Sebli

Abd.Razak Ihi
Ahat bin Baha
Abg Sallehhuddin
Abg Badwie Ibrahim
Gupang bin Yet

Damien Dilang ak Jantan
Emang Oyo
Elisabeth Daisy Dom
Gasah Ringkai

Hanapi Anyut
'Hj Mohd Bedrie
Hashim W Shurkran
Ibrahim Hj Mohd Sheriff Sahbab
Jungan ak Antas

Jumaat bin Adam'
John Wan Usong
Kron Mide ak Aken
Kijam ak Datu
Liman ak Sujang

Lee Lei Yung
Lim Khian Cheng
Mohd Nerodin Majais
Migel ak Gumbek
Mengga Mikui

Robert Ranau
Ting Sai Ming (Datin Fatimah Abdullah)
Wan Othman Wan Hamid
Zaman bin Hamdan
Morshidi bin Sirat

Jalil Jack

(According to the records , Jalil Jack 's admission number was 2025 - and he was admitted by Mr. Uning on 12.7.73. Interestingly, Jalil was the only student ever accepted by TLC from Rejang English Secondary School, Sibu)

1966 - Waiting for the Cambridge Examination Results

2007-08-15T19:19:00.000-07:00

Three significant incidents happened to me in 1966.

Upon finishing Form Five and the Cambridge examination I went home very happy that I was recommended to attend Sixth Form in the new year. That was an extremely great achievement for me as I had been inspired by all my TLS teachers to do well academically, especially Mr. Nicholl whom I admired a great deal.

So I took the good news home to my long house in Limbang. After a two day journey by land I reached home to let my father know that I was going to study for two more years.

Now unknown to me then, he had already arranged a marriage for me, to a girl who had failed her primary six. My father thought that now that I had finished Form Five, and as the most well educated person, I was to have a marriage as was expected from the long house relatives.

I was really shocked to learn that and I almost threw a fit. I had my dreams and I was not going to be persuaded into an arranged marriage and especially to my own cousin! And on top of that my father had not in the least discussed the matter with me. Marriage was not a joke.

So I did the dirty deed and cancelled the engagement. A few people were amused but my father was very disturbed. My escape plan was very simple. And all I had to do was to tell him that I had to go back to my school in Miri to collect my pillow and my tikar (mat). An Iban would never leave his pillow and mat any where because it would mean that he had left his spirit behind.

Thus I got my father to let me go off again. And that was how I came back to Tanjong Lobang school and I never went back home for the entire two years of my Sixth Form! I believe very few of my school mates knew how much mental torture I was was having at that time.

But later I was terribly glad and also overwhelmly relieved that my ex-fiancee and my cousin married a Chinese and is now a happy grandmother. I had wished her well in life and indeed she has been well blessed. I did not break her heart or cause any bitterness on her part. We still have a good laugh today over what happened so many years ago.

Another situation which caused great distress to me was how many of my great friends in school had to leave TLS after getting poor examination results in March 1966.

In the 1960's all good students would be recommended to join Form Six classes by the Principal and the senior teachers. However as the Sixth Form would start in early January, the students would be jittery because they did not have their Form Five or Cambridge results yet. The Cambridge exam results would only be known sometime in March at the earliest.

Therefore for three months many students would only be half hearted in their studies. We were all highly anxious about our results and oftentimes we could not sleep. However we did have a fun time too, making new friends with those coming to Tanjong just for the Sixth Form and getting to know our learned teachers, many of whom were fresh graduates from overseas.

So when the results came out, some who failed actually screamed and cried for the whole day. It was very heart breaking and I thought that it was extremely unfair for them to leave Sixth Form just like that. After that having received the results, they had to pack up and leave the hostel to find a job or get married eventually. Those of us who stayed on considered ourselves lucky to be properly reinstated in Sixth Form and journeyed on for another two years of hard work and good education.

While in Lower Sixth, I still remembered what my father asked me to do. That was to find a job as an SAO or Sarawak Administrative Officer.

To the Ibans to get a job as an SAO then was like becoming the local king or ruler. Whenever an SAO visited a longhouse, chickens or even a pig would be slaughtered in honour of his visit. That was the accolade an Iban would enjoy. So my father, being a very simple man, had wanted me to become an SAO. Thus as I did not forget his wishes, I told Mr. Nicholl about this and I wanted to apply for a post in the government service.

Mr. Nicholl was very sporting and supporting so he made arrangements for me to be interviewed for the job in Kuching.

The account of this interview will be in a future posting.

In a way, all these remarkable incidents in 1966,even though they happened so long ago, today ,often bring a smile to my face.

The Legend of Henry Lian

2007-08-13T15:25:00.000-07:00

Have you ever thought out loud what it would be to be Henry Lian when you were a school boy?

I checked out with a number of boys in the school when I was still in school and most of them said that, (if they have known Henry Lian at school), they would have loved to be him...what a legend! What a lucky guy!

Perhaps what I am going to write might not be the real truth. But it was the legend of Henry Lian of TLS.

Henry came to TLS like most of us. Poor back ground, specially selected because he was bright, and a native boy of the Fourth Division. And the Education officers who chose him could not be wrong at all. He was indeed a good choice as we all know until now.

In school as far as I know, he was good in the field of sports, good to teachers, and excellent in work parties. He was excellent with the girls too, being such a handsome, Greek God like young man!! His success as a student in both academics and extra-curricular was crowned by his appointment as Head Prefect in 1961-62. He was given a place in Lower sixth, which was a mark of academic achievement at that time. But the lucky Henry was given a scholarship to study in the United States. So he missed out Form Six in Tanjong Lobang. And as records stand today, they tell us of his impact in the school.

His public relations has always been very good as he is soft spoken and he can move people to do things in a quiet way. Perhaps it is this particular trait that made him such a success in school and at work later, as Human Resource Manager of Shell, Miri.

Perhaps also, his basic Christian values helped him along to give that trustworthy feeling whenever one was around him.

He was also very brotherly and would always have a lot of good things to say about others.

Later, in life, I met him again and I found that he has a wonderful memory of things in the past,especially of TLS which he loves as much as any one.

I first met him again when I had had just come back from London and I was with Philip. I must have changed a lot since my young, thin scrawny days at TLS. He asked, "Are you that Sawan Jiram?" He was already quite a big guy in Shell then. Philip Assan was a young officer with Lands and Survey Miri and knowing Philip , he was then travelling a lot to make that extra for his growing family. I was too in some desperate need looking for something better in life like a good firm which could take in an indigenous legal assistant, and I too had a wife and a child to look after.

Henry has done well. He had completed his Form Five, won an Asian Foundation Scholarship to the US and came back to jobs which were placed on his lap literally. He has done well for himself and for his people. He has helped so many to achieve in their lives some kind of success in Shell and elsewhere.

But one amusing tale about him was the legendary romance that he had in school. A certain lady teacher fell in love with him and the whole boys' hostel took the gossip like fans of a rock star!! I heard that she was not the only one. When he was in the United States, he had a huge fan club of young ladies and perhaps many would have followed him to Sarawak if only he had asked for their hand in marriage.

That was quite something but I would not write too much about it.

For whenever we TLS think of Henry Lian,four things would stand out : he was so good looking that a young teacher fell head over heels in love with him, he was a good student, and a kind brother in school and he was one of the earliest native boys to win a scholarship to study in the US!

(Note" Henry, hope that this is not offensive to you!!hehehehe)

Mr.Robert Nicholl and Three Fives

2007-08-13T04:36:00.000-07:00

Mr. Robert Nicholl is the most unforgetable man I have ever met.

He was my teacher, my Principal, my mentor and my friend.

One incident would always come to my mind whenever my TLS friends and I get together.

I remember Mr.Nicholl fondly as I enjoyed most of all, a great school and a great system. How did he lead a school which had no discipline problem. today this kind of school might not exist anymore, especially if we pay attention to what is written in the papers, tabloids and weeklies,or what we hear from the grapevine.

We had a school rules and we had lots of students. And we were from all walks of life,all kinds of backgrounds, and all kinds of racial groups. We were really a great kettle of different fishes and yet Mr. Nicholl had all of us in the best of behaviour.

I will tell you how he gained the respect of heavy smokers in our school and how teachers would never find a cigarette butt in the dormitories or toilets.

Mr. Nicholl announced in the school assembly that no one should smoke in the school but all the gentlemen could smoke like chimneys if they wanted, outside school.

So one day, he must have felt that he needed to teach Benjamin Angki and Gramong Juna a lesson for these two were heavy smokers.

He invited them to have a good dinner in Gymkyhna Club (GCM), then the province of white colonials and Shell White staff only. It must have been an excellent dinner,knowing the generosity of Mr.Nicholl, with Angki and Gramong all dressed up properly in their well starched shirts and navy blue trousers.

"What about a beer after dinner, Angki and Gramong? Mr. Nicholl asked the two.

"Sure, sir, that would be nice," Angki answered in his best English.

"Sure, definitely, I would like a beer. Thank you,sir," Gramong answered demurely.

So they had beer and it was quite merrry really. The after dinner small talk was quite good Angki remembered.

"Now, Angki and Gramong, how about some cigarettes?" Mr. Nicholl carefully asked the two.

Angki and GRamong almost froze with their beer in mid air. They were trapped!

"No, sir, we don't smoke!" Angki answered a little too quickly.

"For goodness sakes, Angki! I know you smoke! What's the brand that you like? Three Fives?"

Angki gave Gramong a weak smile and Gramong was not too sure what he should say. They were lost for words.

"Okay, then, barkeeper, give my two friends here a packet each of Three Fives." Mr. Nicholl ordered the barman, who soon produced two packets of Three Fives.

Very carefully the two fingered their packets of cigarettes and they looked down on the floor, crossing their legs and uncrossing their legs again. The atmosphere was electrifying.

Slowly, Mr.Nicholl tried to put them at ease.

"Smoke, as much as you want,boys. Because when you reach the school, you can't smoke any more. Remember that." Mr. Nicholl must have ended that with a chuckle.

I will always remember how Mr. Nicholl would chuckle in amusement whenever we were caught for being naughty. But he really did have a great sense of humour and a heart of gold.

Angki and GRamong told us that their embarrassment knew no end. From that time onwards, out of respect and love for Mr. Nicholl the two never smoked in the school premises anymore.

There would be lots of other anecdotes...and I can only love and respect Mr.Nicholl more. I am sure all ex tanjongers would echo that.

Yes, I can still hear that chuckle.

New Name

2007-08-09T18:49:00.000-07:00

There has been lots of mysteries about the change of name of our beloved TLS.

And now that I have landed on a very official piece of writing by Leonard Martin Uning, I am happy to share some statements lifted from it. So it is very, very official. Perhaps only a few would have legal documents (or no documents) to prove otherwise. In our developing world, names change for two cents or less. Whether that is good or not,our future history will tell.

Our beloved college is situated/sited on a delightful 50 acre (proof of size,land title?) parkland on the headland overlooking the south China Sea at Tanjong Lobang, about 4 miles outside Miri, in Sarawak's Fourth Division. It started as the first Government Secondary School in Sarawak in 1957 and has grown to become one of the most distinguished. Rebuilding and reconstruction of this premier college began only in 2007 as part of Malaysia's Ninth Development Plan, almost 50 years later. In the last 50 years, its wooden sheds, its small homes for teachers, and bicycle sheds, windblown hostels housed and educated almost all the most senior government leaders,educationists,doctors,lawyers of Sarawak. Foremost,perhaps being Tan Sri Alfred Jabu and Tan Sri Leo Moggie and not to miss out all the other SAOs,DOs,and teachers who have been missed out in the brilliant limelights of the Sarawak scene.

The seed idea of having a government school to educate poor rural boys and girls actually was sown in Miri according to historians like Leonard Martin Uning. Four names stood out in the founding of this school. Mr. MG Dickson, then the Director of Education of Sarawak, Mr. Robert Nicoll, then the Divisional Education Officer, Fourth and Fifth Divisions,Rev
Fr Rawlins who was the first Principal and Captain DR Gribble of Sarawak Oilfields Limited for helping out with the many physical obstacles in the first year of the school's existence.

According to the records, Mr. Robert Nicholl was the man responsible for getting the huge tract of land for the school. As a learned man, he had the vision of having a wonderful college for great minds overlooking the sea. A cliff top school was always the ideal of an educationist with a western philosophy as a background. Grants were made available from the Colonial Development and Welfare Funds.

The first intake of the school included a Primary Five class of native boys selected from the ulu areas of fourth and Fifth Divisions, a Transition Class of Chinese pupils who had completed their Chinese Primary Six, a Form Four class and a class of student teachers.

It took two years for Tanjong Lobang School to shape up with active bull dozers in place, and grounds flattened to make way for the present football and hockey fields and lots of labourers under the hot sun putting up the main buildings. So by 1959, students, staff both academic and non academic moved into the premises. To many it was "heaven on earth". And today if you happen to meet any of the original students of TLS, it is indeed very true. You can never find such a school again they would say,where teachers were angels and the Principal, a god.

The new buildings were declared opened by Mr. RL Hutchens, the New Zealand High Commissioner on Sept 24 1959. This honour was given to him because of the generous assistance given by the New zealand government under the Colombo Plan in staffing and constructing the school from the beginning. Those of us who were there recognised the pomp and significance of the occasion. But very few realised that it would be one of the last few occasions to be graced by colonial officials.

By 1967, the school had become a senior secondary school, admitting students only for Form Iv and above. Sixth Form classes had been started in 1963, and sixth formers had begun to outnumber Fourth and Fifth Formers by 1968, the year I completed my Upper Sixth and started teaching as a temporary teacher.

The Government then decided that the school was to become entirely a Sixth Formj Institution. So in May 6th 1969, " Tanjong Lobang School was renamed as Tanjong Lobang College by the Honorable Chief Minister, Dato Penghulu Tawi ." (Uning)

"Then a singular honour attended Tanjong Lobang College. In January 1971, His Excellency the Governor, Tun Datu Tuanku Haji Bujang, graciously gave his name to the college. The famous Tanjong Lobang College thus became the prestigious Kolej Tun Datu Tuanku Haji Bujang," Uning wrote in his Handbook of Information 1973 of Kolej Tun Datu Tuanku Hj Bujang,Miri. The Handbook of Information was distributed to every student who was enrolled in the school that year with Mr. Uning as the Prinicpal.

This handbook consisted of 73 pages of very good information and may still be found in many school libraries in Sarawak. Today many colleges would give out this kind of booklet as a marketing tool when they go on educational roadshows to attract students.

In retrospect,I spent my greatest nine years of my life in the school, loving it and living every moment to the fullest. When I left in 1968 I knew I had to make it in life by all means. Life had been hard, and the hardest challenges were ahead of me. The friends I made have been life long. There are places I remember,
Some have gone,
some forever,
but I love them all. (Refer to Beatles' song.......)

I am wondering how it could be done, to change the name back again to TLS. How much would it take? Would it be all that worthwhile. Or would it be just...memories are just our second chance to happiness.......

My fellow ex-tanjongers out there....cheers and love always.

pop culture in TLS

2007-08-01T03:12:00.000-07:00

In my very first week in TLS I was introduced to pop personalities like Elvis Presley, Ricky Nelson, Paul Anka, Frankie Avalon and Fabian. Everyone sang songs like Don't Leave Me Now, My Hometown which was Paul Anka's hit song of the time, Ricky Nelson's Lonesome Cowboy, and Frankie Avalon's Venus. These were the pop idols of the day. Due to my ignorance, as an ulu boy,I did not know that they were Americans.

Every one tried their best to copy their hairstyles and never failed to keep a comb visibly jutting out of their trousers' back pocket. The beehive shaped hairdo jutting out of our forehead and a prominent side burn were the order of the day. I remember one boy went to the extremes trying to be Elvis Presley, that he shaved the hair off the sides of his temple and kept only curls in the front. He looked hilarious.

As for pop fashion of the day, we left our collars standing as high as possible to give that trendy look. When one wore short sleeved shirts, one would roll them up almost to the shoulder to have the Ricky Nelson muscular look. As for trousers, our pop idol introduced to us for the first time, Levi and other other branded jeans which I know now to be all American brands. The legs were tight, or drain pipe, and this trend lasted until 1962. It was considered almost uncultured and against the conservative norm of the time. But like James Dean, we were then rebels without a cause, in a sense.

But despite all these exterior expression of our need to conform with the pop culture. I do not believe that TLS had ever experienced any problems of indiscipline associated with it.

As I have stated in one of my earlier postings, this pop culture introduced me to English pop songs and guitar music. This in turn introduced a lot of us to British music and pop stars such as Cliff Richard and the Shadows. Sometime in mid 1962, we were introduced to the Beatles who had taken Britain by storm.

The Beatles changed everything in TLS. The mop top hairstyle of the Beatles demolished the beehive of the Americans. the Beatles also taught us that being muscular like James Dean and Elvis Presley, was not the only thing in life.

The comb disappeared from the back pocket of the boys' trousers because we only needed our fingers to create a mop top style. By this time the school administration was a bit concerned about the length of our hair. Suddenly the order of the day was being a little bit untidy on the top. I thought at that time,the mop top hairstyle was fairly girlish. But it did not stop me from having one. We had to comb our hair to the front to have that look.

during the same period,the Blue Hawaii of Elvis Presley and Summer Holiday of Cliff Richard became the craze of the day. So it was not uncommon to see boys coming to the Refrectory in the evening wearing Cliff Richard's Summer Holiday see through or transparent t-shirt which allowed someone to see through all that you had, or lack of it. Elvis Presley's Blue Hawaii brought back the rolled up sleeves fashion to the student population. I remember my friend Thomas sia having the best rolled up sleeves, showing his great muscles to the envy of the whole student population.

However, do not mistake the exterior look of his for in spite his bulky frame,Thomas was a gentle giant like the Hulk.

sometime in 1963, the navy cut trousers which was the forerunner of the flared trousers or the bell bottoms, came into our lives.

We looked neat and everyone saved to buy or tailor made for himself white flared trousers. We must have given lots of business to Nam Kong Tailor,which was situated opposite the then Cathay Theatre. It was owned by my classmate's father, who usually gave us a good discount.
Because of the flared trousers the school seemed cleaner as the trousers were obviously sweeping the floor.

then came the a-go-go music craze ,which unlike the music of Elvis and the others,did not have much following. But the music brought with it the a-go-go belt which was extremely popular with the boys.

The belt prominently graced the unpleated tight trousers with flared bottoms. For the boys,the tight trousers could not conceal the bulge in front so it was considered bad taste by the teachers.

I vividly remember Mr. Sargunam who was then acting Principal of TLS publicly denounced the fashion during one of the morning assemblies and said that the a-go-go belt must go!

I can't say that he was very popular for having said so. But the belt did go almost overnight. This indicated for us that we never lost sight of discipline of which TLS always upheld.

For the girls the mini skirt and beehive hairdo stayed for a long time. Freda Kedung was the perfect model for that fashion which became popular during the era of the Twist. I suppose the girls of those days may like to offer their comments: to wear or not to wear......

A Short History of TLS

2007-06-18T00:51:00.000-07:00

In 1957, the Colombo Plan initiated the Tanjong Lobang School with the sole objective of helping rural, poor students of all races to become students at a boarding school. It started with the collection of Primary Five to Form Five students.

The school was thus created and was officially opened by the High Commisioner of New Zealand, Mr. R.L Hutches and the Director of Education, Sarawak.

The school was temporarily sited at a building belong to SHELL, behind the Old Mosque (which is opposite Mega Hotel Miri today). In 1959 the school moved to its present site at Lot 187 Jalan Bunga Tanjong 2, Tanjong Lobang, 98009, Miri.

The Principals of the School from 1957 to 1969 were:

1. Rev. Fr. D.R. Rawlins - 1957-April 1958
2. Mr. A. L. Whiteman - May - Dec 1958
3. Mr. E.C Hicks - Jan - Jun 1959
4. Mr. W.L.S.Britton - Jun 1959 - Jun 1961
5. Mr. G.G.Dearnley - Jun 1961 - Dec 1961
6. Mr. A.D. Ruthe - Feb 1962 - Dec 1963
7. Mr. H.A. Henderson - Jan 1964 - Dec 1965
8. Mr. Robert Nicholl - Jan 1966 - Aug 1969

Thus Tanjong Lobang became the first Government Secondary School in the history of Miri.
Its name was changed to Kolej Tun Datuk Tuanku Haji Bujang in 1972. However, because the school has such a long history, the local people.especially the older people, will always call it Tanjong Lobang School.

