Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Our Headmaster Datuk Sim Mow Yu Passed Away

永遠的校長拿督沈慕羽


To Malaysian Chinese, Sim Mow-yu is the personification of the long, winding path their community has walked. He has always encouraged his compatriots to be upstanding Malaysian citizens, and has been a pioneer defending Chinese education in the country, a "Confucian activist."... Read on

........................................................................................................................................................................

Chinese education stalwart dies at 96
- - KUALA LUMPUR: Chinese educationist Datuk Sim Mow Yu, who was famous for his Chinese calligraphy, died at the age of 96 at his home in Bandar Hilir at 9.15pm yesterday. Sim was brought home in an ambulance by family members at 8pm last night from the Pantai Ayer Keroh Medical Centre.He was admitted to hospital on Dec 26 for illnesses related to old age and was discharged on Jan 21 to allow him to celebrate Chinese New Year at home. However, Sim was re-admitted to the intensive care of the hospital on Feb 3…. Read on

......................................................................................................................................


送殯隊伍長1公里 - - 已故拿督沈慕羽週二(2月10日)早上隆重舉殯,承載著敬意和思念的1公里長的送殯隊伍,隨著靈車一路走過培風獨立中學、晨鐘勵志社、培一小學、育民小學、孔子大廈及平民小學,細細重溫及懷念其對教育與文化偉大奉獻的一生。隊伍從培中是沈老母校及執教的學校開始繞校一圈,隨後經過其1930年創辦的晨鐘勵志社,同時,沈老亦曾領導晨鐘勵志社青年部。... read on, mysinchew
........................................................................................................................................................................

沈慕羽逝世 - - 備受華社敬重的董教總顧問沈慕羽今日(週四,2月5日2009年)晚上在家與世長辭,享年96歲。據瞭解,沈老是於一兩天前因病入 院就醫,沈老週四出院返家後,於週四晚上9時15分去世.... Read on

悼念马来西亚华教斗士沈慕羽先生纪念特辑

悼念马来西亚华教斗士沈慕羽先生纪念特辑 - 小学生歌颂沈老

小学生歌颂沈老 Sekolah Menengah Pay Fong, 9th Feb 2009

族英沈慕羽举殡仪式 Funeral Of Datuk Sim Mow Yu - by MTSIA




Tuesday, February 17, 2009

In Memory of Datuk Sim Mow Yu 1913 - 2009



DATUK SIM MOW YU
LONGEST SERVING HEADMASTER

(Reference: The Malaysia Book of Records http://www.malaysiarecords.com.my/cate_MP_SA.html)Started his career as a school teacher in 1933 at the age of 21, Datuk Sim Mow Yu was appointed headmaster of SRJK (C) Ping Ming, Malacca in 1945 at the age of 33. He served for 57 years before retiring in 2002 at the age of 90. Sim was conferred the title of “Datuk” for his commendable breakthrough in the field of education. .......................................................................................................................................

永遠的沈慕羽 videos by chhsk

0 序幕


1那是最好也是最壞的年代


2 回到最初的地方


3 我的父親


4 有教無類


Age Has No Barrier In Learning Any Language - - JALAN TENGKERA: It was indeed an memorable evening for many of the adult students who received their respective certificates after successfully undergoing a year's language tuition class here at the Seng Cheong Night School (晨鍾夜學) in Jalan Tengkera, Melaka... read on

5 誨人不倦


對沈慕羽致最高敬意 - 平民全體師生默哀一分鐘 - - (馬六甲)- - 馬六甲平民小學全校師生今日(週五,26日)早上為敬愛的校長拿督沈慕羽舉行默哀一分鐘,對沈老一生為平民付出的貢獻致上最高的敬意!... read on

6 歷史的良心


7 海枯石爛


8 眼前人


9這一生


......................................................................................................................................

MORE RELATED LINKS:


Datuk Sim Mow Yu at age 36.

A Firm Fighter - By Majorie Chiew

(Reference: This article was originally published on The Star Online, Sunday February 15, 2009.)

The late Datuk Sim Mow Yu stood his ground when it came to championing Chinese education.

CHINESE educationist and accomplished calligrapher Datuk Sim Mow Yu (pic), who died at the age of 96 on Feb 5, was “a fighter to the end”. He was still alert and spirited until he breathed his last, says Sim Kay Keok, 61, his second daughter.

The retired bank officer adds that her father’s last written words were: “If you have the will, you’ll succeed. Fight unto the end. Do not retreat!”

Image: The Late Datuk Sim Mow Yu

On Feb 5, when doctors told the family that there was “no hope” for Sim, they took him home.

