Strangers in the forests
The supernatural is ubiquitous in children’s entertainment, from Grimm and Hans Andersen to Disney and ‘Harry Potter’. — Richard Dawkins, English ethologist, evolutionary biologist and author We are all born storytellers, but some tell the story much better than others. So it was interesting when I discovered a book in my possession signed and autographed […]
Down memory lane with Frank and Ema
Memory… is the diary that we all carry about with us. — Oscar Wilde, Irish poet and playwright When I was in Upper Six, I spent most of my time revelling in the sports field, and playing rugby at the Song Kheng Hai field. I walked or jogged to St Thomas’ school from the marine […]
Celebrating the magical 70
Wisdom doesn’t automatically come with old age. Nothing does — except wrinkles. It’s true, some wines improve with age. But only if the grapes were good in the first place. — Abigail Van Buren, American advice columnist and radio show host If you’re turning 70, don’t fret because it’s not the end of the world. […]
Bukit Peninjau — a historic institution
Memory is the treasure house of the mind wherein the monuments thereof are kept and preserved. — Thomas Fuller, English historian When I first arrived in Kuching to head the New Straits Times office in Sarawak 40 years ago, I made it a point to visit a historical site that had long been forgotten. Only […]
Mourning loss of our police heroes
Good people sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf. — George Orwell, English novelist and journalist June 7, 1974 will go down as one of Malaysia’s saddest days when Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Abdul Rahman Hashim was gunned down at the Jalan […]
What it takes to be a good journalist
By giving us the opinions of the uneducated, journalism keeps us in touch with the ignorance of the community. – Oscar Wilde, Irish poet and playwright Six years ago, RTM’s Jennifer Lau interviewed me on REDfm radio station and we had a roaring time. The topic was “Celebrating the life of a Journalist” which was […]
Epitaph to a golfing ambassador
I’ve always made a total effort, even when the odds seemed entirely against me. I never quit trying; I never felt that I didn’t have a chance to win. – Arnold Palmer, American professional golfer Legendary Malaysian golfer Nellan Vellasamy, who passed away in Petaling Jaya last Saturday, had a soft spot for Sarawak. […]
A case of mistaken identity
The only thing we have to fear is fear itself. – FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT, USA’S 32ND PRESIDENT Last week a young man confronted me at sundry shop and said it was an offence to go around “mask-less”. Since this was the height of the coronavirus fight, he said I should be responsible and not flout […]
