Batu Niah Trip

Hi everybody,

This is Dajiu again. I promised to continue my story on my recent trip to Sarawak.

I stayed 2 nights in Batu Niah, the pekan just beside the famous Niah Natural Park. This is the place they collected quite a bit of birds' nests from the cave.  Har Nee, her husband Guan Wen and her mother were the perfect hosts. While she took me to various spots of interest, her mother cooked up some wonderful meals. She told me jokingly that the best food you can find in Batu Niah is the very meals cooked by her mother!

I had the opportunity to visit an Iban longhouse. We took a jungle trek walk along the riverside to reach Niah National park, a distance of about 3 km. That was a good morning exercise.  Batu Niah is such a small town where there is only one bank operating, the Public Bank. Anyway I also had some good experience in tasting good food. The most expensive item, no doubt is the Udang Galah, or Dai Tao Ha as they call it here. Very big in size, some as big as the lobsters. I think the best way to cook it is the drunken style but the one I had was what they called Naiyao Ha. It's really delitious especially the head part, though it is  high in bad collesterol.  The guangdong mee is also special.  It is said that the mee in Sarawak, special handmade mee are really good. The Sarawakian used to complain about the poor taste of our mee here.  Now I can understand.

Through my conversation with Har Nee I got to know the reasons for the poor performance of the Sarawak students.  Har Nee was quite committed to bring some changes to her students, especially their attitudes towards study and general outlook in life.  It is a pity that she will be returning to the peninsular soon.

OK, it is holiday season. I heard everyone's plans to visit here and there, notably Uncle Lim's Son's Place but none mentioned Penang as a visiting destination.  I wonder why?  Is it because Penang is too far to reach? Well a driving trip from CK to Penang is about 2 hours only.  So do think about it. folks!

Cheers!

Dajiu

Miri Trip

Hi Everybody,

You are right, I am back in Penang after 6 days' of vacation in Sarawak thanks to the hospitality of Apita and Har Nee and their families.  I spent the first, fourth and  fifth nights in Miri.  Hong Pie and Tony brought me to many places and feasted me with wonderful meals. 

I think I begin to like Miri more and more because after achieving city status it has many added attractions. The parks I visited this time are The Luak Bay, The City Fan, the Roundabout (Bulatan) Park and The Taman Awam. Then there are the Public Library, The Electronic Library and the Indoor Stadium all of which are very good projects to enhance the living qualities of its citizens. Notably we had the chance to experience an arts exhibition put up to  showcase  the masterpieces and works of a local  artist and his students at the Pustaka Miri.  Apita also brought me to see the Grand Old Lady(the first oildrill) in Canada Hill with its surrounding area being developed into the Petrolium and Science Museum, a first in Malaysia.

This 3 yeays' old city has a Chinese mayor.  It has spent the taxpayers money in the right places, something that many West Malaysian local councils failed to do. I think the new Pakatan states' representatives should pay a visit to this well managed small city. They will be able to learn quite a number of things like disposal of solid wastes, Beautification and Landscaping, Managing Parks, Car Parking and others.

The city can further develop its tourism industry. With its many assets like the nearby national parks, Mulu and Niah, the largest Toaist Temple (Lianhua Shan) and the places I mentioned, Miri can attract many more local and foreign tourists. Then there are the beautiful bays and beaches.

This time around I had the opportunity to taste local foods like the famous Sarawak Ganlao Mee, the Guangdong Mee,the favorite pork porridge at Lutong, The Fuzhou Mianxian and the  Tapah Fish (one of the best river fish in Sarawak costing above RM30 per kg) . Apita and Tony also treated me to a sumptous Hongkong style Dim Sum at a popular hotel. These are all good foods I appreciate.

I shall reserve my story on Batu Niah for the next time.

Cheers!

Dajiu

Teaching of Maths and Science in English

This question of teaching Maths and Science has caught our attention again because many quarters are asking the Education Ministry to revert back to teaching these two subjects in respective mother tongues especially at the primary school level. I had stated before that teaching these two subjects in English particularly in Chinese schools is just like someone getting cancer while another patient got operated on.  My points are that the Chinese school pupils do not have any learning difficulties in the two subjects, in fact their achievements had been praised so often, neither do they have much problems in acquiring proficiency in English at a later stage.

