By their mere utterances most people gave themselves away easily.Therefore I never took all seriously.Not bragging though because people who were not honest with what they uttered gave themselves away by their tones.Tones forced out from their mouths sounded different and insincere like all actors and actresses.All their sweet talks were mere rubbish.
They just simply wanted your business that why they said things they never meant.Thereafter at your back they cursed you and used vulgar words for you to satisfy their ego.Well,that were part of life I guessed.Live let us live.Well,you may accused me of being sensitive,am I? There, of course, after so long listening to them talking I just got accustomed to them.
Taking greetings along the road or so,many greet you just courtesy that all not more.I think many meant what came out of their mouths.Of course,when you were in an excellent position or in Managerial position were they have to depend on you for job or something else,they had to be polite and courteous.I had been to long in that position to realize that
When I was a teenager I always believe that life was beautiful.I believe that friends were always trustworthy and went beyond the hearts.Then all friends were the heroes and the crooks our enemies.So either you were a friend or a crook then.Well those childish days.To us then the world was surely a lovely place to dwelt just like "Tarzan"can swinging freely from tree to trees carrying "Jane" along with our friends the '
black sakais" wavering spears running down below.Well,how sweet?.
But, as we slowly grew up the world began to be more and more treacherous.At school we not opnly learned how to read and write we also picked up how to copy and imitate others.Good or otherwise we just rough it out.Very often we acquired those naughty things and accumulate them in our brains very fast.Those were the days our smartness put to task.Those day money were scarce and we from poorer families had not much to brag about.
Somehow we had to accept those facts that there were not much we could do to change things around.So armed with nothing more we were forced to study hard if we can.Things can be pretty hard especially when you were from a poor family.You may study hard but without proper guidance the chances of securing good grades were diffificult but not impossible.
Those were the days when you realized that most friends or so called friends were deceptive for money talked .Should your parents be rich and famous in town then you have many friends even the teachers took a liking on your presence.Even dogs would wad their tails as they see you.When I was in school I was always pushed a round or directly bullied by bigger boys.Those were the days I was never a stand out student just another small size classmates to many.
There was n incidence whereby I was to took up a challenge to fight after school by a bigger boy.Initially I was scared stiffed and tried to avoid him by slowly walking home with another friend.Just as I though I was safe from that duel I found myself facing that damn gorilla obstructing my path with his bicycle.He was posing his fists as to fight me as I approached him.Facing with no alternative in mind I threw my bic aside and charged at him.
I adhered closely to his body so that his punches could not reached me out right.Short punches thrown by him did not hurt me one wee bit.I relentlessly let off a couple of body jabs to his stomach.In the end neither were hurt except I scratched my fingers slightly making me bled a little.The fight was however short lived as a prefect came and seperated us.
We were both presented to the school supervisor who told us to be present at the school the following morning.There we were both given three stroke of the rotan.On the whole the supervisor was bias and he did not hide his ill feelings against me,because he scoffed at me as he spoke.Everyone present knew that was a fight between David and the Gorilla.
Oh yes!!! I remember that supervisor.He was also our science master who walked around the school all the time.We did not learned much from his science class for he was hardly audible most of the time because he talked without opening his mouth.Maybe he feared gold might dropped out from his stupid mouth.He was non other than Goh Kim Bah.Know him?.Whatever it was he never had good opinions about me.
However I decided to prove myself I studied hard on my own while on the hand I roamed the streets until late at night Burning midnight oil.It nearly paid off as I achieved good grades for all other subjects accept the English paper which I failed miserably.For that I was penalized from passing the whole examination.However,that did not stopped me from venturing into the world to seek my fortune,but I did not give up on those tests and sent on to sit as a private candidate and with some luck i manged to pass the English paper and secure a certificate for that success.
I left school after my school certificate examinations withoiut waiting for te result to come out.to join the planting industry.It was wholly rubber then.So it was after schooling immediately into the estates.I might had lived in the estate before but working in it was surely very different.I was a stranger in a strange land.Going round te fields were initially like walking into hell.The swarm of mosquitoes were all the time on my heels and each attack by them varmints were a few all over.A smashed on them would redden my hands with blood.
