We do not remember days, we remember moments of CNY

By: Jan XiXian Tan

Karaoke music blasts through the speakers, the smell of delicious food fills the house and messages on red paper decorated the walls.

Once again, it is Chinese New Year - the season of hope and happiness.

On the eve, grandparents are constantly looking forward for all their children and grandchildren to come home.

Since all their children have move over to the town, no doubt, at this age, they are afraid of loneliness.

They always search for someone to accompany them.

"The more, the merrier as we got together for our reunion dinner and celebrating this festival with them," smiled the grandfather, Tan Hong Joo, 92 when he mentioned.

"Every household prepares for the New Year, weeks before the day," said Lim Soo Kin, 51.

"It was extremely exciting and I could never wait until it was New Year’s again.

"As this was the time I can get everything new, from top to bottom.”

"The festive mood begins to dispel the chill in the air."

Great-grandparents with their great-granddaughter- Emma.

"Reminiscence the old days when I'm still a kid," explained Tee Hui Kim, 83.

"There is no shopping mall.

"All the new clothes that we wore in the festival were sewed by our parents. 

"The style was consistent among all my six siblings.

"Somehow, people thought we were triplets or twins.

"As being the youngest in the family, I have no choice but always wearing hand-me-downs from my elder sister," she said.”

"Chinese New Year is perhaps the most exciting part of the event.

"The table lades with delicious food such as chicken, fish, duck, and pork.

"My eyes grow large and my stomach growls as I stare at the food!" said Tan Siew Hong, 65.

The four generation.

"During the old days, these foods are not affordable," explained by Tan Siew Kuan, now in her sixties.

"This episode reminded me that during our childhood, everyone will only hunt for the drumstick when the chicken is ready to be served.

"You guys are just so lucky that these cooking can be eaten almost every day," she continued.

"For Hokkien people, the grand celebration will kick off on the ninth day, which is the Thnee Kong Seh (Jade Emperor's birthday)," said Tan Kok Tong, 54. “

"It was the most amazing night where relatives will gather in our home for dinner and children will play fireworks till midnight.

"I love my grandmother's cooking, the variety of taste which I can't get back from memories.

"Plenty of foods will be prepared such as the whole roasted pork meat, mee shua (noodles represent long life) to honor the Jade Emperor," he recalls.”

Emma excited to celebrate CNY with her great-grandaunts.

He explains, "This celebration plays a significant role because the Hokkiens believe that our ancestors from the Fujian province in China survived persecution from Sung Dynasty soldiers by hiding in a sugar cane.

"Therefore, the must-haves were sugar cane stalks.

"This traditional celebration of Jade Emperor is for the next generation to remember the story behind."

Evolution of CNY celebrations

By: Fakhriah Halim

Chinese New Year is celebrated by the Chinese society every year to welcome their New Year, in adherence to the lunar calendar.

The best part about Malaysian multi-cultural society is that, despite of all cultural differences, language barriers and the unfamiliarity of each other’s religious practices and cultural traits, the differences have built curiosity among us instead of criticism or disrespect for most of us.

Upon filling the answers to the curiosity of what the celebration of Chinese New Year was like approximately 5 decades ago, a very close and personal friend and colleague to my mother,Catherine Wong was happy to share her memories on the matter and some of her personal experiences in Chinese New Year festivity during her childhood.

Catherine Wong (left) with Fatimah Khalid- Fakhriah's mother (right)

Going back to the era in the 60’s, Wong highlighted one of the major differences between Chinese New Year celebrations in the past with the present.

“50 years ago, we were allowed to burn fire crackers openly, but not now.”

“This really made a big difference to the celebration because  I can still remember the aftermath of the fire crackers – red pieces of paper scattered on the road in front of our shop house. 

“Red fire crackers were burnt to welcome the New Year with a bang!” she said, revealing a tad of emotions about the changes in legislation as firecrackers were banned after 1972.

Wong was born and raised along with her 5 other siblings in Raub, Pahang by her parents who are now both deceased.

From what she can recall about Chinese New Year during her childhood, her family, relatives, family friends, and classmates would visit each other, visit the temple, exchange ang-pows, and gamble.

“My friends and I would go from Raub town to the neighboring villages to visit other classmates.”

“Another activity we enjoyed was gambling with family and friends where there will always be a lot of joking and laughter during these sessions,” she added with a chuckle.

