Monday, July 13, 2026

The 'Perak-China Connection 1891-1941' and Sun Yat Sen

Alexandra Sun presented Dr Leong a fan and coaster, Justin Sun presented Khoo Salma a bronze statue of Sun Yat Sen

The talk ‘The Perak China Connection 1891-1941’ which was held at 15 Clarke Street was an enlightening talk to welcome Alexandra Sun the great grandniece of Sun Yat Sen. Her entourage included her son Justin Sun, Khoo Salma and Abdur-Razzaq Lubis from the Sun Yat Sen Penang Museum and students from Wutong Youth Organisation of Nanjing Normal University (NNU). 

Justin Sun signing in, at back is Alexandra Sun 

Organised by Dr Leong Oon Keong the evening event was a low key event as Alexandra had attended similar events over 2 days. However in attendance were interested community groups such Perak Academy and YLCO Museum.

Dr Leong had encouraged everyone to partake of a light desert of Tau Fu Fah as his talk would be long. It was a gesture and almost everyone agreed with the idea. 

Khoo Salma and Alexandra pose for a photo while other guest have a light desert of Tau Fu Fah

..at the hall of Dr Leongs at 15 Clarke Street.... 

..the 'Perak Connection' talk 

The talk was on Perak’s Chinese community who was supportive of Dr Sun Yat Sen' revolution and they wholly contributed to his cause. I presumed the supporters were the migrants who made the perilous journey to Nanyang to support their families back home.

The slides, which Dr Leong prepared himself, gave a good idea who was involved and the local leaders (click on the slide to expand the photo)

the supporters, basically everyone 

They were from all backgrounds be it the lowest of the working chain, even the artistic dramatist group who reached the illiterate Chinese labourers to the elites they all contributed to the common cause. 


..what happened during the early years and the start of Perak Chamber of Commerce 

It wasn’t till February 1930 when Governor Sir Cecil Clementi enforced the KMT (Kuomintang) ban. In that same year the Perak Chinese Assembly Hall (PCAH) was established. PCAH would unite Chinese Associations across Perak, coordinate educational and cultural activities, provide a forum for different dialects could work together and represent the Chinese community to the Colonial government. KMT leaders took positions in the colonial administration and voiced Chinese interests.


the banning of the KMT, the start of the PCAH and the migration of KMT members to Colonial administration

..the Chinese community worked hard for a better future ...

The talk was quite long but was very interesting. Alexandra commented there was so much more involvement by the community.

Then came dinner and a presentation of gifts. Alexandra presented Dr Leong with Coaster of a Tamarind tree and a fan with Sun Yat Sen calligraphi. Justin Sun, Alexandra’s son, presented to Khoo Salma a bronze statue of Sun Yat Sen.

(l/p) Hansen Lau, Dr Leong, Alexandra Sun, Yang Arif Leong Wai Hong . (r/p) Chan Kok Keong, Datuk Hew Choy Kon, Abdur-Razzaq Lubis, Dr Leong 

(l/p) Michael Teh great grandson of Teh Lay Seng, Mrs Teh, Prof Tan Ai Boay. (r/p) Datuk Kwan Foh Kwai, William Leong Oon Soon.

(l/p) Ignatius Chew, Ansell Tan, Dr Leong (r/p) Jacky Chew, Lau Sook Mei, Law Siak Hong

(l/p) Catherine, Dr Beatrice Leong, Sabrina Leong, Dr Lim Hooi Hooi.(r/p) guitarist from China, KC Chan, Pauline Chew, Lau Sook Mei.

Dinner followed and photo posing time. It was an easy night until the students of Nanjing University serenaded us a goodnight with a melodious Auld Lang Syne sung in Chinese.



JAG / KC


Saturday, July 4, 2026

"Friends of Marie" Group Visit YLCO Museum

The 'Friends of Marie' group at YLCO Museum, 1 Jalan Lasam, Greentown Ipoh

The group “Friends of Marie” paid a visit to YLCO Museum in June. Marie Lee is the organiser and the friends group are ‘active senior citizens who regularly organize social and recreational outings ie hiking, nature exploration, heritage visits and foodie adventures thus promoting friendship, healthy living and active ageing'. 

