CM pledges to help HSOBA

By MARTIN CARVALHO and CINDY TAN
malacca@thestar.com.my

MALACCA: Former student and Malacca Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam has pledged to help the Malacca High School Old Boys Association (HSOBA) following plans by the education authorities here to acquire its clubhouse.

Mohd Ali, who studied at Malacca High School between 1961 and 1967, said he was unaware of the dispute between the school authorities and HSOBA over the use of the clubhouse.

“I will ask the Malacca Education Department for a full report on the matter as I was unaware that HSOBA members had been prevented from using their clubhouse,” he told reporters at his office in Ayer Keroh yesterday.

He added he would personally assist HSOBA, as best as he can, to resolve the issue over the proposed acquisition of the clubhouse.

“The state would be willing to offer them a place on Pulau Melaka.

“I am willing to help them raise the necessary funds through a fundraising dinner,” he said.

When contacted, HSOBA president Manual Gomez said he was glad that Mohd Ali, a HSOBA member, had agreed to look into their plight.

“I am happy that the Chief Minister has agreed to help us.

“We are not against the acquisition but worried that HSOBA would be left out in the streets without a proper clubhouse once it is acquired,“ he said.

He added that the Melaka Tengah Land Office had also agreed to defer the acquisition evaluation exercise fixed on Jan 18 to Feb 9 following an appeal by HSOBA.

Malacca High School, the second oldest school in Malaysia, was established in 1826.

HSOBA, which has 18,000 members, was formed in 1921 with MCA founder Tun Tan Cheng Lock, a former student, appointed its first president.

Problems arose between HSOBA and the school authorities in 2006 when members had difficulty using the clubhouse which is located within the school.

ACCESS ROAD TO HSOBA BUILDING BLOCKED IN OCTOBER 2010

18th. January 2011

During one of my visits back to Malacca, I had the opportunity to drive into the Malacca High School on 2nd. October 2010.

I was shocked that the access road to the HSOBA Club house has been blocked by concrete tables and a pile of bricks.

Instead of welcoming back former Malacca High school pupils and their families to visit their Alma mater, the current authorities want to exclude us from our past. To them, we are unwelcomed UNLESS WE WANT TO DONATE TO THE SCHOOL.

I understand from the Internet, former MHS Alumni has raised funds in the building of the MHS School Hall in 1988 and only last year, MAHSOPA raised a substantial contribution for the MHS Cadet Band in their annual dinner.

For me, the HSOBA Club house was the place where I saw first hand how data communication was made using the telephone/modem in 1974. A former MHS pupil who was working for a telecommunication firm, came to demonstrate this devise in the HSOBA Club house to us students then. It was done in a large brief case containing the telephone and coupler.

The current school authorities must realise that education CANNOT be done in a vacuum. Current technologies especially the Internet allows students to explore their subjects beyond the classrooms.

Most schools even universities are re-connecting with their former graduates via Alumni associations. Here, we have a reverse trend of trying to bury our past by trying to acquire our Club house. Why not all parties come together to draw up a win-win situation where the students benefit viz:- the School authorities, Parents-Teachers Association, HSOBA and MAHSOPA.

It is wishful thinking that an Alumni building be acquired just because it is located within the school compound. The fact that it was built there in the first place indicate that during that time, there was a cordial working relationship between the School and the Alumni, which unfortunately,this relationship has been eroded for the past 5 years.

Principals come and go as time goes by but our HSOBA has gone through for the past 90 years. Moreover, we have our own Clubhouse to be proud of.

I for one is against such a hostile unilateral move to acquire our HSOBA Clubhouse and its land.

STORM BREWING BETWEEN HSOBA AND SCHOOL AUTHORITIES OVER OBA BUILDING

Tuesday January 18, 2011

Standoff between old boys and school

By MARTIN CARVALHO
malacca@thestar.com.my

MALACCA: A storm is brewing following plans by the education authorities here to acquire the clubhouse of the 90-year-old Malacca High School Old Boys Association (HSOBA) which is located within the school grounds.

HSOBA members have been prevented from enjoying the use of the clubhouse since 2006 by the school authorities.

Its president Manuel Gomez said he was shocked at the manner in which the school had acquired the club house without holding proper talks first.

“We were informed of the acquisition via a notice to the school dated Oct 5 last year,” he said when met here yesterday.

Gomez said the problem arose five years ago when HSOBA was issued guidelines by the school restricting the usage of the club.

“First, we were restricted from using our own club and now they are acquiring our property,” Gomez added.

“We hope that the acquisition can be deferred to give us time to obtain views from members and former students,” he said adding that HSOBA is merely seeking fair compensation and a suitable piece of land to rebuild a new clubhouse.

However, he said HSOBA would not hesitate to challenge the matter in court if it is not resolved amicably.

Malacca High School, the second oldest school in Malaysia was established in 1826.

HSOBA, which has 18,000 mem-bers, was formed in 1921 with MCA founder Tun Tan Cheng Lock, a former student, appointed as its first president.

Meanwhile, state education committee chairman Datuk Yaakub Md Amin said the problem arose as the club house is located within the school grounds with the school authorities deeming it inappropriate.

He advised HSOBA to appeal for the acquisition to be deferred by the Melaka Tengah Land Office.

