QUOTABLE QUOTES AND THOUGHTS

我们

2009-07-06T13:54:00.000-07:00

我们

风轻轻地吹过你那失落无助的眼神，望着我眼眶里仍然亮晶的眼泪。

GREAT!

2008-04-02T02:53:00.000-07:00

"As great as Shi Huang Ti, Alexander the Great or Napoleon Bonarparte, none of them had seen the world as you do at this moment!"

TMF to Toni and Leon while navigating arround the globe on Google earth

A PUZZLE

2006-09-21T01:46:00.000-07:00

"Papa, if we are in Malay-sia, why are we not all Malay?"

Leon Toh July 2006 pondering during lunchtime at Sri Hartamas. Emphasising Malay-sia with very sincere and considerate tone, hand and facial gesture.

ON TALKING

2006-09-21T01:30:00.000-07:00

"It is all too clear that our human family must come together and talk to one another if we are to overcome the problems that threaten to engulf us all. "To talk, however, is easy. To dialogue and communicate is more difficult," he said, noting that much of the dialogue that did take place resulted in the parties talking at, instead of talking to, one another. "In our relations, we must not be patronising and condescending and certainly not threatening,"

AAB addressing 61st UN assembly 2006, New York

Talk at? Talk to? Perhaps Talking with is better.

ON RESPONSIBILITY

2006-08-10T18:55:00.000-07:00

The safety, honour and welfare of your country come first, always and everytime; the safety, comfort and welfare of the men under your command come next; your own safety, comfort and welfare come last, always and everytime.

Inscription in the office of Tun Hussein Onn as the Prime Minister.

ON SUSTAINABLE ENVIRONMENT

2006-04-25T22:33:00.000-07:00

Consume no more than what we can not replace in our life time, destroy nothing that we can not rebuild with better technology. Level no hill and block no river.

A thought while looking out towards the distant mountain range at Templer Lodge, April 2006.

A PUZZLE

2006-04-25T22:24:00.000-07:00

" Since there are more than 6 billion people on earth, with only 365 days a year, how do we fit in everyone's birthday? "

Toni Toh - April 2006, sharing with Robyn after Brenda's birthday dinner.

THOUGHTS OF THE MOMENT

2006-01-25T01:05:00.000-08:00

THOUGHTS OF THE MOMENT

We are not the most important among others, we shall always remember that the others, especially those that we love, are more important than us, and most likely need our understanding more than we do from them. 14/8/05

When someone has inflicted wrong doing, it is indeed a sweet show of power to retaliate and take control. However, it will be a more powerful show of strength and character if we can take control of ourselves and forgive. 15/8/05
(60th anniversary of the end of world war two)

ON SEQUENCE

2006-01-17T17:48:00.000-08:00

The "WHY" has always got to be addressed clearly first before any "How" can be considered.

12th and 13th Jan 2006, Jakarta - Addressing my business partners with frustration.

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

2005-12-31T05:10:00.000-08:00

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

2005-12-21T07:18:00.000-08:00

" 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

2005-12-21T07:15:00.000-08:00

" Wealth is responsibility."

Dr Boen - 1990, Jakarta, addressing my curiousity.

ON CLARITY

2005-12-21T06:08:00.000-08:00

" 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

2005-12-21T06:05:00.000-08:00

" 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

2005-12-21T05:41:00.000-08:00

" 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

2005-12-20T09:31:00.000-08:00

" 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

2005-12-20T09:22:00.000-08:00

" I am only bullshitting!"

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

ON SUPPORT

2005-12-20T09:16:00.000-08:00

" 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

2005-12-20T09:11:00.004-08:00

" 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

2005-12-20T09:05:00.000-08:00

" 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

2005-12-20T08:59:00.000-08:00

" 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

2005-12-18T22:06:00.000-08:00

" 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

2005-12-18T21:29:00.000-08:00

"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

2005-12-18T20:43:00.000-08:00

" 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

2005-12-18T20:35:00.000-08:00

"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

2005-12-18T20:24:00.000-08:00

" 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

2005-12-16T10:42:00.000-08:00

"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

2005-12-16T10:39:00.000-08:00

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

Dato Eddy Shun

ON GIVING ADVICE

2005-12-16T10:37:00.000-08:00

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

Ms Anne Paw on many occasions.

ON PROBLEM

2005-12-16T10:33:00.000-08:00

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

Dato Noguchi - 1988, on problems from sales management.

ON LOGIC

2005-12-16T05:07:00.000-08:00

"The difference is the same..."

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

ON POSTURE

2005-12-16T05:02:00.000-08:00

"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

2005-12-16T04:54:00.000-08:00

"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