This is one Malay guy whom I have lost for umpteen years but his name still lingers in my mind. We are at our sunset years but I am still looking for him. Where are you, En. Abu Bakar b. A. Razak?
Our childhood days were in Segamat, Johor. We became friends when we started work at the
Public High School. You left to join the Town Council but we still met in the evening for drinks at the Grand Hotel - the roof garden. This is also my place of accommodation. Life was hard in those days but we managed to go on happily.
You were ambitious and wanted to become an accountant, so you went to Perth, Australia. I remained at the same place and taught for several years before I finally joined DTC to become a government schools teacher. You had invited me to join you but financially, I just could not afford it. I admired your courage and guts to venture overseas without help from others. This is one of the Malays who is hard to come-by nowadays.
While you were away you wrote me a few letters but I could not response promptly owing to my workload as a trainee teacher. I had a lot to catch up because I did not have a strong educational foundation. I had to move about in search of cheaper accommodation as my fund
for the training was running low. We lost contact then.
At times, I used the old addrress of letters you sent me but there was no response. I supposed these addresses had become out of date. After my graduation, I was posted to a small village in Kelantan where I served for four years under dired condition. Now I had retired and stay in
Kluang with my wife.
My name is Lim Hong Kai, in case you forget. I am using this blog to find you. If luck is with us, someone may help to pass this message. If you`re still around, give me a surprise ?
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Bold action needed to raise confidence
After more than 50 years, we are still struggling to find a better education system for our children.
We need good and honest leaders to make our national schools the number one choice for all parents. To put it simply, politics, religion and race must not interfere in education.
The government must be bold enough to take action against any wrongdoer, irrespective of any political standing.
A clear message must be sent to offiicials and teachers who fail to carry out their duties: they must be sacked or transferred.
Bad attitudes need to be changed for parents to consider sending their children to national schools.
The Education Ministry must be serious about introducing Mandrain, Tamil and other languages in schools. Right now, these subjects are taught in a haphazard manner as there are insufficient quality teachers.
Trainee teachers must be made to take an oath of loyalty to the teaching profession.
Bring back the board of governors system which we had in the 1960s. They can help to keep the headmaster and teachers on their toes.
If all these issues can be addressed, there is no reason why pareents will not send their children to national schools.
Posted by Lim Hong Kai in nst.
dated 02 Oct. 2009.
We need good and honest leaders to make our national schools the number one choice for all parents. To put it simply, politics, religion and race must not interfere in education.
The government must be bold enough to take action against any wrongdoer, irrespective of any political standing.
A clear message must be sent to offiicials and teachers who fail to carry out their duties: they must be sacked or transferred.
Bad attitudes need to be changed for parents to consider sending their children to national schools.
The Education Ministry must be serious about introducing Mandrain, Tamil and other languages in schools. Right now, these subjects are taught in a haphazard manner as there are insufficient quality teachers.
Trainee teachers must be made to take an oath of loyalty to the teaching profession.
Bring back the board of governors system which we had in the 1960s. They can help to keep the headmaster and teachers on their toes.
If all these issues can be addressed, there is no reason why pareents will not send their children to national schools.
Posted by Lim Hong Kai in nst.
dated 02 Oct. 2009.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
So you think you`re a smarter driver.
Just like a lot of Malaysians, I happened to get stuck in the traffic jam after the CNY holidays. There was a 25km jam right from Seremban. Everyone was cursing, swearing and angry. What a waste of time.
As usual, there were the errant drivers who are over taking on the emergency lane. I am always
irritated to see these drivers speeding fast, thinking that there are smarter drivers. If you`re those drivers, this article is aimed at you. You`re dead wrong. Do you know the reason that is lane is designed for?
The highway is made of three lanes for cars to circulate. The left one is an emergency lane, specially for ambulance, firemen or other emergencies.
When you drive on this lane. like many of them, you are obstructing emergency services during a crisis. In such a situation, every minute makes the difference between life and death. If you can`t behave on the road, find another way to travel home. Please don`t increase the death toll on the road.
posted by Leon HCM city.
24 Feb,2010.
As usual, there were the errant drivers who are over taking on the emergency lane. I am always
irritated to see these drivers speeding fast, thinking that there are smarter drivers. If you`re those drivers, this article is aimed at you. You`re dead wrong. Do you know the reason that is lane is designed for?
The highway is made of three lanes for cars to circulate. The left one is an emergency lane, specially for ambulance, firemen or other emergencies.