“He nodded when asked if he wished to return home,” Kay Keok recalls. “We took him upstairs to his room, where he was surrounded by his books. At 9.10pm, he was still conscious when Buddhist monks chanted prayers for him, urging him to leave all his worries behind. Five minutes later, he breathed his last.

“My father’s last wish was to see his memorial museum, but unfortunately it is not ready. A building in Jalan Panjang (opposite Bukit Cina) in Malacca has been purchased for this purpose,” Kay Keok says.

Bek Bee, 64, Sim’s fourth son, describes his father as caring, loving and far-sighted. “He loved the Chinese ways, culture and language,” says the dentist.

At his father’s funeral on Tuesday, second son Beck Ghee, 70, a freelance journalist with a Chinese daily, read the eulogy:

“My father was born in the Year of the Ox. He likened his life to that of a hardworking ox. His struggle was not in vain as he helped Chinese education grow from strength to strength.

“As his children, we declare that he had been a great father, a loyal Malaysian citizen and a courageous fighter for the Chinese community. His sacrifice and dedication were immeasurable, and all his words and actions have made an impact on the Chinese community.”

Paying tribute to Sim, MCA party president and Transport Minister Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat describes his passing as “a great loss to the nation and the Chinese community. His relentless efforts in spearheading Chinese throughout his life made him an icon in the development of mother tongue education.”

Country Heights Holdings Bhd’s founder and deputy chairman Tan Sri Lee Kim Yew says: “The demise of Datuk Sim is a loss to us all, but he left behind a lot of calligraphy works that remind us of Confucius’ teachings.

“People respect his views. What was most noble about him was that he led a very simple life. In his mind and heart, he thought of how he could contribute to society and disseminate good values.

“Sim’s family members want me to protect his collection of works by setting up a foundation to continue his legacy.”

Jiao Zong (the United Chinese Teachers Association) president Ong Chiaw Chuen says Sim contributed a great deal towards Chinese education and fought for it.

“He spent a lifetime championing this cause. As the longest-serving president of Jiao Zong, he was an active leader in Chinese education for 28 years, from the 1960s right up to the 1990s.”

Dong Zong (United Chinese School Committees Association of Malaysia) deputy president Chow Siew Hong adds: “Sim spent his whole life contributing towards Chinese education. Even when he was faced with difficulties, he stood firm in his cause. He was a loyal citizen even as he fought for the cause he believed in. He treated everyone very sincerely and equally.”

Chinese scholar and sinologist Lai Kuan Fook says: “Sim was a fierce fighter who championed Chinese education. He was a most respected leader in Chinese education. Firm in his beliefs, he kept on fighting for his cause until his last breath.”

Sim, whose name Mow Yu means “honouring Guan Yu” (a Chinese deity), was born in Malacca on July 20, 1913. His father and grandmother had come to Malaysia from Fukien, China. His grandfather was a Qing Dynasty scholar and his father, Sim Hong Paik, was one of Sun Yat-sen’s followers.

At the age of 21, Sim started teaching at Pay Fong Primary School in Malacca. Following that, he became headmaster of SRJK (C) Ping Ming, Malacca, where he served for 27 years.

In the 1930s, Sim founded the Seng Cheong Night School in Malacca, the country’s longest-standing private Chinese school. He became its headmaster in 1945 and served in that capacity until his retirement in 2002.

In 2003, he earned a place in the Malaysia Book of Records as the longest-serving school principal - 57 years. Over 20,000 pupils received their education during his tenure.

Sim was one of the founders of MCA Youth in 1955 and rose to the rank of deputy chief. But, in 1966, he was expelled for pushing for the Chinese language to be one of the official languages of the country.

In 1987, he was arrested under the Internal Security Act during Operation Lalang and detained for two years.

Education aside, Sim was known for his calligraphy, too, and had three books of calligraphy to his name. He also loved keeping a diary, something he did right until his final days.

The nonagenarian had six sons and three daughters. He lost his third child, a daughter, to illness in 1998.

He was buried at the Nirvana Memorial Park in Selangor, beside his wife Chan Guai Ai, who died in 2004.

.......................................................................................................................................

拿督沈慕羽局绅


Final Resting Place - By Majorie Chiew

(Reference: This article was originally published on The Star Online on Monday March 28, 2005)

Some Chinese elders refuse to talk about dying, much less visit grave sites. But those who are not superstitious would go to the extent of choosing and buying their burial plots and planning the design of their tombs. At the very least, they get to see how their final resting place would look like.

Some wealthy families spend a fortune – up to a few million ringgit – to build a grand tomb. They believe that burial plots with good feng shui are important as they affect the fortunes of their descendants. And choice plots are usually on higher ground.

