In memoriam: Malcolm Wade (1933–2015) April 4, 2015 – Posted in: In The News

Malcolm Wade passed away in England on 3 March 2015, a day before his 82nd birthday. He was a former chairman of The Malaya Study Group (1975–1978). The Malaya Study Group promotes the understanding and appreciation of Malayan philately and its members comprise collectors of the stamps, postal stationery and postal history of the states of Peninsular West Malaysia. In an obituary posted on the group’s website, the editor wrote that Malcolm, who had been a member since…

Cherishing her father’s legacy March 26, 2015 – Posted in: In The News

By S. ISTA KYRA | nst_ipoh@yahoo.com ARCHITECTURAL HERITAGE: Ruth Iversen Rollit is working on a book about her father, Berthel Michael Iversen, who designed many of Ipoh’s landmarks IPOH: RUTH Iversen Rollit, daughter of Danish architect Berthel Michael Iversen, said her architect father used to take her on evening car rides around town to makan angin while he assessed the condition of the buildings that he had designed. “It was part of his routine to…

In memoriam: Tenas Effendy (1936–2015) March 20, 2015 – Posted in: In The News

Tenas Effendy (b. 1936) passed away in Pekanbaru, Riau province, Indonesia on 28 February 2015 at the age of 79. Tenas Effendy is the non-de-plume of Tengku Nasaruddin Said Effendy; teacher, writer, poet, culturalist, linguist, and highly-revered advocate and connoisseur of Riau Malay arts, language and culture. He is credited to have recorded oral tradition in 1,500 tape recordings, collected over 20,000 idioms, 10,000 pantun, and written 66 titles on varied aspects of Malay culture. He…

Remembering days of fun in the sun October 14, 2014 – Posted in: In The News, Reviews

Sometimes, we have to look through another’s eyes to see something special in the ordinary. Reading the memoirs of John Michael Broome Hughes, especially the section devoted to his time in this country, one is transported into an era where a pair of observant eyes and a powerful pen can make history come alive. The memoirs of the last British headmaster of the Penang Free School (PFS), known as Mike to his friends, is not…

Recalling a Thai Malaysian Legacy July 14, 2014 – Posted in: In The News

The history of Phuket and this region, is the late Khaw Sim Bee Na Ranong, better known on Phuket as Praya Rassada. He was the high commissioner of Phuket and the Southwestern region of Siam from 1900 to 1913. He was assassinated 100 years ago in May, 1913. To commemorate his death, a regional historical symposium and business forum was recently held in Penang. The event was entitled ‘Khaw Sim Bee Na Ranong and shared…

The kampung house revisited April 7, 2014 – Posted in: In The News

Article by Farah Fazanna Zulzaha Guests to the Rumah: An Ode to Malay House book launch took the time to enjoy the illustrations by London-based illustrator Ahmad Harun. A BOOK of poems dedicated to traditional Malay houses has been launched. Penned by the cultural icon Tenas Effendy, Rumah: An Ode to the Malay Housepresents Tenas’ classic tribute to the Malay house alongside a lively English translation by Raimy Ché-Ross, making the work accessible to…

Book brings memories of living in a kampung – Posted in: In The News

Letter by S. Sundareson, Petaling Jaya I REFER to the article “The kampong house revisited” (The Star, March 25). The launch of the book “Rumah – An Ode to the Malay house” brings back fond memories during my childhood days. The book, which has poems written by Tenas Effendy, with English translation by Raimy Che’ Ross, is probably the first of its kind. A forward with an illustration by Datuk Mohammad Nor Khalid, popularly…

Book by cultural icon pays tribute to the traditional Malay dwelling March 28, 2014 – Posted in: In The News

Article by Farah Fazanna Zulzaha Lat (left) and Areca Books founding partner Abdur- Razzaq Lubis sharing a moment to read Tenas Effendy’s newly launched book of poems. A BOOK of poems dedicated to traditional Malay houses has recently been launched. Penned by the cultural icon Tenas Effendy, Rumah: An Ode to the Malay House presents Tenas’ classic tribute to the Malay house alongside a lively English translation by Raimy Ché-Ross, making the work accessible to new…

Missionary couple’s contributions are well-recorded in Penang February 24, 2014 – Posted in: In The News

Article by Wong Chun Wai The newly refurbished church in Farquhar Street is one of the country’s 50 national treasures. IT IS easily the most beautiful church in Penang but more than that, St George’s Church, which was built in 1816, is the oldest Anglican church in South-East Asia. Not surprisingly, the church, located on Farquhar Street, has been declared one of the 50 national treasures of Malaysia by the Government. The landmark church was…

Conservative Crusader: Law Siak Hong defends Perak’s Heritage February 10, 2014 – Posted in: In The News

Article by Kenny Mah IPOH, Jan 24 — Initially conceived by a band of citizens concerned about the conservation of Ipoh’s historical sites, the Perak Heritage Society (PHS) now promotes public awareness and preservation of the entire state’s cultural, social and environmental heritage. One of their leading lights, PHS founding member and former president Law Siak Hong is relentless about the cause; he leads regular heritage walks for the public around Old Ipoh as well…