Malaysians praying for Boehm

PENANG: Concerned Malaysians are praying that Willi Hans Boehm, who is dying of cancer in Australia, will get a last taste of his beloved durian ice-cream from Penang where he first met his Malaysian wife. 

Well-wisher Jalil Yusuf from Kuala Lumpur e-mailed [e-mail] with a message that God would let miracles happen if he wished to. 

“By the grace of God, who knows, after taking the durian ice-cream, a new event may take shape. Let us pray the Australian Customs give clearance and the ice-cream reaches you as soon as possible.” 

HUSBAND AND WIFE: Boehm and his wife Agnes in this wedding photo taken in Singapore in 1946.

On Sunday, The Star highlighted the love story of Boehm, 86, a former German navy officer who fell in love with Agnes Vaz, 81, a local, during World War II despite strong resistance as he was from the “enemy” camp. 

The couple, who got married in Singapore in 1946, used to eat durian ice-cream at Kek Seng coffeeshop in Penang Road and after migrating with their six sons to Australia in 1973, they would go return for the ice-cream whenever they visited Penang. 

Boehm is now critically ill in a hospital in Perth and has been given weeks to live. His six sons are searching for a Penang and a German flag to drape over his coffin. 

Malaysia Airlines offered to send the Penang flag while the 75-year-old widow of the Kek Seng ice-cream maker Tan Gaik Nooi, 75, made two tubs of durian ice-cream for Boehm although chances of it reaching him are slim because of Australia's strict quarantine controls. 

Well-wisher Choong Sze Soon e-mailed his blessings and urged Boehm to “stay strong.” 

“Hopefully, the durian ice-cream will get there with no problem,” he said. 

Evengiline Pestana wrote from Adelaide, saying she understood what the Boehms were going through as she had lost her mother to lung cancer two years ago. 

“Maybe no words or action could help to ease the pain. All I can offer are prayers and sincere sympathy. May God be with you all and bless and shower you with His love.” 

Catherine Lim wrote: “I pray and hope that Willi Hans will experience peace and fulfilment with the love and generosity given by strangers, friends and families alike.” 

Penangite Louis Arudas wrote from Auckland, saying he missed Penang and the food and hoped that Boehm would get his durian ice-cream “on time.” 

Suhami Deris urged Boehm to keep his spirits up to fight the cancer. 

The Kee family from the Malaysian Rubber Products Manufacturers Association wrote: “We are very sad to hear about Mr Boehm’s sickness and will pray for him.” 

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