Wong's favorite part about celebrating Chinese New Year, throughout her 50 years, would be the preparation, particularly when she gets to go shopping.

“Celebrating Chinese New Year gives me the chance to shop and I really enjoyed shopping for clothing for myself and the family, household linens and decorations, festive gifts and etc.”

“I also enjoyed the atmosphere in shopping malls and supermarkets as it gives me a sense of joy to see the hustle and bustle of people preparing to welcome a new year with new hopes and expectations.”

Currently residing in Subang, Selangor with her husband and her two sons, she celebrates Chinese New Year with her remaining family members and close friends among whom only some traditions are still kept and practiced.

“Nowadays I do not follow the tradition as strictly as before, such as offering prayers at home and in the temple as my focus is more on gathering and meeting up with relatives and friends.”

Comparing traditions practiced in the past, she added, “In the past we have to observe the date and time for prayers and welcoming the God of Prosperity.”

“I still follow the tradition of having reunion dinner with my husband’s family.

“For the Chinese, once we are married we follow the husband’s family.”

“However, we have the reunion dinner at a restaurant instead of cooking at home,” said Wong.

“I feel that celebration in the past was more elaborate, while the celebration for me now, is much simpler.”

Trea the moments of Chinese New Year.

Tradition was clearly adhered to more strictly back then.

For the elderly who had celebrated Chinese New Year celebration in the past, they would fondly recall the loud and joyous celebration that is stark contrast to how it is celebrated now.

To her, the real meaning of Chinese New Year is to “meet up with family members and old friends, chatting about old times and happenings in our life as it is a time for sharing.”

Perakians look back on CNY

By: Daniel Yeap

The year is 1970. There were no hand phones, no Internet and definitely, no Facebook. 

Life is a routine – going to the farm and back in the evening for adults; for the children, it would be straight home from school to do homework and help with the house chores.

Meals are equally simple: some steamed vegetables with an egg, if preferred, and rice. This goes on throughout the year – until Chinese New Year.

“Chinese New Year was the highlight of the year for everyone," recalls Karen Tang, now in her fifties.

“It would only be a month away and already the festive mood would be buzzing among the townspeople.”

"Ba Kua" for sale! On the streets and in shops.

Many Chinese families were not well to do at that time.

A large family, usually more than ten, including the parents, meant less for each person as the resources had to be share equally.

Still, Chinese New Year was a break from the usual routine and mundane life; it called for a celebration!

In-demand profession decades ago.

Everyone on the streets talked about their preparations for the festival and housewives gossiped about where to get the best deals.

If they were not out doing New Year shopping, people would be at home cleaning their houses.

House cleaning is done daily, but is more thorough and frequent when the god of Prosperity’s visit is near.

Even for the poor, money was saved the entire year to give themselves a treat on this special occasion.

“We liked to drink the F&N orange juice. We only got to savor it during Chinese New Year, where there were dozens of bottles for us to indulge in, “explains Clifford Yeap, who is nearly 70. 

Ink painting on walls - fashionable then and now.

On the eve, reunion dinner was a must for every family.

Even the most lenient parent would insist their children and relatives be home to eat together.

And who would not want to?

Everything they couldn’t usually have on an ordinary day is there on the dinner table.

Chicken is a common must-have at reunion dinners.

At that time, chicken meat was considered a delicacy because of the high price it was sold at.

There are also Chinese sausages, sea cucumbers and for those who get their bonuses early, shark-fin’s soup.

“The food was not plentiful, but it’s more than what we usually eat on a daily basis, “says Tang.

There’s more to look forward to.

“We each get a set of new clothes," she continues.

“This is the only time we get new clothes.”

The new clothes are worn the following day when children greet their parents and receive their red packets.

Having done that, it’s off visiting relatives and friends scattered around the village.

“The whole village is on the move, “says Yeap.

“People would walk to and fro from their neighbors’ houses and bumping into each other on the road.”

A coveted decoration in many Chinese houses.

For the two days of the Lunar New Year, all housework and farming stops.

It is a time to relax and enjoy each other’s company.

And what do they miss most about Chinese New Year in days gone by?

“The firecrackers,” Yeap promptly responded.

“We [the children] used to get together and play self-made firecrackers.

