In the year 1972, a bassist I became

As a Bassist in the USM or Universiti Sains Malaysia ( University of Science Malaysia) in Pulau Pinang in 1972. I am third from right .

Singing " Loving Her wa Easier" at BDA Anuual Dinner, 28 May,1987.
The accompanying band was called "Cakerawala" from Sibu.

In the year 1972, a bassist I became.  I was a young man full of life, hopes and aspirations.  To be a bassist in the university's pop band was something beyond belief.  It was by coincidence that the band was just formed and the band's leader by the name of Zainal was my coursemate.  He invited me to be the bassist which I agreed to even though my preference was to be a rhytmist.  Those days the band used to perform in the student's lounges and  open concerts in the unviersity compounds.  Needless to say my stage act has brought me many admirers and fans.  I still can recall many instances when years later the girls who graduated from the university  fondly recalled my version of "Rain" which I sang solo at the Chancellory open concert.  That song captivated many of them and really fell in love with the song the way I sang it and played it on the classical guitar.  My love of guitar and singing continued even after campus life.

 In 1975, I taught a few of the Form 4 and Form 5 boys of the BGSS (Bintulu Government Secondary School) to play guitar and sing for the main purpose of forming the first school band. To excite them further I rented a full set of electric guitars and drums from a local band called "The Rainbow".  The students were elated and very enthusisistic for the experience of playing the electric guitars, a novetly then.  Such was my interest in developing the students in their creative pursuits that many of them in their adult life fondly recalled the songs I taught them and the experience of playing in a pop band conveniently abbreviated as  "Kugiran" to mean in Malay ' kumpulan gitar rancak'.  In 1987,  I relished tremendously the magic moment on stage when I  sang the song " Loving Her was Easier" to a packed audience at the BDA Annual Dinner.  The VVIP at the dinner was the Chief Minster of Sarawak, Taib bin Mahmud.  There are many creative pursuits that form my personality but guitars and singing will always be in the top list of my favourites pastime.

Happy Malaysia Day, Sarawak.

Form 4 and Form 5 boys of the BGSS on the school stage with electric guitars - a novelty then - 1975.

(Note: This is the 3rd of my post on what it is meant to be a Malaysian as part of my writing contribution to Malaysia Day which will  to be celebrated on the 16th of September.)

In the year 1967, an actor I became

1969 as the
Government  Inspector

In the year 1967, an actor I became.  I mean how at the fragile age of 16 would I be so interested in joining the Drama Club while studying Form Four at  Tanjong Lobang School, Miri?  We set a wonderful tradition for the school by producing an English drama every year for the school as well as the  Miri public’s  enjoyment from 1967 -1969.  The school’s principal, Mr. Robert Nichol was an ardent lover of drama and in fact wrote or adapted a few of the plays himself.  The most well-known was the play “The Government Inspector” which made me famous  for my role as the, guess what? – the Government Inspector.  For many years later I when I bumped into many ex-Tanjong students they could vividly remember the night of the play when I had the audience in stitches.  I love acting for many reasons but mainly for the confidence-building, social interactions, disciplined training and a tool to improve one’s English.  The plays I took part during my Tanjong days were; ‘The Government Inspector”, “ Pillars of the Community”, “Charley’s Aunt” and “ Tamu di Bukit Kenny” (Malay drama). 

Years down the road, in 1975 while a teacher at the Bintulu Government Secondary School or Sekolah Menengah Kerajaan Bintulu, I produced a children’s theatre called “Dewi Bunga” in Bahasa Malaysia.  The play was performed at the school’s stage to much amazement of the audience who never had  seen a drama or play in which humans assumed  the characters of animals and plants.  I was so driven to stage the play that it did not matter that most of the expenses were borne by me.  I just had to make it happen.

I would expect that today , in my adult life, in this new millennium, there would be more plays staged in Bintulu or other towns in Sarawak for the public to see.  Alas, this is not the scenario.  In this respect the town has not build up a cultural life that can contribute ‘ soul ‘ to the town or city of the future.  We have laid down the foundations, and would love to see newer generations continue with a good tradition.

Happy Malaysia Day, Sarawak.

Charley's Aunt - list of actors and roles

Performers and officials from Tanjong Lobang College in a group photograph.  Date: 31 May, 1969.
The concert was named "Malam Lagu dan Drama", organised by the members of the college's Muslim League .
In the drama "Tamu di Bukit Kenny" I took the role of Bang Man.  The tall figure in the middle at the back row is our principal, Mr. Robert Nichol.

A Children Theatre entitled " Dewi Bunga" perfomed by students of Sekolah Menengah Kerajaan Bintulu in 1975.
The play was opened for the public as well as students to enjoy.

A page from my dairy..1969

(Note: This is the 2nd of my post on what it is meant to be a Malaysian as part of my writing contribution to Malaysia Day which will  to be celebrated on the 16th of September.)

In the year 1965, a footballer I became.

BGSS team, wearing dark stripe jersey in 1965 at BDC Padang, Bintulu.
I am at the center front row as captain of the BGSS team (Bintulu Government Secondary School)

1992

In the year 1965, a footballer I became.  Football has been my favourite game since primary school in the early 60's.  When I continued my schooling at BGSS or Bintulu Government Secondary School I became the captain  of its junior soccer team. In 1965 while at Form Two B, our soccer team won the final match  in the Junior Soccer Championship held to promote the game of football among the primary schools and BGSS, the only secondary school then at Bintulu.( see top picture)  My interest in football grew with the times and I continued with the game while I was a teacher in 1975 - 1977.  It was in the early 90's that I became the President of the the Bintulu Football Association (BIFA) which was affiliated with the Sarawak State Football Association. A major achievement while heading BIFA  was when the full BIFA Under 21 team was selected to represent Sarawak to compete  in Kuala Lumpur.  In October 1992, I was the organising chairman of the Sarawak State level "Sarawak Cup" held at the Bintulu Civic Centre.  The BIFA senior team won the prestigious championship title.  It was one of my proudest moments as a footballer and the President of Bintulu Football Association.

News cutting dated 25 October,1992 (Borneo Post)

 To be a President of a football club is basically a volunteer job. There's no salary to the post.   For the five years I headed the Bintulu football association I was assisted by very cooperative and hard working officials, members, coaches, referees, and team managers.  The Bintulu public especially the business sector was very responsive to our fund raising activities.  At the time when I decided to handover the Presidency to new blood, I left the association with a healthy balance of about RM 50,000 in its banking account.  I thought that was the best thing I could do to the association which  courted me to become its president in order to revive it just months before it was about to be de-registered by the Registrar of Societies.   Well, that is all history now.  During my time, Bintulu footballers were a much respected lot, and I felt great to be its President.  I guess it was those secondary school days as a footballer that made me love the game and the passion to lead Bintulu football to state and national level in later chapters of my life. 
Happy Malaysia Day, Sarawak.


(Note: This is the 1st of my post on what it is meant to be a Malaysian as part of my writing contribution to Malaysia Day which will  to be celebrated on the 16th of September.)