Fortunately the Plantation Manager whom I lived with was a kind gentleman.A friend in deed .Those days my allowance were too tiny to mention but the Manager was kind sufficient to charge me a mininium sum for food expenses.There many instances where he helped my survived in the planting industry.It was his testimony that put me through much of my later life where it mattered most..To be frank I am always indebted to him .He is non other than My.Kooi Pang Yong..May God blessed him wherever he is.
In this Company I met with many friends all connected with the Industry.However I was around for only short spells therefore my acquentances with these new friends were just then and there.No attempts were made by either parties to renew our friendships elsewhere so the matter rested as it was.However there were no denying that I do had fond memories with some of them.That was so long ago.For now should we crossed each other there were no means to re-connect us unless something inevitably unusual happened along the way in the near future.
From Perak I was transferred to another plantation in Bentong,Pahang under the same Manager.With a slight changed in my fortune I applied and got another appointment as Probationary Assistant in Kumpulan Guthries's.It was a golden opportunity to enhance my career.Who would not?.Any young planter in similar position would hd felt so elated as I was.When l seem so bright I suddenly found myself in Hell.
For a start I was to serve under a very bias European Manager who though nothing of planters from Chinese Company.I was victimized from the very beginning.He had expected an Assistant coming in with my own transport which I had none and so he had to supply me with one.I received a stupid big motorcycle for use.Alas the motor cycle was too big for me to handle but had to use it-like it or not.
While there I was placed in charged in a second division of that plantation in Port Dickson.No sooner had I settled down in that division I was requested to transfer to another division far away.So I hardly warm the bed of those bungalows I was requested to give them up and on the moved again and again.Yes,initially I had beautiful bungalows to reside in but later shifted to the first division to stay with another Assistant.
So I was actually an uninvited guest every where I went.That "black" Assistant was quite a cocky guy who refused to speak much to me.Worst of all was ti share the food bills with him thereafter including his servant's salary.And what a maid who very much looked like a witch.I dreaded the food I consumed daily all cooked and prepared bt that woman.I was under seized by the Manager as well as the witch who would haunt me in my sleep.
Soon three months of hell passed.Couple with the haunting witch the plantation was never pleased with all I do.His instructions to me were as wake as his stupid look.The other Assistants my senior were not much of a help as they did want to interfere with instructions from the Manager.I made a number of silly mistakes which I though had been given a second review but no.I was a write off even when he went on a three months leave.
How unfairly was I penalized by a Manager whom I served only directly for three months,the other three months were under the Acting Manager.In this plantation I learned one thing and that was all European Managers were fully corrupt from head to bottom.Just imagine whenever they go on long leave, all the Contractors had to give him a sort of lavish farewell party and mind you they do not come cheap.Just imagine not only treating him but also all the managing staffs to dine as well as to dance till the wee wee hours with hosts of dance hostesses.
I really pity those Contractors.Maybe they had made some money through all those contracts they received but to force them to part with their profits were unethical.They worked hard and deserved what they worked for,why should we extort from them?.Unless there were something hanky panky all along.So it should be he who must be sacked, not me.His taking so drastic actions against me was totally uncalled for..
Six months with at that plantation and I was demoted to Assistant in training.It was a total disastrous disgrace and worst of all I was to face some of those cadets who had served under me. As I had no where to run away to I was forced to stay put Putting my shame a part I strived on with a thick skin under another Manager - The Training Manager,a Nair.A sort of "black European whop walked around like a duck thinking he was something ,like "Hitler" keeping those stupid mustache.
He taught us nothing accept his "Catherine "wheel.He was a clerk promoted by one of the European Manager.I believed he had instructions to write me off.Knowing that I still slogged on shamelessly.Within those bad days I passed the Estate Practice papers on Rubber plantation.This test served as a yard stick for many many planters.Many senior planters also sat for the same but failed miserably.Mine passing was not recognised just imagine that.