When you drive on this lane. like many of them, you are obstructing emergency services during a crisis. In such a situation, every minute makes the difference between life and death. If you can`t behave on the road, find another way to travel home. Please don`t increase the death toll on the road.
posted by Leon HCM city.
24 Feb,2010.
Saturday, February 20, 2010
The down side to the recycling move
I harbour no prejudice against anyone but I value the security and peace in my housing area. The situation has become bad in the last three years due to the mushrooming of second-hand metal traders, better know as karung guni. There is one giant centre in my area and branches else where are doing well within just three years.
One wanders why this business is so lucrative. The fact that metal thefts have increased in the in the area makes us very worried. Old metal of any sort is quickly snapped up.
Valuable urns are stolen from temples and cooking utensils are flattened immediately to prevent the owners from recognising them.
New copper wires are cut into short lengths and sold in gunny sacks, and bicycles are sold by teenagers.
How can the trade be so rampant? Are the authorities aware of this practice? There are police patrol cars driving around but nothing is done. Is this called enforcement?
The good intentions of the authorities to encourage recycling has turned it into a dubious trade. There must be a system where items sold to these karung guni care recorded. I propose that ab officer goes undercover and closed a deal to find out how the traders operate. This trade has gone out of control due to poor enforcement.
Posted in the NST dated 26 August,2008
by Lim Hong Kai
One wanders why this business is so lucrative. The fact that metal thefts have increased in the in the area makes us very worried. Old metal of any sort is quickly snapped up.
Valuable urns are stolen from temples and cooking utensils are flattened immediately to prevent the owners from recognising them.
New copper wires are cut into short lengths and sold in gunny sacks, and bicycles are sold by teenagers.
How can the trade be so rampant? Are the authorities aware of this practice? There are police patrol cars driving around but nothing is done. Is this called enforcement?
The good intentions of the authorities to encourage recycling has turned it into a dubious trade. There must be a system where items sold to these karung guni care recorded. I propose that ab officer goes undercover and closed a deal to find out how the traders operate. This trade has gone out of control due to poor enforcement.
Posted in the NST dated 26 August,2008
by Lim Hong Kai
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Residents living in fear
The rising crime rate in Kluang has given the town a bad image. Almost daily, we hear of kidnappings, robberies,burglaries and snatch thefts.
I hope the authorities will take serious measures to bring down the crime rate, especially during Chinese New Year.
Lately, Taman Titiwangsa, Taman Muhibbah, Taman Delima and a few areas have been the target of criminals.
Some households have been robbed in broad daylight. Housewives and children are scared to go into town.
We live in fear. Where are the police patrol cars? Where are the Rela personnel ?
Recently, thieves entered my daughter`s house between 4pm and 4.30pm while she was fetching the children from tuition. A few days ago, thieves broke into another two houses nearby.
It certainly looks like the criminals are not afraid of the police at all,
However, we do find police busy at street corners picking on drivers who park their cars in the wrong place.
We have severak police beat bases at strategic street corners but I have yet to see any policemen on duty inside.
We also havc another police station at Kampong Paya 3km from town, but the residents cannot lodge police reports there.
Isn`t it time the police bucked up and apprended these criminals.?
Posted NST 12 February,20l0
Lim Hong Kai
I hope the authorities will take serious measures to bring down the crime rate, especially during Chinese New Year.
Lately, Taman Titiwangsa, Taman Muhibbah, Taman Delima and a few areas have been the target of criminals.
Some households have been robbed in broad daylight. Housewives and children are scared to go into town.
We live in fear. Where are the police patrol cars? Where are the Rela personnel ?
Recently, thieves entered my daughter`s house between 4pm and 4.30pm while she was fetching the children from tuition. A few days ago, thieves broke into another two houses nearby.
It certainly looks like the criminals are not afraid of the police at all,
However, we do find police busy at street corners picking on drivers who park their cars in the wrong place.
We have severak police beat bases at strategic street corners but I have yet to see any policemen on duty inside.
We also havc another police station at Kampong Paya 3km from town, but the residents cannot lodge police reports there.
Isn`t it time the police bucked up and apprended these criminals.?
Posted NST 12 February,20l0
Lim Hong Kai
We need good leaders to turn around our national schools.
The government`s decision to make changes in the education system augurs well for the future of Malaysia. We must accept the fact that there is something not right in the system. We have beautiful schools and colleges but poor enrolment. Generally, the public perception of these schools is not good.