In fact I am also of the view that it is not too late to pick up English from  Form 1 when they become more matured learners.  So, to me,  the teaching of Maths and Science in English should only start from the secondary school level. Five years of learning up to Form 5 is more than enough to acquire the English language for a satisfactory level of proficiency. 

Why the need to rush? Was there an ulterior motive behind the move when introduced by Dr M's government just before he retired? These are the questions hanging over many Chinese parents' head. They were worried that this was yet another attempt by the UMNO-led government to alter the characteristics of Chinese schools.

十六字真言

谢绝贪婪，坚拒奢华；勤作运动，简朴生活！

这十六字是我有感而发，我觉得，我的外甥女洁，在相当程度上已做到了。

这应该是达到快乐境界的好方法吧！

Posting dalam tiga bahasa

Saya berhasrat menulis dalam tiga bahasa dalam blog saya.  Ini artikel pertama saya dalam Bahasa Malaysia. Telah lama belum saya menulis dalam Bahasa, rasanya agak merumitkan. Maklumlah kalau tidak berpraktis, lama kelamaan akan lupa langsung! Kalau begitu, pada saya itu satu tragedi.

Kalau anda teliti, nama blog saya "Hoosin Lain"sebenarnya dalam Bahasa Malaysia! Saya belajar bahasa ini sejak kecil dahulu, mungkin bermula dari umur lima tahun? Di kampung saya, saya bermain, bergaul dengan kanak2 Melayu, dari situlah saya belajar. Dan saya bangga pada halnya saya percaya, sayalah satu2nya antara lebih 100 orang calon LCE pada tahun 1958 yang lulus kertas Bahasa Melayu!  Saya pernah memenangi pertandingan karangan anjuran akbar Nanyang Siang Pau and juga Pertandingan Syarahan di Universiti Nanyang Singapura pada tahun 1961.

Suatu kisah yang gemar saya ceritakan kepada rakan saya seperti berikut:  

Pada masa saya berkhidmat sebagai Nazir Sekolah pada tahunan 80'an, pada suatu hari saya membuat tempahan bilik di Rumah Rehat Parit Buntar.  Saya menempah melalui pertuturan Bahasa Melayu.  Setelah lama bercakap, memberi butiran mengenai bilangan bilik, tarikh dan sebagainya, akhirnya saya ditanya:

"Nama encik?" tanya pengurus Rumah Rehat.

"Lian."jawab saya.

"bin?" tanyanya lagi.

"Hoosin"  jawab saya!  Dan seterusnya tutup telefon.

Rupa-rupanya dia ingat aku ni orang Melayu!

Inilah kisah yang saya gemar ceritakan sebab ianya menunjukkan kefasihan pertuturan saya dalam Bahasa Melayu.  Ya. Memang saya  boleh bercakap macam orang dari Kampung Melayu.

Sorrylah!  Saya dah keterlaluan!  TOO BOASTFUL!

陈业良博士的海南海外教育中心

南洋大学校友陈业良博士在大马教育界是个名人，这也难怪，拥有英国教育博士的华人毕竟不多，而像他那样关心社会，具有不计得失的服务精神的，更属凤毛麟角。

最近有好些人向我问起业良的近况，他们都说好久没有听到他的消息，也很久没有看到他的文章，不知道他现在壮志还在吗？

原来，这七、八年来，他在忙着建设他的海南海外教育中心。

今年二月下旬，我有一个机会到海南岛游览，也到海口业良那儿 做客，一共花了十多天。当时又恰逢博鳌亚洲论坛的推展典礼，也到博鳌一游，得益良多。

我是以一名前视学官的眼光来观察及评估这个设在海南大学的中心。这个中心的设施可以说是麻雀虽小，五脏俱全，最令我印象深刻的是办公室和图书资料室， 两处都全面电脑化，资料室更是充满应有的参考书和杂志，业良本人对此特别有满足感，觉得是最重大的一项投资。

中心主要课程是以双语授课的工商管理硕士学位，那是英国威尔斯大学新港学院在中国唯一授权许可的。其特色在于研究生阶段由中国教授教课，而到了论文阶段则由英方派出教授授课。英国人称之为 traveling teacher,意即流动教师，学生来自全国各地，他们定期来海南岛上课，虽然费用不菲，但却觉得相当值得，因为拿到的是英国学位。