For that I was not rewarded.While there I actually because I was a written off case,those bias bastards. There I learned nothing new but by going round to the other plantations of the group I meet some marvelous planters to whom I acquired much useful knowledge.Yes !! I was better equipped thereafter.
In the Centre I also meet some one who transformed my entire out look in planting completely.Yes there I met with a smiling tiger.From him I learned to be patience and laughed away all misfortune that were installed before me.Retreat from your enemies should they be stronger or give way to them but not yielding until such time when you were able to overcome them.When should you be on the offensive never take pity on your enemies.Finish him off without any warnings until even his grandfather could not recognized him.
More than that also treat your superior with due respects and never said 'No"to his command.Gain access or acquire his trust to the extend that he allowed you free access to his keys without questioning.Should that happened always duplicate all his keys when in hands.By such he would have no secrets with you
The person I met not only had access to all the managers' drawers and safe,,likewise he also had duplicate keys to them.This being so his examination papers were all the time had excellent results.It took us quite a while to learn of that actually.A question of knowing it just too late to repel.
So in every training Centre of well established Companies there were always some smart guys who had access to the Boss's drawers etc.Previously I used to admire all,these brats but no more for they could be the biggest of all crooks.Sometimes you had to be in it to know the plain truth..Many a times too late.Another thing those keys could had been passed down from previous batch of elite trainees.In other words some smart Alex inherited those keys as they marched in and it was confidential.This could had been regenerate down wards.
However I was in no position to expose all these culprits as I was in deep troubles myself and I could hardly saved myself.I was dwelt a cruel blow as I suffered a minor nervous breakdown towards to the end ans failed my final examinations because I could hardly write with my nervous hands.Handling in audible hand written papers failed me. Not that I do not know my subjects.But was it of any use as they were out to remove me by hook or by crook.Thus ended my career with Guthrie's..Much to the delight of the Training Manager.
I left in silence without a friend to bide me farewell unceremonusly. Besides those cocky Assistants I met I did met with someone quite graceful.This gentleman was once a teacher from the school where I came from.Many would remember a Mr.Leow Yoon Keong from Bidor..While I was Guthrie's he did whatever he could to assist me.To him I am grateful.He was kind sufficiently to supply with food when I was without a cook and being kicked about.And of all things I upset him by damaging his Suzuki motor-cycle so I am, still indebted with him,whatever.
Having no where to turn to I was forced to return to my home town.Home sweet home indeed when there was no where to turn to I turned home.The home where I was born.I was at the same moment very sad to return home empty handed.I had promised to do good before. Returning home again to regain the love I once lost. So as I reached home I felt a sense of sheer lost.I lost my battle in survivor.I was badly hurt because I lost everything forever.
It had been sometime since I saw my old buddies and dreaded seeing them to rekindle the comradeship of old days of my childhood.So I stayed quietly around until I met with another unemployed planter.He too had just lost his job.He was P.M.S.Moorthy.We moved around briefly before I landed myself a job as Manager of Ulu Selangor Estate .Kuala Kubu Bahru.My friend later also rejoined planting..
Within that time I relocated another old frame.from Bentng,Pahang.It was no easy task as I had to convince her to accept mee once again.Whatever the obstacle I overcame them with eased and I married her against her parents wishes.Oh yeah I was actually at a loss when I returned home and without a loving shoulder to console my grieving soul was dearly very hurting.The dreamed lover was by now married to another,so I should not cry over split milk . I had simply to turn to the next dear in my heart and found her.We have been happily married since then.
That reunion really brought me some luck as I went on to become an Estate Manager.So from nothing I landed another position as a planter The Plantation was a hilly plantation of nearly one thousand acres of old rubber.The job was quite simple provided I keep my mouth shut all he time.Some how I could not agree to get along with its Contractor,therefore within six months I resigned from that estate.It was a case of either the Contractor or myself.
In Kuala Kubu I met a couple of nice guys.In a tiny town those we knew almost everybody as Plantation Manager we were well respected.I was quite charmy with the Police as well as the District officer then.The trouble with me was I was never one that would full advantage of situation otherwise it would had been a totally different story till now.Given the same opportunity things would definitely be not the same.