One generation of trial and error has gone and we are still struggling to find a better education system for our children.
We need good and honest leaders to turn around the national schools and make them the schools of choice.
In the 1960`s we had good principals and dedicated teachers. There were premier schools in most towns and cities.
The results from these schools brought pride and glory to the parents, schools and country. Today, we rarely hear of them.
The Ministry of Education must seriously implement the mother tongue policy. This is a globalised world and learning another language will be an asset to the students.
Engage quality language teachers for the job. Introduce civics and religious studies too.
Posted in NST by Lim Hong Kai
05 April.2004.
One generation of trial and error has gone and we are still struggling to find a better education system for our children.
We need good and honest leaders to turn around the national schools and make them the schools of choice.
In the 1960`s we had good principals and dedicated teachers. There were premier schools in most towns and cities.
The results from these schools brought pride and glory to the parents, schools and country. Today, we rarely hear of them.
The Ministry of Education must seriously implement the mother tongue policy. This is a globalised world and learning another language will be an asset to the students.
Engage quality language teachers for the job. Introduce civics and religious studies too.
Posted in NST by Lim Hong Kai
05 April.2004.
Monday, February 15, 2010
Raise awareness to save envirolment
Every year, the government spends millions to clean up the rivers and drains but it does not get the desired results as our people are still selfish and irresponsible.
To clean up the rivers again and again is like dumping money into a bottomless pit.
I live close to a big monsoon drain it has become a dumping ground for the residents. There are broken bricks, furniture, buckets and plastic materials in it.
Two years ago, the authorities spent thousands of ringgit to clean up a short stretch of the drain and now it is back to square one. Why?
There is no proper enforcement. The residents are irresponsible and selfish. They have a habit of throwing everything into the drain.
Many households here do not even have dustbins. . We have rules and laws against littering but they are never followed or enforced.
The media and politicians must help to educate the people in order to save the environment.
There must be effective enforcement. Impose fines on residents who do not have dustbins to hold their rubbish.
Contractors must clear the rubbish after finishing their projects and they should be punished for leaving heaps of stones and bricks around.
Another suggestion is to have a collection centre for the rubbish in each housing estate.
Residents should be rewarded for bringing the rubbish to the centre.
Likewise, residents must pay for the rubbish to be collected from their houses. Try it, it may work. Recycling will be made easy this way.
Posted in NST on 15 August,2007
by kaisim.
To clean up the rivers again and again is like dumping money into a bottomless pit.
I live close to a big monsoon drain it has become a dumping ground for the residents. There are broken bricks, furniture, buckets and plastic materials in it.
Two years ago, the authorities spent thousands of ringgit to clean up a short stretch of the drain and now it is back to square one. Why?
There is no proper enforcement. The residents are irresponsible and selfish. They have a habit of throwing everything into the drain.
Many households here do not even have dustbins. . We have rules and laws against littering but they are never followed or enforced.
The media and politicians must help to educate the people in order to save the environment.
There must be effective enforcement. Impose fines on residents who do not have dustbins to hold their rubbish.
Contractors must clear the rubbish after finishing their projects and they should be punished for leaving heaps of stones and bricks around.
Another suggestion is to have a collection centre for the rubbish in each housing estate.
Residents should be rewarded for bringing the rubbish to the centre.
Likewise, residents must pay for the rubbish to be collected from their houses. Try it, it may work. Recycling will be made easy this way.
Posted in NST on 15 August,2007
by kaisim.
Ensure bus lanes are only for buses
My journey to Kuala Lumpur took only three-and-a-half hours. The ride was comfortable. And when I learned that Rapid KL is providing a cheap city service - RM2 for a day, I was delighted with the authority`s consideration for the low income group. But the happiness was short-lived and soon turned into frustration.
I took Rapid KL No.113 from Medan Pasar to Maluri - a station in the city area. It took me from 1.30pm to 4pm. Imagine the time lost on the road. I could sensed the frustration of the driver and passengers like me sitting in the bus and not moving.
I counted the vehicles that passed by and almost all the cars had only one occupant - the driver. I don`t blame the bus company but the attitude of the city folks. The government can go on spending road edpansion but it will not solve the congestion problem in Kuala Lumpur. We have lost a lot of useful hours on the road f0r nothing. We must must learn to live a quality life.