海南大学是在海口海甸设立，环境优美，是一个理想的钻研学术的地方。其中硬体设备很充足，比如说，海外教育中心邻近就有一座邵逸夫学生交流中心，设备完善，有教师和学生宿舍，非常适合用作举办各种研讨会、学习营和短期课程。陈博士虽然年纪一大把，但还是雄心未减，想法多多，经常穿梭中国各省市，香港、马来西亚和英国。这个教育中心也成了其他高等学府的楷模，中国各地如上海、北京、成都和沈阳等地学府，都纷至沓来，和陈博士讨论如何合作办学。至今已经成功设立的联系中心有东莞、深圳和香港。

他的理想是在这个中国就要"入世"、经济开放正待起飞的当儿，在大中华世界里，落实他的教育培训大计，在训练现代工商管理及提升华人英语应用水平方面作出贡献。

作者：连和胜
2001年6月4日

民联还是民盟？

三八的第十二届大选过后，在吉打、槟城、霹雳、雪兰莪获得执政权的反对党，组成联盟，名为PAKATAN RAKYAT（人民联盟）。我认为这名字取得太好了！尤其是PAKATAN这个马来字，其实我们华人也借用PAKAT，不过我们说的‘巴结’颇有贬义，（反对这联盟的人如果叫它‘巴结党’，感觉如何？）当然，这里的意思是正面的‘商量、协商’。

我说这名字可圈可点，因为它能带出该联盟的斗争、施政目标：人民，而PAKATAN的发音又简洁容易，华人念起来都没问题。

现在我要谈的是它的华文简称。

我看到有些报章简称之为“人联”、“民联”，也有称它“民盟”。“人联”比较少人用了，应该是因为砂拉越已有人联党（SUPP），但是可能有人也忘了，以前不是也有一个民联党（UDP）吗？就是林苍佑在民政之前的政党。所以我认为最恰当的简称还是“民盟”。

民盟也让我们想起东姑时代的“联盟”（PERIKATAN）,比较PERIKATAN， PAKATAN更胜一筹，因为少了一个音节，，又少了一个华人难念的“R”！

所以我说：人民联盟就是“民盟”！好叫又好听！民盟加油！

POSTED BY 连和胜

In this article, I was commenting on the name "PAKATAN RAKYAT" which to me is both an appropriate name as well as a excellent name.  The article further discussed on the Chinese

abbreviation of the name. That is, from Ren Min Lian Meng to Min Meng.

我要再试一次

谷歌的中文功能，我正在怀疑它的可靠性。如果没有错误就没有问题，一有错误，麻烦也跟出来来了。

麻烦的是打出来的字看不见，要改正不可能。真令人泄气！

看来要以另一管道来处理了。

posted by Hoosin Lian

A letter I wrote

This is a letter I wrote as the President of The Penang Nantah Alumni Association in 2004. That was a busy year for the association while it was hosting the Global Reunion of Nantah Alumni. I was writing in two versions, Chinese and English, actually the English version is a loose translation of the original Chinese version.

各位敬爱的南大同学：

我们被选为二千零四年第九届全球南洋大学校友叙旧会主办单位，深感荣幸！我们将竭尽全力把盛会办好。现在，我以最愉快的心情，邀请各位今年十二月到马来西亚的槟城来渡假。

我们要强调以下几点来吸引各位到来：

第一，	我们全部以最低最合理的价格来收费，期望能吸引更多同学到来。如果以现在的马币兑换率计算，马来西亚是旅游费用最廉宜国家之一。
第二，	有“东方花园”之称的槟城是个多元文化城市，山明水秀，丰富的文化色彩，古迹，建筑，是个理想的旅游目的地。对于喜爱美食的同学来说，在槟城可以找到的各国料理的餐馆，及多到数不完的风味小食，还有多样的热带水果，称之为“美食天堂”实不为过。
第三，	根据报导，新加坡南洋理工大学有意在２００５年“改名”为南洋大学，这事已经在不同媒体引起非常广泛的讨论，我希望同学们可以借此机会，面对面地交换这个大家关注，对母校声誉影响深远的课题的意见。

从十二月十日起的三天节目中，我们有第一天晚上的欢迎宴，主要的节目集中在第二天的星期六有盛大的开幕典礼，座谈会，以及联欢晚会。第三天开始旅游项目和自由活动，我们安排了到邻近旅游胜地浮罗交怡及在泰国的勿洞。勿洞市长已经应允接待，并带领参观已见刍型的华文大学。

这的确是一个不容错过的盛会，我热切期望你们的到来。要获取报名表格和更加详细资料，请上网www.nantah.org.my

谢谢。

马来西亚槟榔屿南洋大学校友会会长
连和胜启
2004/6/22 端午节

Dear Nantah Alumni,

It is my pleasure and privilege to invite you for a holiday in Penang, Malaysia this December, 2004. We are greatly honoured to have been selected to organize the 9th Nanyang University Global Alumni Reunion and we are determined to do our best.