Thereafter I joined K.C.Cheah Sawmill,Karak,Pahang.Right here I meet with another class of people.Those saw-milling types,loggers and its transporters.These were rougher or more masculine people who toiled mosly with their brute strength.They had to be otherwise how to handle those huge logs in the jungle and break them down into servisable timber.It was an interesting job anyway built say what you may I am more rooted to planting
I was there for only a short and temporarily stink.Most of managing staffs were one way or other had some connection with the Boss.With everyone for themselves so it was either you die or I.That certainly was bad attitude.Such a work place does had no position that fitted me well.Sure enough I was a treat to most of them as the Boss was my uncle.Many maybe related but I had my Auntie always on my side.That was never what I intended.
Should I be able to hold my position it should be from my ability not based o relationship,that was never in my mind.The problem arises mostly from back stabbing which was never me.For a little favor some people go at full length to carry to the Boss what ever tales .Truth or lies does not other them they could not careless.When I choose to ignore them I was accused of being bad temper.
Getting enough of all these I reapply into planting.Within a short time I was successful to secure a position with St.Andrew Estate,Batang Berjuntai,Selangor.I joined them almost immediately in Oct 1970. Well at least I got away from that sawmill to return to what I know best.During my tenure in the sawmill I met with many friends and after I left I was never in contact with any because I had my work and they had theirs.Further we were on different fields that why we never ever met again.
There were lacking of any thing on either side.I did not lose anything.Maybe I had gained some new friends and really know who my real relatives were.Oh yeah those things do not bother me,now that I have a family to care for.They were now the most important me.I did not had a good up bringing and I must see to it that my children do not suffer similar fate God willing.Of course a lot depended on how I performed in future life.
In St Andrew initially I had to work under a young upstart who knew nothing about planting.He got into the Company though his tongue.Good talks and being a Hokkien with known parents.Talking does not hold water for he cannot bluffed his way around.It did not take long before this fox reviewed its tail.In fact he absconded without a sound a d I was told just to walk over .
Within the month I sifted into the Manager's bungalow.There were some messes to be cleared and I did just that.But there was a lacking of staffs.I inherited a Sr,Conductor who was the son of one of the Bosses.He was a non performer still I got to live with it and made used him wherever possible.The rest were kanganies,all local Indians
Bedside that I had a clerk who was recruited the same time as me.He was also an bump who just as the young brat had wanted to swindle the plantation.However his greed overcame him and he landed with debts everywhere and forced to resign on his own regard.So I was left in a lurched to employ another It did not take long to find one either.
To ease the burden of field work I had to recruit a junior conductor since the Sr.was of not use.Because of past experiences I had never relied on staffs fully in any jobs.It was routine of me t check and re-checked all jobs given until I was fully satisfied with its consequences.In that sense I was almost fully occupied most of the time running from field to field and also plantation to plantation.I had three estates under my control.
Those days my friends were few.hardly a handful.Many of the friends I know in town were nothing more than casual friends.On the plantation I had planters from my immediate neighbor-Sungei Rambai Estate. Most of the time they had Suprintendent installed plus an assistant or so.Of course I knew them all.Not really good friend except for one Mr.Ranny Tan. Well, we got along fine until now I had lost contact with him.
My two other friends from the plantations were one Gan and another Dass.We were all chummy from the very start and in most cases I helped them out one way or other.But were they my friends????? Never,these peo0ple never treated me as one.Well,it took me some time to realize that.Before I left both likewise had betrayed me thinking I was easy meat for them to swallow but then I had my revenge later on.
Let us talk about Gan first.He was like me employed in a Chinese owned Company only thing was his was very tiny less than five hundred acres.His salary was therefore low and I helped to top up his pay further.He repaid me by betraying me
.(1)He refused to support me for the Managing Director post of the Group Hospital.In fact by right I should had laid a claim to it as our plantation was the biggest subscriber of the Hospital.Instead he joined forces with Dass to vote him in instead of me.
