(Lim Poh Loh passed away last night (Malaysian Time) in Canada where he had been residing. He was 91 years old September 15th this year. May he R.I.P. The late Lim Poh Loh was a strong supporter when we wanted to publish our MACS Centenary Coffee Table Book back in 2009. Despite health issues and being wheelchair bound he worked hard to recollect his school and hostel days in MACS and contributed this nostalgia-packed article).
When Tan Kok Kee suggested that I put my thoughts on paper on some interesting memories of my days as a student and boarder at the Anglo Chinese School (ACS) in Malacca, I hesitated to think about it for a couple of weeks. At age 82, and being a stroke survivor for nearly ten years now, it is not easy for me to do it. However, before dementia catches up with me as my age advances, I decided to attempt to write down some personal recollections and observations of the past.
Pre-War Period (1939-41)
Before WW 2, the boarding school was in a unit of three 2-storey buildings, directly facing a mosque along Tranquerah Road about 200 metres from the entrance to the Methodist Girls’
School. Two buildings were occupied by the boarders and the third one by Dr Ho Seng Ong and his family. Dr Ho was the principal of ACS, and together with his wife, were in charge of the boarding school; they had two sons and two daughters. Mrs Ho, in particular, spent a lot of time with the younger boarders, who were up to about twelve years of age. On many Saturday evenings, she would invite us to her house for singing and games. On good weather, full-moon evenings, we would march in a single line to the seawall which was about a mile north of the boarding school. We sat on the sea wall with a handkerchief in our hands, and tried to tie a knot in time to make a wish whenever we saw a shooting star. I wonder how many of our wishes were realized. I am sure some did! Boarders, with ages ranging from seven to late teens, were fun-loving and sometimes, mischievous. As we were staying opposite the mosque, we could not avoid seeing worshippers attending the Thursday prayer meetings. Before the end of each meeting, the worshippers would sing the same familiar song to indicate that it was time for tea and snacks. Some boarders who knew the tune so well, would hum-a-long loudly to the annoyance of the worshippers. Fortunately, the worshippers were very tolerant with the disturbances and there was no confrontation or conflict on the matter.
On another occasion, some boys were involved in a fight with some kampong boys. The
leader of the kampong came to complain to Dr Ho, and also identified the boarders who were involved. Dr Ho, in his usual diplomatic ways, agreed with the complainant to deal with the boys appropriately. But, as soon as the leader left, Dr Ho said to the boys: “I am proud of you all for supporting each other during the confrontation, but do not have such conflicts again”. His advice was taken seriously and there were no further fights.
Charlie Bien was the youngest boarder, small and skinny, but had an unusually large head. In the boarding, if you were small and weak, you had to face some bullying from the bigger and stronger boys. When such a situation happened, he would come to me for support and courage. Although he was small, he was a brilliant student, who topped his class in every term examination.
Please select the pages to continue reading from the gallery below.
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