I would like to highlight the following attractions:

Firstly, we try to control the expenses so that it is inexpensive enabling more people to participate. You would notice that we have tried to bring all the charges reasonable, many items such as meals are either sponsored or subsidized. With the present exchange rate, Malaysia is very affordable in terms of accommodation and food.

Secondly, we would like to present Penang as an attractive tourist destination with its multicultural society, its rich heritage, hills and beaches. Its vicinity to other tourist spots like Thailand and Langkawai Islands would be exploited as well. In particular for those who are adventurous in foods, it would be a paradise where we can find a wide variety of hawker foods and cuisine from various countries.

This year's reunion will be a last opportunity for Nantah alumni to meet before the 2005 dateline whereby there are moves by Nanyang Technological University to be renamed Nanyang University. This topic had aroused a hive of discussions in the printed as well as the electronic media. We hope to provide a forum whereby our alumni could exchange views on this issue that affects our alma mater.

The three-day program will kick off with the welcoming/reunion dinner on Friday, 10th December and the main activities will be centred on Saturday, 11th December where we will have the grand opening ceremony, forum/discussion/lectures and Nantah Night. The final day will also be the beginning of organized tours or explorations and we have planned time-out excursions to nearby destinations like Pulau Langkawi in Kedah and Betong in Thailand. In Betong, we will be entertained by the Mayor and taken to a tour to its proposed Chinese University.

All in all, it will be a rewarding experience not to be missed. Can I expect your full force attendance?

Please visit our web site www.nantah.org.my for further details and registration form.

Thank you!

Yours sincerely,
Lian Hesheng
President
Nanyang University Alumni Association, Penang

posted by Hoosin Lian

An old article found

After making a search on Hoosin Lian, I found this article I wrote in the year 2001. I like to share this with you.

----------
Received on 30 May 2001

On the 26th May, I attended a talk by Tan Koon Swan, the former MCA leader. He is now a man leading a low profile life and devoted much of his time in church work. The talk was held at Wisma MCA in Ampang Park, Kuala Lumpur.

His talk was entitled "Asking Reform For Direction". Here reform refers more to mindset change in the Chinese community. He however touched on a number of other topics.

Firstly, he talked about the economy. He noted that Malaysians have endured nearly four years of economic slowdown. His advice is to be patience and keep cool, it never fails to come. It is only a matter of time. He said, if winter is here, can spring be far away!

He even offered some of his experiences when he was at the lowest of his fortune, the time when he was jailed in Singapore following the infamous Pan Electric crisis.

On political issues, he believes that political instability will bring about chaos and economic upheavals. He reckons that history has a habit of repeating itself. On the present leadership tussle in MCA, he said that the story line is still the same, the only difference is the casts!

He also talked about the problem of national unity and how to resolve racial issues in a rational manner. He opined that the reality of a multi-racial, multi-cultural society is a destiny which all of us must accept. It is just like we cannot choose our family members, we must live with them and make the best of it. Again we must use our common sense and wisdom to solve national problems.

On Chinese mindset reforms, he mentioned the problem of teacher shortage in Chinese schools to highlight the present Chinese value system dominated by materialism. Although the love for Chinese education is readily proclaimed, very few people are willing to let their children to be trained as teachers. This must change.

He then touched on the irony of the situation whereby the more important things in our life turn out to be the least expensive. For instance, we can compare the cost of the following: our jewelry, clothing, bread, water and air in that order. The least important item for our survival is jewelry but the most expensive. In the course of his talk, he interspersed with several anecdotes and stories.