(2)He refused to pay his plantation's balance bill to me after I left my business in Batang Berjuntai.Some friends I had.We were so hard up for cash yet he had to betray me.It was like stepping on me when I was down.
When he lowly paid by his Company I helped him to cheat his Company yet he did this to me.So this type of friends I can forgo for good.
Coming to Dass.We had been great friends from the start.As we shared a common boundary we had varies problems and I helped him o some occasions and he vice versa.When it came to the final crunch he joined forced with Gan to out vote me .
Both caught me by surprised.I did not show any anger but kept it within my soul what type of friends I had.Since then I had ignored Gan and saw him as transparent.To me he does not even existed even when he looked me up.He felt the pinch and never heard of again.
Dass thought mighty of himself Many a times had approached me to give one of his old staff a job a job as Senior Conductor or otherwise.Yeah there was a vacancy for even an Assistant in my place but allowed his old staff to wait the hell for my reply.I could had easily appointed him Assistant Manager but I flatly refused him because what he had done to me in the past.That should had taken the shine from his face.
Having forgoing him I tell you I was much happier within.Revenge were sweet so they say.These were just a return of favors returned at a more favorable and appropriate time.Dass had promised his staff the inevitable and his staff had high regards for him.Well,I could wait to see his stupid face should I tell those straight in his face.These were two friends I would never missed.
Next I wen t on to do business for a short period.I had expected some friends to come to my aid in time of need.Well to be frank some did but most were so.All for themselves so unless there were so gains or more gain to their benefit then you might secure some business from them but sorry they could not careless.All were most for their own gains that were utmost important.So all planting friends were really so so.
Of course there were some who were really good in their support for me.Good friends like Mr Ranny Tan who really went all out to help where possible. And there were at least another few more naming them might not be so good,so we let them be.They had helped me one way or other so thanks to them.
My business in estate supplies and sawing rubber wood met their ends as business was taking a drastic deep and I lost heavily.It was through no fault of others but my own inabilities that my businesses were complete failures.The combination of bad companies had me tumbling all the way down but nevertheless it was a lesson well acquired never to forget.In many ways it was just great as I now know who my real friends and folds were.
We survived for few months without a job whatsoever.Fortunately my in-laws allowed my wife to work temporarily there.From there we managed to get by with three school going children to tend to.The Lord was really great in that He preserved me.And with patience I slowly secured another job in planting.
Other than that I had no friends to support me whatsoever.Well in time of need who needed them anyway.I was out of a decent job but had not given up hope so who require them,anyway.Any way I had no money to spent around so I rather be alone.- left alone.Being lonely does not bother me as I was used to being alone most of the time.
It was an art to stay alone happily and not many can be such just like laughing exercises.Stay happy by laughing alone No that should not be classified as insane.To me it was an art or just being discipline.Of course during those quiet hours one can always do something useful like singing and listening to songs,reading or maybe drawing.I for one can go on keeping quiet alone.Never had a negative attitude.think and imagined positively to keep happiness with yourself.
Next I was employed in Sri Jaya Oil Palm Estate,Sri Jaya,Pahang as its plantation Manager.Here I began my career with much cautiousness taking each day at a time.Slowly I crept into the confidence of the Boss with plenty of honest hard work and patience It was a long hard road with so many wanting to get at my throat.
First I had the staffs and Contractors to handle all seemingly hostile when I first stepped into that estate.My experiences easily over came them. and put them on the correct spot.The Assistant had anticipated that I would abscond but I proved him wrong.He maybe be familiar with the estate.He even tried to scare me away with the work load in hand.
Actually with the staffs I inherited there should be something to worry about.But unfortunately all these were nothing to me I had the experience to handle all those.My predecessors were non planters or extremely new to oil palm so when I joined them there were so many rooms for improvements with much sweat.they might had been living on that plantation for years yet they do not know how to improve it.
The first month I did nothing much but thereafter I just showed them my mental.It was so simple to please the Boss.Just put in some new roads especially those bottom field roads.In a hilly terrain the most important were its road system.Well the "Catherine wheeL" was put into good use.Most important I did them without requesting extra money for them.All the vehicles were available.Only thing were,they were not put into good use.