When it was announced that the name of the school was to be changed to Kolej Tun Datuk Tuanku Haji Bujang, after the then Governor, some of the students held a rally, with one student standing on a roof in fact.The Education Department called it an Emergency and the school was shut down for a day. It was deemed an unnecessary episode or occurence by the authorities and the then Principal, Mr. William Hsu, was transferred out. No student was hurt or treated as criminal though. Teachers kept mum about the whole incident. To this day, the leader of the student rally was never identified. But the new name of the school remained unchanged.

As I have gathered recently from many people, the name of the school should never have been changed,with due respect to our then Governor. Our school established in 1959, named Tanjong Lobang School, Miri, Sarawak, and sitting on a 50 acre promontary, could have been alongside the famous Victoria Institute and the various Anglo Chinese Schools of West Malaysia, with the best of possible grounds in Malaysia. The alumni of Methodist Secondary School for example would not allow a change of the school's name to Sekolah Tinggi Datuk Wong Soon Koh, for example. And finally I do not think it acceptable to change the name of Oxford University to Blair University in Britain. I am just trying to think along some political possibilities.....and legal implications.

And with all the possible endowments that the State can grant, there can surely be a great Kolej Tun Datuk Tuanku Haji Bujang some where in Sibu as he hailed from Sibu. And that could be a huge and successful college sitting perhaps on a one hundred acre of land, with the best of architecture and engineering structure, the best of teachers Sibu can produce,etc,etc...That would make not only Sibu proud, but Sarawak proud.

1972 Name list - Part Two

2007-06-18T00:38:00.000-07:00

Wong Chu Ho
Wong Hai Hie
Wong Ing Ming
Wong Sia Ing
Wong Sin Keuh
Yeo Bee Chai
Yip Fook Hin
Abg Nawawi Abg Hj Dahlan
Abdu RahmanBollhasan
Appy Yip Fei Yin
Chong Say Moi
Goh Boon Khen
Kong Siew Ting
Koh Ung Leong
Lau Yiew Hieng
Lee Ping Kiong
Lee Tung Yong
Lucy Tang Mung Huing
Mah Poh San
Mahammad Aimn binMohamad YassinKhan
Mohd Eden b. Mohd Ali
Ng Nyong Kin
Patrick Tang Lay Ming
Pau Chiong Sing
Paul Hii Ek Kiaw
Robert Goh Siaw Kee
Roslee binLOumpoh
Sjali bin Hj Kip
Sebatian Tong Hong Yew
Teo Sia Chuan
Thomas Wong Kee Ung
Wajidi bin Kerni
Wong Bek Kiong
Wong Sung Ging
Abd. Razak hi Uni
Addie anak Tungging
Anthony Welton Leong (Limbang)
Agnes Ting Hieh Huong
Chong Yean Onn
Chuan ak Gambang
Franci9s Kumbun Lugie
Frlorence Kong Lieng Sien
George Radin
Josephine Loh Leh Hie
Lamberth Lamat Nyanggan
Law Sian Ien
Lily Lau Chiong Chiong
Longgo bin Mohammad
Mary Loi Kiew Mee (Medamit, Limbang)
Marali bin Akup
Mohammad Rafa'ee
Mohad Zailon Ramli
Ngy Kwong Siing
Patrick Tnay Yang Teng
Peter Yong Chung Sing
Tan Mee Lan
Theresa Wong Mi Niong
Wong Chai Kee
Yii Ai Hung
Charles Yong Man Wai
Zaini bin Le'
Abd Gapar bin Rmalee
Alverez Ullack Bajie
Ashari bin Hj Kabit
Awang Bujang
Farimah bt Hassan
Hillary Simon Salleh
Hoody Dudun Nanggai
Len/Talif bin Salleh
Mathew Juan
Marie Yong Pick Hua
Moded Nyadod
Moli bin Tupong
Ngatimin bin Timon
Ose Murang
Penguang ak Manggil
Rabiee bin Morni
Raymond Ramba Dumol
Robin Jalla
Saadi binSemaon
Sharifar Noraini Wan Hassan
Sidie ak Steven
Wan Zainal Abidin Wan Senusi
Bernadine Penny Nyigor

.........................................................................................................................................................................

Movies TLS style - Peh Her Sing and Fire from the Projector

2007-06-15T18:24:00.000-07:00

I believe all of us at Tanjong Lobang School enjoyed our days watching movies as much as people of any age, any period and any place.

The school had its own hall for movies screened from an old style projector. A very memorable movie I saw was Great Expectations. And indeed that movie also impacted many of the other students fanning their desires to do well in future. Besides the actors influenced us school boys so much so that we talked and walked like them. In the same way, each time we boys went to a western movie, we would come out of the Miri Theatre walking and talking like John Wayne, imagining that we had a great gun at our belt, and shooting down imaginary bad guys. Movies were great and they were important in our lives!

When the Information Department brought a movie to be shown in our school, we would look forward to it. These information documentaries were great black and white films which made us very patriotic. No one paid more attention from the beginning to the end than the young ones in the primary classes in 1959,1960 and 1961. We from the Ulu had never seen anything like moving pictures before. We learned about malaria eradication, importance of the Information Service,etc.

Many good movies besides the Information Service films, were shown in our school hall for the whole of my education in the school. That is ,1959 to 1967.

One incident was spectacular.

Our most loyal projectionist was Peh Her Sing from Lawas and he had an assistant, my dear friend, Abu Bakar Matasan.

Every one would be there, students, teachers, families of the cooks, matron, Pak Cik Hamdan, the gardeners and even the Principal. The coming together of all these was in fact a great social event in the school. Senior students who were having blossoming romances would be quite obvious at such times.

One evening we noticed with great happiness that two of our teachers were showing more than friendly interests in each other. They came for one such school movie and students of course were giving them sideway glances. It was fun seeing people falling in love.

The projector was switched on, the movie rolled and the mood of the hall was estactic! The movie was good, and as usual the kids were clapping when the parts becaming exciting.

Then suddenly, there was a shout,"Fire!"

The whole audience was in an uproar. Benches were kicked, kids started crying, and mothers were screaming.

I was pushed into a bush being one of the lighter built students. A few others were also falling around me by the small drain.

When the commotion died down, we were given the understanding that there was indeed smoke coming out of the projector. And Abu was the one who shouted "Fire!", perhaps a little too fast.

And then, we learned to our dismay that our teacher had left our lovely young lady teacher behind in the stampede. He must have taken off too quickly, leaving "Miss" a little distance behind or he might have lost his grip on her when others pushed him forward.

What followed was a cooling off period and we were very sad about it. To this day, we would never know what really happened.

Perhaps some of my fellow students would have other sides of the story.

But as a projectionist, Peh Her Sing was indispensable. How we loved him.

1971 Name list last few names and 1972 Part 1/2

2007-06-12T08:11:00.000-07:00

Last part of 1971 name list:

Kiew Kiew thing
Kueh Yong Seng
Nafrial Rashid
Swin bin Jemaah/Aidan Wing
Moses Sia King Yong
Kong Teow Ming

1972 Name list:

Andria Zanaria Peter
Ang Ee Kheng/Nee Lee
Angela Timbong Simpang
Anne Hii Chin Hung
Bina Bhattacharyya
Chiew Leh Choon
Chung Chiong Ping
Davidtan Embuyang
Elisabeth Wong Kung Chiong
Goh Siew Hoon

Hii Lik Hun
Idris Trang/Andrigas Trang
Ira Bhattacharyya
Jasnah bt Abeng
Kullan Nuing
Liew Chin Phin
Lily Albert Bialey
Lim Thien Hock
Michael Labo Buyeh
Mohammad Daud Ismail (Limbang)

Monica Rancis Tanko
Pauline Maimon bt Mal
Robert Menua Gadang
Sahari bin Riffin
Shirley Leong Wai Ngo
Sim Su Lin
Siti Khatijah Razali
Su Sek Hua
Watson Tingko Entol
Werlyn Baja Jap

Winston Buma
Yong Oi Lin
Abg Othman Abg Fata
Abdul Razak Tready
Ahmad Ayub
Ahman Lamat
Aini Bt. Yahya
Andrew Mat Ressa
Borhan/Borhanuddin Bujang
Charles Labang Lawai

Fatimah Tahir (Limbang)
Fatimah Kepol
Geoffrey Race Ahing
Hasmi Hasnan
Japar binHj Mostapa
Jawah bt Abdullah Gad
Jaraiee bin Sawal
Joing ak Mideh
Julaihi bin Kadir
Lian Huat b. Paleng

Menji bin Kassim
Mohd Said bin Gapor
Morni bin Hj Mat
Musa bin Jamalludin
Noraini bt Hussein
Ramlee binSpawi
Rosnani bt Yunus
Sahdi binKen
Sharmsherbie Narudin
Sirat Melikin

Sutin bt Sahmat
Wan AbdullahWan Said
Zahiruddin Khan Aghar Khan
Zaidi bin Lipu
Zaidul binJahar
Zanuddin b Monseri
Abd. Rahman b. Gapor
Bernard Lee Meng Hock
Charles Tiong Yong Lieh
Chien Peng Ung

Chen Wing Yin
Chiam Taw Huat
Chua Yuen Fatt
David Wong Hong Weng
Goh Long Say
Ho Thian Seng
HuongTuong Ing
Jong Kok Ching
Kong Jee Chong
Kueh Chin Hock

Lee Kim Lee
Lee Ting Choon
Lim Tin Peng
Loh Swee King
Ong Yong Zin
Peter Wong
Quek Chiew Siam
Rose Lau Ping Ping
Sim Kah Choon
Simon Tiong King Muang (Ulu Limbang)

Tan Ching Jap
Tang Suoh Yiing
Vincent Kong Wai Tin
Wong Chang Swee

1971 Name list

2007-06-12T02:50:00.000-07:00

Albert Masli
Alice Liew Pze Nog
Alastair Aing
Ambrose Kulek Mumong
Andrew Libong Selutan
Asnah Ahmad
Bahrain Bintuah
Barutha Umppong
Cecilia wong Sie Ngiik
Christina Sio Pek Yong(present Head Teacher of St.Joseph Primary School Miri)
Connie Jenang
Evelyn Joyce Yong
Frederick Liso Senap
Helen Anja Udek
Henry Jerntai Lidom
Idal Gedong
Irene Chu Oil Len
James Ape Dapol
Jospehin Rendam Mawat
George Adom Tlaek
Lamchap Gime
Marina Tan Lee Lee
Mary Poh Kin Choo
Ngu Mee Ling
Roland Satu
Sanib Said
sulie Gantie
Tony Chandor Ridie
William shim
Wong Ing Ming
Abg Sandi Abg Spawi
Ali TGreadyAnthony Quinn
Awang Jemat
Bernard Entily
Charles Tenggoi
Chew Kyuin Yin
Doris Edwina Fung
Francis Jorna Lian
Ibau Lah
Isamil Bin Lazim
Jacob Piran Lian
James Gau
Jefferson Isek Kandan
Josphine Jospeh Balom
John Yong King Hee
Laping Jawa
Lay Kim Pan
Liew Fah Sin
Loi Mee King' Lucy Arom
Lucy Lao Puang Siong
Mohammad Sarkawi
Nancy Yapp Kin Choo
Nasihim bin Said
Raymond Miting
Shebli Seman
Richard Iboh
Robert Saging
Rosmie Sulong
Sandra Urang Raja
sigar Tidom
Sim Ai Geok
Susan Fung
Wong Hie Eng
Sahra Bujang
Abdullah Opong
Chai Kwee fong
Chang Tze Hin
Chen Fam Sian
Chiong Khoon Swee
Chua Teck Beng
Josephine Nguk Chin
Kiew Chen Tchiong
Kho Siak Chuing
Kho Siaw Boon
Kueh Lip Kwong
Lai Ngee Kiok
Lin Yit Lin, Tommy
Mary Agnes Chiam
Moh Weng Hee
Poh Kin Nguan
Pui Kim Teck
Rommie Jee Kuet Hua
Saun Ak Kakok
Shi Kim Teck
Sim Boon Lian
Sim Kwang Yaw (Address 97 Sabu Road, Simanggang)
Sim Tang Kwong
Sulaiman Eddy
Tay Yaw Loi
Wong Sing Ching
Yew King Yong
Yong Kiong Chung
Voon Stzu Heng
Baru Langub
Bujang Hussain
Bernard Phoa
choo Miaw Kim
Chuia Siew Khim
Chong Siew Liap
Dilol Nojea
Hee Chin Tze]
Ho Geok Jik
Huong Tiong Poh
Jacqueline Leong
James Chella
Jumaid Diki
Kuek Tze Kong
Lai Lian Joon
Ngui Siew Kong
Pauline Yong Sui Hee
Peli Mat
Robinson Simunyi
Judson Sakai Tagal
Sim Chay Ngee
Teo Shiok Ngo
Voon Yam Seng
Wong Swee Ho
Yao Nam

Alexander Unya Ambun
Ali Moktar Shamat
Billy Rmaping
Choo ai Hung
Diana Chai Fen Len
Hossin Fauzi
Jessie Lee Li Tiong
Mari Duncan
Martin Barnabas Tutong
Noh Saabi
Pau ak Ritom
Peterus Bulan
Peing Nge Ling
Roshni Xystatia Wanigaranam
Rosland bin Dadu
Samuel Kiyin
Sim Chiong Khi
Suhaili bin Lee
Salaiman Abang
Teo Siak Chuan
Tiki Lafe
Usah Ujoh
William Duncan Lingkui
Yee Khai Phorng
Wong Dee Ha
Chan Ming Lin
Normah Besar
Aminah Bankol
Alladin Kassim
Julaihi Bujang
Philip Tiong soon King
Awg Ibarhim Awang Sulaiman
Kassi Majidi
Awang Mekthar Awg Yahya
Tan Chin Min
Dyg Mordiah Abg Narudin
Chai Long Sen
Kho Lian Kwong
James Lam Sia Keng
John Michael Puk
Tiong King Kiong
John Gotte
Paul Loh shin
Tan Lee Hoon
Abg Latif Abg Embong
LILY MORNI
Marily Joyce Muda
Zita Pamela Vatsaloo

---------------------------------------1971 to be continued..........................................

1969 3/3

2007-06-08T20:09:00.000-07:00

Julaihee Salleh
Kho Lee Chiang
Lee Chui May
Lim Oi Choo
Maria Wong Hak Hee
Marcos China ak Juing
Morris Unongak Legam
Patrician Voon Oi Lian
George Robin Bawin
Sigan Ibun
Ton Gake Hua

Terence Temenggong Jayang
Vasco Sabatak Singkang
Yong Chung Phing
Zakiah Omar
Laing Ngau
King Chui Huat
Wong Hin Hwa
Yap Tiong sun
David Fam Min Kui
Lim Ai Luan

George Guan
Joseke Toging Ruth
Jeluing Kebing Emgang
Lee Sin Nam
Lim Swee Hong
Chew Chi Yong
Abang Abdul hamid
Mohd. Kassim Kinchu
Marjian Suud
Elwi binPli

Jennifer Minah Nanang
Abdul Rahman bin Deen
Joseph Gindie Willie
Abg Suhaili Abg Hj Abdul Majid
Ding Ibau
Rama Kumari Anand
Upinder Kumar Anand

1969 name list part 2/3

2007-06-08T19:55:00.000-07:00

Yong Sze Kui
Zubaidah Hj Addar Rahim
Cho Kwong Ming
Goh Hua Theng
Albert Kong Jiu Fatt
Ang Thian Chin
Annette Yip Chui Jin (Bintulu now)
Chan Chong Hock
Chong Siaw Wan
Choo Nyit Chong

Chua Wan Chong
Clement Lim
Jean Brodie
King Chiu Tiong
Kon Chian Fatt
Lim Ka Ming
Maurice Fielis
Ngen Meng Kiang
Robin Fago
Siew Woo Kee
Stephen MacMon

Tay Choon Chiaw
Then Joon Hua
Ting Chio King
Vincent Lau King Kong
Wee Hui Ming
Ajaib Suut
Anthonius Lapan (Limbang)
Ayor Beluban
Barbara Johnson
Basah Kesing

Bohan Raswit
Bonnie Voon
Cheong Shyut Moi
Christopher Sanggau Bajiong
Davy Nyelambau
Evelyn Tebari Along
Fatimah Hj Uni
Helen Jane Kiai
Jenny Fung Lee Sar (Kanowit)
Johnny John Enggah

John Yapp Kui Khien

to be continued
.........................................................................

1969 Name list and some comments

2007-06-08T19:15:00.000-07:00

Abdullah Webb
Ali Yusuf
Anyie Ngau Laing
Anyi Ngau Ding
Augustine Constatine Baba
Awang Ranil
Albert Chiew Hoo Ching
Cosmas Sing Lian
Edison Joh Urud
Egai Laga

Gayan Sarie
Imang Anyi
Ittak Sigi (Rh.Penghulu Abok)
Jackson Gawing
Albert Jalong Kirew
Joseph Balan Lah
Laing Imang Ngau
Laing Ngu Unga (sorry cannot really make out the name)/Laing Jau (Long Pilah)
Latif Sapong (Limbang)
Liang Yew Chi
Macmillan Bau Nyawai

Matthew Nuga
Morris Kapong Senap (Limbang)
Omar Ali Khan
Saadan Haji Sibam
Sahari bin Hasbi
Talib bin Ranek
Tamin bin Sibam (Limbang)
Tan Kwong Leong
Tan Meng Lee
Tayun Raja

Wong Teck Ming
Griff Usah Ujoh
Chai Goh Men
Chai Joon Fah
Chai Min Sen
Chia Mong Lieng
Chiam Tow Jin
Cho Chung Tek
Chong Hoi Eng
Chieng Tung Ing

Dorani bin Johari
Drenny Poh Kee Geng
Fong Hee Doh alias Fong Chee How (Limbang)
Fong Siew Khing
Hii Mee Chung
Lai Lian Hong
Lee Khiun Chiew
Liew Chew Choi
Ling Huok Mee
Ling Kwok Huong

Lo Chin Meng
Moo Chuan Ching
Ngieng Nyuk Hung
Saet Gadug Wilfried
Tay Cho Jui
Tay Yang Phuan
Tie Yiu Liong
Ting See Lok
Voon Choon Khing
Wong Siong Kai

Basil Hii Sing Dee
Elbson Marajan anak Pengiran
Awangku Ali Omar Pengiran Maharan
Galwyn Kelon
Hilary Mukit Guroh
Irene Wong Kui Tee
Jeffery Fung
Johnny Ating Kading
Joseph Boong Choon Fah
Joseph Salangak Gandom

Lai Chaw Thin
Lee Tiong Seng
Liew Siat Kiaw
Lo Ngi Yit
Lucy Lau Ting Ting
Michael Sma Nam
Nicholas Ugul Kuman
Nuingak Jeliuing
Razzaliee Bajkar
Suan Yik Juian

Tan Jek Lai
Wong Hua Seh
Udie Salleh
Yee Teck Foo
....................................................................................................................................................................
Many of these students became friends of mine when they joined me at MU. And like rubber seeds popping out from their cases, we were scattered far and near and into different professions. But somehow, when we touch base, it is always our memories of TLS which jell us together and we forget the barriers that we acquire along life's long road.

More later. I don't play golf like some of my friends but I do enjoy washing dishes and cooking in my backyard on my weekends.

Occasionally when we have a good group we get together at New Tanjong Seafood Restaurant on a Friday evening.

Remember that place that used to have the first kind of nightclub just below the hill of Tanjong? The old wooden house still exists, but a new concrete block has been built to accomodate more dining and drinking customers. This block is fairly new and is built nearer to St.Joseph Secondary school. It is adjacent to the new Telecom Building.

Food is fairly good there and menus are changed to keep up with the discerning tastes of the customers who come from different corners of the world. However you still get very good traditional mun mee, Singapore fried Mee Hoon,and various stir fried pumpkin shoots,cangkok manis,and bean sprouts. Occasionally, on the quiet, you can still get some of the unmentionables. Of course, we don't order those....hahaha.

For good halal food, we recommend Cafe Rosita (Dynasty Hotel), the various shops along North Yu Seng Road and Taman Selera. All starred hotels serve halal food in Malaysia.

