Datuk Merlyn Kasimir, PJN................Arts A2 1967

Here’s one person whom every Andersonian should be proud of ! .....Class of Upper Six Arts 2 1967.

It is heartening to know that one of your former students distinguished himself in the Malaysian Civil Service with a Datuk title conferment by the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong in 2004.

He joined the Ministry of International Trade and Industry – MITI after graduating from MU (Malayan University in Pantai Valley, Kuala Lumpur. While in MITI he had the opportunity to serve in the overseas offices in Cologne, Germany (1976-1980) and in Tokyo (1980-1984) as Trade Commissioner/Trade Attache.

He also had an assignment in Geneva as Economic Counsellor in Malaysia’s Permanent Mission for 3 years from 1989, where he was involved with the Uruguay Round multilateral trade negotiations. They were all very enriching experiences.

Before he retired he was the CEO of the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation for about 6 1/2 years, a government agency responsible for promotion of Malaysia’s exports. It was a challenging and interesting job, although a bit tiring sometimes with all the travelling. In fact he visited Perth a number of times , but was not aware that I was here.

Now he is doing some trade and business consulting .

He has 2 children, a boy and a girl. His son in fact will be going to Murdoch University, Perth in February next year to do a degree programme in Mass Comm, after his Diploma in KDU College in Kuala Lumpur.

His daughter , who has just finished her A levels, has also applied to study in Australia. She has submitted applications to a few Universities, including University of Western Australia (UWA). She is keen to pursue international relations and economics.

His children are relatively young compared to those of his other classmates because he settled down comparatively a bit later. He left Anderson School, Ipoh end of 1967, a prima school where I taught as the Sr. Geography Master from 1966 to 1970.

He was born in November 1947. His Datukship is a Federal award ( Panglima Jasa Negara – PJN ) , which he had the honour to receive from the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong in 2004.



“Wherever you go, go with all your heart.”


Confucius



Written and Posted on Paul Chong's Blog.

A Tribute To Mahanum bt. Itam

Posted on September 9, 2010 by Paul

By Paul Chong Thursday, 9 September 2010

From a senior civil servant in Malaysia to the status of “Mother Teresa”.



 Mahanum on her recent trip to Perth dropped by to visit Paul (holding the class photo of 43 years' ago)

 Ms. Mahanum Binti Itam 63, retired Director General, National Housing Department, Malaysia, has had a full & active life serving the Civil Service in various capacities including Defense Ministry, Health Ministry, University Hospital, Ministry of International Trade and Industry and Ministry of Rural Development.

She has seen the world & through dealings internationally, has acquired relevant knowledge, skills, experiences and aspiration that assist in her executing challenging tasks while in service.

For one who has aspired & retired as a top civil servant in Malaysia, one would be expected to lead a life of ease & pleasure for the rest of one’s natural life.

Not in a million years for this unassuming dedicated character Mahanum, who happened to be a former student of mine from the prestigious Anderson School, Ipoh, Malaysia. She was here in Perth visiting some relatives of hers from September 2 -12, 2010.

It was a rare occasion for teacher & students to be meeting up again especially after a lapse of two score & three years. I feel both proud & honoured to have this privilege to have been her Form Master in the Class of 1966/67 Sixth Form Arts.

As a teacher, you often wonder whatever happened to this or that student – often you never know. Straight after their graduation, each person went his or her own way in their life pursuits, never really ever to meet again.

It’s always gratifying to hear of your students’ successes, and to know that they still remember you.

Before her retirement, she wondered why she was wearing expensive clothings & having an expensive lifestyle when there are so many poor kids around. Prompted by this realisation, she sold off all her collection of expensive stuff And landed assets and built in 2000 an orphanage on her parents’ land somewhere off Teluk Intan in Perak.

She’s like Malaysia’s own “Mother Teresa” – even more so, if I may say so, to be running it all by herself only supported by her cousin Janariah bt. Md. Shah who takes care of the tremendous amount of washing. Mahanum’s day begins at 5 am and the comfort of the repose comes round only by 10.00 pm. at night. She has at the moment 50 kids – all mostly from problem families.

She is single, never got married, still quiet & reserved – and fully dedicated to her ideal of helping poor kids. Friends may find her sometimes to be aloof . . . but she has a heart of purest gold. I dare say few men can match with her high ideals nor dare to venture like she does. She’s a real quiet selfless achiever.

Malaysia could do with more people like her calibre with a true dedication to serve the community. She step out of her comfort zone to personally and sacrificially pursue her worthy ideal. She does personify the alma mater‘s motto: “To Strive, to Seek, to Find & not to Yield”. She does what she does best in her own quiet unspoken way.



 
 
(For full blog posting of this article and many many interesting posts, do visit Paul's blog.)