Marie's friends (l/r):  Bob, Mrs Bob, Leonie, Joanne, Chan Siew Fong, Teresa Ong, Thong Mee Kuan, Ricky Kong Khop Song, Steven Nyau, Valerie Black, Marie Lee, Michael Lee, Sundralingam, Joanna Woo,  Josephine Cheong, Monica Phong, Joseph Cheong and Dr. Tai Nyok Ling


Marie met Ignatius during a recent event of Professor Gary Lit' talk of Leong Boon Swee and enquired if the group could visit YLCO. She followed up with an official email describing the group and decided the date and time of the visit. She described Ignatius as gacious host who explained that YLCO was housed in a Green Building located at 1 Jalan Lasam and YLCO museum was situated on the 4th floor.

Marie said that 50% of her senior group were professionals during their working lives. They enjoyed the tour of the museum and got to know some history of Ipoh through the lives of the few families who eventually became prominent members of Ipoh town. The highlight of the tour was taking photos with the displays of Tan Sri Michelle Yeoh which everyone thoroughly enjoyed .


Ignatius Chew introduces the group to 1 Lasam and Ipoh's contribution ...

..and the sights at 1 Lasam .....



outside YLCO museum 

Michael Lee (year of the Dragon holder) and the group in YLCO Museum 

Marie Lee with hubby and friend with Michelle Yeoh display ....

and the group ......

.which was the "highlight of the tour" ......

One in their group was Sundralingam who is a Heritage tour guide. He described Ignatius as very knowledgeable and through his YLCO museum was willing to impart family’s history in detail. “From that one visit I learnt that his grandfather was Chew Boon Juan who started Ban Hoe Seng a century ago and subsequently became the sole distributer of Honda vehicles for Perak

Sundralingam listens attentively to Igantius' explanation ......

....others are interested in the family tree ......

Marie presented a fruit basket to Ignatius Chew for a wonderful tour .......

The group presented to Ignatius a fruit basket for an informative and enjoyable tour.


KC









Wednesday, July 1, 2026

2026 OMPH Church Feast Day – Was A Beautiful Evening

OMPH Church' feast day was a beautiful evening gathering ...... 

The weather was great, the decorations was beautiful and the parishioners were seated well ahead of time for the mass. In short it was perfectly beautiful evening for the Annual Feast Day of Our Mother of Perpetual Church.

the church at 5.45pm ...mass starts at 7pm ......wonderful weather though hot ...
6 rows for the congregations fellowship after mass. annually we average a 2000 congregation..

the Flying Rosary .........

6.15pm, the congregation full house in church and enjoying the air-con listening to the chinese choir
 
This year Parish Priest Fr Joseph Stephens decided to hold the event in Church instead of outdoors. In the past few years the rain threatened and the congregation had to shift indoors halfway through the mass ensuing much confusion. 


Before 7pm all is ready for the entrance ..tents in the front of the church 

to cater for large congregation the church, the hall and outside and tents in front made sure everyone had a seat 

Our Crown bearers and Consecration of Families bearer  

the young ladies crown Our Lady ....

our young man places the book of Consecration of Families ............ 

.......at Our Lady's shrine. The bearers return together  ....

After the Crowning its the start of the Procession around the neighbourhood 


..the order of procession ,,the servers, the children, Mother Mary ...

...and the Ministers followed by the congregation  ...

..the procession returns ....

..Fr Phillip Lai has the Benediction ...nice to see the servers and flower girls throwing flowers.... 


Fr Joe thanked the various committees and congregation for making this night so memorable..please proceed to the fellowship ......  

..just part of the 'fellowship

This year with good planning the mass went by like a breeze from start and ended with a wonderful fellowship. 

KC





Monday, June 29, 2026

Cable Theft / Open Manhole Covers - MBI?? Attended to my Complaint In 1 Day .....

 My highlight of Open Manhole Covers was attended to within 24 hours. I was alerted by several friends who drove by the area that 4 men in green shirts were covering the three manholes. This was in the evening of Saturday 27th.


Whoever did this good deed .. THANK YOU..IT IS APPRECIATED BY ALL.

KC