Happy Deepavali with Pretam & Family in Kajang........November 05, 2010

This year we had the opportunity and privilege to celebrate Deepavali with Pretam and Kalwant and their children at their daughter's residence in Kajang. The party there was a riot of colours with Pretam wearing a very bright red T-shirt....his excuse was..."I have Chinese classmates coming". But none of us wore red. For those who could make it, we had a good time savoring Punjabi food and deserts.

Amongst those who came with us were Wong Yew Sen, Wu Sor Hwa, Hau Kiang, Eugene Yong (my nephew),who was one of Pretam's naughty students in 1997/1998....see how the ex-teacher "yam seng" with the ex-student....the young girl in the group photo is Eugene's girlfriend, He Xiang,

We had a good time catching up again.....many thanks to Pretam and Kalwant.....and we look forward to many more Deepavalis with you and family.

Happy Deepavali in high spirits!

L  to R:  Eugene, He Xiang, Sek Yee, Khadijah, Pretam, Sor Hwa, Hau Kiang & Yew Sen

L to R:  Kalwant, Pretam, Hau Kiang, Sor Hwa, Sek Yee & Yew Sen

"Excellent, excellent, excellent" 

"Let's drink to the good old Andersonian days!"

'Our six-a-side team??"

'Now I am having headache from my 'Discipline Master"

Photos & Story by:
Sek Yee

Rennaissance Of Anderson School Hockey.........Pretam Singh

Happy Deepavali Pretam & Kalwant! And similar greetings go out to all who celebrate Deepavali this coming Friday, November 05, 2010.
And there is no better time to run this story on Pretam than now! He is another Andersonian whom we all should be proud of in the light of this great Hockey story of Anderson School Ipoh! Syabas!

Hockey was introduced by the British administrators in Anderson School before the Second World War. The school team participated at the school, district and state levels. To generate interest in the game at school level, inter-house tournaments were organized. These tournaments formed a vital aspect of the co-curriculum schedule and helped towards the balanced development of individuals as aspired by the National Education Policy. In the 1950s and the early 1960s the game gained some popularity and some Andersonians represented the state and later on the nation in hockey. One of the most prominent Andersonians to represent Malaysia is Kamarul Ariffin, the national goalkeeper, who represented Malaysia while he was still in school. Another stalwart and most feared penalty corner specialist was A.I. Thaillanathan, who later on was instrumental in promoting the game among Andersonians.

From 1984 Anderson School saw a change in the fortune of hockey. I, an Old Andersonian was transferred to the school. I served at SMK Mahmud, Raub and had made the school the power house of hockey in West Pahang.

l was entrusted to coach the under 15 team. With my vast coaching experience, and a systematic training programme, the team soon started showing results. Anderson School under 15 hockey team emerged the District champions and went on to represent the district at the inter-district tournament at the state level. In the finals, Anderson School hockey team defeated the Batang Padang District team 6:1 to emerge as the State Champions for the first time. The then school principal En. Khalil Shah bin Jamaluddin was very supportive and was present in all our inter-school and inter-district games. He was ably assisted by En. Shamsuri Aziz. Together they decided to have a 5 Year Hockey Plan to rejuvenate hockey interest among the students

ln 1988, the Sulaiman 6 Aside hockey tournament, better known as Sulaiman Cup was organized. It was donated by the then principal, Tuan Haji Sulaiman b. Ibrahim. This tournament did wonders. Suddenly there was a revival of interest in hockey at the school level.


In the inaugural "6 Aside Sulaiman Cup" the school team emerged champion. ln their maiden participation in the USM-MILO International tournament the school under 15 team was placed third. lt was indeed an eye opener for our boys. Two players, Perry Khoo and Kajendra later represented the National Junior team.

The 1990s was the Golden Era of Anderson School Hockey. In 1991, the Anderson School hockey team became the district champion. In the inaugural tournament held in August 1991, the school team emerged champion and qualified for National Schools Hockey tournament, popularly known as "Pertandingan Hoki Juara Sekolah-Sekolah MaIaysia." The National Schools Hockey Tournament was held in Kuala Trengganu in December 1991.

At this juncture, I wish to record my appreciation to one gentleman, En. Razman, the father of one of my players, El Mokri bin Razman. He was our saviour. He went out of his way to get a State Secretariat van and driver to transport the players to Kuala Trengganu. Another van was hired. All four tyres were replaced with brand new ones. lt was also serviced, all at our cost. The driver‘s allowance and petrol was borne by us. Once the transport arrangements were sorted out, we departed for Kuala Trengganu at 3pm and arrived there at 3am the following day only to find that we could check into the hostel only after 8am. A large part of our journey along the East -West Highway was in darkness.