I heard about the bus lanes in Kuala Lumpur a few years ago. Why are the bus lanes not used at all. With the bus lanes properly enforced, I am sure the buses can run faster and more efficiently. he authorities must start educating people and taking traffice enforcement more seriously.
Posted in NST 12 July,2006.
kaisim.
I took Rapid KL No.113 from Medan Pasar to Maluri - a station in the city area. It took me from 1.30pm to 4pm. Imagine the time lost on the road. I could sensed the frustration of the driver and passengers like me sitting in the bus and not moving.
I counted the vehicles that passed by and almost all the cars had only one occupant - the driver. I don`t blame the bus company but the attitude of the city folks. The government can go on spending road edpansion but it will not solve the congestion problem in Kuala Lumpur. We have lost a lot of useful hours on the road f0r nothing. We must must learn to live a quality life.
I heard about the bus lanes in Kuala Lumpur a few years ago. Why are the bus lanes not used at all. With the bus lanes properly enforced, I am sure the buses can run faster and more efficiently. he authorities must start educating people and taking traffice enforcement more seriously.
Posted in NST 12 July,2006.
kaisim.
KTMB to build new station
We refer to the letter "Kepong needs KTMB station." NST Jan.11
We have long realised the potential of Kepong and the high demand for a komuter service there.
KTMB plans to build a new station near Kompleks Desa Kepong between the existing Rawang and Sungai Buloh stations. It is expected to be completed by early 2005.
Replied by Azizah Ujang, for Kereta Tanah Melayu Bhd
dated January 13, 2004
We have long realised the potential of Kepong and the high demand for a komuter service there.
KTMB plans to build a new station near Kompleks Desa Kepong between the existing Rawang and Sungai Buloh stations. It is expected to be completed by early 2005.
Replied by Azizah Ujang, for Kereta Tanah Melayu Bhd
dated January 13, 2004
Kepong needs KTMB station
I would like to thank KTMB for building two more stations to cater to the many commuters who depend on public transport to go to work.
The stations at Batu Caves and Midvalley Megamall are useful. What about another station at the Kepong Industrial Park? Right now we have traffic jams in the area.
The KTMB Komuter service to Rawang passes this place, so I don`t think there will be much work to be done to put up a station.
Posted by LHK NST January 1, 2004
The stations at Batu Caves and Midvalley Megamall are useful. What about another station at the Kepong Industrial Park? Right now we have traffic jams in the area.
The KTMB Komuter service to Rawang passes this place, so I don`t think there will be much work to be done to put up a station.
Posted by LHK NST January 1, 2004
Monsoon drain needs clearing urgently
Taman Kluang Baru has a long monsoon drain which receives its water from the nearby
hills. It used to bring clear water but not any more.
Today the drain is dirty and full of rubbish. Part of the drain has collapsed. The town council has done nothing to clean it since 1979. After so many years of neglect, residents fear the
houses will be flooded when the rainy season begins. Some of us have complained, to no avail.
We have laws and regulations for the envirolment but enforcement is sorely lacking.
Posted by Lim Hong Kai
hills. It used to bring clear water but not any more.
Today the drain is dirty and full of rubbish. Part of the drain has collapsed. The town council has done nothing to clean it since 1979. After so many years of neglect, residents fear the
houses will be flooded when the rainy season begins. Some of us have complained, to no avail.
We have laws and regulations for the envirolment but enforcement is sorely lacking.
Posted by Lim Hong Kai
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Teaching the wrong values
When school reopened after the holidays, my son informed me that theives had broken into the schools and stole a few valuable items including a computer, a VCD player, a mini-compo and a few sewing machines.
For a week or so, there was no investigation and the school authorities acted as though nothing had happened.
I was shocked to learn that they did not wish to lodge a police report.
Imagine what the students think of the teachers and school. This is the place where the children are taught to stand up for their rights and wrongs in life.
By not reporting to the police, the school has conveyed the message that it is all right to steal something and nothing will happen after that.
Besides, the police will think this is a crime-free area.
Posted on NST by SAM
For a week or so, there was no investigation and the school authorities acted as though nothing had happened.
I was shocked to learn that they did not wish to lodge a police report.
Imagine what the students think of the teachers and school. This is the place where the children are taught to stand up for their rights and wrongs in life.
By not reporting to the police, the school has conveyed the message that it is all right to steal something and nothing will happen after that.
Besides, the police will think this is a crime-free area.
Posted on NST by SAM
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