ON MRS CHIA'S FINAL REST - 30th December 2005

While proceeding to the burial ground of Mrs Chia, after the funeral rites, it suddenly dawned on me that she had lived till the ripe old age of eighty, meaning a total of approximately 30,000 days on earth. The grave seemed to be the final custodian of those 30,ooo days of her life's experience.

The view from the burial ground is indescribably spectacular. It lies on a terraced slope on a mountain peak, overlooking a huge plain far below where Mengkabong River leads to the Tuaran River, gracefully meanders into Sapapangal Bay, then leisurely entering the Gaya Bay and finally disappears into the South China Sea far beyond the horizon.

The intermittent drizzle coupled with the tears in our eyes occasionally blurred our view, but the light breeze that followed revealed again and again the peace and serenity of her final resting place.

I understand that the whole memorial park is westward facing, therefore a splendid sunset every evening is expected. I am happy for her, at last.

To GOD be the glory.

(With the Chia's family, Thong and Jimmy - 30th December 2005, Nirwana Memorial Park, Telipok, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.)

ON RELATIONSHIP

" If you want her to be like when you first met her, try treating her the way you did when you first met her."

Pak Johannes - 2002, Beijing, just outside the hotel lobby, before I left for the airport.

ON THE MEANING OF WEALTH

" Wealth is responsibility."

Dr Boen - 1990, Jakarta, addressing my curiousity.

ON CLARITY

" If you speak slower and softer, people will understand you better. "

Ira - 1994, casually advising on how to better get my point across.

ON EFFICIENCY

" Try to do more with less."

Pak Johannes - 2005, on the need to conserve our own constructive energy to do more.

ON THE PERFECT SPOUSE

" Must be a good hearted, healthy and naturally happy person."

Pak Johannes - 1994, giving me the criteria for the perfect spouse while subtlety reminding me the need to find one.

ON HOPE AND EXPECTATION

" Afterwards, you eat these onion leaves and swallow the hard boiled egg, you will then become smart and never score zero in your exam."

My Mother - 1965, while walking me to my school for my first day in my standard one class, carrying a small onion plant and a hard boiled egg. ( Onion, spoken to sound like CHONG - meaning smart or inteligent in our dialet; egg, representing zero because of it's shape?)

ON HUMILITY

" I am only bullshitting!"

Nim Chee, whenever he expresses his truly learned opinion or offers his constructive advice.

ON SUPPORT

" If unable to sleep is so terrible, I will stay awake with you all night."

MY MU SENIOR - 1980s, to his wife on her insomnia, which eventually got her out of her sleeping disorder.

ON SHARE SPECULATION

" Call me after 12 tonight, I will tell you soon after I get into trance."

Wee Kheong - 1993 bull run, trying to brush off numerous queries from punters on which share to buy.

ON SELF CONSOLATION

" I always try to assist others in bringing the best out of them. "

Eng Guan - 2005, after losing to me unexpectedly in table tennis at Lake Club.

ON DIFFICULT PERSON

" I always tell people, if anyone is difficult, that's his mother's problem, not mine. "

Eng Guan - 2005, Lake Club, speaking philosophically as usual.

ON ALTERNATIVE

" Why don't you give your life to GOD then? "

Eileen Chia - 1992, in reply to my casual complaint about life being meaningless.

ON MAKING IT

"Once you qualify as a Chartered Accountant, the world is your oyster!"

Lawrence Chia - 1984, Tanjung Aru Beach Hotel, relating what was told by his lecturer in UK. ("Oyster" to be read to sound like "Oystar" much like how Sir W. C would have pronounced it, I used to guess during those days in Sabah.)

ON THE PAST

" Tell her that was long time ago......"

Peter Chia - 1988, outside Lane Crawford, Hong Kong, replying Mrs Chia's query through Wee Kheong and me.

ON VERSATIBILITY

"You are like a sponge, always ready to submerge, but resurface rather quickly when the presure is off!"

Lawrence Chia - 1984, Tanjung Aru Beach Hotel casual chat after work.

ON WRONG INVESTMENT

" Go find someone smarter who knows what to do with the land, or alternatively, find someone more stupid to take over the land! "

Pak Aryanto - 1991, annoyed with a speculative acquisition not related to the core business by an executive within the Cosmetic Division.

ON AVAILABILITY

"It was my father who has not the luxury of time to have small talk with me, not the other way!"

A shocking revelation - 1989, in hospital, while waiting for him to come out of his colon cancer operation

ON PROPERTY

" May Fook, property is in my blood, it can not go wrong."

Dato Eddy Shun

ON GIVING ADVICE

"Toh May Fook, wait, let me tell you......"

Ms Anne Paw on many occasions.

ON PROBLEM

"If you know what is the problem, it is not a problem."

Dato Noguchi - 1988, on problems from sales management.

ON LOGIC

"The difference is the same..."

Tan Soo Yan - 1985, brushing off irritating question from new recruits in Arthur Young.

ON POSTURE

"Tell them don't try to be funny!"

Tun Sir Henry H. S. Lee - 1988, on my advise to return home from office on fear of riot, soon after Adam's shooting in Chow Kit area.

ON HOW TO BE SUCESSFUL

"To be successful, you do not really need to be a genius, just be smart enough to follow those who are successful; if you are even smarter, and since there are always more stupid people around, to be successful, make sure you avoid doing what most people do!"


Pak Aryanto 1991