Families with money spare no expense on the tombs as they feel it is their duty to appease and honour their ancestors. They see it as a gesture of filial piety to provide the best for their loved ones.

At 91, Datuk Sim Mow Yu seems to have accepted the fact that one does not live forever. Sim, a publisher, Chinese educationist and accomplished calligrapher, has even prepared a resting place for himself next to his late wife, at the Nirvana Memorial Park in Semenyih, Selangor.

The nine dragon wall forms the back wall of this grand tomb in Nilai Memorial Park.

The green granite tombstones look spanking new in their well-landscaped surroundings. But what is eye-catching is the beautiful calligraphy on the tombstones and walls flanking the grave site.

"The original writings are scanned onto the granite slabs and engraved by workmen. Datuk Sim, who was born in Fukien, China, wrote all the calligraphy on the tombstones, including the tombstone of his wife, Chan Guat Ai, who passed away last May," says Isaac Chong, personal assistant to the group managing director of NV Multi Corporation Bhd, which manages Nirvana Memorial Park.

Work on the tombs was completed only early this year.

"Datuk Sim tells of his motto in life: perseverance, manners, righteousness, integrity, faithfulness, justice and hard work. He also holds steadfastly to the principle that life is a struggle and one of rendering service to others," says Chong.

Ong Seng Huat

He adds that these days, it is quite common for the well-to-do Chinese to buy a plot of land and prepare their tombstones before their deaths. Their names would be engraved in red to indicate that they are still alive.

Another noteworthy tomb is that of Lim Fong Seng, former chairman of the Federation of Chinese Independent Secondary Schools and former chairman of the Federation of Chinese Schools Association.

Rather than the usual upright tombstone, Lim's head stone rests in a slanted position on some steps in front of his tomb and that of his late wife. A pair of white ceramic angels stand guard on top of the slanted head stone. A landscaped path surrounded by an immaculately kept garden, leads to Lim's final resting place.

Some tombs have plants or flowering shrubs on them as the family members believe that these can help ensure that the family wealth is retained.

At the Nirvana Memorial Park, there are three graves which are surrounded by a shallow pool of water. A park worker explained that this is done for feng shui purposes. Rainwater collects around the grave before it is drained off.

"Some believe that storage of water is symbolic of storing wealth," says the worker.

In Peace Garden, there are artistic head stones with contemporary designs. The tombs have no mounds typical of Chinese tombs, but are flat and turfed. Each plot has a border of shrubs to demarcate its boundary. The garden is beautifully landscaped with palm trees for added tranquillity.

This sang kee is erected to promote longevity and prosperity among the living.

At the Nilai Memorial Park in Negri Sembilan, there is an imposing million ringgit tomb with a rectangular back wall etched with nine dragons – the handiwork of craftsmen from China.

"It belongs to a respected Chinese entrepreneur who meticulously planned his tomb before his death. He even detailed the route that his hearse would pass and how the death rituals should be conducted. A few months after his tomb was ready, he passed away," says Monica Chew, sales manager of the park.

In contrast to the sombre grey, white and blue colour themes of most graves, the tomb of a Chinese publisher in Nilai Memorial Park stands out with its splashes of colour on decorative walls.

As one ascends the staircase leading to the tomb, the boundary walls feature large pink lilies with green leaves. However, the major attraction is the main back wall illustrated with 24 stories of filial piety. Each story has an illustrated panel and all 24 panels are arranged to form a mural.

Another unique tomb belongs to that of a Tan Sri. It is marked by an upright marble wall with a hollowed-out cross. The cross is laid down on a grassy patch nearby. A white granite border gives the tomb its finishing touch. A stone's throw away lies the tomb of the Tan Sri's son.

Chew says: "The garden to this two-tiered tomb area is landscaped with a winding path. It is to remind the deceased's descendants that he had gone a long way in life and experienced a lot of ups and downs."

At both memorial parks, there are a few empty "tombs" which have been erected for feng shui purposes.

Known traditionally as sang kee (meaning "base of living") these "tombs" are built to enhance one's luck or promote good health and longevity, says Ong Seng Huat, chief executive director of Xiao En Cultural Endowment, a charity organisation set up by the Xiao En Group which operates Nilai Memorial Park.

One such "tomb" resembles the shell of a tortoise. Ong says: "Only the hair, nails or sample of blood of a living person are buried in this plot."

Another sang kee has a tombstone with the Chinese character sau (meaning longevity) written on it, evidently as a wish for long life.