Missing names of 1968 list

2007-06-08T18:43:00.000-07:00

Mahli bin Haji Suhaili
Moh Wang Sing
Nawawi bin Mahzen
Ngau ding Ngau
Sharifah Aisfih
Sidek Malim
Sim Hui Geok
Sirat Ismail
Tinggang Raja
Wen Ajeng Wen

Yu Teck Kiong
Zennurai Bin Ramlee (Original spelling)
Audrey Kedung Imat
Ding Cheng Ngen
Duncan Ranting Baba
Edward Unting
Goh Meng Chiang
Francius Alexius Atom
Goh Yong Tze
Hamzah bin Sulaiman

Helena Mary Goh Boi Tin
Henry Metthew Lajeng
Hii Toh Toun
Huong Eng Kian
Huong Siok Ling
Ian Unyang
Kook Teck suen
Lee Siew Kong
Leo Jok Hee

Liong Jiew Kiong
Maria Libut
Moh Mee Ping
Ngen Eng Cheng
Ngin Kwang Phek
Ong Gee Ching
Peter Hii Chee Huat
Ramlee B Shahdan
Salina Lallang Sakai (Mrs. Jeffery Pasang)
Sim Kit Choi

Ting Lieng Kiong
Tan Song Kian
Theresa Hii Yik Hwa
Ting Lick Tee
Richard Tsen Wei Tseng
Wong Teck Ho
Yong Sai Chee
Yong Pak Hiong
Yu Chui Chi
Peter Jok

Julian Perry
Chong Kui Sin
Ivanhoe Anthony Belone (of Rumah Sabang,Pantu, Ulu Lingga )
Jonathan Jetie ak Jelian
Ho Thian Fah, Philip
Leong Yoke Kin
Liew Nam Boon
Goh Khi Huang
Lai Peng Seng

Kueh Kee You
Charles Fam Chung Ting

Comments : We hope that some of the spellings can be corrected by those who know them. The list is from a rather faded photocopy from an original handwritten list.

Come to think of it, it is good to keep old school magazines because names and photos of students would be kept for the future generations to look at. I am still trying my best to locate some of our old school magazines, if there are some around. They are significant primary sources of modern history.

Mustapha Besar Childhood Days Revisited 1985 Part Two

2007-06-06T04:36:00.000-07:00

Our house was not very far from the river bank but to get to the river which was the source of our drinking water, was not any easy mater.You must be able to balance yourself on coconut trunks placed strategically along the way. Carrying water to fill our jars in the house was my daily chore. On most occasion, I had to make several trips before the four jars were full as by the time I got to the house half of the buckets was empty.

Our nights used to be long then, as we could not afford the pressure lamp but only brass kerosne lamps placed at the various corners of the rooms - normally in the kitchen and eating pace and the bedroom.By 5:30 p.m. I would fill all the lamps with kerosene and then light them at about 6:30 p.m. Dinner would be quite early and so was bedtime.

Our house was a wooden house with attap roof. Whoever designed the house really knows his architecture because it was always cool during the day time even at the height of the afternoon. Every so often my father would renew the attap roof and my borther and I would help to lift the attap from theground to the rafters where he would be. I admired himfor his ability to move around so easily around the rafters.

I was fortunate in those days that the school I had to go to was just across the road. My other school maters were not so lucky as they had to walk for miles to get to school. They also had to spend some money during their break time for some cakes and other snacks. I could, however, to to shool just before the bell rang an during break time I would quickly rush bak to the ouse for the snacks which mother would have left in the kitchen.

Dato' Moashili School was a wooden building with wooden floor raised slightly about one foot above the ground. In all there were six classrooms partitioned by means of half walls. All our tables and chairs were fixed to the floor and they could accommodate three students or more per table depending upontheir sizes. There wee five of us on my table. The school bell was actually a piece of iron pipe hung on its end and struck with a piece of metal.

School became the focus of our life during theweekdays from seven in the mornign to one o'clock in the afternoon. After that we were left to our own devices unles of course there were extra- curricular activities in the afternoon.

I noted that in those days our games seemed to be seasonal. when thekite flying season was one we would be busy getting bamboo for the kite frame and olleting enough money to buy the coloured papers for the kite. There were many "kite fights" inthe sky and very often once some one's kite is taken down we would be after them invariably on to the padi fields behind the school, much to the displeasure of our parents as we would return with mud all over our clothing, an cuts all over our bodies. Actually it was easy to tellwhen the kite season was on as many children would be affliced by eye infection.

when the "gasing" season came, we would split into various groups and intense rivalries would develop. It was not uncommon for quarrels to begin as a result of broken"gasing" or accusation of cheatings,etc.

The river was another source of joy for us. Most of us learn to swim very early and after shool we would be found playing in the water or merely by the bank. One "pedada" tree by the bank used to gibve us the thrill of our life time. Many of us were Tarzans as we hung on to the many creepers growing up the tree, and swinging from the bank to the water. The loud cries never failed to upset our parents.

There ewas a motor launch which we looked forward to seeing if we were by the river. This was MV Rani, a diesel cargo cum passenger boat. Its arrival normally was greted by us with wild shouts and waving. We liked it especially if it was loaded with carogo for then the waves it created would be bigger.

Our group never went beyond the Kampung - and we never thought of it. There were exceptions though but even then only if encouraged by our parents. Usually this would be because we were genuinely working.

We helped to carry bricks fromthe "tonkong" to the site of the new shophouses which were being built to replace the old ones. We were paid one cent per brick for a distance of about 200 to 300 yards. To us little ones it was really hard work and needless to say we never went beyond the $1.00 mark per day.

We also worked at a coconut nursery at the Agriculture Station about a mile away. The work involved the weeding of coconut seedlings for which we were paid one cent per seedling. This was slightly easier although at the end of the day our hands would show its toll. Nobody ever heard of work gloves then!

During school holidays I also sold icicles (Ais Cucuk we called it) from Kampong to Kampong. I visited a lot of Kampongs that way. I used to lug around a thermos flask (which seemed bigger than I was) and which could store about 30 sticks of icicles. At five cents a piece, the return at the end of the day, if the whole thing was sold, would be $1.50 and my cut would be 60 cents. The towkay would take 90 cents , and if I could not sell more than I would get nothing.

Sadly, I was to miss all this when in 1957 I had to go to Miri to further my schooling. But to this day the childhood days are fresh in my memory.

I walked on but I swear I could hear the ringing sound of those old songs we used to sing when were were "lanuns" under the shade of the old rubber trees. It was so different then.

(From Sarawak Gazettee, April 1985)

Dear Brother I am releasing your story into cyberspace................................because I want you to be read and remembered for always....

Mustapha Besar Childhood Days Revisited 1985

2007-06-05T16:19:00.000-07:00

in 1985, Mustapha was on the Editorial Board of Sarawak Gazette, the precinct of Colonial Officers before 1963. The Chief Editor was Dr. Yusoff Haji Hanifar, Adi was in charge of Personalities, and Mustapha , Public Enterprise.

In April 1985, we were fortunate enough to be able buy a copy of the Sarawak Gazette (Only available in Kuching) and read with a lot of nostalgia, his article, Childhood Days Revisited.

Here I am copying the whole story because I feel that his story must be shared here, if not in the book. If members agree, this would be a fine piece. David please copy and paste into the file of ex-tanjong.

I hope I am not contravening any law regarding copyright. I just want my friend to be featured. This is a gesture which I can make....he had had so many other accolades....and I would like you to have a share in knowing Limbang and part of Mustapha's childhood in the 50's.

Here goes from Page 37, April 1985, Sarawak Gazette

Childhood Days - Revisited by Mustapha Besar (Deputy Manager, Land Custody and Development Authority)

What prompted me to write this I am not sure. Perhaps it was of all the changes that have takenplace or the seemingly new face of the town, or was it the many people I met whom I failed to recognise. Perhaps it was merely nostalgia.I do not think that I would like to turn the clock back but I certainly have fond memories of that serene little town and that small kampung I grew up in.

Perhaps the trouble was I spent very little part of my growing up years inKampung Sialok (or Kampung Sekolah Melayu as it ws better known). As early as 9 years old I was already attending a boarding school (TLS) in Miri. But it didn't matter though for whatever time I had during those trouble free days everything seemed perfect for a young boy who had all the time to play his favourite games among his peers. Indeed there never was a shortage of peers then. There were Kifli,Tuah and ahmad next door,Amin a few houses away, Jamil and Bonsu and a few others acorss the road.

Our domain was that small enclave through which taversed a gravel road which wound its way under the sahde of the overhanging branches of the rubber trees. The trees never grew straight up but always at an incline over the road,a nd when they began to shed their fruits we would collect the shells and seeds scattered everywhere. This domainw as bordered by the padi field on the East and the river ont he West. Both the padi field and the river were constant meetingplaces of our group, whether at work or at play - more perhpas to plan than to work.

The road I am talking about is the Buangsiol road or rather that part of it that ran from the small wooden bridge over the Sungai Bangkita to the Sekolah Dato'Moashili. In today's term that would cover the area from the District Council Building all the way to the Central Malay School - a whole 200 yards or so. It seemed quite long then, and we never dare go beyond the demarcation lest we would incur the wrath of our parents or be subjected to the teasing remarks of other groups of the other Kampungs.

That day I was walking through the very same stretch of road. I was then on an official visit to the town and was heading towards the District Office after having disembarked from the express boat at the Immigration landing point. A few family faces greeted me while many others went on their way. I passed the District Council building and noticed many an aspiring drivers learning to do their "L" parking or parallel parking by the building. Many others were standing around and waiting for their turn at the wheel.

On my left was the Chinese Temple with the readial red walls and mural. Further down on my right was the mosque, a pride of the Muslim community when it was first built but which has since been outgrownby the population. I walked further and before me were a few three storey buildings which served either as commercial, light industrial or residential tenements. Across the road from them and besides he mosque were new blocks of primary school building (the Central Malay School). Just across the road from this primary school used to stand a wooden house with attap roof, a house where I was born and raised.

I stopped a while and looked towards the same direction. I wondered what happened to all the rubber trees and the bamboo hedge which separated the piece of land from the road. I used to collect latex fromthose trees,a ndw e used to play hide and seek behind the bamboo hedge. My mind wantdered and I was back in the old kampung standing by the road side watching people on their way back on foot. Bicycles then were a luxury. In the Kampung only Pak Salleh next door owned a Raleigh - the pride of the family.

On the easern side of that whole stretch of road which I just passed, a row of wooden houses (about wo in all) used to stand. They were all on stilts and accessible from the roa only by small wooden briges. They were raised on stilts as they built on the periphery of the padi fields. This stretch of road was every exciting to me especially during Hari Raya the whole kampung would shimmer under the flikering lights of kerosene lamps made of bamboo placed along the railing of the wooden bridges. It was a real spectacle for me.

To be continued.

Mabel Chiew and TLS culture

2007-06-03T18:48:00.000-07:00

To a young boy, a nice, clever young lady is always impressive.

I can still remember Mabel wearing her prefect's badge and how she would stand there directing the to-ing and fro-ing of students for class or for makan. Her voice was firm, kind and loving. Her sisterly attitude was a real "force" in a strong well meaning character. To me her presence was the epitome of responsibility.

At that time I did not know very much about the Foochows being a special breed of determined people who only wanted to do well in life. Today I know them just too well. You can never stop the Foochows who are like runaway trains. They excel in everything and with the speed of lightning.

Once my little boy asked,"Did the Foochows invent everything, like the bullet train in Tokyo?" I answered,"Yes, they can invent everything because they are really smart."

Mabel was a like a big sister to every boy and girl in Tanjong and to me that is what a model headgirl should be like. Mabel should write a book on "How to be a Head Girl and Inspire the students to do well"

She is of course, a no nonsense person. And she has a fantastic brain. I believe when she went to MU , she must have been the top student in her class.

This was what TLS did for me...to have been given the opportunity to study and have models like Mabel and others to follow......to stick to the desk and study and study. We could see our teachers, our head girl and head boy studying hard and having good results. We could also see that the seniors get along very well with each other, helping each other in and out of the classrooms.

Apart from Mabel and her fellow seniors setting a good example in studying and sticking to their desks, I still remember hearing Mr. Lynn practising his Chinese words at night whenever we passed by his hostel after our night prep.

Observing how our seniors study,lead the students,and help everyone including the teachers, had very positive effects on all of us juniors. I consider this a great school culture. And if you carefully map out the career of a good student like Mabel, you would definitely see an ascending graph to great heights. Goals were achieved by TLS students like Mabel. And every day, I wish more and more people can succeed like her so that we do not have so much human wastage.

A school culture like TLS, will defnitely not create any human wastage. The seeds of goal achieving,future orientation and self determination are planted early. The school climate of the 50's,and 60' especially was ideal for human resource development. 50 years later we are still beneficiaries of that legacy. The products like RM, ZAM,UKI,SAM,HAJI ,LLW,DC,and MABEL,DOC CHH,(certainly a long list) the YBs and so many others are still highly PRICED!

1968 Part 3/3 - the last entry into the old register book

2007-06-03T18:18:00.000-07:00

Anoi Sang
Anthony Balare Sagan
Aren Anyie Ajeng
Cecilia Sendi
Sylvester Chondi Ujang
Cliff Emang Jau
Andrew Dundang
Entri Gemong
Mazlee Gapor Haji Isa
Gilbert Ding Wan

Heng Chieng Leng
Hii Toh Chuang
James Mersing Luhat
Jammuddin Bubin
Jeffery Jok Jau
JOHN SIKIE TAYAI
Kho Thian Wah
Latiff Raup
Liew Bee Sien
Lipeh Kasia

The winds of change had indeed come to TLS and with the last of the Orang Puteh teachers and principals going away, the culture of the TLS was a thing of the past. Sad to say when I lovingly romp "home" to the school whenever I had the opportunity during my university days and later years, the friendly atmosphere, the warm "Good morning, Sir!" seems to have disappeared completely from the school.

I continue to miss the school bell and the smell of the dining hall. And I miss watching senior boys, with their well combed hair avoiding the north side of the school. (more of that later)

An era of our lives together in TLS has gone....but in some ways, we are still tied to each other like the threads in the tapestry of life.

1968 2/3 names of Intake

2007-06-03T17:52:00.000-07:00

Tan Jik Kaw
Tay Jui Seng
Teo Boon Pheng
WAHAB HJ DOLLAH
Yong Suk Kin
Catherine Lina
CeceliaTh'ng
Choo Chen Kiang (birthday 13.6)
Goh Choo Kee(birthday 14.6)

Gregory G Goh Hack Pheng
Ho Teck Nam
Kho Leng Kwang (Richard)
Koo Kit Harn
Liding Jonyian (birthday 3.6)
Morshidi bin Tundok
Mary Ng Oi Chin
Phang Nyuk Kiong
Tan Yik Pang
Wong Ping Ging

YUSUF HADI (birthday 15.6)
Andrew Alphonsus Hai
Awang Jaya
Chai Chiew Fong
Christopher Tan Kim Hui
Francis God
Heng Chin Chye
Jamayah Hj Hamdan
Jong Ah Moi
Andrew Lawai Ngau

I am sure you will find great people on this list.

Keep the TLS spirit strong.

1968 1/3 First 60 names

2007-06-03T16:49:00.000-07:00

Kong Sieng Ling
Leong Chung Thad
Liew Thien Fook
Loh Wani Meng/Loh Wei Ming
Mahani Omar
Mary Imelda Phung
Medihah Khatep
POLET Hamzah
David Putang Balla
Peter Lee

Raymond Tanaraj Noel
Sim Eng Wee
Sim Soon Kia/Sim Seek Piaw
Sulaiman Hanapi
Thomas Yong Su Onn
Elizabeth Teng Ley Kiong
Yong Ai Ngo
Alex Ibrahim
Abdul Rahman Sahari
Ali Bin Mudin

Amin bin Aman
Abdul Rahman bin Abang Haji Abdul Rahim
Alexander Isut Karim
Annis Lim Poh Yong
Bujang Abdullah
Chiew Kian Syn
David Lim Chin Chai
Fauzie Saad Diol
Han Haji Hipnee
Hii See Hung

Jaru Sawat
John Leong Wai Ming
Justin Jawa Angam
Louis Ngui Fook Onn
Maria Marlene Yong
Mina Bilung Southwell
Othman bin Borhan
Raymond Szetu
Rosalind Leong shuet Lin
Sadiah Bujang

Sarkawi bin Mohd Suud
Sebastian Rumpang Bedindang
Stephen Leong
Teresa Pho Siew Hioh
Zaini Bin Oje
Chai Ei
Chai Siew Ling
Chong Chon Lain/Chong Ah Nquiew
David Lau Nai Pek
Foo Yeng Yen/Foo Su Tong

Francis Wong Pek Huo
Ho Chu Ngi
Leong Sai Moi
Liew Tiu Siong
Liew Phet Hiong
Bernard Lim Eng Peng
Paul Ng Chin Shoon
Ngui Hwa Choon
Richard Leong Hock Lee
Bobby Tan Kia Hui

In 1969 a large group of us including Reggie, Gendin, Blawan,Abu Bakar, Regina Szetu, Hilda Yee, and so many others from TLS went to MU and without our actual knowledge a large racial disharmony was brewing. In fact we just missed the large Chinese parade when we arrived at MU.

Some of were sent to their respective residential colleges called First College, Second College,etc. Then a group of us were not allocated with dormitories so we met with Dr. Malik of Third College and like a real mother, she embraced all of us and took us in. That was how a very large number of us ended up in an all girls' college. A block was then set up for the boys.

Because we were so gregarious and friendly, we took to running the college activities, especially Abu Bakar with his loud and commanding voice. We made friends with the other collegians and got along well. TLS had trained us well. Third College was to be our home away from home for the next three years of great university life.

1959 Mr. George Ong and The Sands of Dee How the Matassans saved the day

2007-06-02T23:58:00.000-07:00

(My good friend Zainal MA - first from right in a recent college reunion in KL)

Although I was just a tiny boy from Ulu Limbang I found out that I had a very good memory and I could remember every single word of a poem or a song. And that caused a situation in my life. Mr. George Ong our class teacher must have heard me reciting the poem The Sands of Dee and it must have been quite an impressive feat. However I did not understand anything about poetry recital as a finer aspect of life at that time or at that tender age.

When Mr. George Ong asked me to recite The Sands of Dee for a school concert, I refused very adamantly and I believe that juvenile protest of mine, and perhaps even the supposedly rebellious attitude gained his everlasting agnst and distrust towards me. I thought reciting a poem about a girl called Mary was just not exciting or worthwhile and it might be even considered embarrassing!! I did not think at that time my presentation would be well received and I could not entertain the thought of being jeered at, having never in my life presented anything to such a big group of seniors before. I actually cried when he tried to make me see sense. But somehow I just refused flatly.

I understand now that choral speaking and poetry reciting have become very popular English activities in schools again beginning 2000! And that's after a cycle of almost 40 years!

Here is the whole poem to share with you. Now it is ever more meaningful to me plus the anguish I suffered all these years associated with it.

The Sands Of Dee by Charles Kingsley

‘O Mary, go and call the cattle home,
And call the cattle home,
And call the cattle home,
Across the sands of Dee.’
The western wind was wild and dark with foam,
And all alone went she.
The western tide crept up along the sand,
And o’er and o’er the sand,
And round and round the sand,
As far as eye could see.
The rolling mist came down and hid the land:
And never home came she.
‘O is it weed, or fish, or floating hair—
A tress of golden hair,
A drownèd maiden’s hair,
Above the nets at sea?’
Was never salmon yet that shone so fair
Among the stakes of Dee.
They row’d her in across the rolling foam,
The cruel crawling foam,
The cruel hungry foam,
To her grave beside the sea.
But still the boatmen hear her call the cattle home,
Across the sands of Dee.

Online text © 1998-2007 Poetry X. All rights reserved.From The Oxford Book of English Verse: 1250-1900 Clarendon, 1919

I have to give credit to two friends who turned the situation around. It took Abu Bakar Matasan and Zainal Abidin Matasan to calm down Mr. George Ong. Zainal like a big brother (he wasn't any older than I ) told Mr. Ong not to persuade me any more by saying this,"He feel shame!" (Dia malu). However, I continued to cry. But Mr. Ong continued to be exasperated.

Later the two Matasans presented the poem at the concert. When they finished, there was a thunderous applause.

Zam what was it like after the performance?I can still hear the thunderous applause! And I never got to see the Dee......or to hear Mary calling the cattle home....perhaps one day.

To this day, I am still a little embarrassed because I could not share that accolade with them. Perhaps it was just a cultural difference - Malay, Chinese and Iban longhouse culture. If I had bowed to Mr. Ong's request to recite the poem, what would it have been like? Would the teacher have liked me better? What was really in Mr. Ong's mind?

Mr. George Ong must be in his 70's now. And to this day I still wonder how he feels towards me because I refused to perform for him.

1966-1967 Form Six Years - Baijuri and Asfia

2007-06-02T22:53:00.001-07:00

These two years were my Sixth Form Years.