MAHSOPA BUFFET DINNER 2010 ON 14TH. NOVEMBER 2010

MAHSOPA BUFFET DINNER 2010 AT KELAB GOLF NEGARA SUBANG ON 14TH.NOVEMBER 2010

24th. August 2010

MAHSOPA will be organising this year's Annual Dinner at President's Room, Kelab Golf Negara Subang on Sunday,14th. November 2010.

Instead of a formal sit down dinner, this year's dinner will be a casual buffet style dinner.

MAHSOPA wants more former Malacca High pupils to attend this dinner as the cost for a dinner ticket is priced at only RM50.00 only.

At this affordable price, we expect more ex-pupils to attend this dinner.

VENUE: PRESIDENT'S ROOM, KELAB GOLF NEGARA SUBANG

DATE :SUNDAY, 14TH. NOVEMBER 2010 AT 7.30PM.

TICKET PRICE : RM 50.00 PER PERSON OR RM500.00 PER
TABLE.

RESERVATION : CONTACT MAHSOPA COMMITTEE MEMBERS OR
EMAIL : admin@mahsopa.net

MAHSOPA MORNING COFFEE TALK - BEGINNING A SERIES OF TALKS BY PROFESSIONALS

MAHSOPA MORNING COFFEE
BEGINNING A SERIES OF TALKS BY PROFESSIONALS
“THE LATEST IN MALAYSIAN TAX”


POSTPONED TO 30TH. OCTOBER 2010 DUE TO BUDGET 2011 TO BE PRESENTED ON 15TH. OCTOBER 2010


TALK BY
YONG POH CHYE
B.Econ (Hons), M.Econ (Mal), FTII, MACS


Poh Chye, an alumnus of MHS, heads the TAMS (Tax Advisory and Management Services Sdn Bhd) and its group of companies. He has been the executive director of TAMS since its incorporation in 1983. Prior to this, he served in the Inland Revenue Department for 11 years and his last post was Senior Assistant Director in the International Tax Division.
Poh Chye is also an adjunct professor of Universiti Putra Malaysia. He is a member of the International Fiscal Association (IFA) and also a member of Company Practice Group of MAICSA. Possessing 30 years of experience in Malaysia taxation, he is a practising Tax Consultant and is still actively conducting seminars on taxation and investments in Malaysia.


DATE: SATURDAY, 30 OCTOBER 2010


TIME: 10.00 AM TO 12.00 NOON
(Coffee will be served at 9.30 am)


PLACE: No. 30,Jalan SS22/21,Damansara Jaya, Petaling Jaya

Maximum number of people to attend this talk is limited to 30 persons. So, reservation is on First Come, First Serve basis. Book your reservations to admin@mahsopa.net


DRESS CODE: Smart Casual/Office Attire


DONATION: RM25 PER PERSON ONLY.


RSVP: 15 OCTOBER 2010


RSVP and Reservation : Call TW Kang : 012-3118959 OR Fax : 03-42946368

email : admin@mahsopa.net

MALACCA HIGH SCHOOL LIBRARY CEILING COLLAPSES

Sunday August 1, 2010

Close call for students as old school’s library roof caves in

By MARTIN CARVALHO
malacca@thestar.com.my

MALACCA: It was a close call for some students of the 184-year-old Malacca High School when the roof of its library came crashing down.

Although no injuries were reported during the incident early yesterday morning as the usually packed library is closed on weekends, there were students and teachers busy celebrating Canteen Day and attending the school’s Parents and Teachers Association meeting at the country’s second oldest school.

The incident is believed to have happened sometime between Friday night and before dawn yesterday and the damage was discovered at 8am by a general worker.

State education, science and technology committee chairman Datuk Yaakub Md Amin said the affected section of the building would be closed temporarily to allow the state public works department to assess the extent of damage and repair costs.

“We will seal off not only the library but also the teachers and staff rooms located within the same building.

“There is a danger the entire roof may collapse as the timber rafters are affected by wood rot due to termite infestation and moisture following the recent wet spell,” he said.

He added that signs of wood rot were spotted a day earlier by the school authorities who immediately alerted state education officials.

The school is more than 180 years old but the single-storey structure where the library is housed was constructed in the 1940s.

The last major renovation done to this section of the building was carried out in 1971, he said.

He said repairs would cost about RM100,000 and would be carried out during the school break in September to allow the library to be opened for the new session next year.

Meanwhile, state MCA chairman Datuk Gan Tian Loo, who was invited to open the school’s PTA meeting, said it was fortunate that no injuries were reported in the incident.

Gan, who is also state public works committee chairman, said he would instruct state public works department to carry out safety inspections of old buildings at several schools in the city.

STILL UNDECIDED?

For classmates who have yet to decide whether to attend our MHS 2011 Reunion Bash on 12th. February 2011 at Aldy Hotel, Melaka, why not take the advice of Paul, the oracle octopus which predicted 100% World Cup matches. Paul selected Spain to be the Winner and he was right.

You do not have to predict whether you want to attend our Bash. Just send in your confirmation as soon as possible. Book your air tickets and schedule your visit. Advance confirmation can be sent via email to Secretary, MHS 75 Bash 2011 giving your name and number of persons. attending