My predecessors were ignorant about roads for oil palm plantation and were relying on old field roads or timber tracks.While constructing the new ravine roads I also cleared all the existing bamboo grooves along the way.Thus making the fields cleaner.At the same time much land along the ravines were also cleared or re-claimed back for planting with oil palm.My predecessor had classified those land as " labih punya".
Such simple work made the Boss extremely happy.Now after that he could venture anyway he fancy without fear even my escort.I allowed my Assistant as he was "lebih punya" for he served no purpose.To me I can do without him anytime.With a few years he resigned to join some others.In replacing I recruited some but many could not survived working under me.
One Indian from Layang Layang even tried to usurp my position when we were running away from the Police dragnet for employing illegals.Unfortunately I returned timely to expose and then had him sacked.I would had him prosecuted had he remained a threat.I also promoted a conductor to Assistant in changed of a division.He proved to be hard working but insincere.However he left before I could take action against him.
There was another whom I removed because also of insincerity towards me.Instead of assisting me he was talking against me.But then who was he to come against me then.He could not even get near to the Boss.There was no way the Boss would even entertained him.It was simple should he be not with me then he must go not me.However there there was one
As for friends in Sri Jaya,there were many.Well in my position in that tiny township I seem to be somebody.With every one wanting some businesses from us knew me.On the contrary I need not know any of them they knew before I knew them.It was customary of me to have tea in the afternoon in town and very often before I could settle the payments somebody always beat me to it.Although I never encouraged that many still beat me to it.At times I do not know who did that.If possible
I never allowed that to happen because I am honest and do not encouraged such corrupt practices.Main reason was that the Bosses had numerous spies lurking around all the corners of town.In any case I never kept any of those friendly as good friends - just maintained an arm's length away from them.Every thing were strictly business no hanky panky.All these were friends as afr as I remembered but once I was no more the Manager non ever came near me let greet me with well wishes.
Here I was led down by a hunter.Despite my treatment , he betrayed me and I could had destroyed him which I never did.Because he was an illegal hunter and had allot in illegal hunting activities which I can proved.Had I reported him to the Authorities he would definitely be prosecuted and jailed for good.For one it was him who was commissioned to shoot down at least thirteen wild elephants in our areas.Believe it or not????.
In that plantation I met a very nice gentleman .He was once the Engineer of the Oil Mill.We got along very well,much to the dismay of Loo Poh Wau the Bastard.We were charmy from the start till the day he left us.Together we could bring the whole of Sri Jaya If not Pahang down or painted red.He was non other than Elbert Tey.Recently he came into my facebook with this:-
A Real Friend
(f) orgets the bad .
(r) emembers the good
(i) nspires you
(e) ncourages you
(n) ever puts you down
(d) eliberately makes you smile
The above he sent me really put shame into me.Why?because I still owes him money that was why.Well Albert that would be repaid in due cause.I will never forget what I owed you.Anyway I am grateful to you for not chasing me till to day.
What can I say any more?.I may have many not worthy friends but there was still laid a kind friend who could bear with me.In a large plantation like Sri Jaya (appro.5000 acres) my neighbors were miles apart.There were a number but none had me in mind except one Mr.Lim,Manager from Asia Motor.He was a friend when we were neighbors and after retirement he still kept on visiting almost few times a month.
Quite a regular friend.Other than him I had no other friends visiting me and had tea together.Of course he is staying around this area.Both being ex-planters so we have plenty in common to converse about.Planter were actually lonely people unless you were the type that were fooling around playing golf,but our Companies do not value those playing golf.Anyway where got space time to play golf???..
Also we had no one above us to please by playing that game.Neither were there corporate ladders to climb.We need not socialized to get acquented with others .We do not entertain others they come to us.That were the differences.The longevity of these had turned me into loner admittedly.Actually that does not bother me cause I can be as happy as anyone without any company.It is an art to stay lonely and be happy.Well think positively for one and smiled away. No need to listen people talking what they do not mean.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.