This was the period of self reconciliation for me. FirstlyI was admitted to Sixth Form which dispelled a lot of self doubt and secondly being in Sixth Form, we were informally conscious that we were role models.

All 21 arts students must have felt the same way.

There were two girls, Sukinam Domo and Sylvia Lee. They must have had mixed feelings about those years. Sukinam and Sylvia were seated between Baijuri and Asfia who never failed to entertain the entire class and especially the two.

When there were times when Asfia was late for afternoon class, he pretended to whisper to Baijuri that he just had an erotic dream which made it difficult for him to get up. This supposedly whisper could be heard by me and Alec Kaboy who sat a few desks away. Although it was not supposed to be heard by the two girls, nevertheless, they were able to hear every word.

Today I can still picture very clearly Baijuri and Asfia walking from the dormitory to the school block. Both are very lean and lanky. And Baijuri habitually advised Asfia not to go out too much in the open field around the school, lest he would be blown away by the wind. Prominently Asfia had his red belt around his waist which was one of his key icons.

Both of them were good debators. Even at that time, everyone realised the potentials of these two young men. Both went to England. Baijuri became a qualified valuer, had a successful civil service career and topped it of by becoming the State Director of Lands and Survey. Personally I thought it was a blessing he did not take up law because if he did I would have big competiton in hand.

Asfia became a successful lawyer. He is equally successful in politics. He is now the Dewan Undangan Negri Speaker. From the recent report of the sitting it is clear that he is able to diffuse the many tense happenings in the August house.

As a student Asfia, was clearly a role model in his own hometown in Bintulu. Haji Mohammad once told me that in Bintulu he was yardstick of Intelligence or IQ. The locals would always ask ,when a student was said to be academically clever,"Siapa pandai, dia atau Asfia?" (Is he as clever as Asfia?)

There would be other stories later.

Asi Iboh - the First Kelabit SAO 1966

2007-06-02T20:25:00.000-07:00

Asi Ibuh should go down in our history book as the first Kelabit to be employed by the government as an SAO.

Three people in 1966 went for the interview of two vacancies for Sarawak Adminstrative Officer and three of us were short listed: Celestine Ujang, Asi and I. The two had very long interviews and they filled the vacancies.

My interview was made up of two questions: Are you still interested in working? There are 280 vacancies for clerks in various departments with a monthly salary of 180 dollars. I was never asked to give an answer because they knew that was not my choice of a perfect job.

The next question was "Are you still in school, attending Lower Sixth?" To which I said yes immediately. Then the Chairman, Pengarah Montegrai said,"Go back and we will see in your interview in your application for scholarship next year." They obviously kept their promise and I was awarded a Federal Scholarship to do BA and Dip Ed in MU. CU and Asi got the job and I had to take the next plane back to Miri. My first ever plane ride was for this interview.

Asi deserved the post as he went on to be a very successful Civil Servant until his untimely demise several years ago. As for Celestine he was picked up to enter politics where he excelled to become a very distinguished State Minister for many years.

Asi and I went back or a long long time and we were like blood brothers and he was very protective of me from the day we met. We met often long after school life ended for us. When we met later in life, our TLS spirit was with us and he went out of his way to help me as he was then the District Officer of Baram, in a case that I was involved in. Without him and his help, it would have been very tedious and difficult. I regret to this day I never met or came across any of his children.

Two spectacular incidents are always in my mind.

We were in Form Four . The two of us were in the Arts class under Mrs. George Ong as we did not have enough subjects for Senior Cambridge. I could not take Craft and Bead work because I thought it was for girls only, so I had to do Still Life and thus I drew lots of flowers. I could not take carpentry up to Form Five because that subject was not offered,although I had obtained a distinction in woodwork at Form Three, thanks to Mr. James Foh's teaching, and actually I have a passion for carpentry. Similarly Asi liked drawing, especially still life.

Asi would often show me his pictures of pottery, and of course some of the pottery art pieces were very akin to the rears of the female body. As youthful boys, we would have good laughs. But unfortunately, one day Mrs. George Ong passed our desks and she also noticed what Asi had drawn which was an abstract female bottom. She thought we were laughing at her and that Asi was making a caricature of her. She burst out angrily and stormed out of the class.

Immediately Mr. George Ong came in to scold the two of us and told us very roughly that there would be an Emergency Staff meeting to discuss our fate. Our so called mischief must have been the subject of the debate. Not long after that, Mr. Richard Tze , who had taught me since 1959,came to see me and Asi personally and told us,"All except two of the teachers voted to retain the two of you. Sawan and Asi, you lucky chaps, you will not be expelled~~!"

We were dumbfounded because we did not know what was going on!

To this day, Asi and I still did not know the whole story and who voted against us. But we were very grateful to Mr. Richard Tze who must have defended us well. I understand subsequently that my history teacher, Mr. Dewhurst's only complaint against me during the meeting was that I fell asleep in one of his afternoon history classes. He even said that his lesson must have been so boring that I fell asleep. And I am not sureyears later why I picked up history as my major at the university and came out with an honours degree. And indeed I stayed back to do Diploma of Education to become a history teacher as well. Perhaps it is a personal acknowledgement to all those teachers and principals in TLS who moulded my life and the others as well during those years.

The pottery caricature incident was a third near miss of my TLS years . Perhaps it could even be considered the third miracle in my life.

The first miracle was I was plucked from Ulu Limbang and was placed in a foreign place like TLS. The second was when I was supposed to have failed my common entrance in 1960 I was recommended by Mr. Richard Tze to Form One in the second selection. The fourth was when Freda Kedung threw away her application form to enter Form Six which was picked up by William Laing. I grabbed it from William and told him that he already had one. I filled it up and submitted it to Mr. Nicholl which ended me the last place in Sixth Form, within the 21 student chosen to enter Form Six ARts.

The second spectacular incident involving Asi

Asi has always been special and I need to relate this very touching and compassionate story about him. This actually happened a few weeks before the near - expulsion incident.

I remember Mr. Dewhurst was starting a history lesson when a group of Penans entered our class which was on the first floor of the building asked who was ASI (Mana ASI?) and one of them handed him a letter, a brown envelope, addressed to ASI. Medical Officer, Miri.

Aso said, "That's me." And Mr. Dewhurst asked him to go out and have a word with the Penans.

He came back very shortly to tell Mr. Dewhurst ,"Sir, they want me to send them to the TB hospital. ". The TB hospital was about 2 kilometres from the school.

And Asi walked with the Penans, all dressed up in their traditional attire, to the TB hospital and it was with the permission of Mr. Dewhurst and the school as well. Needless to say that Asi was always obliging and chivalrous to any one who needed help and he was like that all his life. Basically he was like Keningau, big and gentle and never a bully.

Later, I was to understand that what was actually written on the envelope was an abbreviation for Assistant. Hence ASI should have been read as ASST.

I was told that the Medical Officer from Marudi who wrote the letter was an expat himself.

I can in fact write a whole long chapter just on Asi and who and what he was. He deserved a lot more in life.
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1967 name list part 5/5

2007-06-02T17:20:00.000-07:00

Mohidin bin Ishak
Ngen Meng Kiang
Ngu Lee Nah
SHE JOO CHIN
Tee Kong Yoke
Ting Chin Teck
Yeo Geok Hoe
Yusof Awg Nassar
Kho Bee Lian
Kho Tze Tzang

Yu Chu Ngee
Yew Chu Fu
Ho Chow Yong
Yee Yong Yaw
Abdillah bin Aton
Liu Ng Leen
Louis Huong How King
Masar Talenta Teddy
Lee Kee Pui
Yong Chung Nyen
Joshua Betie Kunchit
Henry Garner
Ho Wun Kun
Chan Tze Chon @ Chan Jin Chiew

Ding Seling (rejoined the school to complete his sixth form)

Mohidin Ishak won the first prize as the Best Reader in school om 1967. This was based on the number of books he borrowed from the school library which then was well stocked with assorted English novels from Charlotte Bronte to DH Lawrence. I am wondering whether students at TLS still enjoy reading books from the TLS library and what has happened to all those books.

I think the school library two classroom size area and we spent most of our free time in the library. I enjoyed reading the National Geographic which was a source of inspiration for many of us. Borrowing and returning of books were strictly controlled under the school rules. Of course at times, library time was abused,and used as dating time for some of us. I am sure I was not one of them. :)

Together with Mohidin,another girl student, whom I remember only as Susie, won the other prize. The handing over of the prizes, the late Mr. Robert Nicholl remarked," Now boys and girls, the only thing that I wish would happen is for Susie to marry Mohidin!"

Mohidin,like several others,went to the university, is now the current General Manager of BDA, Bintulu Development Authority. As other TLS would I am very proud to have been his school mate and associated with him.

Shee Joo Chin as I remember him, was fondly called Keningau because physically he was bigger than the rest of us. I would say he is a gentle giant.

Keningau was a coastal vessel that plied from Kuching to Miri. And those TLS from Kuching Sibu, Simanggang, would surely remember their slow journey in Keningau which would take two nights and two days along the long coast of Sarawak.

And I knew that Joo Shin never took advantage of his size to bully the younger and smaller boys and girls of TLS. And I would say bullying during the TLS years though not obvious did occur, for which I was involved in a fist fight , which Haji Mohammad and many others had witnessed and in front of the school flag post.

I always detest bullying in school because it had always had communal elements and in this respect Mr. Robert Nicholl must have successfully eliminated bullying during his years.

Joo Chin got along really well with boys and girls of all races. I am sure he was not conscious of it but many of us would remember that was the case. I remember his best friend was Lawrence Lee who still refers to him as Keningau, each time we meet up here in Miri.

Joo Chin has a very successful career in the Civil Service and I only realise that he was married to one of my classmates of Form I-Form 3 years( only very recently) and I am so very surprised that he speaks very fluent Iban. If you take an evening jog in one of the recreation spots in Miri you might meet him.

Lawrence Lee was considered a Romeo of his time because he was tall, good looking and attractive. Most of us were fairly envious of his popularity among the girls.

Lawrence is very successful in business and recently has told me that no one should retire regardless of age or physical disadvantage.

1967 name list part 4/5

2007-06-02T17:06:00.000-07:00

Talib bin Zulphilip
Abang Hj Kassim
Sahri bin Man
Anthony Lawai Kulai
Ling Kai Chiew

Esmawi Othman
Jacinta Bulau Insol
Awang Drahman Awang Reduan
David Chin Kee Hin (Lawas)
Johnson Huong Tang Ing
Junaidi bin Pee

Talib has indeed a very successful career with SEDC and is now the YB for Jepak. When in TLS he was a very good debator and one of the finest students in all respect. He was very proper, polite and well liked.

The late Mr. Robert Nicholl would have been very proud of him if he had lived to see Talip's success. And I am sure, the Dewan Speaker (Asfia) , another TLS,would gladly share my view. I will describe my Sixth Form years in another post.

Abang Haji Kassim , (a very successful career with the Civil Service),together with him in 1967,during the TLS inter house sports meet,Kassim as I knew him then,together with Zakaria Kawi,Hilary Kerish, and I broke the 400x4 meters relay school record. This record which set by the late Joni Mustapha and his team in 1959 had remained unbroken until that year. Needless to say I feel proud to have been in this relay team and have known him as a friend.

Abang Haji Kassim also excelled academically and he was one of the few who went to further his studies in the UK. Upon his return he made it to the post of State Director of Forestry. It must be the TLS experience, like a few other TLS who rose to the top most ranks in Sarawak in their undertakings.

Jacinta Insol was the first Iban girl to be admitted to Sixth Form and completed the course. She went on to be an excellent teacher, teaching in various schools in Sarawak, especially in Bintulu area.

Katut Achong and 1967 name list part 3/5

2007-06-02T16:43:00.000-07:00

Katut Achong and I at a wedding party 2008

Peter Raig Rohai(MU)
Phang Chung Nyap (now in US)
Joseph Pita
Jelaing Mersat(another MU and now YB)
Liew Si Chung (Now in Riam Secondary School, Miri)
Laji Saibi
Kushairi Suut (Successful career with the Police)
Boniface Deyoi
Asber Jive Kaur
Amin Sahmat

Albert Rony Assim(successful career with the Foreign Service)
David Leong Hin Keong
Then Hon Chew
Chong Chon Chee
Teo Siak Pheng
Nicholas Yee
Chang Foh soon
Bong Ai Lam
Abdul Rahman Marbot
Abdul Khalek Yusuf

Ibahahim bin Mohammad or Mohd Ibrahim Shah
Katut achong (Successful career with education)
Loh Sia Hian
Liew Men Chian
Leo Francis Michael Toyad (Very successful politician and Federal Minister for a very long time)
Liew Mui Lan
Lim Chu Kia
Hillary Kerish Santan
Patunah Rashid (married Mohd Sabil, who had a successful career in Education and was State Director of Education until he retired recently)
Jemat Unding'

Lily Hii Hiong Huan
Kolony Jeti
Kalang Akub
Ajeng Jau Uyo
Abdullah Sanee bin Sarujee (very successful career in politics and business)
Raden ak Garan
Ngu Siok Hiong
Symeon Ngabong Beduru (deceased at a very young age)
Phusu Lugun (who never seem to age and we met recently)

James Robert Renang (passed away when he was manager of SLDB)
Ling Kai Ming
Justin Sigoh

Something remarkbable about Katut Achong. Once, during his days with me at the University of Malaya taught me the value of eggs taken raw. I remember the coffee shop owner where we were having coffee was stunned when he ordered two raw eggs which he cracked into his hot boiling black coffee. And he told me it was good for the brain.

Subsequently when I served as Principal of SEDAYA, I requested for him to be my Assistant Principal. We worked very well together, with the now YB Billy Abit who was also my Assistant Principal. Unfortunately I had to leave after ten months in Kanowit to take up law in England. He and Billy held the fort for me until YB Dato Gramong Juna (also a TLS) took over as the new Principal of SEDAYA, Kanowit.

AS Principal during the Kanowit year (1975) my experience in Tanjong Lobang was of invaluable help in running the school. Both YB Billy Abit and Katut had similar boarding school experience. I would like to think that the ex-students of Sedaya 1975 had fond memories of that particular year.

1967 name list part 2/5

2007-06-02T16:19:00.000-07:00

Sim Teng Fong
UItap Anyie Ajang
Ali Asghar Khan Sabir Alik Khan
Lau Nyut Ha
Goh Chin Hwa
WEE HAN WEN (Now Mayor of Miri)
Heng Hock Cheng (now SHELL)
Wee Hui Chiew
Yahya Daud(Plantations)
Paul Klanang
(He is perhaps the only one who married his school day girl friend from Lutong)

Joseph Wong Lok Chin
Lau Chong Un
Lam Lee Khiong
Arthur Yong Tshe Liung
Liu Thien Chon
robert Rae Vatsaloo
Victor Silvester Lee (Judo exponent of the school & successful engineer)
Ong Wei Hue or Ong Wei Hui
Kho Boon Ming (Be)
Abdul Hamid bin Mohd Yusof alias Bujang (Fatimah Hotel)

Abdullah Ahmad Jaraee (fondly known as Dollah Pendek at MU) one of the rare ones from Kapit and "boasted" that those from the place of his birth do not have smelly armpit
Zakaria bin Kawi (Hurdler) - successful career with the foreign service
William Phoa Boo Leong (Mukah boy who was my table mate and friend until now)
Sahrir bin Abdul Rahman
Lawrence Foo Shi Wan
Regina Szetu Mee Chan
Walter Thomas Dior
Peli Aron
Douglas Endawi Ojai
Hilda Yee Sau Phing

Hilary Ginang Ngelambang
Watt Lanyau Entaban

Peli Aron was a very good singer during our school time. He was always proper and ethical in every way.

He was our lead singer of our pop band called "Desperadoes" whose other members were Zainal Abidin Matasan, Dom Mattu, Reggie Tersan. Our favourite songs were Speedy Gonzales (which Peli sang very well), all of Johnny Tillotson's songs, Elvis Presley's songs, and so on.

For the band, we borrowed guitars from Zainal who was a drummer with a Miri band. I had my own hand which Jeffery Pasang and I made from scratch. Unforetunately it was thrown away. I still have a photo of me with my little red guitar in my old album. I remember having the photo blown up and presented to Zainal when we were requested to regroup during the Shell MD's birthday dinner in Piasau 100. But regretfully Peli and REggie were not there but Pasang and Dom were there. My old friend, Freda,took over the lead singing role.

1967 name list Part 1/5

2007-06-02T07:38:00.000-07:00

In 1967, several groups of Sixth Form were opened up and a very large group of science came from all over Sarawak. The school was slowly changing from one established to cater for poor remote rural students to a bigger sixth form college with students originating from towns also. And that included a large number of Miri town students.

Albert Chai Sin Fatt
Adelbert Entalai Sawing
Abu Kassim Hamzah
Atong Chuat
Edwin Assu
Gia Bala
Hamdan Madlan
Hazmi Zaini
Langgan Ratih
Mahmud Yusuf

Mohamad Arsat
Mohidin Edris
Phang Mee Hong
Robert Seli
Rosalind Assan
Ramlah Kambar
Siang Bee Liang
Tang Tiong Kong
Wong Liang Chee
Enche Abdullah Enche Ali

Abdullah Awang Nassar
Awang Abdul Rahim Awang Adon
Ang Boon Hiang
Jack Umong
Joseph Remo
Judy Hung man Min
Lee Swee Ding
Lucas Mara
Mutang Maran
Francis Poh Eng Hua

1966 part 3/3 name list

2007-05-31T18:42:00.001-07:00

Jimmy Chan Seng Peck (Now still in Miri Ocean Park)
Kho Thong Soon
Liaw Huat Hin (Limbang)
Patricia Liew Fui Ngoh (Happy Birthday on 4th June)
Lim Eng Thai (Brunei)
Ling Kah Chung
Masir anak Ajak
Matthias Sumbang(Limbang)
Musa Na'ol Razak
Nicholas Patrick (Rh Langop, Limbang)

Sarjit Singh
Sheikh Nasruddin
She Joo Sin 50, Temple Street, Bintulu
Simeon Kalong Jau
Tan Kon Kan, Limbang (Koon Kee's brother)
Teo Chiau Liang
Ting Lik Ching
Wong Teck Sing
Sukiman Domo (Happy Birthday on 7th June)
Philip Assan (Philip arrived almost ten days later on 26th May 1966)

Does Bukit Arang Road still exist today in Bintulu?

1966 part 2/3 name list (40 names)

2007-05-31T18:27:00.000-07:00

Nicholas Beketan Kiling
Robert Laing Anyie
Sallamun bin Ibrahim
Sarkawi bin Suud
Shiekh Aminuddin
William Sinai Atom
Wong Yong Weng
Anyi Ngau Emang
Bujang bin Abdul Hamid (Limbang)
Chai Hong Mui

Charlie Baya
Romeo Daniel Selutan
Emang Wan
Fidelis Assan Ingkie
Goh Kheng Ho
Hasan Bin Ismail
John Trang
Julina Lim Siaw Siok
Liaw Kim Sing (Sundar)
Ling Kai Siew

Moi Lap Kun
Martin Paul
Paul Hii Yii Kwong
Philip Ngau Jalong
Richard Baya Lejau
Samuel Daring
Suen Yik Chaw
Sulong bin Narak
Su Mee Ling
Thomas Ibuh

Yeo Chu Hua
Angelina Lim Chang Hian
Anyi Ding
Catherine Koh
Chen Cheng(Chong?) Tye
Cheng Diak Chu
Roland Dom Mattu (Happy Birthday Dom on12th of June)
Francis Hwang Jeng Yong
Frederick Assu Kamarau
Hii Chee Wong

(Aside) My wife has just noticed that on the column for RACE most of the Chinese students were registered as Chinese, and the Foochows wrote their race as Foochow. Interesting observation)

Heroes in the 50's and 60's

2007-05-31T17:20:00.000-07:00

Today the first hour of the Gawai morning(June lst 2007) is to be used up blogging.
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1950's and 1960's in Sarawak was slow paced. Poor students did not have two cents to rub together.

There was no Sarawak Idol, or any reality TV to watch. At best a radio could entertain a lot of students from a cook's quarters. Or a rich Chinese boy could bring his transistor radio around and allow some friends to listen to the pop songs.

Who would the students worship as idols?

Our TLS heroes were our teachers who were revered and much respected. I believe the every Principal topped the list,followed by particular teachers who identified themselves with students.

Cikgu Yusof Hanifah was in particular well liked.

