Thursday August 31, 2006

Stale jokes bring winning smiles

By JADE CHAN
Photos by RICKY LAI

MALAYSIA’s first Prime Minister and Father of Independence, the late Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj, touched the hearts of Malaysians from all walks of life, judging by the response received for the “The Star-My Best Memory of Tunku’’ contest organised by Star Metro and The Federal Kuala Lumpur.

The top five winners in the contest, who were fortunate to have come into personal contact with the Tunku, described him as a warm, pleasant, kind and friendly person with a great sense of humour.

The grand prize in the contest was won by Alex Fernandez, 76, from Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur, who formerly served as an executive with Bernama’s public relations department.

His winning entry related a quirky statement made by the Tunku at a press conference in Alor Star, Kedah during the general election period in 1969 which Fernandez, who was news editor at Television Malaysia (now known as RTM) at that time, attended.

According to Fernandez, when a reporter remarked that Tunku was wearing an old shirt, he replied in jest: “I like to stick to old things; just look at my wife,” the Tunku said, gesturing to his wife seated opposite him.

The winners pose with Lee (standing sixth from left) and Tan (standing fifth from left). Fernandez is seated fifth from left, followed by Sulaiman and Yee.

Fernandez said when he was with Television Malaysia, he was mainly given the task of attending press conferences given by the Tunku whenever the latter left on or returned from an overseas visit.

For his effort, Fernandez won a three-night stay for two persons in a Deluxe Studio inclusive of Great Malaysian Buffet Breakfast, “Favourite Dishes” from the Tunku’s Kitchen Set Dinner for two persons at Revolving Bintang Restaurant and an autographed copy of the recipe book titled Favourite Dishes from the Tunku’s Kitchen.

Fernandez received the prize from The Federal Kuala Lumpur general manager Lee Lian Terk. Also present at the ceremony was Star Publications (Malaysia) Bhd marketing services department senior manager Iris Tan.

“I am really happy because though I was confident of winning, I never expected it to be the grand prize.

“I would like to thank the organisers and the judges because I can now treat my wife to a short holiday,” said Fernandez.

The second prize was won by Sulaiman Kassim, 59, from Batu Lanchang, Penang, who first met the Tunku almost 40 years ago when he attended a Hari Raya Aidil Fitri open house party hosted by the Tunku in Penang.

“The photograph I submitted with my entry was taken at the Tunku’s house in Penang during my last visit to the Tunku just before he left for the US to undergo eye surgery.

“I felt very sad on that day because the Tunku looked frail and remarked that his life would end very soon,” said Sulaiman, who is a former employee of United Overseas Bank in Penang.

Sulaiman said the Tunku was a very considerate person who made time for ordinary folks who visited him at his family home in Penang.

The third prize was won by Ernest Yee, 67, from Section 17, Petaling Jaya, who submitted an entry with photographs of Tunku’s visit to the MPH bookstore at Jaya Supermarket in Petaling Jaya in August 1978 for the launch of his book, “Looking Back’’ .

Yee said he had met Tunku on several occasions, having attended a number of seminars and talks that featured him as one of the speakers.

“The book launch was organised by MPH Bookstores and Heinemann Publishers, and I was among those who welcomed Tunku at the event because I was the bookstore manager then,” said Yee, who had also served as a teacher previously.

“I recall Tunku being very friendly and humble throughout the launch.

Fernandez browsing through the ‘Favourite Dishes from the Tunku's Kitchen’ cookbook with Tan and Lee after the prizegiving ceremony.

“He had a good word for anyone who spoke to him and obligingly autographed the books for the many who approached him,” said Yee.

The fourth prize went to Loh Chee Peng, from Tanjung Bungah, Penang, who penned her experience serving coffee and snacks to Tunku and his guest, Prince Faisal of Saudi Arabia, in December 1980 at the Fastfood Centre at Bangunan Perkim in Jalan Ipoh, Kuala Lumpur.

Lieutenant (Rtd) Nathan Periasamy, 57, from Taman Mutiara, Cheras, bagged the fifth prize. He wrote about his meeting in 1978 with the Tunku, who was then the patron of the Institute of Public Relations Malaysia.

The 10 consolation prize winners were Mahaboob Mohd Mohiadeen (Desa Pandan), Toh Chin Boon (Bandar Utama), Joseph Xavier (Subang Jaya), Mimi Omar (Petaling Jaya), Thong Yoke Leng (Wangsa Melawati), Rohani Hassan Mohamed (Ampang), Yep Pui Yee (Petaling Jaya), Ashta Laxshmi Venugopal (Seremban), Lee Tart Heen (Petaling Jaya) and Khor Eng Cheng (Penang).

A total of 94 entries were received for the contest, which was held in conjunction with the 49th Independence Day today.