Just listen to this: the case of the flying frogs. The frogs in the north had always admired the ability of the swallows to fly south at the change of season. Upon the encouragement of the swallows thaturged the frogs saying that nothing is impossible so long as they have the will, they were determined to emulate! After several attempts and practice, the plan really worked and they were set to begin their great expedition. One group of frogs started to fly and headed east. Once launched, what a magnificent takeoff! The spectators burst out their applause! So elated and proud of their achievement as the applause grew louder, this group could not help and shouted "Hurrah!". And so they fell and perished. The second group set off to the west, Equally successful in their endeavour, they were however greeted by hostile spectators who jeered and ridiculed them. So strong was the criticism and condemnation that this group finally could not stand the pressure, fell and perished. The third group of frogs were determined to proceed with their venture, ignoring the responses of the spectators, all the praises and criticisms that greeted them. And they made it! The moral of the story: if we think we are doing the right thing, we should not weaver but to proceed regardless of all the applause and criticisms and should always keep our big mouths shut.

The other story he told was centred around a dream. He said he dreamt of the court of Justice Pao in Kaifeng, ancient capital of China. He saw Dr Ling Liong Sik, Mr Lim Ah Lek, Dr Lim Keng Yaik and Mr Lim Kit Siang, each leading a group of supporters. The four groups were arguing vociferously their cases in front of the Justice Pao. Justice Pao was in a dilemma was because he was at a loss. He did not have an idea of dissolving the dispute. And the aide reminded him that it is quite difficult to adjudge a family dispute. After all they were all from the same family (as you know Ling and Lim are the same surname in Chinese)! While still engrossed in his dream, Mr Tan heard someone calling his name, Koon Swan, Koon Swan! As the calls got louder, he was awaken to see that someone who woke him was none other then Dr Neo Yee Pan!

As a devoted Christian, he told of the journey of the Jews. He said God directed Moses to lead the Jews to a tough journey through the desert. Their aim was to establish their own country, squabbling and deriving so much dissent and unhappiness that when they finally arrived, it was to be forty years later!

Since Koon Swan is such a controversial and charismatic corporate and political figure who had gone through more than his fair share of ups and downs, his talk attracted a big turnout that filled and spilled the hall. After all this is his first public talk in more than ten years. As it turned out, it was real worthwhile for the audience. It was obvious to me that all of them were well entertained and no less enlightened.

Lian Hoosin
29 May, 2001

我的部落格， 好高兴!

我连和胜今天有了部落格，非常高兴。 只是中文的打字非常不顺利。不知何故？

不能再打了。真是的！

Posted by Hoosin Lian

My first blog -Tis' an exciting time!

Today is 1st May 2008, Labour day.

I am feeling just great. At my age, 68 come next birthday, isn't it wonderful!

I feel we are now entering a what I call, an exciting time. Let me explain.

Looking at the happenings in the whole world. In many countries, e.g. US, France, Russia, Taiwan and in our own countries, new leaders emerged or emerging. I am especially keen in observing the situations developing in Taiwan and Malaysia.

Watching the political programmes in Taiwan's TVBS, President-elect Ma Ying-Jiu will be asuming office in 19 days' time after snatching a lanslide victory on 22nd March. Right now the political scene is very actively involved in dabates regarding the appointment of the person in charge of Mainland Affairs Bureau (陆委会主委). The person Ma appointed is a very controversal lady by the name of Lai Xing-Yuan who is considered Li Deng-Hui (controversal former president)'s protege who was well known for her Independence agenda.

While in our very own Malaysia, events developing after the 12th General Election are just as exciting as the shocking results. We can see the ruling coaliton (BN) struggling to hold on to power while all kinds of things are happening in the component parties: calls for leaders to take responsibilities, to resign (UMNO, MCA, MIC, Gerakan etc); Debates on NEP and the Malay supremacy and others. We can also see the new political alliance Pakatan Rakyat parties (PKR, DAP and PAS) trying to assume the new role as the ruling party in the states just wrested from BN, that as, Kedah, Penang, Perak and Selangor. And then we have another real big show to watch: Pakatan Rakyat trying to grab power of the Central Government-- DSAI aspiring to be the next prime minister of Malaysia.

Of course, the many attempts by many candidates from UMNO to replace Abdullah as the new PM. The candidates are namely Najib, Muhiyuddin, Ku Li, etc.

Don't you think this is an extremely exciting time?

I told myself and I told my friends today: we can't afford to be absent!

Posted by Hoosin Lian