He was an English teacher and was much sought after Master of Ceremony or Announcer in most occasions in Miri as he spoke such good English English. We as students admired his voice, his articulation, fluency and pronunciation. Like our children who become fans of modern DJs, we were no different then. We loved his voice.

To the smaller boys he was not only a teacher but a friend. To this day, all his stuents still remember him and he is fondly known as DOC, for his doctorate which he acquired in later years.

Mr. Ruthe

A particular principal from New Zealand, was well liked just because it was rumoured he liked belacan. And Zainal Abidin Matassan (Now with Petronas) claimed to have been asked by him to buy belacan. Whether that was a fact, it was never established. Would Zainal now verify it?

Lulu Wong
Lulu Wong the sister of Datuk Amar James Wong, was a Sarawak sprinter during her hey days.
To the girls she was a perfect role model. She was extremely pretty. And of course, she was very artistic.

Then we also had another type of heroes. To most of the students as a whole, our role models were the senior students, out of whom school prefects were chosen. (Please note that I was never made a prefect)

Joni Mustapha

Our sports men were also the heroes and role models. Foremost was the late Joni Mustapha who was a Sarawak hurdler in the 50's. He dominated the event in 58 and 59. He was also a recording artist of the famous Iban song, "Tanah Ai Menoa Aku". I thought he was an Iban when I first heard him singing, during one of the school concerts , sometime in January 1959,when I first arrived.

Alfred Jabu

Alfred Jabu was an outstanding footballer. His style of playing reminds me of the Argentinian International Adilas. Not only was he good but he never seemed to offend the opposing teams from the Police, Field Force, Transport Department.

I have always wondered what he had that made him so good and smooth in the field. Outside the football field,he was always a caring and pleasant towards the younger boys who in turn admired him because he was the only one allowed by Mr. Hicks to drive his station wagon. Having said that, we must all admit that he was really a good player on the football field (now every body knows that he is the distinguished Deputy Chief Minsiter of Sarawak and a Tan Sri ), He was a scorer too and physically and literally he was not only handsome but pleasant and charming .
Frank Apau

Frank Apau was the other outstanding footballer and was always playing the role of mediator whenever there was a fight in the football field, between TLS team and the other side. I clearly remember Frank putting himself in between Walter Chambers and another player from transport department who constantly picked on Walter and kicking him at the rear.

This caused Walter to retaliate and Frank jumped in before punches were exchanged. For that Frank was one of our most favoured role models and heroes.

Jayl Langub

In later years we have Jayl Langub who was the most pleasant and humble of sports men of our school. When he first arrived,his name was spelt JAIL and at the suggestion of Cigku Idit, who was our first class or form teacher in 1959, who recorded and registered our name in the register book, to change his name.

I remember Cikgu Idit took a long time to register Jayl's name because Jayl wanted to be registered or known as by a different name. You can ask Jayl now. But Jayl as a personality, throughout his school years remained a perfect student. I thought he would become a pastor in later life. He remains to this day, a focussed, talented observant person with an academic and scientific mind.

Gabriel Uking

Gabriel Uking was the other most outstanding football player who was a Sarawak State Player for many years. Eventually he was Captain of the University Malaya Football team and that was a difficult role to emulate. As a Miri and Sarawak State Player, Gabriel had intimidating challenges from the opposing teams like the Police, Field Force, Customs and Sarawak Shell. It was not uncommon to see him nursing his bruises after every game.

Ding Seling and John Trang

Ding Seling and John Trang were other outstanding sports men. They were the Miri and State Hockey Players.

Robert Madang and Haji Mohamad

Athletes of the later years were outstanding personalities and well liked for example Robert Madang (Sprinter), Haji Mohamad (Miler). I can't recall how many trophies they collected but they must have filled a whole shelf. Robert in particular,hates one athlete from St. Columba's - Edward Ajang, who in later years, become my personal friend and our lives crossed all over Sarawak. Robert went on to join the army and rose to the position of Lt. Colonel. Always the poet and writer, Robert could have been a great academician as well as a sports man. But unfortunately in our times, we had very little choices. However, I believe that Haji Mohamad being not a holder of blue IC at the time as he was fighting for his national identification papers, he stayed on to study and when he obtained his Malaysian identity card, he could not be more happier than to study hard for his new nation. I hope as I recall this on the blog, Haji could forgive me for writing so succintly about him. But I always hold him in high regards , for his athletic prowess and his superb mental ability.

Simon Daya Gelan - rival athlete
We all also hated Simon Daya Gelan from St. Columbas who virtually beat every one of our boys in later years in 100 and 200 meters. He is now a very successful businessman in Brunei and a very good personal friend of mine. Similarly St Columba Sports Master, Mr. Verghese was the target because he brought up good sports men. We often wanted to murder him. (With words that is)

Today he is again, a very good friend of mine in Brunei. He is the Advisor to the Brunei National Sports Council. I believe his daughter won the second place in one Miss India contest a couple of years ago.

In earlier years the other outstanding sports men were HS Kiprawi who was a Sarawak Sprinter , Steward Ngau Ding who was also a Sarawak State Sprinter, and Frank who was also a sprinter, specialising in the 100 yards event.

I remember one incident in particular. In those days, the sports field was manned by beautiful Red Cross members. Long distance runners were well taken care of at the end of their races. Frank in one particular race, surprisingly fainted at the end of the race. He came in second actually. The Red Cross ladies wasted no time to take care of him,coming with a stretcher and carrying him into the shed. He got up rather quickly unlike the long distance runners. You should ask him what actually happened.

Leo Moggie
Leo Moggie was not particularly outstanding in sports. He was picked up by Mr. Hicks to represent Wellington House in the shot put. Being Leo he obliged. From the moment he picked up the shot, he was all style,bending backwards, with the shot in his hand, almost touching the ground, he executed the throw the third time. The shot almost fell on his toes!

I was a true witness to this feat as i was standing very close to him. I remember Mr. Hicks asking the late Mr. Dearnley,"Do we have to take the measurement?"

The latter waved his hand disapprovingly. And the late Joni Mustapha was with me too. Leo and Joni were classmates. I remember Leo saying, as he walked away, to Joni, "Jangan kalah style po."

I remember the night before, the school had invited the Information Department to show the Sydney Olympics 1956 and one of the impressive event was the shot put championship. I am wondering to this day, whether Leo had followed the sequences during the show.

In recent years when I had the opportunity to tease Tan Sri Leo about it, he comment was "nemu amat naga utail sengapa" (You know how to make up stories). Tan Sri and I have remain very good friends all these years.

I should not miss mentionising the late Asi Iboh, who was an outstanding middle distance runner. We nicknamed him,"the Second Kuda Ditta", the other outstanding Kelabit who went on to become one of the Malaysian Olympian in later years, when he was known as Bala Ditta. (Note: Bala passed away not long ago) Bala was a also a very great personal friend of mine.

As for Jeffery Asi Iboh, he broke the Miri 400 meters record after having a very heated argument with Mr. Verghese before the start of the race. I can see him flying ahead of the rest. It must have been a lane 4. He was initially placed in lane l which Mr. Verghese objected to. Asi became a very good personal friend until his untimely demise a few years ago.

In 1966 when I was in Lower Sixth I attended an interview for a job as SAO and the other interviewees were Celestine Ujang and Asi. There were only two vacancies. Naturally the choise went to the two of them and I was forced to come back to continue my Sixth form.

(It was also my first plane ride in my life and I was put up in the Government rest house in Kuching where I had difficulties in handling the knife and fork at breakfast...story later)

The other sport hero was Wan Long, a Bekenu boy who excelled in football. He was so tiny that the opposing team could never get him.

I think that is enough for sports and heroes for the moment. (Please make suggestions for any corrections necessary. Thanks.)

Selamat Gawai .

Aloysius Lisu Ajang

2007-05-31T04:51:00.000-07:00

Lisu was my classmate since 1959 through 1965.

As a person he was stocky and plump, but very jovial and literary he was an excellent singer and inclined to be absolutely romantic. Can't remember whom he fell in love. If you don't mind my saying, it was a certain Miss L. a very pretty one. He had very good taste in pretty ladies I must say.

I was inspired to pick up the guitar by Lisu and we taught each other. Our first performance was when the Principal, Mr. Brighton, asked me and Lisu to sing during the school barbeque or beach party for the entire boarding population in Luak Bay. It was just below Shin Yang's boss's beach house.

We must have sung Elvis Presley's song, Have I told you lately, very well to my embarrassment there was a thunderous applause and we even participated in the Beatles' Song Contest at Cathay Theatre which was won by Abeng Lim and Group, comprising the lead singer (now Datuk) Sapuan Annu,State Director of Agriculture, now and the brother in law of Datuk Adenan Satem. His performance was something that Miri had never seen!!! And Ismail had a perfect rendition of John Lennon which made a few expat ladies scream like the real Beatles fans. And Abeng perhaps was the best guitarist in Miri.

Lisu and I ,together with Jeffery Pasang, and Kuek the drummer did not win. Someone must have sabotaged us, because there was no sound coming out of our borrowed guitars. Somehow in 1966, I recovered my dignity when Julius Noheb now known as Julius Linggod and I won the Miri Open Talentine , singing the Everly Brothers' number, Bye Bye Love. The sponsors somehow seemed to have given a watch for the first prize which turned out to be an imitation or fake. But nevertheless it was the first position that mattered to both Julius and I.

for the Women's section, Angela Chung Choo Ting, won the first prize , with me and Julius , JPS backing her with our guitars. Her dress that night was clearly a winner. It was short, very short and sexy. And she was really sexy and attractive. Do ask her when you have a chance.

Hope that she will join our group when David and Sam locates her.

Thaddeus Demong

2007-05-30T19:17:00.000-07:00

It is a wonderful feeling to know that one of your beloved seniors have made it in the world.

This is just to let you know that somewhere in Canada, there is a Dr. Demong, from TLS! Check it out. and I hope he does not mind I put him in my blog...

Dr. Demong
The most important decision you will make when undergoing Surgical Vision Correction is the selection of your surgeon. At Demong Associate Eyecentre, your surgeon is Dr. Thaddeus Demong, fellowship-trained corneal and refractive specialist. For over 20 years, he's been performing corneal and other refractive procedures, and since 1991, he's helped thousands of people see well with Laser Vision Correction. Because he treats a full range of nearsightedness, farsightedness or astigmatism and can provide all levels of care, whether you require minimal routine follow up or extensive follow up care postoperatively, you'll be in very capable hands.
Dr. Demong has always been motivated to use technological innovations to extend his surgical expertise. When excimer laser surgery was introduced to North America in the late 1980's, he became one of the first 50 surgeons in North America to qualify as a Laser Vision Correction Surgeon, trained by a true pioneer in the industry, Dr. Marguerite McDonald. One of the developers of the technology, Dr. Stephen Trokel, was at his side the first day he performed laser surgery in his clinic. Since that time, he has continued to develop his technique and embrace technological advances. In fact, his is the only laser centre in Alberta to replace its laser five times as each new generation offers a greater level of precision.
Dr.Demong Interview

Water and Mrs. Philips

2007-05-30T18:26:00.000-07:00

Those of you who remember Mrs. Philips will remember this incident in class.

I am always the sort who get big laughs, even until today.

Mrs.Philip as you know was a wonderful science teacher. In the 1960's Malayalese (who speak Malayalam - spelling is the same backward and forward) from Madras coast of India came as well educated science, maths and English teachers to Malaya, Sabah and Sarawak. They in fact helped us produce so many science, maths and English graduate as a result of their good teaching.

Like any small boys and girls, we did tend to be a little naughty. But nothing could escape the ears and eyes of Mrs.Philips. She could stand no nonsense in the class and she would always achieve her lesson objectives.

One day she was teaching our class some science experiment.

Suddenly someone (I know who he was) blurted out a heavily Indian accented "WATERRRRRR".

Mrs. Philips turned around and pointed out to me, "Sawan, younourrghty,nourrghty, nourrghty boy! S-t-and up!" (Do imagine her accent!)

My punishment was no less than one whole period of standing up. I was sheepish, but I smiled charmingly.

"There was no greater love than giving up your own life for another......This was a far, far better deed than anything I have ever done........" (Misquote from Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities)

And ever since then Mrs. Philips thought that I was a very,very naughty boy....who was daring enough to punctuate her absolutely silent and attentive class with an outburst of "WATERRRRR".

Today I still stand innocent and the person who did that to me knows it very well. I won't tell who. Sometimes I feel that I am still that little boy who has to stand for long hours as a punishment for something I haven't done.

Life can dish out something good and something bad. But we should take everything in good faith and with a big pinch of laughter.

Indeed I was very happy to welcome Mrs.Philips to Miri many years later and my wife and I took her to visit Miss Rose Chin and others. We had a lot of fun time together....those were wonderful teacher-student moments. Perhaps only TLS can give an ulu boy such graciousness ,respect and love.

I went on to give Mrs.Philips one of her best results in biology - a distinction. I am really proud of it.

I believe none of my fellow TLS students ever bear any grudges against their teachers....it is not in our nature......yeah!

1966 Part l/3 name list

2007-05-30T15:02:00.000-07:00

1966 saw more than a hundred students registering at both Lower Sixth and fourth Form levels. This could be one of those record years in TLS related to the number of intake.

School intakes were very much related to birth rates in most countries. But in Malaysia, special intakes were related to demands by politicians and policy makers. Hence school and later university intakes could have many implications in the history of a society. It goes without saying students of politics are only too aware of that.

I can't say which was my best year in school as I regard every year at TLS my best years ! But 1966 was a year when I made friends who lasted a life time - true friends, that is. When later in life, I saw Water Margin(All Men are Brothers) over and over again, I could relate to these stories from another culture. How much all of us are alike if we look deeper under the skin. Are we all not for justice? Are we not for the underdogs? And are we not protectors and defenders of the weak? And don't we all stick our necks out for brothers? I believe boarding schools give every one of us all those remarkable sensibilities and values. Even if we do not make it to the House of Commons/Lords (British Constitution), at least we are not scums at the gates of the city(Bible).

School was a fantastic place to be - safe and plenty of food(albeit lacking in form,colour and even taste). We did not have a Jamie Oliver to publicize what we ate or improve on what we had! At a particular point of time in my life, I learnt with lots of glee that the Taiwanese had piped music for their pigs during their feeding time to bring about faster growth and better pork!! Now that's a digression ). School was also full of friends and most important of all learning, hopes and dreams. I saw transformation. I saw lives touching lives.

Although the chaos theory and change theory were not on the lips of those above me, I could see that time no longer stood still. I could see that the tongkang, the river boat trade would soon disappear . I could see that those who made money in the rural areas would be moving away leaving everything behind. It seemed so easy for so many to make so much money in Sarawak!! Now that's another story.

Here goes the first part of 1966 list of students

17th January saw the arrival of the following:
Alec Kaboy from Kanowit
Ambi bin Nen
Baijuri Kipli
Blawan Embayau
Bolhan Tahir
Boris Jarop
David Ong
Faith Sylvia Lee
Francis Wong King Soong
Gendin Wood

Jemat Unding
Lew Chin Foh
Liew Thian Koh
Mohd Ali Junaidi
Mohd Asfia Nassar
Reggie Tersan
Sharkawi Bohari
Stephen Chai
Wan Ahmat Tuank Mohd
Zainal Abidin Ahmad

Anthony Lau
Chai Nyit sin
Chan Chang Ming
Felix Law
Foo Kong Fah
Hassan Zainudin
Hamdan Ahmad
Joseph Wong Lian Cheong
Lawrence Lee Jin Chun (Miri )
Lee Joon Shin

Liew shu Liong
Teng Hie King
Teng Hie Siong ( Ref : Night of the Anteater)
Wong Siew Chook
Yeo Kee Seng
Adi Tuah
Annuar Abu Bakar
Awang Kosazali
Awang Zaini
Bani Aminir Salleh

David Manjah Takin
Dick Bala
Edward Wong
Eugene Yeo
Francis T Lim
George Ngo Epoi
Heny Paul Iboh
Madhi Hassan
Mohamud Arshad
Michael Brain Jantau (Tatau)

1965 Name List

2007-05-30T05:23:00.000-07:00

There are a few people on this list who really made it to the top of the society and I am sure you can recognise them. 1965 however did not see a very big group of new students coming to the school.

One of the best is definitely our Dr. Chong Hoi Hee who remain,as he is , as always. He continues to save lives. From Dragon School, this Kuching boy, has done very well indeed.

Thomas Lee Kok choo
Kathleen Graeme
Albert Tang Sing Kang
Pau Kiew Ping
Peh Yang Hua
Gramong Juna
Angki Kaboy
Chen Yon Sun
Mary Hii
Ngipa Lindang

Lim Gin choo
William Tanyuih
Nillie Tangai
Andrew Nyabe
Chew You Wee
Phang Chung Shin
Lee Yan Kee
Julius Philip
Lo Thien Siong
Chong Hoi Hee

Wan Alshaqaf
Thomas Uchang(Limbang)
Tan Chong Peng(Limbang)
Lim Teck Seng (Limbang)
Lim Kim Swee (Limbang)
Liaw Bee Kee (Limbang)
Martin Rinyab(Limbang)
Patrick Panai Sagar(Limbang)
Gerald Perait Itai(Limbang)
Waslie Tuah (Limbang)

Ahmad bin Sulaiman (Limbang)
Ibrahim bin Saat (Limbang)
Taib bin Mohidin (Limbang)
Chia Tze Tau
Kiu Ai Lang (Limbang)
Chong Wei Sang
Marzukie Andong
patrick Angkasan
William Chin
William Liew

Gani Idris
Vince Makim

I was really busy in 1965, trying my best to do well. By that time, Abu Bakar Matassan and I were fast buddies,for both of us were from Limbang. I remember working very hard, studying late into the night, emulating Cikgu Yusuf Hanipah. I developed a great determination to do well, especially when I was so well mentored by Mr. Nicholl and Miss Sylvestor.

Most of us enjoyed reading a lot. We made lots of notes and compared them. We listened well to our teachers like Mr. Lynn. For past times we continued with our music and movies in town.

This was also the year that Mr. Nicholl was to retire and we were very sad about it. (more on him later)

But 1965 was a great year because we saw extremely clever students in our midst. We were like Spartans and Athenians pitted against each other and we knew our worth. Although there were definitely undercurrents of discontent, we were on the surface quite a happy lot as most of the teachers taught very well and played fair.

Columbo Plan scholarships were available and all were eager to obtain them. As I have stated before, it was a dream for most of us to get a scholarship and go overseas. So many of our seniors from 1959 to 1963 have gone before us and it was without doubt that many still had hopes that their chances would come.

But that was to be changed by the Federal Government in 1968.

1964 Post Malaysia Days

2007-05-30T03:56:00.000-07:00

Post Malaysia saw a very great crop of new students who went on to be great leaders of the state, as you can judge from the list.

It must be the impetus of the new democracy and the new leadership that created the great enthusiasm and energy for learning. I felt the changed atmosphere and everyone was more hopeful than ever. We had bigger dreams and we were more daring.

It was like reinforcement had arrived and the brigade was charging forward.

I had gone back to Ulu Medamit and during the holidays I had tapped more rubber and picked more fruits with my parents. Our longhouse was also experiencing changes in that timber was being extracted and like a spider spinning its cobweb, the Limbang Trading Company was taking over the land and the people. Tractors drove up the hills cutting the hills up, resulting in yellow ribbon like strips imprinted on the green surface.

Limbang had a small airfield then and Towkay James Wong in his linen suit, dark sunglasses and white floppy hat would alight from a Norman Brittan Islander, 8 seater plane to meet a welcoming group of Ibans still in their feathered hats ,Malay Hajis and Chinese coffee shop owners.

Meanwhile, I was in Form Four and I continued to read more history and more English. Shakespeare became oft quoted by us and every evening, the guitars were taken out. (more on that later.....)

Check out your names and find out who is where...and perhaps let me know and we can have an update. Hope it is useful.

