MALAYA OF YESTERDAY, MALAYSIA OF TODAY

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A GREAT IDEA FROM 
ANTHONY CATHERALL

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On 7 July 2008 George Town & Melaka were inscribed to the UNESCO World Heritage List

"Melaka and George Town, historic cities of the Straits of Malacca (Malaysia) have developed over 500 years of trading and cultural exchanges between East and West in the Straits of Malacca. The influences of Asia and Europe have endowed the towns with a specific multicultural heritage that is both tangible and intangible. With its government buildings, churches, squares and fortifications, Melaka demonstrates the early stages of this history originating in the 15th-century Malay sultanate and the Portuguese and Dutch periods beginning in the early 16th century. Featuring residential and commercial buildings, George Town represents the British era from the end of the 18th century. The two towns constitute a unique architectural and cultural townscape without parallel anywhere in East and Southeast Asia". The official statement from UNESCO. From Anthony Catherall With Sqn 1959-1962 _________________________________________ JESSELTON DOCKS AND NORTH-WEST VIEW OF THE LOWER PART OF GAYA ISLAND FROM SIGNAL HILL JESSELTON MALAYA 1960. SIMILAR VIEW FROM SIGNAL HILL 5 MAY 2006. JESSELTON DOCKS AND NORTH-WEST VIEW OF THE LOWER PART OF GAYA ISLAND FROM SIGNAL HILL JESSELTON MALAYA 1960. SIMILAR VIEW FROM SIGNAL HILL 5 MAY 2006.   The black and white photograph above was taken in May 1960. I along with many sapper colleagues sailed from Singapore on the Landing Craft Tank, Empire Gannett, arriving at these very docks after a 4 day min-cruise in May 1960. This photo therefore has special memories for all of us. We were very lucky individuals to experience such a trip 54 years ago as very young men. 11 Independent Field Squadron spent six months at Kota Belud 40 miles north of Jesselton, widening parts of the only main road to Jesselton, building and airstrip, (still there) and operating a Light Assault Floating Bridge motorized ferry across the River Tempasuk at Kota Belud. My colour photograph above was taken when I visited Kota Kinabalu with Allan Mills in May 2006. I visited Kota Kinabalu again in 2008 and took a trip over to Manukan Island by launch with John Flynn and Frank Sowerby. We spent a day on Manukan Island’s golden beach, barbequing and swimming in the very warm crystal clear coral filled waters, an idyllic memory. If you ever get the chance to visit Kota Kinabalu, make sure you too visit the Park. Below with courtesy of Wikipedia is some history and details of the magnificent park. Anthony Catherall December 2014. TUNKU ABDUL RAHMAN NATIONAL PARK KOTA KINABALU SABAH MALAYSIA Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park comprises a group of 5 islands located between 3 to 8 km off Kota Kinabalu. The park is spread over 4,929 hectares, two-thirds of which cover the sea. Before the Ice age, it formed part of the Crocker Range mass of sandstone and sedimentary rock on the mainland. However, about one million years ago, the melting ice brought about changes in the sea level and parts of the mainland were cut off by the sea to form the islands of Pulau Gaya, Pulau Sapi, Pulau Manukan, Pulau Mamutik dan Pulau Sulug. Evidence of this can be seen from the exposed sandstone of the coastline forming the cliffs, caves, honeycombs and deep crevices. The park was named after Tunku Abdul Rahman, Malaysia's first Prime Minister. Jesselton Point Ferry Terminal in downtown Kota Kinabalu is the ferry terminal for those heading to the islands in Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park (Pulau Gaya, Pulau Sapi, Pulau Manukan, Pulau Mamutik dan Pulau Sulug). This ferry terminal is also the departure point for patrons staying at either Manukan Island Resort, Gayana Resort or Bunga Raya Resort. Pulau Gaya Gaya island derived its name from the Bajau word "Gayo" which means big and occupies an area of 15 km² (3,700 acres) with an elevation of up to 300 metres. Several ridges rise more than 600 feet (180 m), peaking at 1,000 feet (300 m), along the backbone of Pulau Gaya. Gaya Island is the largest island in the park, closest to downtown Kota Kinabalu (KK) and is covered with dense virgin, tropical forest. It has been a forest reserve since 1923. The island has 20 km of hiking trails and two 5 star resorts named Gayana Eco Resort, home to the Marine Ecology Research Centre, and Bunga Raya Island Resort on the north-east part of the island. Another resort is being constructed on what used to be Hornbill Bay near Gayana Eco Resort. Gaya Island is also host to a very large (and growing) stilt village located just opposite the KK waterfront. This village is occupied by illegal immigrants from the Philippines and is considered a dangerous, high crime or "no-go" area by the police and KK locals. Sabah Parks, the body charged with protecting the Tunku Abdul Rahman Park, is headquartered on the south-eastern part of Gaya Island in a bay shared with the Downbelow Marine & Wildlife Adventures dive station. A development on the edge of Gaya island nearest to Sapi