Monday, June 18, 2007

A Short History of TLS

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

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

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

Friday, June 15, 2007

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

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.

Tuesday, June 12, 2007

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

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

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

Friday, June 8, 2007

1969 3/3

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

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

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

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.