Daniel Teho Regan
Patau Rubis
Putit Matzen
Ilias Razali
Morshidi Kawi
Edward Assim
Halimah Ibrahim
Fatimah Suhaili
Hadi Abdul Rahman
Ahmad Hamid

Masleh Yahya
Sulaiman Ladis
Spuan Annu
Boon Ching siong
Kueh Chiung Ming
Wong Tian Chow
Chye Sew Meng
William Hii Hiong Ing
Kong Shou Chong
Robert Merayang

Jepet Achoi
Sia Dak Yuang
Chye Min Liu
Tang Chok Nging
Rose Wong
Andrew Kiew
Edward Goh
Suen Chong Siong
Sinclair Tan
Paul Voo

Lee Chui Wah
Yahya bin Drahman
Reduan Frederik
Awang Basri
Khadijah Muip
Moh bin Marais
Salleh Yahya
Ahmad Kawi
Zainuddin Latif
Bahari Drahman

Loh Siew Moi
Adenan Mohammad
Rokiah Haji Jailani
Hj Minah Rambli
Normah Ahmad
Annuar Along
Freddy Vatsaloo
Zakaria binYusof
Siner Anak Sipeng
Ariffin Hj Ibrahim (Limbang)

Michael Balan
Siti Zaharah Hussaini
Joshua Jenan
Ismail Hussin
ABENG LIM (Kuala Belait)
Amdrew Bangkang
Justin Kirim
Umpang Ujai
Hilary Nyambau
Ahmad Tajuddin

Frankie Juram
Linus Ngidroi
Cecelia Frederiks
Razali Awg Putit
Johan Yahya
Yusoff Abang
Tabys Muip
Abdul Rahman
Kong Fen Leong(Limbang)
Paul Hii Sing Kiong

Rohayah Saar
rosni Shelbi
Kong Nguk Yin
Yusoff Bunut
Gela Baul
Empeni Lang
Zamhari Ediwi
Ismail Sahari
Mariam Dawood
Horace Brodie

Joseph Jinap
Kadir ali
Ishak Dawood
Huong Yew Hu
Chu Lee shie

I have often wondered how much of the Sarawak State Anthem, Fairland Sarawak, we can remember. I dug out my old song book and here it is for you to read:

Fair land Sarawak we will never cease to honour thee
And with our Loyal Sons defend your Liberty
From your high forst hills down to the open sea
May freedome ever reign, men live in unity
Proudly our flag flies high above our Country strong and free
Long may our people live in peace and Harmony.

The lyrics was written by F.C. Ogden and the musicv revised and arranged by GRK Freeth.

And I was very very happy to note that it was also sung in Iban, as there was an Iban translation by Umpang Ujai. The anthem was also sung in Chinese and Malay.

Here is the Iban translation:

Pemanah Sarawak kami selalu mri puji
Nyaga penglantang menoa, anak kami
Ari bukit,kampong ngagai tasik nyadi
Pemaik meruan, kami begempang ati
Tinggi menira bediri datas menoa kami
Gayu mensia diau ikun enggau rami

Thus in my life time I learn God Save the Queen and Negara Ku and two state anthems. All have unbelieveable resounding musical notes!

1962 Students who joined TLS

2007-05-30T03:29:00.000-07:00

15th January 1962 saw 82 students arriving at the gates of Tanjong Lobang College.

I do apologise if some of the names are not correctly spelt. My wife had the name lists photocopied as she was interested in archiving the names of the pioneers of the school. When she left, that particular job was given to another teacher. The school computer now would have a very good list of students if the teachers have been keeping up with school records.

I believe it was Mr. Nicholl who started to keep records of students who came into the school, as he was a great historian.

When I visited Mr. Nicholl in 1973, in Brunei he was delighted to see me. He could still remember every moment of his time with us in the school.

Do you remember when he tripped on the stage during one morning assembly? Do you remember he used to ride on his white pony and got us all up to do our morning run? Clip clod,clipperty clod.....up boys! up boys! time for your run!

Hope those of you who are Datuks, Tan Sris,etc won't mind my not putting your titles...I have not been keeping up with the Sarawak Gazette or the local news and have not be able to track down all the new titles. Perhaps you can let me know your latest title/s.

Ningkang Ujoh
Goh Meng Wai
Faisah bt Tepoli
Aminah Lampam
Wan Shazali
Henry Muda
Radin bin Akip
Khong Wang Yin (LImbang)
Johari bin Abang
Assim buin Bushrah

Cho Siek Way
Yusoff bin Sebli
Nawawi Hj Sabel
Francis Lutan
Telun Ibau
Chellenga
Semat bin Bakar
Leo Lease
Sharifah Aini
Umang

Sia Pei Hoon
Halena Jeliuing
Anuar Yassin Khan
Wali Madihi
Loni Hj Jelani
Mazahar Khan
Haidar Khan
Bujang bin Omar
Huang Ai Ting'
Ling Ching Sin

Sun Lik Chin
Lee Lang Hui
Chung Choo Ting (Angela!!!!!)
Chong Yean Kee
Dara Bt Paee
Jok Ngau
Daniel Gassan
Paul Garau
Gaeraie bin Bakri
Ishak Ibuh

HAJI MOHAMMAD (Sorry at that time you were not Professor yet!!)
(Your address was 21 Main Bazaar Bintulu)
John Reba
Sana Kamarau
Paran Sibu
Garish Balang
Usang Malang
Edward Panggang
Heng Seng Yien
Hii Ngih Yung
Tie Yin Ming

Lau Ung Ngie
Wong Kong Hoo
Siti Rohani
Ramba Japong
Asoi Lukoi
Philip Belong Jau
Tom Jalong
Ann Tze On Yung
Liu Check Hong
Liew Keit Koing

Kong Meng Yu
Wan Ali Wan Yubi
Abdullah bin Piee
Liman Bin Bab
Buang bin Senea
Kiprawi bin Medin
Jaman binSamad
Wak Paran
Pasang Saging
Garawat Maran

Wan Imang
Merang Bilong
Anyi Joh
Guang Bangga
Merang Wan
Madang Langi (Kampong Lachau, Simanggang)
Hwong Kain Chin
Ann Scott (Father was William Scott)
Patricia Scott (as above)
Ngau Jalong

John Wanty(son of B.C. Wanty)
Laure McIntosh(daughter of G.L McIntosh)

The Night of the Anteater

2007-05-29T05:38:00.001-07:00

Boarding school food was definitely nowhere near mother's homecooked food.

Rice was the imported type, not quite similar to the hill rice we native boys were accustomed to. So we found the rice a little on the sourish side. The later,bulger wheat was given as aid to help the children of developing countries by the UNESCO and it was mixed with rice. Some students liked it and some did not. However,I rather enjoyed the fibrous carbo for a short while until I found it too effective as a kind of laxative (watch out for the story later). Many of the boys who ate too much of the bulger wheat could not make it to the loo and so often we boys who were in charge of the work parties had to work harder to clean the toilets.

I somehow never stop cleaning and washing toilets until today. It has become quite a compulsive, obessive habit of mine - to have clean toilets.

It is true that when food was cooked in big bulk, the taste, the colour, and even the form were very distorted. And on top of everything, the food was served in huge basins which could only be called wash basins by many Chinese families. We were served a basin of rice, a basin of fried fish, a basin of soup and a basin of vegetables, longbeans for example, usually for every meal.

In the first few years of boarding life, because there were fewer of us, plates, spoons were well laid out for us and we did not have to personally look after our own spoons and plates. In later years we had to carry out own plate from the dormitory. So before meal time, it was quite an amusing sight to see little boys and girls bringing their plate and spoon from the dorm to the dining hall.

These aluminium or enamal basins in which the food was servedcould be doubled as basins for baby baths, or for washing clothes ,in fact were very versatile. When old, worn out, cracking , and dented, they were used by many households as pots for growing of onions. Recycling was in fact a popular habit in those early years. Recycling is defnitely not jus t a western invention. (Today these basins have evolved into plastic basins. Schools in Sarawak are still using them.)

I still remember that our sourish rice went well with kangkong soup which were in long strands floating on top of oniony and garlicky water. Sometimes we had chicken soup which was watery with some salt and pepper with some brownish looking pieces of salted vegetables. We would have been over the moon if we had chicken or fish. For protein, we were given extremely overfried ikan kembong, or mackerel, or tinned sardines or tinned chicken curry besides chicken. Longbeans were really plentiful. And I believe that cabbage was quite a favourite amongst the students.

Now looking back, we did not complain that very much because we were just too happy to be receiving an English education. Each evening when we scrambled on to the long tables we were indeed imagining ourselves dining in the manors of the feudal lords of England! when we passed our vegetables we would remind ourselves that we were passing the rack of lamb and mint sauce would be coming up soon for our servings. We did have a lot of imagination at that time.

And as boarding school students, we would also be very most grateful to friends who were kind and fair during our meal times. William Phua and Samuel Agong were two gentlemen who had good table manners and eating with them was like eating with angels. There was no grabbing, no slurping, and we had our fair share. This was so important to me because I was such a tiny boy and I was very slow and steady in my eating. Many of us were indeed Oliver Twists in real life, without parents at all. It was quite a stroke of luck that we were well fed by the government in this way.

Besides, our lives were really controlled by the BELL. The call of the bell instilled in us the true essence of punctuality.

Then one Saturday evening, as we were watching the moon rising and breathing in the cold air, Gendin Wood heard a noise in the bush, and we , being very sensitive to sounds of wild animals and birds, were at once at attention. Being the most experienced in jungle life, I went out to have a check and lo and behold it was an anteater which must have got lost and wandered into the danger zone of hungry school children.

We caught the anteater. Being Saturday night, and having had our dinner, we decided to postpone our meal to the next day, a Sunday. Gendin, Ronnie Assim, Ting Hie Siong(the ever faithful Chinese boy in our group), Alec Kaboy and Philip tried to look for a box or anything to keep the ant eater in. We knew that it was too dangerous to let our hand caught by the anteater which may crush it by rolling its body around it. Somehow we managed to roll a concrete piping, left behind by the contractor to our hostel. It was fun looking at 6 Lower Sixth boys rolling a concrete drain pipe to the hostel. Having put the ant eater into the concrete, we still had to look for a cover, which Philip did eventually. That night we watched the ant eater trying to escape from the makeshift trap. It was really strong and it did attempt to push the slab over.

On Sunday, Ronnie being a staunch catholic led the Catholic students in prayers in the chapel next to the school.

I remember that it was after the service that we had a wonderful picnic outside my hostel room. The cleaning of the anteater was not easy, as we had to make do with a parang and a small knife. Philip as usual became absolutely literary about the killing.

Any way the anteater which was about 4 kilogram, was eventually chopped up, and ready for the pot. The meal was fit for a king and we remember this cook-out even until today. This is the kind of memory I have and no money can buy it for any one. This is the kind of memory that makes me feel like a king. and it is a kind of memory no one can steal from me.

The Night of the Anteater - it was the night of brotherly love, camarderie,esprit de corp....just outside the wooden hostel, a few Iban boys slaughtered an anteater,prepared it and ate it with relish....the smoke, the smell must have caused some of those rich kids to water in the mouth.

Anteater meat cooked our style is better than the satay of Kajang! For years Philip Assan thought about the anteater. When he was in England, often down and out, as all overseas students tend to be, this was one of the school stories that warmed his heart and encouraged him to go on. It still puts a smile on my face.

The mind is an amazing organ. At the most unusual moments, a memory like this would just change your mood for the better. A warm flush, and then happiness spreads through your soul and heart. The world is full of roses again.

Guys if you are reading this, this is for all of you who shared my moments in TLS. Cheers. Love you.

1963 Another 84 students joined TLS

2007-05-29T00:16:00.000-07:00

Yong Siew Yin
Chen Kok Chiong
Sim Hock Hoe
Wu Ying Ching
Lau Chiew Choon
Foo We Ru
Chia Siew Moi
Lai Nguk Soon
Liew Kim Foong
Voo Soo Chin
choo Mui Lan
Soon Mee Chong
Yuan Ah Fung
Lee Fai Yin
Sin Yiau Kuan
Wee Hang Chang
Susy Lee
Ting Huat Tung
Alphonsus Sia
Sie Yung Sang
Paul Ling Hwa Ing
Lin Kwong Ling
Lee Ting Leong
Lucas Chua
Thaddeus Demong
Naruddin Zainorin
Denys Lang
Chin Shin Lai
Lee Hock Seng
Lau Siaw Lian
Liew Ah Khiong
Wee Pek Tiak
Sim Seng Kwong
Poh Swee Lian
Lai Lian Hup
Chung Shin Chong
Lee Ming Sheng
Yip Chee Seng
Lau Seok Hong
Lee Sian Lan
Kong Moi Kwei
Chai Chan Fook
Chong Ted Chin
Chai Lian Hua
Arbie Zainuddin
Jampong Seliong
Micheal Elly Supit(Bawan Assan)
Mohammad Ahmad
Peter Hati
Philip Ganie
Rosenah Ahmad
Pui Kwei Yin
Michael Teo
David Chin
John Lau Chee Ching
Yong Chong Ping
Dominic Wong
Innocent Wong Pak Thai
Lankie Simbas
Mosco Rueben
Antony Najod
Sia Doo Yuen
Yunus Bin Masrah
Wan Lonhg bin Johar
Yunus bin Gani
Medahan bin Sibam
Matnor Nor bin Daim
Hajiji binti Abang
Attariah Rakami
Bernai anak Agai
Lauzi bin Jeraee
Hussin bin Sapit
Yousof bin Meran
Gaun Gurri (Limbang)
Ali bin Muip
Yahya Mutnor Sarrudin
Richard Lau Ming Hing
David Hung Tong Lok
Maimunah Rakawei
Baidah Shadon
Balentine Jubang
Joseph Muing
Tony Hung
Francis Kong
Linda Ruthe (daughter of Principal Mr. Ruthe)

Freda Kedung and Miss Au

2007-05-28T04:11:00.001-07:00

In this post, I will write about two important figures in my young adult life: Freda Kedung and Miss Au.

I often tell people that I thank God every day for Kedung Sakai.

She came in with all her Kelabit finery when she arrived to become one of the most successful students of TLS. From Bario, in the Kelabit Highlands, Freda was eventually to become head of Communications in Shell until she retired in the early 90's! By then there were more than 2000 Kelabit professionals all over Malaysia.

In many ways we all learned from each other and it wasn't at all survival of the fittest, the evolution theory of Darwin. I believed even at that time, we were quite democratic and yet communal. We helped each other out, especially when we had a friend like Joan Tze who was ever so helpful. Joan was one of the lucky girls who had a rich family. So she was very kind to all of us, including giving us some biscuits and food. We were like the Musketeers, one for all and all for one.

Freda was one of the people in my life who gave me a chance in life. In those days, we could not automatically enter Sixth Form. The Principal would make a list of the selected few, usually the top students. The cutting off happened to be one name above mine. So I wasn't "selected" and I was extremely saddened by it. For a few days I could not eat actually after the list was put on the notice board.

By chance Freda had other dreams. So she threw her entry form into the rubbish bin on the day the entry forms were distributed. William Laing, who already had his form, picked it up and I quickly snatched it from him. I was so determined to fill in that form that I was a little rude to him. But any way, I submitted the form and when my results which were better than most of the selected students, came out, I was given a place in Sixth Form.

That was the second miracle in my life. My first was my being selected for Primary Five in 1959 to attend TLS.

In future years I continued to thank Freda for throwing that form away.

My first memory of tissue paper came about this time, when Miss Au (Later Mrs. Kho) used tissue paper to wipe her face during one Chinese New Year when we visited her house. It must have been quite a challenge for a Chinese lady to cater for a bunch of very shy ulu (native and upriver) boys. For the first time I tasted some made-by-Chinese new year cakes. Miss Au was very compassionate towards us and that was we all loved her very much. It was not easy for us students to come across a generous and warm teacher like Miss Au.

Miss Au continued to teach geography in Miri until she retired and I am very appreciative that she taught my second daughter in St. Columba's before she retired. It must have been interesting for her to know that as a teacher who taught a period of more than 32 years she would have many opportunities to teach two generations of a family. She was always the same, she treated people really well. And I am very humbled by that. I wish more teachers are like her.

Her passing must have been really felt by all of us who were taught by her. All her students would miss her.

Kelabits and guitar music in 1962

2007-05-27T19:41:00.000-07:00

By 1962 I was already quite good at handling the guitar. We had several groups who plucked and strummed their guitars to while our leisure time away. I was then in Form Two.

One guy who came to school in 1962 was Jeffery Pasang Saging. We formed a neat group of band boys and sang all the popular songs of the day. JPS continued to be friends with me until today.

Being musically inclined, JPS was always around whenever a concert needed to be put up, or whenever we had time to singalong. JPS and so many of us had a lot of fun singing our hearts out and making music. If we had today's financial support, if we had a government that encouraged musical talents to be developed, we could have all made some records on a commercial scale.

JPS and Roland Dom Mattu, and several other Kelabits formed the famous Country Road Band and the Classics Band to play for many important functions in Miri by the end of the 20th century.

Their bands play on....

It was a pity at that time in the 1960's and 1970's that many people did not realise that music was a talent that needed to be developed. Some even considered guitar playing a waste of time!

Creative arts would be a premium...but unfortunately those of us who carried a radio or a guitar was not viewed too positively....why should entertainers be viewed as second class only?

And at a later date, the so called wild Beatles were invited to play their number for the Queen of England. In comparison, we native boys crooned our hearts out at the back of the wooden hostel in Tanjong Lobang school not knowing any better. The guitar is not a decadent musical instrument by all means.

I held on to my guitar....

And finally this year I was able to play my best at the Celebration of Brunei Legal Year in front of all the learned judges and the legal members of the Brunei Bar. What a unique moment it was for me to have come this far....in 1959 I was just a young 12 year old ulu boy who carried his torn mat, black rice pot and wearing something which was not even considered a shirt to start a new chapter of my life in TLS.

1961 Newly registered students

2007-05-27T19:21:00.000-07:00

The list of 88 students is as follows:

Abdul Ghani Sulaiman
Omar bin Puyon
Ramli bin Jaya
Hang Bin Morin
Kho Bee Choon
Wong Yun Min
Leong Nin Chang
Lee Jaw Luen
Kok Yung Seng
Yang Thian Seng
Chang Chan Teck
Chung Shu Chin'Yang Mei Lan
Cehn Yun Chin
Chin Hion Yee
Yip Chin Hua
Yau Chit Sing
Ting Pik Keing
Mak Lee Yun
Tiie Ching Yung
Mak Koon Kong(Sundar)
Peh Her Seng(Sundar)
Hong Lai Ho
Wong Sie Ting
Chin Kim Yu
\Mariat bin Wahar
Soo Kian Kiong
Ching Nei Chue
Lee Bing Kang
Wong Chang Yii
Yong Siew Moh
Turki bin Hamzah
SAMUEL TEO THIAN SOO (19 Main Bazaar, Limbang)
Abdullah b Mohd Noor(Limbang)
Abun Tadam
Ahmad Sulaiman(Limbang)
Ali Salleh (Limbang)
Asi Iboh
Ding Laing
Entemong ak Jerah (Limbang)
Heng Yee Yang (Limbang)
Imran Awang Sulaiman (Limbang)
Kidang ak Anggau (Limbang)
Lawai Ipoh
Lee Kheng Siong (Limbang)
Mostaffa Mahlee
Mustapha Doillah
Ramlee Piee
Wan Mohammad Wan Yubi
Kebing Wan
Jok Eng
Jok Imang
Abraham Saat (Limbang)
Ngau Jok
Suffiaf Deris
Ladis Pandi
Agan Rajah
Sedua Abraham
Bumiamin Khan
Abdulloah Aziz Khan
Awang Moh Annie
Jolhie Assar
Michael Jan Eng
Mohidin Seman
Razali Ahmad
Salleh Yusof(Limbang)
Said Mohidin (limbang)
Wasloeeb Ramblee
Zadil Bin Jeman
Zamiran bin Ujang
Salim Hj Ibrahaim
Aggan
Anchang Kana
Musa Giri
Abraham Baling
Maurice Bujang
Stephen Kuntain
Ahmad Saidi

Samuel Teo was a very different kind of person. He was different from the normal Chinese boy you met on the street. To me ,firstly he looked different. He had a good nose and he was very fair. He had a special air all distinctive by itself.

Whenever I saw him at the school, he would not be the guy who would cough and spit . He was quite a gentleman who minded his business and studied hard. I remember him being good at maths.

Coming from Limbang , he would be very close to the others from Limbang, like Tan Koon Kee (who went on to be Malayan Bank Manager and a good natured friend). I hope Samuel won't mind my memory of him...his departing remark was,"I am going to meet Jackie Kennedy!"

Many of our seniors between 1964 and 1968 would have the opportunties to sail to the United states and walk their American Dream.

I am sure Samuel would be distinguished looking, and charming as ever. Cheers...you are a lucky guy!

1961

2007-05-24T01:09:00.000-07:00

In 1961 88 students were registered in the school for the new year. But several left by the end of the year.

Among those who left in 1961 was Maurice Bujang, one of the most handsome Iban men I have ever known.