Yet another tortoise-shaped tomb, Ong says, is regarded as an "unlucky" tomb as it is sealed (wholly cemented). Traditionally, the Chinese do not seal the tomb to allow grass to grow on the mound of earth that marks the grave site.

Tombs of contemporary designs at Nirvana Memorial Park. This area is planted with palm trees for shade. There are no mounds typical of Chinese graveyards but flat turfed burial plots.

A housewife in Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, who declined to be named says: "My father's tomb is sealed and the family cannot visit his grave. This is to avoid bad luck. We can only worship his ancestral tablet at home. However, we can engage workers to make offerings and burn incense during Qing Ming."

In her father's case, the day, month and year of his birth were all inauspicious, so he was deemed unlucky and hence the taboo on visiting his grave.

Keng Choo, planning and design director of Nilai Memorial Park, says that once tombs are completed, renovation works are not encouraged.

"After the burial of their family member, if the descendants are safe and happy, the Chinese do not want to disturb the tombs (with unnecessary renovation)," he says.

"However, if the descendants have health problems and suffer bad luck after burying their elders, they would seek the help of a geomancer. Work may then be carried out, including relocating the tomb to a site with good feng shui."

A tastefully designed grave in Nirvana Memorial Park in Semenyih.

Chew of Nilai Memorial Park tells of a filial son who occasionally visits his father's grave and has breakfast at a sheltered pavilion equipped with a granite table and seats. Who knows, the young man could be pouring out his worldly problems to his father or just spending a quiet time of reflection.

"Indeed, these days a memorial park is no longer a dreaded place to visit for the living. It is beautifully landscaped and relatives may visit the graves whenever they like," adds Chew.

......................................................................................................................................

For Educationist Sim Mow Yu, Old is Gold - By Majorie Chiew

(Reference: This article was originally published on The Star Online on Monday April 21, 2008.)

Nonagenarian Datuk Sim Mow Yu lives out that adage.

TREASURE of the community. Those words, beautifully written in Chinese calligraphy, adorn a plaque strategically placed above the family altar in the humble abode of Chinese educationist Datuk Sim Mow Yu in Malacca.

The calligraphy, etched in gold on a black plaque, was a gift to Sim on his 95th Chinese birthday last year. It was the highest tribute to a nonagenarian who has fought for the rights of Chinese education.

The plaque takes its place of pride for all to see. There are many other calligraphy plaques given to Sim, an accomplished calligrapher.

Wall of fame: Datuk Sim Mow Yu in the living room of his home in Malacca, where plaques and photos adorn the walls. – Pictures by UU BAN / The Star

Sim was born in Malacca on July 20, 1913. His father and grandmother came from Fukien, China. His name Mow Yu means “honouring Guan Yu” (a Chinese deity). His grandfather was a scholar in the Qing Dynasty and his father, Sim Hong Paik, one of Sun Yat-sen’s followers.

Sim made many sacrifices for Chinese education when he was head of Jiao Zong (the United Chinese Teachers Association) for over 28 years.

In 1933, he became a teacher after founding the Seng Cheong Night School in Malacca, the country’s longest-standing private Chinese school. He was headmaster of the night school from 1945 until his retirement in 2002. He was also headmaster of SRJK (C) Ping Ming in Malacca, for 27 years.

Tribute: These characters mean ‘Treasure of the community’, referring to Sim Mow Yu.


In 2003, Sim won a place in the Malaysia Book of Records for being the longest-serving school principal for 57 years; 20,000 pupils received their education under his tutelage.

In his hometown, Sim is more than a household name; he is a familiar face. He is well-respected and people from every nook and corner know him.

“Everybody knows me,” says Sim, who was happy to meet us when Star Two visited him for an interview. Sim’s movements were slow; because of his weak legs, he uses a walking stick.

“Even though he is not a politician, many people know him for his role and influence in Chinese education,” says Kay Keok, 60, his second daughter and sixth child among nine siblings.

Of her father’s achievements, the retired bank officer says: “He strives to save the Chinese culture and language in the country so that their importance is not diminished.

Today, the Chinese language has become a common medium of communication. He has done a lot for Chinese education in the country.”


Filial piety: ‘Confucius taught (people) to be cautious and care for the elderly until they are old or gone. Even after their demise, they must remember them.’

In 1966, Sim, who was then deputy chief of MCA Youth Wing, was expelled from the party “for fighting for Chinese language to be one of the official languages of Malaya,” says Kay Keok, who acted as interpreter for her father who felt more at ease conversing in Mandarin.