“We made them during the day and lighted them during the night.

“That is the only time we stayed up late, having fun together.”

1963 Hainaneses New Year

By: Rachel Chew

Back in 1963, families in the village woke up at the first call from the rooster.

Grandpa and men would leave home to go to work, after having a cup of black coffee with fried “yoo-tiao” or “bao” (a white color steam bun).

Grandma and women would be in the house to cook the meals, tender the farm animals, grow crops and wash the clothes; children will normally help with other house chores when they are back from schools.

When its lunchtime, bicycle bells can be heard from a distance- men often come home for lunch and set off to work again until late evening.

Old bicycle (with modification and repairing in between) carries memories since 1963.

Most of the time, dishes like steamed tofu, a variety of vegetables, and fried eggs are a meal for a large family of 10 people to go with a bowl of rice each.

“I really hate the static menu of meals,” said Chew Kah Peng, 54.

“But there’s nothing we can do about it, our tummies wouldn’t allow us to reject the only choice of food we have.”

“That’s why we love Chinese New Year so much- it’s the only time where we get to eat Hainam chicken rice that we dreamed of the entire year,” recalls Chew Kah Heng, 59.

To the Chinese, Chinese New Year is a break from the ordinary life. 

Money saved in the entire year is to be spent and give the whole family a treat on this special occasion.

Child dressed up by grandmother for CNY celebration.

A week before Chinese New Year, women in the neighborhood will buy the ingredients they need , gather in groups and make traditional cookies together while the men will do the spring-cleaning job, get spoiled furniture or ruined parts in the house fixed and children running errands for their parents.

Kitchen, 50 years ago, were typically huge, located at the back part, taking up almost half the space of the house.

Reunion dinner on New Year’s Eve is very important to the Chinese- it is the day where the whole family gathers on a round table in this cemented floor kitchen and indulge in grandma’s homemade Hainam chicken rice.

“Both pa and ma are pure Hainanese from Hainam Island that can cook the best Hainam chicken rice,” said Chew Kim Moi, 68.

“The chicken is from our farm, well fed with corns- unlike chicken nowadays that are mostly injected with chemicals,” continued Chew Kim Swee, 63.

The Chew family recalling CNY back in 1963.

On the eve before the big day, after praying to the ancestors, a chicken would be slaughtered, stuffed with garlic and other herbal ingredients then steamed in a big metal wok.

A plate is placed inside the wok to collect oil and essence from the chicken- this will be used to cook the rice scented with pandan leaves and garlic.

“The chicken oil gives the rice a good shine and soft texture,” said Kim Swee.

“It looks really appetizing and irresistible to not add an extra bowl of rice after you finish one,” continued Kah Heng.

When the meal is ready, well served with homemade chili sauce, the table will clear within minutes.

“It tastes so good that people nowadays name their hawker stalls Hainam chicken rice instead of Malaysia chicken rice to get better business,” Kim Swee laughed.

The secret recipe is passed down from generation to generation, and it won’t ever stop as a Chew family heritage.

The heritage recipe of Hainam Chicken Rice.

“Still, there is a difference between our cooking and mother’s,” said Kah Heng.

“Nothing can replace the taste from memories,” agreed Kim Moi.

Tracing CNY back in 1963

By: Winford Tan

Tan Leong Hoe and Ghey Kim Chui are 86 this year.

They recall what Chinese New Year was like when they were growing up until the present day.

“It is one of the most important festivals that we celebrate in our village,” said Ghey.

“There were only 11 houses in the whole village but everyone was very close.

“You will hear the rooster crow early in the morning on the first day of Chinese New Year.”

Winford's grandmother, Ghey.

Almost every household has their own farm that time.

They cultivate chickens and ducks, and grow vegetables for their own consumption.

On the first day of Chinese New year, they will slaughter one chicken and a duck from their own farm for lunch.

They will also buy pork from the market because unlike chickens and ducks, pigs are expensive to rear.

Chicken, duck and pork meat is a must on the first day as they believe that it is very important to eat well on the first day of the New Year in order begin the year well, prosperous and healthy.

No matter how poor they are, they will still save money to get all these three types of meat.

“But we do not always have the opportunity to consume chicken, duck or pork.

“The only time we have the chance to consume meat is only during Chinese New Year.