The other one was Stephen Kuntai who became a life long friend of mine. We continue to be meet up and we were really close we worked in Miri together many decades later. Somehow school can help us became firm friends and we seldom would change our feelings towards each other.

Stephen Kuntai was a Government cooperative officer until he retired in 1997 in Sibu. He and his wife have three children, Ian, James and Jenny. Stephen first started work in the ulu as a government servant and then he was later transferred to Sibu and then Miri where he worked for a long time. As a cooperative officer, he was always on the move to advise people on how to use the cooperative system to invest and upgrade their own lifestyle.

Cooperatives often work wonders in many countries. Perhaps they are just not too suitable to our people and our culture.Any way the government did make an effort to try to help the people. I always believe that our government has good ideas and is far sighted. Any progress however depends very much on how the local people accept the new ideas and move forward in their own steam. Some times the seed of change is planted but the idea does not take root and that is it then. No change can come about.

Abdullah Noor

2007-05-24T00:14:00.000-07:00

Abdullah Noor hails from Kampong Sekolah,Limbang and was registered as a student in 1961. by that time I was in Form One and already three years in TLS. Thus we became friends and form mate in Miri. We struck off well together as we shared the same background in Limbang.

Being of Arab descent, he was tall for his age. He was fair as I was dark. He was like the day and I was like the night, when we kids became poetic as we gradually read more and more.

In later years we were to enjoy books from the library like the Prince by Marchiavelli, Twelfth Night and Mid summer Night's Dream and The Winter's Tale by Shakespeare amongst all the other classics. I remember Baijuri and Philip Assan being the best readers amongst us and they could quote chunks and chunks from these books to the envy of many.

Because we did not have other diversions (no tv, no radio even, no newspapers) we spent most of our time reading and entertain each other by quoting the classics.

Abdullah Noor remained a "brain" amongst us and it was no wonder that he became one of the first non Chinese engineers in Sarawak.

1960 name list

2007-05-23T21:43:00.000-07:00

1960 saw another 61 students arriving at the gates of TLS.

Joan Tze

Lee Kim Yin

Chang We Ming

ChenLee Yee

Tam Chi Kin

Wong Siew Jyu

Ng Ngeat Jin

WongSiew Chook

Chin Nyet Chyen

Shim Yee Chin
Kau Chin Hwa

Lee Nyuk Lan

Goh Beng Choon

Chang Chang Jet

Lee Chang Kok

Lau Chee Seng

Alice Chin Yuh Hua

Chih Hwa Chuong

Chai Tze Ming

Ang Boon Siong

Leong Yew Jen

Moh Mee Hing

Yik Siew Hong

Bau Chin Hung

Liaw Soon Ann

Liaw Kow Choi

Soh Huat Ming

Liaw Kee Kun

Chik Hun Hua

Yong Kui Hua

Uteh Binti Johari

Musafa Abang Omar

Zainal bin Ujang

Alice Shim

Anyi Laing

Benjamin Bakar

Chee Yee Toh

Long Yun Fah

George Liew

George Ngau Lian

Gurdarsahn Singh

John Benard Jolly

Lau Kok Hin

Leong Yee Chong

Mary Antonia Chapman

Matali bin Manap

M. Affendi Tready

Oaul Lee

Sharkawi Esmith

Sim Su Chai

Tommy Sia

Benard Tobing

Wu Song Boo

Gilbert Yeo Tiong Hee

Yong Kee Chau

Jenkin Cheung

Gilbert Jau Imang

Atta bin Pekok

Morshidi bin Beji

Jan - Dec 1959 Seniors

2007-05-23T21:33:00.000-07:00

To a young boy of 12, a form five boy was a giant.

I was fortunate in the sense that when I arrived at TLS I met up with the following who were in Form Five and were definitely someone to be reckon with. They were impressive, articulate,creative and charismatic.

Raphael Scott Abeng,Peter Boyer,Sulvester Juan,Danson Gayne,Abdul Wabab,Frank Apau, Leo Ambrose Iroke, Walter Chambers,ASlfred Jabu, Solomon Buyong,Hentry Jantum,Noel Hudson,Nicholass Ansie.

In just that year I got to know them and observed them really well. They were all fifth formers who were very studious and mature in their outlook.

The year passed very quickly and they went on their own ways - to become later, the great leaders who propelled Sarawak into a new phase of development. Whether their years in TLS had formed their visions, one would never know until we read their own memoirs.

1959 name list - Jail Langub

2007-05-22T23:04:00.000-07:00

By the end of 1958, 166 students had populated the school. Therefore TSL was considered a very small school with just a handful of teachers (mainly foreigners) . On the first day of the 1959 registration for the new school year, the school population rose to only 231 students, with more Chinese students from Bintulu,Sibuti,Limbang,Lawas,Miri andLutong,and Marudi.

The school continued as a small school that year. Thus it was not very much of a cultural shock for a boy of 12 to come from a one room school with 12 boys and two teachers. A cultural shock would be the one felt by a Penan boy, for example, if he came from Ulu Limbang to attend a fully residential school with a population of 1800 Muslim students,where food,religion,outlook,mannerism,teaching methods, language and attitudes would be totally different and to the extent of being uncomfortable.

These are the names that I have with me. If they are willing to update this with extra information, they are most welcome. It will make my day and revisit the day of our registration. They were registered together with me on 19th January.
Mong bin Ramli, Lutong
Gabriel Uking, Long Palai Baram
Chang Yong Ngai, Miri
Chen Shick Pei, Lutong
Chong Kai Tung, Puyut,Baram
Choo Lian Yin, Sibuti
Chu Dan Shie, Miri
Cheng Chun Min, Miri
Chung Lee Chong, Miri
Hii Hui Ing, Bintulu
Huong How Yieng, Puyut
Huong Keng Tuong
Hwong You Chyen, Baram
Koh Kim Geok, Miri
Kho Poh Ting, Limbang
Lee Yueh Kui
Kong Sui Ping
Leong Yee Pan, Miri
Liaw Aik Kua, Lawas,
Liaw Watt Chua Lawas
Ling Ching Lang
Phang Khin Chat
Puang Mee Yeng, Sebauh, Bintulu
Song Chee Seng, Miri
Tan Khoon Kee, Limbang
Tang Yok Mee, Miri
Voon Siew Nam, Miri
Yee Chee Fatt, Lutong
Uee Kim Eng, Miri
Yeo Kheng Fatt, Miri
Yong Wei Yan,Miri
Abi Omar, Sibuti
Ahamd bin Sabeng,Miri
Aloysius Lisu,Baram
Dayang Kamariah Jalil, Limbang
Ganang Ibuh,Long Lellang
Idang Yamoh, Brawang Limbang
Jail Langub, Long Semado
Joannes Dian Anyi
Kadri bin Junaidi
Kedung Skai
Kirprawi Ahmad
Masleh bin Mess
Msulim binAbd.Latip
Sahari bin Besar
Sakai Rugu
Samual Agong
Saran Singa
Sawan ak Jiram
Sunang ak Impang
Laman bin Shaikumar
Yassin bin Maksin
Yundor ak Tabang
WilliamLaing
Zainal Abidin bin Mat
Zainab Mahmud
Zainal Bin Tuah
Lian Ngerong
Sile Ngerong
Bakar Matasan
Md Zain Makktor
Pahang Lah(for some reasons Pahang Lah left on 12/2/1959)
Daud Ibuh

Many of these group left in 1962 or 62 after their Sarawak Junior Exams. Those of us how passed we continued in Fourth Form. Those of us who completed our HSC would have stayed 9 years in our beloved Tanjong Lobang School. It was an enriching and memorable journey of learning.

Kidang and boys' fight

2007-05-22T19:53:00.000-07:00

When boys are in school together, it is impossible to stop them from fighting at certain moments of their lives. Animals tumble in playfulness and lose their temper. Human beings banter with each other and start pointing a finger. More often than not, a small incident could trigger a fight between two boys.

I was small and easily bullied by any one around. I am not saying that I allowed these bigger boys to bully me. To bully another person comes naturally to a lot of boarding school boys, probably due to the fact that we are living in very close proximity. Like chickens in a coop, there is a pecking order. I was then the smallest and darkest of the little boys and definitely I was at the bottom of the pecking order.

The feelings of the haves and the have nots were already very well developed during our hostel days. Boys from a certain community from the urban area were well endowed and they would make their milo and talk about anything right into the night and even early hours of the day. The other boys who had nothing for snacks would try to sleep in order to contain their hunger. But unknowingly, or knowingly, these richer boys would talk and talk, and very often louder and louder. Usually I found it very difficult to sleep, not when I felt the hunger pangs;not when I could hear the deliberate loud stirring of a metal spoon in a tin cup and not when I could smell the fragrance of milo floating dreamily across the hot humid hostel air. Then my mouth would water when I heard the loud slurps. It would be many years later when I could afford to buy a tin a milo. The long deferred satisfaction of a great longing was almost unbearable.

(In later years when I had to teach my children not to make a lot of noise when they make a drink.....Go gentle into the night...and don't make a lot of noise when you make a drink.. and don't slurp..."

How did all these tie up with Kidang?

Kidang was my uncle by blood and we came from the same area. Being a bigger person in built and a natural fighter , he was often the protector of the small Iban boys around him. One day ugly words were exchanged between the different racial groups and a fight ensued. Being the smallest boy I was the one picked on by the bigger Chinese boy (perhaps as an example, or perhaps I was the nearest to him). I was picked up by the collar by the boy and every one jeered at me, the victim. Kidang came in just at the right time and punched the Chinese boy. The two fought very well indeed as I remember, better than the World Wrestling Federation episodes that I was to watch from 1968 onwards in West Malaysia.

What ever were the real reasons for that fight, the atmosphere was definitely not cordial and I remember Kidang saying,"Don't lay your fingers on any Iban boys. Fight with me first."

Kidang was very muscular and he was not afraid to show his almost Mr.Universe body. He also walked tall and proud. As fate had it, he was not as lucky as most of us. As he did not pass his Sarawak Junior, he joined the Field Forces the following year. He rose to the rank of Captain but very sadly he was shot dead by the Communists in 1968 in Sibu. Thus he could be considered the first Iban martyr of the century for not only the nation or merdeka but also against the communist. I do not think he was ever decorated or his family rewarded for sacrificing him in that way, at such a young age.

Iban families lost a lot of their able bodied young men at the prime of their life. The old parents were often unaware of their rights and they continued their hand to mouth existence until the end of their days without complaining. Their attitude was such that their sons were heroes of the day for the government. That sense of pride was enough.

If you ever visit the longhouses in the interior, you could still see the faded pictures of the Agong, Tunku Abdul Rahman, Tun Razak and Tun Hussein on many walls. These pictures would not be framed but they would be literally NAILED to the wooden walls! The Ibans are very patriotic in fact to the idea of Malaysia.

The Well Loved Cikgu Yusuf Hanipah (Now Datuk)

2007-05-22T19:11:00.000-07:00

Cikgu (now Datuk) Yusuf Hanipah and my good friend (now Datu Haji) Photo by DHajiM during a recent investiture ceremony..

From 1959 to 1965 we were taught (mentored and brought up to be exact) by a wonderful teacher called Cikgu Yusof Hanipah. We as a bunch of boys then were delighted to have an "adult" sharing our lives. He lived in a one room with bathroom attached annex at the end of our hostel block.

In every way, he was the perfect adult any child would have trusted. In the most simple ways, he led us, he consoled us outside the classroom. In the classroom he taught us English and Bahasa Malaysia.

At that time we did not know that he was still trying to pass his Form Five privately. But we knew that he was studying right into the early hours of one or two. His little light in his room would be on. This example was extremely important because we learned to be hardworking like him....to study well into the night.

It was probably 1962 that he went to Scotland to take up some diploma studies and we missed him a lot. A year later he returned much to our delight. We did not want to lose such a wonderful teacher.

He was a true counsellor, even though we knew that he was not qualified . At that time, a piece of paper did not matter much, as long as the government accepted him it was ok with the school.
He was definitely a top notch counsellor. And we all confided in him, not that we had lots of problems. But it was definitely part of rite of passage that little boys would be able to talk "man to man" with an adult. We learned to be articulate and clear in thinking like him by socialising with him.

He mentored us by relating to us like a big brother, telling us stories about his own impoverished childhood as a result of the early death of his parents. As an orphan he had to struggle in the poor rural Mukah to get an education.l It was also by dint of hardwork that he made it to Form Three and then when he became a teacher, he had almost reached his dream.

He showed us that if you could walk your dream, the pot of gold at the end was yours. His later life would show every one how true it was for him, but not for many of the others.

In later years long after he left the school in 1965, we still continue to be on the lookout for news about him:how he became an Education Officer in Sibu, how he went to the United States to get his PhD. and finally becoming the Mayor of Kuching North.

So to little boys an older brother who could cross religious and cultural barriers would definitely have an impact on their lives. Many of us owed our journey in education to the teaching of a very great teacher like him. His career and success would be difficult to emulate.

Perhaps he is what many people would say,"He was born under a special star." A Buddhist would say, "It's his kharma."

1963

2007-05-20T02:02:00.000-07:00

1963 August 31.

I was a Form three student and by August most of my classmates and I were already revising for our Junior Sarawak Examination, which was very important to us. We had to make it to form four by all means and I was especially determined to do so. Being small in size I was often picked on by other boys and that made me even more determined to do better than others.

Then there was this new political situation, called the formation of the Federation of Malaysia. We did not foresee very much at that time, and we did not even realise that we would slowly lose the best of our white colonial teachers. However I could feel that there were elements of anxiety and apprehension in the staff room. I did not realise that 1963 was truly a significant political and social milestone in the history of Sarawak.

Our teachers were a good bunch. We had very British, and very colonial teachers. who were mainly from New Zealanders and Britain. they were definitely good, know their subject matter like the back of their hands. And I remember they treated us very well. The rest were Indians, Malays and a few Chinese.

By the way, most of us did pretty well that year and we went on to fourth form. The school was changing too.

Some who left us "changed" after they had been with us for three years, from Form One to Form three. Those of us who were left slowly changed too, as we were taught informally that school was an agent of change.

The formation of Malaysia promised us better education, a fairer government by our own people. It also promised us that Sarawak, Sabah andSingapore would be well protected and given lots of benefits.To my young mind, it was a promise that should hold true.

Although many of us were to live our dreams, some , as natural as our environment had to live there nightmares.

Starting from 1963.we began to hear about Confrontation, the North Kalimantan Communist Army, and our relatives who had joined the Border Scouts killed in cross fires.

1962 Chellenga,Sia Pei Hoon,Aminah Lampam

2007-05-17T01:32:00.000-07:00

In 1962, more girls appeared in TLS and foremost in my mind was my relative, Chellenga.

Chellenga was a very determined young lady at that time and she set her sights high. I knew that she aimed at becoming someone in life. She wanted to be educated to the best of her abilities. Life was not easy for someone from the rural areas.

This was the year before Malaysia was formed.

The atmosphere was full of tension and most of us were not so sure of things around us. But what we did was to study very hard.

When the Iban girls got together it was a very warming to the heart of a Form Two boy who did not have much in the mind. The other Iban girl was Halena Jeluing who also arrived in 1962.

In later years Chellenga went to teach in an Australian school in Katherine where she raised three children, Austin, Mark and Sura with her husband, Holt Thompson. The family would often come back to Bintulu and Miri to visit old friends.

When someone is back from overseas, the ex-TLS students would have the opportunity to have a get together.

Thus Rosalind Assan, Johnny Bana, Chellenga, Joan Tze would have a chance to meet up, bringing along our bunch of children. It was comforting to be with old friends. And Chellenga would be most happy to meet up with us.

Once Holt bought a chainsaw to bring home and we were really delighted by his down to earth attitude. We also found out that Chellenga grew mangoes in her backyard and sold them in the market.

Gabriel Uking

2007-05-15T00:31:00.000-07:00

Gabriel Uking, from Long Palai, Baram joined TLS in 1959.

He was a strong boy, very humourous, very humble. And definitely, perhaps because of the Kenyah genes, he was very athletic. As a footballer, he was a star to reckon with in the field.
Unfortunately we were not blessed with capital and great coaches to bring about a leading team of footballers. But nevertheless, Gabriel Uking led a very strong team of footballers. We could not afford the proper boots. Most of us played in our bare feet. As we were too poor to buy football jerseys, it was therefore quite a common sight to see shirtless boys playing football in the hot sun in the 50's and 60's. We did not have Parent Teachers' Association those days to sponsor our sports gear.

Likewise we did not have many material things. One football was all we had to keep us occupied in the evenings. So we played football! Boys from Primary Five to Form Five (and later Form Six) played football, talked football and dreamed of football.

Gabriel Uking and I shared a love for midnight movies. The Miri Theatre put on two shows on week days and five shows at the weekends. Midnight shows were extremely popular. Tickets were $1.50,$1.00,50 cents or 30 cents. Sometimes cheap matinees would be announced to the delight of the public.

We native boys were given the opportunities to work for our teachers for some pocket money , soap or cakes. One particular weekend we need some money, actually 30 cents each only. We went to our respective teachers to ask for work. I was fortunate enough to have some work lined up for me. And I remember Gabriel also got a job and was delighted.

Half way through the afternoon the teacher asked Gabriel, "It is hot, isn't it?"

Gabriel being a very ulu boy where the culture did not include discussing the heat of the day, whispered to me,"Why ask such a stupid question? It is hot...full stop! Why the doubt at the end of it? "This little episode still makes me laugh today.

By evening we had finished our work with a flourish and our excitement and anticipation heightened. But to our disappointment, we were paid in kind! I was given a toothbrush and a cake of soap and Gabriel was given a small towel. In his exasperation, Gabriel exclaimed, "Don't they know that we only wanted 30 cents for our midnight movie!!"

That evening we walked the 5 miles to watch the midnight movie. We sat in the third class seats and had to tilt our heads backwards to watch the big screen, which was almost overhead. But nonetheless, it was a great midnight movie . We would suffer a neck ache for one or two days. But life was fuller and better for it! After the show, we trudged back through the GCM fields, passed the Brighton Beach, trekked up the hill and finally reached the school about 3 in the morning.

Pal, if you are reading this blog, I would like to say thanks. My life has been richer because you have a share in the tapestry.

More stories soon!

1960

2007-05-14T23:54:00.000-07:00

In 1960 another new batch of 67 students joined our ranks. Heading the girls were Joan Tze ,Wong Siew Jyu and Chang Chung Jet. These three ladies remain fast friends till today.

The others were Moh Mee Ing,Uteh binti Johari (the sister of Rabiah Johari),Alice Chin and Mary Chapman.

One good thing about having some girls in our midst was the "extra food"we could get from them. Whenever these girls did not have any appetite to eat, they just passed their food to our tables and we would just accept the extra blessing with glee. Eating together in the school dining hall was exceptionally interesting and warm. Our food was good, and we were very well trained by the Principal and the matron. We had good biscuits and drinks during breaks and a special night cap before we went to sleep. But unfortunately, after 1962, the food scenario took a turn for the worse, which perhaps was due to the larger school population or otherwise.

The dining hall scenario did not have any parallelisms with "Oliver!" definitely. Malay , natives and Chinese boys and girls got along well. Whether there was any undercurrent of dissatisfaction, I did not feel it in the first three years of my school life in TLS. So what Mr. McCormick said was true,"TSL was a paradise for learning."

The girls of 1960 also added more spice to our lives. Joan was very motherly from the beginning. Siew Jyu was just so brilliant in her students. Moh Mee Ing was a determined girl who wanted to study and do well. We later learned that her father was an educationist and expected her to do well. Apparently Mr. Moh in Bintulu spear headed a lot of ideas about running schools and getting Chinese school established. He was determined to bring good education to the immigrant Chinese children. Somehow being a hardworking man, he earned a lot of money to help establish the local Chinese primary school.

Thus by 1960, the school had grown to about 300 strong student population with classes from Primary Five to Form Five.

The school was slowly taking shape too. As progress continued we were very proud that the trees we planted were growing bigger. The new buildings were coming up prettily too. The teachers' quarters were on the eastern side, and the hostels in the south. Two fields have been constructed by then, with the help of school children. The boys went further down the bay area to cut turf to surface the football and hockey fields. I continued to water the causaurina trees, especially those around our hostel.

In the 1990's many of our trees were cut down by order of the Principal then for fear they would be uprooted by the strong winds from South China Sea and destroy the buildings under them.

It was very heartbreaking for me to see those trees planted by us,scrawny little native Primary Five or Six boys who were no taller than five feet,cut down. Thus when I saw the tree stumps I was really upset. ..but being me, any rainforest tree that is fallen and is replaced by another acacia or imported palm, I feel a great pain as if I have been stabbed in the heart. I have loved those dear trees all my life!