In 1992 Anderson School once again qualified for the National Schools Hockey Tournament by virtue of the fact that it was the State Champion. This time the tournament was organized at the Tun Razak Hockey Stadium, Kuala Lumpur. The Anderson School hockey team had arrived in Kuala Lumpur by the mail train, the cheapest means of transport and went on to win the National Schools Hockey tournament for the first time in the history  of the school. In the finals the school team beat SMK Taman Ehsan, Kepong 3 - 2. In recognition for their sacrifices and for bringing glory to the school , and state, the hockey team and officials were rewarded with an all expenses paid playing tour of Medan in June 1993.

In 1993 The National Schools Hockey tournament was held in lpoh in 1993. The school team entered the finals of the Champion Schools in great style after demolishing Johor Science School 6-0. ln the finals against SMK Faris Petra, Kota Baru the score stood at 6-1 in favour of the Andersonians. Throughout the tournament the Anderson School goalkeeper Hizal Fuad was in fantastic form. Unfortunately his brilliant hockey career came to an abrupt end when he met with an accident near Sungai Petani three years later. He died in the accident.


ln 1994, the Anderson School hockey team once again emerged as the state hockey champions and qualified as representative of the state to the National Schools hockey tournament held at the Stadium PJ. Dessoturf, Petaling Jaya. They gave their best, and emerged as champions.

The National Schools Hockey Championship in 1995 was hosted by the state of Trengganu. Anderson School became champions for the fourth time in a row.


The following National Schools Hockey Championship was hosted by Selangor at the Stadium PJ. Dessoturf, Petaling Jaya from 27th December 1996 to 2nd January 1997. Andersonians won their fifth consecutive title, a sixth unachieved by any team participating in this tournament since its inception in 1987.

The National Schools Hockey Championship’2001 in Malacca


In 2001 the Champion Schools MHF-MILO-NSC hockey tournament was held at the Bukit Serindlt Stadium, Malacca. As defending National champions, the Andersonians showed the mettle they were made of when they qualified for the finals. Their opponents in the final were, SMK Khir Johari, Sungai Petani. Andersonians went on to become the Nationa Schools Hockey champion for the seventh time.

The National Schools Hockey Championship 2002 in Selangor .

The National Schools Hockey Championship was held at the Pandamaran Hockey Stadium Klang in December 2002. The final score stood at 5 : 1 and the Andersonians had steamrolled the tired Trengganu players to win their eighth National title.

National Schools Hockey Championship 2003 in Perak

Eight times National Schools Hockey champions once again had the rare opportunity of playing in front of the home crowd when Perak hosted the National Schools Hockey Tournament at the Stadium Azlan lpoh. The Andersonians showed their true form in the finals, much to the delight of the local hockey enthusiasts. In the final it was defeat for Datuk Taha, with the final score 5-0 in favour of the Andersonians. lt was Anderson School‘s  ninth National title. ,

National Schools Hockey Championship 2004 in N. Sembilan .


SMK Anderson, Ipoh, having won the National Championship title nine times went into this championship tournament in full gear. Being the defending champion, the Andersonians with much exposure at district, state, and national level were well prepared physically and mentally for this grilling tournament. Under the dedicated and experienced coach Mokhtar Baharuddin bin Abdullah, a veteran of this championship and team officials Rosli Ngah and Mohd Azlan, the team arrived at the Seremban ll Hockey Stadium in high spirits.

Once the tournament commenced, the Andersonians displaying the pedigree of champions raced into the finals demolishing any pretenders to the title. In the final, their opponents, SMK Hamzah, Machang were not awed by their opponents‘ reputation. It was SMK Hamzah's Mohd Firdaus Othman who stunned the Andersonians with a field goal as early as the 5th minute. The spirited Andersonians launched relentless attacks at the Kelantan goal and erased their opponents' short-lived joy, when Mohd Nor Khairul Aziz scored a field goal in the 10th minute. ln the 19th minute, Mohd Amir Shamsukhdir broke the stalemate with a well-sent flick off a penalty corner. Once again SMK Hamzah, were leading 2-1. With minutes ticking away for the half time breather, the Andersonians clawed back into the game, with a well taken penalty corner by Mohd Razali Mohd Zulkapli to level the score at 2-2 and put both teams on equal terms as they trooped into their dressing rooms.

When play resumed the tired legs of SMK Hamzah were no match for the rejuvenated Anderson Tigers who ran their opponents to the ground by taking the lead in the 48th minute through Mohd Amirul Syafiq. Five minutes later, Mohd Razali came back for his second goal in the match to take the fight out of a spirited team who lacked the much needed exposure of a champion team.

It was the triumph of experience and exposure over raw determination and courage which eventually prevailed. The final score stood at 4-2 in favour of the Andersonians. Apart from winning the championship title for the tenth time, they also won the Fairplay trophy and Mohd Noor Khairul Aziz was voted Man-of-the Match.

With this win, it appears that Anderson School lpoh is THE hockey school in the country, having dominated the championship 10 out of the 17 times since its inception. Rightly the Andersonians have lived up to their school motto,

"TO STRIVE. TO SEEK. TO FIND AND NOT TO YlELD"

 
PRETAM SINGH


Hockey Coach,

Anderson School, lpoh

1984 -2000

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?