”He was arrested under the Sedition Act in the 1970s over the issue of Chinese education. In 1987, he objected to the Education Ministry’s decision (Anwar Ibrahim was then Education Minister) for appointing (some 100 senior assistants and principals) who were non-Chinese educated to hold administrative posts in vernacular Chinese schools.”

Sim was among over 100 promoters of Chinese education, who were arrested that year under the Internal Security Act in Operasi Lallang. He was detained for two years.

“Last August, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim came with Tian Chua (a Malaccan) to visit me,” interjects Sim. Apparently, Tian Chua came with his father to approach Sim to write the Chinese characters for PKR (which is Kung Chen Tang in Mandarin). Tian Chua’s father, a rice dealer in Malacca, knows Sim very well. Kay Keok explains that Anwar “had come to pay respects” to her father who is revered by the Chinese community.

Sim’s four-room house in Jalan Bandar Hilir, Malacca, is a hive of activity. “Every day, I get lots of visitors (including his children and their families, friends and well-wishers),” says Sim.

The nonagenarian has six sons and three daughters. Five of his children live in Malacca, while the others are in Johor, Kuala Lumpur and Palembang in Indonesia. Sim lost his third child, a daughter, due to illness in 1998. His wife passed away in 2004.

Sim’s extended family numbers 700 and is now in its fifth generation. He has 24 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren.

Birthday present: A Chinese painting depicting Sim on his trusty bicycle, by artist Yang Liew Nan.

Some 300 families came together to celebrate his 95th Chinese birthday last year.

Sim’s children in Malacca take turns to stay with him on a weekly basis. Treasured photographs add colour to various sections of the house. There were a couple of family photographs, a photo of Sim as a young man, a photo of Sun Yat-sen and one which he took with Ma Ying-jeou (now Taiwan’s president-elect) 14 years ago.

“Every month, there is a family dinner a la potluck style in this house. After the meal, we sing together,” Sim says.

He is not fussy about food; he eats whatever is put on the table, says Kay Keok.

A simple man, he used to ride his trusty old bicycle all over Malacca. The bicycle has been his main mode of transport for as long as he can remember. It is still parked in the compound.

Artist Yang Liew Nan from Klang vividly captured Sim’s trademark style of going about town in his bicycle in a painting which he presented to Sim on his 90th birthday.


His bicycle.


Sim as a young man.

Asked about his secrets to long life, Sim says: “I have no longevity secrets. My mother was a strong woman who lived to a ripe old age of 101. She gave me good genes. My father passed away at 77; at that time, he was considered to have lived to a good, old age.”

Despite his age, Sim still practises calligraphy whenever he feels like it. He says it helps to bring out his inner qi (life force). Sim, who has three calligraphy books, likens calligraphy to “taking health supplements”.

He still keeps a diary, something he has been doing for the past 40 years.

These days, when he is in the mood, Sim plays the organ. “It is a health-promoting exercise. Legs are paddling, fingers dance on the keyboard, eyes focus on the music notes, ears are attentive while I sing and play my organ,” says Sim.

“When I sing, qi comes out through my mouth.”


Honouring parents

OF THE 100 Chinese values, filial piety is the one of the most significant in Chinese culture, says Chinese educationist Datuk Sim Mow Yu, who is a Buddhist and Confucianist.

In ancient times, Chinese emperors emphasised the importance of filial piety and even went down on their knees to pay respects to their departed elders.

“Confucius, the sage of China, wrote a book on filial piety. He had 3,000 students.

He taught everyone to practise filial piety,” he says. “Confucius taught them to be cautious and care for the elderly until they are old or gone. Even after their demise, they must remember them.

“In China, when Confucius passed away, his followers guarded his grave for three years to show their filial piety.”

The Chinese instil the importance of filial piety in their children from a very young age. That is why they are able to live together in harmony for generations.

In the old days, the Chinese would never allow their parents to be taken care of by others. There were no old folks’ homes too during that time. In Eastern culture, children and grandchildren are relied upon to fulfil their obligations of looking after the elderly.

Ask if the younger generation was deemed “sinful” for sending their elderly parents to old folks’ homes and nursing centres, Sim was non-judgmental. He tries to understand what it is like to be in their shoes.

“Some have no choice,” he says, resigned to the fact that some career-minded children have to work and are unable to care for their elderly parents.

Changing times have also affected the way elderly parents are being treated. ”With extended families, the grandchildren can spend time with their grandparents, and the family is more closely knit.

There is more warmth in such households,” says Sim.

He seems resigned to the fact that Western influence has also brought about a shift in cultural practice.

“If elderly parents are sent to old folks home, the children must visit them frequently and show them love. They should not just pack them off to such centres and forget about them.”