1959 gas irons and Ding Seling

2007-05-13T23:39:00.000-07:00

Ding Seling was in charge of teaching the new comers how to use the gas irons for ironing. He patiently taught us how to get the gas in and wait for the hissing sound and then light it up. The lighting up of the gas iron was often a very high anxiety moment. But most of us managed with great skill after a few attempts. I would always be grateful to Ding because he was a very patient and compassionate teacher. Having come to the school one year earlier, he was so much more knowledgeable and street wise than I.

There were three gas irons kept in the hostels for ironing purposes. I slowly learned that ironing was an important school chore because our trousers had to have a crease after they were washed and starched.

Please note that gas irons were probably only found in TLS and Miri. In other parts of Sarawak I understood later that folks used charcoal irons. In fact using a gas iron or charcoal iron and starching clothes are actually very archaic skills and not many people today have them.

In order to make starch we had to heat up the water with an adquate amount of cornflour until it turned into a gluey kind of consistency. I learned to do this in the little kitchen attached to the hostel. Once the starch was made, I had to put my trousers into the mixture and let them soak for a while. The trousers would then be wrung dry and then hanged on the clothes line to dry.

On a sunny day, our trousers would be as stiff as manila card paper! Some kids might over do the starch a bit and their trousers could even stand upright on the grass! I had a lot of fun washing my clothes. To this day, laundry is still one of my best skills.

Most of the senior boys had their trousers ironed with one single and straight crease in the front and at the back of each trouser leg and the school took pride in grooming them well. It was also the "must do" thingy then: to wear white cotton trousers which were clean, well starched and ironed. When one was far away from home and in a new culture, one was forced to acquire new skills as quickly as possible. I found that by being the same as the others, I would be able to share a new identity with them. Soon I learned enough laundry and other housekeeping skills to be accepted by them.

Some great stories from TLS are associated with the gas irons. So more later.

1959 Mr Hicks and his car

2007-05-13T19:23:00.000-07:00

The 1959 intake consisted of some students who stayed two years only.

One outstanding student who stayed two years was Zainab Mahmud. She was the loveliest girl of the batch. Charming and kind . All those who met her just could not but be impressed by her. She put her address as Kampong Marlan, Miri.

Abi Omar and Tang Yok Mee were the other two who stayed for two years.

Pahang Lah some how stayed only for a year. I will put him in another post later.

Several other memories come to my mind.

There were a number of Form Five boys when I arrived. A few befriended me, especially Noel Hudson, who supplied me with OMO and in return I washed his sarong. Noel by comparison was a very rich student and he could send his clothes to the dobi in town. His mother had made arrangements for his laundry to be done privately and I was his "house boy" with a task to wash his sarong once a week. I remember Noel for his kindness and his apparent wealth. Washing a sarong for a young gentleman of means was nothing to be ashamed of. In the following years of my school life I learned what it meant to be hardworking, and what it meant to look for some pocket money.

But the most impressive excitement was Alfred Jabu, a Form Five boy, driving Mr. Hick's car. That was quite something for the student population and especially for a poor boy from Limbang.

Alfred Jabu was a personable person and he had gained a lot of favour with Mr. Hicks, an English man who was a beloved principal at that time. Mr. Hicks ate his meals with the students and that really had an impact on me. In later years when I became a principal of Sedaya, I had meals with my students. It was one of the best ways to get to know one's students and the meal services of the school.

Alfred Jabu was allowed to drive Mr. Hick's car whenever Mr. Hicks needed his service. The car was a wood framed "caravan" or station wagon, probably a forerunner of the present Prado or Pajero. My classmates, little boys in Primary Five, would watch our big brother driving the car along the road. Some of us even ran after the car to spur him on! I remember doing that several times, and it was fun. That was the nearest I could get to Mr. Hick's car.

This kind of behaviour, running after a car, continues to be seen throughout the world. Sometimes in the Travel and Living Channel, I could still see occasionally little African or Indian children running after visitors' vehicles. That would jolt my memory and I would see Mr. Hick's car being driven by Alfred Jabu right in front of me.

Today, many children, would line the airport, to welcome the now Tan Sri Datuk Pattingi Alfred Jabu and the revered Chief Minister whenever they pay an official visit to Miri. He probably knew then what he aspired to be. Or has his life been charmed all along?

Mr. Hick was a loveable chap. Although he looked terribly old to us small children then, nevertheless we looked up to him . Some of us even thought that he was God.

He never tucked his white cotton shirt into his shorts. And I never saw him wearing long trousers. He wore knee length stockings and nice shoes. It was his mannerism that impressed all of us. His body language was good and we knew that he wanted to teach us well. So with that kind of respect for him, we tried our very best to study and be what he wanted. Unlike the present day students, we never gave him any challenges. We were more than just student population to him. We were the souls that he had to save and improve!

Because he liked to exercise in the bay area, we name the bay, Hick's Bay, for him.

Our activities in Hick's Bay will be related in another post.

To this day, my friends and I would still regale with laughter our days and life under Mr. Hicks. 1959 was a good year. And here I would say, Mr. Hicks! What a guy! What a car! In my son's language, yeah, Mr. Hicks was cool!

Birthday greetings

2007-05-11T19:04:00.002-07:00

A belated birthday greeting to Voon Siew Nam (6th May) and Ling Liong Wei whose birthday falls on 9th May. Walter Chamber's birthday is on 15th May while Frank Apau's is on 18th May.

Birthday greetings were a rarity at that time. Teachers did not come in to "sayang" the birthday boys and girls like today's teachers. My son went to a school in Tukau and his form teacher helped each child to celebrate his or her birthday. That was a good year for him. Parents chipped in by sending boiled eggs and a small birthday cake. In the 1980's teachers were trained to instill moral values through activities like celebrating birthdays and sharing of gifts during festive seasons.

In our days at Tanjong, many of us did not even know our birthdays! When we registered ourselves, we brought torn and tattered birth certificates (some did not have any I remember) and our Principal could not figure out the birth dates. Actually many of us who were born in the forties and fifties did not actually have birthdates because our fathers were illiterate and they did not understand the importance of birthdates.

To all those who celebrate birthdays, you are lucky to know exactly when you were born to your mothers, I can say Happy Birthday always.

But to all those who were born but would never know the exact dates of your birth, we belong to another faraway culture of yesteryears. (sigh) We have other things to worry about and value. On the bright side, we can be as young as we wish, or as old as we wish!

More to come.

Birthday

2007-05-11T19:04:00.001-07:00

I would never remember ever having my birthday celebrated in school. But every meal I had was a celebration of some sort.

But I remember having my first meal with a family in Limbang. I believe my father brought me to his Bisaya friend's home for that meal. For the first time I had fried mee din. Iban cooking at that time was very oil-less. Much of our food was just boiled in water and a little bit of salt. Any technology attempted would be the use of bamboo or pansur style of cooking.

Thus my first stir fry was a very significant moment in my life. It was also a great encounter with fried ikan bilis.

Can you ever remember falling in love with stir fried mee din with ikan bilis?

I was then a little boy of 12, fresh from the ulu where fish jumped in clear waters and drinking water was just a scoop from a mountain stream. Coming to a big town like Miri was more or less a culture shock.

papaya

2007-05-11T19:04:00.000-07:00

I was introduced to papaya for the first time in my life during my first journey to Miri.

The Bisaya family served me papaya. I saw the reddish fruit with black seeds and I was so terrified of this unknown fruit that I could not eat it.

I truly believed that if my family had not served me this fruit before in the longhouse, I was not to eat it.

I still chuckle when I remember this incident. In later years, papayas became my all time favourite fruit.

Sakan Belarak

2007-05-11T18:51:00.000-07:00

Sekan Belarak is actually Kiput from Long Tutoh, Baram. I remember him warmly because he was such a big loving brother to all the young boys in the school.

Sakan was in Tanjong Lobang school from 1957 to 1961. Thus in many ways, he was in school long enough to make a mark. We all looked up to him because he was a warm and straightforward leader. It was his personality that drew many of us near him. He was also protective and most important of all he was very articulate in expressing needs and anxieties. In a special, quiet way, he was actually playing the role of a peer counsellor. How natural it was for him!

From then until today his place in the ulu Tutoh is full of meandering rivers and ox bow lakes teeming with fish like tapah, semah and patin. From his area also comes Simon Jelan, our "school enemy" because Simon a Kiput represented St. Joseph in sports and games and Tanjong Lobang boys never seem to be able to beat him in the sixties.

Those of you who remember Simon, you would remember him as our number one enemy in football and the tracks. Today he is a very successful business man in Brunei but he is leading the Kiput Association in Miri.

We continue to hold a lot of respect for the Berawans or Kiputs until today for their skills in sports and outdoor activities.

Today Sakan lives in Miri with his family and grown up children. His kampong is still a great paradise to visit, just about two hours by express from Marudi.

Birth certificates

2007-05-11T18:37:00.000-07:00

At a very young age I was very aware that many of us did not have birth certificates.

There were several reasons why we did have any.

Those of us who hailed from Ulu Baram were brought down by the Education Department to study in TLS. Births were not registered at all when babies came into the world.

Most births were handled by village midwives or traditional doctors. And in fact names were given according to our own cultural systems. Many of us had our cultural names.

It was later when we accepted Christianity or other religious that we adopted new names. I was Sawan anak Jiram and when I became a Catholic in Miri, I adopted Christopher as my baptismal name.

My birth certificate was a late registration so I am not quite sure if my birthday was authentic. But my father was educated enough to have my birth certificate made in Limbang. All my brothers and sisters did get their proper birth certficates without much trouble.

Today most rural children would face a lot of trouble if their parents did not register their births properly.

1959 January 19th

2007-05-10T20:05:00.000-07:00

64 students were registered for the new year of school in 1959.

I was proud to be one of them.

How did I , at 12 years of age, from Ulu Medamit, Limbang, come to study in Tanjong Lobang School, Miri, miles and miles away from home? In fact every one of us who came to Tanjong Lobang before 1960 would have a great story to tell.

I feel that mine is therefore a story worth telling.

One day in 1958 while I was studying in the one room school house in Medamit, my teacher Cikgu Bejit, told me that I had to sit for a qualifying test so that I could be selected to study in Miri. I was about 12 at that time but was placed only in Year 4, hence I was already a few years behind the normal school age. I started Year 1 at the age of 9 when almost all other students in Sarawak would have started Year 1 at the age of 7.

The other boy who was selected for the qualifying test was Sunang and I will tell his story in another post.

The test was made up of English and Mathematics and it was held in another school. In my innocence, the test was easy and I finished answering all the questions within fifteen minutes, much to the amusment of the white man who was in charge. I believe until today, he was Mr. McCormick, the Education Officer of Fifth Division at that time.

God must have been very kind to me because it was not every day that an Iban boy from Medamit, about two days' journey by longboat then from Limbang town, could be given a chance to study in Miri.

But then the Sarawak Colonial Government at that time had a special program to help the native boys . This was to enable native children to gain a place in a good government school which offered boarding facilities and especially good teaching. Tanjong Lobang school was built by funds given by the New Zealand Government to meet one of the then colonial government's development objectives.

Had it not been this program, I would probably be just a rubber tapper today or at the most a government clerk (at that time every one wanted to be an SAO or Sarawak Administrative Officer)

Indeed I passed brilliantly and I was told to go with my father to Limbang town to get ready to go to school in Miri by January the next year.

So in January 1959, my father took me to the Education Office which was housed together with the Resident's office. I remember Mr. McCormick telling my father in his heavily accented Malay that Tanjong Lobang was like a heaven for boys to study and he did not have to have any anxieties about me. Every thing would be arranged properly and I was to be in good hands.

My first journey to Miri would be by boat , the Aline, to Brunei and I was to go with the others who I later found out was a Malay boy and a Chinese girl and another Chinese boy. Abu Bakar Matassan, Tan Poh Tin, Sunang and I were selected from amongst all those who set for the qualifying exams for this 1957.

I don't quite remember the first time I met Tan Koon Kee , our senior, although I still remember him being a nice Chinese gentleman.

In retrospect, how our three lives (Abu and Poh ting and I) were interwined in the past 50 years! Abu and I cannot be too far away from each other, we seem to be orbiting around north Sarawak! Then Poh Ting and her husband Phang Chung Shin have always been our best friends.....

Here is an amusing anecdote about my first pair of school shoes. In August 1958, my father received a letter, stating that I was selected to attend Tanjong Lobang School in Miri and I had to have the following :
1. one pair of white canvas shoes,
2. 2 pairs of socks,
3. a blanket
4. one pillow
5. some pencils
6. some exercise books
7. some pocket money
8. tooth brush
9. a cup or glass
10. one plate
11, two white shirts
12. two pairs of dark blue shorts

and other personal effects.

Till today I have would get a good laugh when I tell my friends how my father and I went looking for a pair of canvas shoes in Limbang. You see at that time, canvas was not a vocabulary in any one's language. The helpful Chinese towkay of the shop said that canvas was velvet.

There was a pair of black velvet shoes in his shop but it was one size too big. any way my father, being an "obedient servant of the government" bought that pair of shoes. So without knowing much, I proudly took my beautiful black velvet shoes to Tanjong Lobang School. That made me an instant hero in the school!

For more than fifty years of my life, since then I would be caught chuckling about this....hahahaha.....velvet shoes...Sawan wore velvet shoes instead of canvas shoes....

By the way, a few days later I did get a pair of canvas shoes in Miri...that's another story.

Back from the digression, Abu,Poh Tin and I got on to the boat call Aline and as the boat sped off, I could see my father standing on the wharf looking straight to me, almost emotion-less as was his character. I was waiting for him to wave but he did not.......It was the first time for me to be on board to large coastal steam and I was truly choking inside.

On the other hand,the Malays were very smart and well dressed and they formed a big group by the river bank, waving at Abu and his elder brother, Mohammad, who was already a student at Tanjong Lobang. they seemed so organised and ready for the send off. I was full of respect for their clothes and good turn out. In comparison, my father stood alone, being the only Iban father sending off his eldest son, was in a corner , trying not to show any emotion at all. I was beginning to feel awful inside and had just wanted to go home with him. My longhouse kins men and women would not have known the significance of a send off.

As I am writing this post,I can still smell the diesel from the hot and noisy engine and hear the loud din the engine was making. Poh Tin was crying by herself and Abu was looking very sheepish. The water was churning away as we moved further and further away from Limbang town.

I remember that I watched the shore becoming darker, trying to figure out where my father was standing...until he was just a dot on the bank of the river. And finally I had to look at something else to occupy my mind.

The pangs of homesickness were already starting inside me as I tried to notice the newness of the coastal boatm the smells, the hardness of the steel structure and the paints. My life would never be the same again. I knew I have left the one room school house behind. I was just 12 years old.

Our boat ride ended in Brunei, where some government officers looked after us and brought us to the bus belonging to Awang Damit Transport Company. Somehow I can really remember that day as if it happened only yesterday.

The wooden topped bus would take us by the sandy, beach road to Miri. Every year for the next 10 years I would make that annual trip to Miri by the same bus.

The road was bumpy and the bus was dusty and sandy as we moved along. I had the taste of sand in my mouth once in a while. This would be changed when progress set in years later.

At first changes were slow but towards the 70's and 80 changes were amazing!

1958 name list

2007-05-10T19:44:00.000-07:00

Baram Nalo, Ding Seling, Jacob Dungan,Johny Ragi, Grawat Ulu, Jok Ajeng, Jok Anyi, Karim bin Budin, Laing Jau, Lamban Sakalai, Ludan Kuleh, Mahmud bin Hamid, Masi Nael, Mahammad bin Hj Sabil, Musa,Cheng Yun Tong, Chen Yun Chian, Chiew Kie Hung, Chiew Kie Ing, Chong Hi Hua,Chong Song Laip, Chung Han Shan, Chung Siew Hyung, Deng Wang Kiew, Hii King leong,Hii Yii Eng, King Chiew Kiat, Ku Jong Ying, Huang Hing Tuong, Leong Man Wan, Leong Yit Lain, Lim Chong Hoi, Ling Ho Hui , Ling Liong Wei, Ling Kwong Yu, Ling Mee Yong.

These were the names in the register and I hope some of you readers would recognise them as your relatives and let them know.

Basically the Chinese boys played a lot of basketball in their little world, shielded by a common language. They were all in a bubble of their own, skirting around other lives and suspicious of alien intrusion. I suppose at that time, it was their way of surviving in a world removed from the grand nation of China. They were the spirited immigrant people who were looking for " a life" outside their homeland.

My children used to ask their mother how would an Iban teenager look upon visitors in the 1950's . She told them that probably at that time, which was pre-tourism days,the little innocent Iban teenagers would feel that they were "hosts" and they had to had to welcome the immigrant children and if these Chinese were to visit their longhouses they would have to be provided with kind and gracious hospitality. She was not wrong to say so as I remember it was typical of Iban perspective at that time. Did I feel very much of a "host" towards the Chinese students who came to Tanjong Lobang in the late 1950's?

Many years later I learnt about host as a biological term....and then that's another funny story.

Those were the days when we were young and gay, friends and not knowing at all what the future would bring. But thirty or forty years later, in the 21st century, we have moved on to the era of mobile phones,global migration,video conferencing and blogging.

Next year this batch of 1958 would be thinking of 50th anniversary of meeting at Tanjong Lobang...or would they wait until 2013 to mark 50 years after they have passed Form Five?
How would they put an anniversary date, based on what event? what time?

1958

2007-05-10T19:29:00.000-07:00

Chai Yeak Yun, Philip Lim,Phang Sam Fatt,Chong Tung Fatt, Ho Mok Yin, Dunstan Ludan,Kiprawi Sweasi,Pahphael Scott Abeng, Peter Boyer, Awangku Jaafari, Sylvester Juan, Ghazaili Ismail, Danson Gaygne, Abdul Wahab,Frank Apau, Leo Ambrose, Walter Chambers, Alfred Jabu Solomon Buyong, Noel Hudson, Henry Jantum, Nicolas Answer, Averil Rodegers, Mohammad Joni, Grace Tze, Liaw Leong Pei, Abdillah Hassan and Agan Kapong reported on 20th January 1958. Altogether 95 students reported for the second year after the Tanjong Lobang School was estab lished. This boosted the total school population to 165.

Phang Sam Fatt later became the Chief Librarian of the Miri Dewan Suarah Library and helped many children to become good readers. I brought my children to borrow books in the libary when they had to do their school course work.

The Dewan Suarah Library was something to reckon with in the 1980's and 1990's. Not many towns would have such a great building and such an array of books and magazines! When I looked at the facilities I would often think of the less well bestowed, the less fortunate students in the rural areas who would not have even seen more than 10 books in their life!

And then in the 1950's we had to be plucked out of the rural areas by some white men with grand ideas that this was the ideal way of creating a new generation of educated native boys and girls. Even though it would mean displacement and emplacement of children, still too young to be taken away from their parents, it was the only way.

I was like a wild mushroom plucked from Ulu Medamit and I had to find my own niche to survive. I had to live in a fragile environment but thanks to some gracious hands and gracious hearts I managed to bloom. I am sure many of my school mates felt the same about themselves, about their environment, about their school and their teachers.

Ding Seling

2007-05-09T23:03:00.000-07:00

A nice gentleman from Long Tebangan, Ulu Baram, Ding Seling was in the same batch of 1958 together with Jacob Dungah, Johnny Ragi, Grawat Ulun, Jok Ajeng, Jok Anyi, Laing Jau, Lamban Sakalai, Ludan Kuleh, Mahmud Haid, Mohammad Sabil, Taha Besar, Weng Ibun, Musa Tuan just to mention a few.

Ding was a tough boy and played football well. Later on in life, when we had television (circa 1968), I would picture seeing Ding playing for one of the English football teams, wearing red shirt and knee socks! I had a lot of admiration for him. As I was small in size I did not really matter in the football field. But those huge Kenyahs and Kayans were really a force to reckon with.

It was a pity that by the skills we had then, we would never made it to the state squad. But to this day, I still believe that these boys had the makings of great footballers if given the right food, right training and right guidance. It was a pity too that at that time we did not have a sports school like Bukit Jalil spur the native students on.

Ding Seling if you remember went on to be Senator and a respected educationist.

He is truly a man who qualifies to wear many feathers.

(Feathers for those of you who do not understand Sarawak culture are worn by native leaders who evolved from the community and rose to positions of great respect..the more feathers they wore, the higher their position would be. So paramount chiefs would wear many many feathers.)