The School Matron - Miss McConkey

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.