Saying Hello to Hatiah & her Mum.....on October 07, 2010

On Thurs 7/10, a small group of Andersonians paid a visit to Hatiah's mum (Puan Aishah, 84) in Klang.She is suffering from Alzheimer's and last year she had a stroke that left her bedridden but her spirit and her lung qi are still very strong. According to Norsiah (Hatiah's sister),every morning the mother will be yelling instructions to her and the maid as to what to do in the garden......and believe me, it is a very lovely and very well kept garden. Kat,Jau and Hatiah sembang-sembang with Puan Aishah for about 20 mins. before we adjourned for tea and later toured the garden. With her Alzheimer's, it took her some time to remember Hatiah's name ( don't laugh, we will be there soon). Before we left, Norsiah gave us some juicy mangoes and even some of her hanging plants and ferns.




L to R: Norsiah (Hatiah's Sister), Puan Aishah, Jauharah, Khadijah & Hatiah



Well kept garden!

L to R: Hatiah, Jauharah, Norsiah & "Boss"

What a Lovely Duo! (See what a new camera can do for you!)

L to R: Sek Yee, Jauharah, Norsiah & "Boss"

When you have the 'qi',  you will always have fruits hanging over you!

Jauharah looking so pleased with what Hatiah gave her!

Sembang Sembang!

Later, Hatiah treated us to lunch at The Teapot Deli at the SACC Mall in Shah Alam......the Penang mee rebus was good (but cannot beat our grandma's mee rebus) and Hatiah and my boss enjoyed the Beef pie......the pictures described the enjoyment......no kidding you, believing is seeing.

 
 
 
Story & Photos by Sek Yee

Some More Pictures.........September 16, 2010

Fook Leong trying to mete out his punishment to the lady who labelled him 'fat cop'!'

Mrs Wong Poh Lam looking bemused by WAK's go easy looks & stance!



'67 School Captain Oon Eng Hock meeting 'old' friend Ho Fook Seng.




Poh Lam saying hello to Fook Seng!



"Where have you been all this while?"



"Chew Yoke Lim (Science stream), how can you come to our party empty-handed?"



Chin Fook Leong at ease in Kuala Lumpur!



Fook Leong trying to tell us his Singapore story!

Secret Recipe Revealed......Lailatool's Mee Rebus

Here's the recipe for Mi Rebus Kak Nah as promised.

Gravy:

1.5 litres beef stock

1.5 litres prawn stock

15 dried chillies, soaked and drained

20 (250gm) shallots

3 medium sized sweet potatoes (750gm)

3tbs oil

1tbs sugar

half tsp freshly ground black pepper

1- 2 tsp salt



Garnish ingredients:

2 cups lighly blanched beansprout

10 eggs, boiled, shelled & quartered

4 pcs firm beancurd, fried & sliced

5 limes, halved

5 green chillies, sliced

2 stalks chinese celery, sliced

1 cup sliced shallots, fried



Noodles

1.5kg fresh noodles, lightly blanched



Beef Stock:

1kg beef bones (ribs are suitable)

500 beef shin or topside (kept in 1 piece)

1cm piece of ginger,bruised

3 litres water



Rinse bones & remove any visible bits of fat. Place in roomy pan with beef, ginger & water & put to boil. Remove any fat & scum that rise to surface.

Simmer gently for about 3hrs to extract maximum flavour & until beef is tender. (if using pressure cooker, use half the quantity of water). When beef is tender, remove & leave to cool. Slice thinly & use as garnish.

Strain the stock, & salvage any bits of beef from bones to be sliced & used as garnish



Prawn Stock

600gm medium/small prawns

4tbs oil

salt & pepper

2 litres water



Peel prawns, reserving shells & heads

Wash shells & drain well

Heat 2 tbs in wok & fry the shelled prawns on high heat until pink & firm. Season lightly with a touch of salt & pepper. Remove & serve as garnish

In same wok, heat the remaining oil & fry the drained prawn shells, tossing them overhigh heat, sprinkle in sugar & continue frying until lightly browned & caramelised

Pour in water & simmer for 30 mins. Let stock cool before pulverising in blender, using the stock. Strain liquid & discard solids. This makes 1.5 litres of stock



Mi rebus gravy:

Scrub sweet potatoes, boil in their skins until tender. Peel & mash

Grind chillies & shallots together until fine. Heat the oil & fry the ground ingredients on low heat until fragrant & oil separates. Pour in the 2 stocks & simmer for 15mins.

Add enough mashed potatoes to thicken gravy. Aim for moderately thick consistency.

Season with salt, pepper & sugar. Add a couple of spoonfuls of tomato ketchup


Yew Sen showing Puteri Rashidah a  thing or two about Mee Rebus!



Ramlah looking  very pleased with the Mee Rebus!



'Boss' being watched closely by WAK! Can you spot him?



Can you figure out the ingredients here?

This is how you enjoy  the Mee Rebus! And Sek Yee seen here waiting patiently for his share!



Everybody going for seconds!

  Recipe contributed by Lailatool


It has been almost a week since we enjoyed the hospitality of Lailatool & Alkaff at Valencia and since some of us are obviously still thinking about the mee rebus, amongst other goodies (like cupcakes.etc), Lailatool has now shared with us her recipe on mee rebus! Anyone brave enough to try out the recipe?