“You can’t imagine how good the meat tasted back then since we eat it only once in a year,” said Tan.

Winford's grandfather, Tan.

“We do not buy new clothes for Chinese New Year.

“Instead we buy plain ones and make our own,” said Ghey.

With little to spend, they made their own flour by using millstone to bake Chinese New Year cookies; they decorate their houses with simple lanterns made of red papers.

“The happiest thing for us when we were young was receiving ‘Nian’ from our parents and relatives.

“‘Ang Pow’ was not called ‘Ang Pow’ that time; we called it ‘Nian’.

“Each ‘Nian’ contained of only a few cents but we were happy to receive it as it is a sincere blessing from the adults,” Ghey said.

“It’s no longer the same now.

“Some kids even complain that RM20 is too little for ‘Ang Pow’.

“That will not happen at our generation.”

Both agree that one thing no longer exists during Chinese New Year - their favorite glass-bottled carbonated drinks.

“Although we did not have much money to shop during Chinese New Year, there is one ritual that we used to follow every year.

“We will buy a bottle of SARSI flavored drink and F&N orange juice right after the New Year Eve dinner.

“It is one of the happiest memories we have.

“Sadly we don’t have a chance to do it now anymore.”

The unseen

By: Daniel Yeap

The mention of ‘Kota Damansara’ conjures up images of modernity, style and an upbeat lifestyle.

Yet amidst all the wealth live a group of people who see the world quite differently. 

Imagine having 8 children, and having to support the family with RM500 a month. 

Concealed within the confines of their run-down residence, their daily struggle for survival goes unnoticed to most. 

This is the untold story of – the Unseen. 

Imagine...
You have 5 children.
You live on less than RM 500 a month.
And every day, you come home to this...

Raw sewage spills out of the sewer, 
encouraging the growth of fungus and an unpleasant odor.

Bug-infested elevators with missing mechanics.

Out of 3 elevators - only one works.

Pigeon holes in the sky with rusty railings.

Garbage abandoned in abandoned units.

Disease is not stranger to the vicinity. 
Little feet - painful sores.

Children oblivious of the impoverished state of the area.

Quilting for a meal.

Yet... there is always space for art.

Right here in Kota Damansara.

Arab Bond’s 60th birthday celebration

By: Fakhriah Halim

Celebration is about being together to commemorate good fortune and or major achievements by people who matter to us.

Thanks to his wife, Rafeah, his four daughters, Munirah, Nafesah, Raihan and Syakirah, his son-in-law and guests, Mohd Arabie had a special birthday celebration on the 2^nd of February 2013.

His daughters organized a James Bond-themed party to celebrate their father’s 60^th birthday.

It was a day full of fun, surprises and non-stop laughter from all the present.

It took the sisters only two weeks to put everything together.

From the decorations, to door gifts, invitations, caterings, costumes and music, the girls really went out of their way to make this celebration a memorable one. 

Invites for the Arab Bond party.

Event commence at 2pm @Jeupma D' Ramo in Bangsar.

Waiting to spring a surprise.

Baby Bond waiting for action.

With guns in pocket - Bond finally makes an entrance.

Bond-lady take on Arab Bond with big hug.

Bond-ing with first grandchild.

Feasting on a scrumptious birthday meal.

Fine dining with a dash of wine.

Bond and his four girls.

Bond with mother-in-law and sisters.

A family gathering to remember.

The Bond Family.

Saving the best for a life-time of memories.

Committees of 2012 ADP annual dinner: Taste-buds team!

By: Jan XiXian Tan

Upon the success of 2012 ADP Annual Dinner, the committee members gave themselves a treat at Cinamon Cafe, One World Hotel on January 25, 2013. 

President Emilia Yeoh would like to thank all sponsors and volunteers that made the annual dinner event a huge success.

Food heaven - Cinamon Cafe.

Aromatic cafe with food which excite the senses.

The world is your  'fresh oyster'.

Slice, succulent roast-lamb.

From Laksa to satay and pow! You name it - its covered.

Plated to perfection.

Sweet tooth booth.

Ready for prosperity? 'Yee Sang' tossing  session.

Committees of 2012 annual dinner - the taste-buds team!
From the left: Vincent, Brian, Emelia (president), Jan, Zhee Hawn, Nick (advisor)
Seated from the left: TanLing, Giney, Tracy