Island is also used by Sabah Parks and offers a small, quiet beach for public recreational use. Gaya Island is also known for a legendary beach at Police Bay. The 400 metres (0.25-mile) stretch of white sand gently slopes out to the sea and makes Police Beach ideal for swimming in the crystal clear water. Police Beach fronts the up market Bunga Raya Island Resort. The coral reefs along the entire coast of Gaya island are in excellent condition, making it a surprisingly good diving destination, considering its proximity to Kota Kinabalu city. Pulau Manukan The second largest island in the park, Manukan is the most popular with Kota Kinabalu residents. Manukan has some good stretches of beaches on the southern coastline. The best beach is on the eastern tip of the island. Offshore of Manukan are coral reefs, which is ideal for snorkeling, diving and swimming. Out of 5 islands, Manukan features the most developed tourist facilities that include 20 units of chalets, a clubhouse, and few restaurants and a diving centre. Recreation facilities include a swimming pool, football field, Volleyball and Sepak Takraw courts. Infrastructural facilities include support-water, electricity, desalination plant, sewerage system, and even a solar public telephone. It is covered in dense vegetation and has hiking trails. Pulau Mamutik The 15 acres (6.1 ha) island makes Mamutik the smallest of the park. Despite being the smallest, the island offers some good beaches and coral reefs. It also has a jetty, a 3-bedroom rest house for rent, and staff quarters for Rangers station. Facilities include changing rooms, toilets, picnic shelters, tables and barbecue pits. Fresh water and electricity are available. Mamutik would be an ideal venue to get away from it all. The corals to the north-eastern tip of the island are quite interesting. The beach is rocky and swimmers must be careful of sea urchins that exist in large numbers beside the corals and rocks. Pulau Sapi Pulau Sapi, literally known as "Cow Island" in Malay is just off the south-western tip of Pulau Gaya. The 25-acre (10 ha) island features one of the nicest beaches in the park and most popular with tourists for snorkeling and scuba diving. Between 10am and 4pm the island gets quite busy with foreign tourists but after the last ferry leaves it becomes a tranquil island with only those staying overnight. It is developed with tourist facilities that include a jetty, picnic shelters, barbecue pits, tables, changing rooms and toilets. The forest is inhabited by macaques. Camping and campfires are allowed with the permission from the Park Warden. Pulau Sulug Sulug is the farthest island of them all. Considered relatively untouched, remote and undeveloped, the 20-acre (8.1 ha) island is more popular with foreign tourists who prefer a quiet and tranquil atmosphere. Good reef patches lie along the southern end of the island. During formation, a long sand spit jutting out into the ocean formed a round hill. History In 1882, the British North Borneo Company set up a trading settlement on Pulau Gaya called Jesselton. The settlement was later moved to the mainland. In 1968, Jesselton was renamed Kota Kinabalu. In 1974, the major part of Pulau Gaya and Pulau Sapi was gazetted as Tunku Abdul Rahman Park, covering an area of 8,990 acres (36.4 km2). In 1979, the park was increased to 12,185 acres (49.31 km2) with the inclusion of the three nearby islands of Pulau Manukan, Pulau Mamutik and Pulau Sulug. _____________________________________________ Friday, 2 October, 2009 Kota Belud Jalan Sayap bridges not built and delayed When the Sabah DAP mobile service team visited Kota Belud town last week, they were brought by some locals here to see the few old Bailey bridges which are supposed to be reconstructed into permanent reinforced concrete bridges connecting the Jalan Sayap to the various kampongs here. According to the few project sign boards stating the name of the project, the start date stated is 18.03.2009 and completion date is 18.11.2010, to date the project has not started, we can only see some site preparation work been carried out. The present condition of the old Bailey bridges is poor, and the timber decks are broken up. The steel frame and the structural members are already showing the sign of wear and tear. These Bailey had to be repaired regularly by the kampong folks on the timber decks before the smaller vehicles can pass. DAP asked on why the new bridges contracts were awarded, and yet there is no positive sign of work starting, and what is the reason for the long delay to commence the work? How can the government let the contractor be so slow in their performance of their work? Whether the government is supervising them, or rather this is some political projects that make them no worry about contract delay penalties? May be the Kadaminan Assemblyman Herbert Timbon can assist and enlighten us on the above queries. Sabah DAP Local government and Housing bureau chief Edward Ewol Mujie and Infra structure Bureau chief John Lee Kim Seng inspected the said bridges together with the Kota Belud folks, and found out their complaints are valid. The bridges are really in the worst condition, with timber deck loosen and broken. The whole bridge looks as if it is going to collapse. Sabah DAP urges the government to immediately expedite to get the work started, and build us the three new bridges for safety sack in Jalan Sayap. Edward and John. Pic: Edward and John inspecting the Bailey bridge at Jalan Sayap, Kota Belud. Page2 Forty-six years separate these two photographs. Pictured top are sappers of 11 Independent Field Squadron RE, building the Bailey bridge over the River Tempasuk at Jalan Sayap, Kota Belud, North Borneo (Now Sabah), under Major Peter Campbell in 1961-2 Pictured bottom, are former sappers Brian Marshall & Frank Sowerby, who walk towards me on the same bridge with two of our Malaysian soldier escorts from Paradise Camp on 18 May 2008. Following refreshments with our Malaysian military host, Major Mohd Zandi bin Mohamad, his soldier’s drove us about three miles up-river passing the grass covered airstrip that we also constructed on the squadrons first visit in 1960. The 360 ft long Bailey bridge was opened in November 1962 by Sir William Goode, the Governor of North Borneo. Anthony Catherall December 2014. THE BOSTON BAR, PENANG ROAD, GEORGETOWN, PENANG By Anthony Catherall My picture above circa 1960 of the Boston Bar.                      A postcard of the Boston Bar and Penang Road north-west similar area.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Boston Bar in Georgetown indicated at point of arrow.  The ferry terminal is situated in red, between figures 8 & 9                                                My photographs of the Boston Bar and Penang Road taken on 27 May 2006. The Boston Bar was situated towards the southern end of Penang Road at the junction of Burmah Road and Maxwell Road (to the right in the photographs, and below the arrow on the map). We are looking NNW in all the photographs along Jalan(road) Penang that eventually meets with Lebuh(avenue) Farquhar, very close to the coast near the Eastern & Oriental Hotel. Today the new ‘Komtar Tower’ is to the right behind us as we look at the lower photographs, I captured on 27 May 2006. On my next visit in 2008, John Flynn and I went by lift to the tower restaurant. Here we squeezed our now larger frames into an old trishaw that is on display there.  As we observe these photographs, they show a rather ugly spider leg pedestrian covered walkway over the road junction, with one of the four legs exiting right in front of the derelict bar. Many of us however, will be very familiar with the top two photographs, almost iconic in the history of Penang’s buildings and much photographed over the years. Soldiers and Airmen had favourite and diverse venues to meet up at the commencement of their evening forays. During the 1950’s and early 1960’s, the Boston Bar, was one of the more popular venues, especially for me and many other ex-soldiers alive today. The steps up to the bar itself were quite steep and many minor accidents occurred on them. I recall an entrance either side, certainly on the left-hand side. My good friend Allan Mills pointed out to me, an old unpainted dilapidated padlocked door entrance that we all used to pass through. The bar then a friendly, lively focal meeting point for us young men of 11 Independent Field Squadron. The views south-west over parts of Penang were good through the large windows of the bar. We never knew then in the early sixties, that we were soon to be re-located in 1962, south to Terendak camp in Malacca, a totally different world to our beloved island.  The bar seemed busy always and popular for us all to gather together for a few beers. Meeting local attractive friends, was indeed often was a pre-cursor to staying on the island overnight. Up early and catching the first ferry of the morning at 05:45 hrs back to Butterworth. As Allan and myself stood there and looked up at a unique Penang building, now just a former shell of an exuberant and exciting venue, just how many stories could it tell.  Pausing a moment to reflect I thought, this now sad structure, was really quite large part of our lives. Copyright Anthony Catherall January 2015 ______________________________________ SHANGRI – LA IN THE COCONUT GROVE By Anthony E. Catherall PART 1 PART 2 click on part 1 and part 2 to read A great story. ________________________________ AN ENLIGHTENING RIDE ON THE RAILWAY TRACKS OF MALAYA Click on title above to read this excellent piece By Anthony Catherall ________________________________ SUNSET'S NEVER CHANGE AWANGS STORY Fact and Fiction by Anthony Catherall https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B7mXQe-ABxySNWx6OEtJQUFHQ0k/view?usp=sharing Click on image to read _________________________ THE OLD AND THE NEW OF KOTA KINABALU (Jesselton renamed 30 September1968)   Presentation by Anthony Catherall 23673777 Served in North Borneo May – November 1960   Thanks to The Sabah Architectural Heritage Blog For the black & white pictures.  _____________________________________________________ THE BRITANNIA CLUB, THE UNION JACK CLUB, AND ALL THINGS NICE ABOUT SINGAPORE IN THE NINETEEN SIXTIES   By Anthony Catherall Click on Picture for full story. ________________________________________________________