The Klang Convent school is also a historical institution which is not utilised commercially.

THE Infant Jesus Sisters (IJS), who are the owners of the country’s convent schools, have appealed for a review of the need for quit rent on some of their school buildings as they are not utilised commercially.

Sister Theresa Chua, who heads IJS Malaysia, says the quit rent for some of the school buildings are exorbitant.

“There are no commercial gains whatsoever, but we have to send appeal after appeal for the rate to be reduced.

“Why can’t this be a standard policy with the Education Ministry (MOE) sending a directive to the Land Office to get this done,’’ she asks.

Sister Theresa says many people assume that the Sisters own many properties in prime areas with high commercial value if sold.

“All the existing convent schools are used by the government. Selling may not even be an option as requesting the return of convent schools from the government takes at least five years or more of negotiations, besides justifying the reason for the school to be returned although the property belongs to the Sisters,’’ she says.

There are currently 56 convent schools comprising 34 primary and 22 secondary schools. In 2016, the IJS had already requested the return of its 170-year-old Convent Light Street (CLS) from the MOE with the intention for the school building to continue as an educational institution for all children of Malaysia.

The new school would be coed and placed under a private operator. The IJS made the decision to ask for CLS to be returned following declining enrolment in the past decade and escalating upkeep costs of the heritage building.

Sister Theresa says the Sisters have no properties to sell, except for one in Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, which is home to elderly Sisters.

“They will have no place to live if they sell their home in Cheras to pay for repairs to the schools. The Sisters have no income and we need to cope with ageing and retired Sisters,’’ she adds.

Sister Theresa appeals to the MOE to hear their concerns and to appoint special officers who understand the issues of convent schools, similar to those appointed to deal with Chinese and Tamil vernacular schools.

Convent Bukit Nanas is one of the oldest schools in Malaysia and has an illustrious list of alumni. — Filepic/The Star

CONVENT schools in Malaysia have a distinguished history dating back to the 19th century. They have iconic heritage buildings and have produced many prominent personalities over the decades.

The 170-year-old Convent Light Street (CLS) in Penang is the oldest girls’ school in South-East Asia and is located in a heritage zone.

Founded by French Catholic nuns in 1852, it is one of the most highly regarded missionary schools in the state. However, in the past decade, CLS has been hit by declining enrolment thanks to competition from international and Chinese schools.

Convent schools were once premier schools that used the English language as the medium of education, and were known for producing well-rounded students who excelled academically as well as in sports and music.

The three founding nuns were part of a group of five who managed to make it to Penang alive after the arduous journey from France via Singapore.

The sprawling CLS grounds were also home to the administrative offices of Captain Francis Light after he founded George Town in 1786. Stamford Raffles, the founder of Singapore, also worked at Govern-ment House in the CLS grounds. Penang, then known as the Prince of Wales Island, was his first overseas posting.

Convent Bukit Nanas (CBN) in Kuala Lumpur is also one of the oldest schools in Malaysia – established in 1899 – and is one of the first schools to be distinguished as a Cluster School of Excellence by the Education Ministry

Its alumni includes former minister Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz, Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin Abdul Rahman of Selangor, Bank Negara governor Tan Sri Nor Shamsiah Mohd Yunus, prominent lawyers Raja Eleena Almarhum Sultan Azlan Muhibbuddin Shah Al-Maghfur-lah and Ambiga Sreenevenan and the late singer Adibah Noor.

CLS has its list of famous alumni too, such as Datuk Ooi Chean See, Malaysia’s first woman orchestra conductor; Datuk Ng Poh Tip,The Star’s first woman group chief editor; and Datin Paduka Tunku Khadijah Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra, our first prime minister’s daughter, who studied as a full-time boarder in CLS.

Storied school: Convent Light Street was set up in 1852, the first IJS convent school in the country. Many of these highly regarded mission schools were built over 100 years ago. — LIM BENG TATT/The Star

THE 56 convent schools nationwide, which are run by the Infant Jesus Sisters (IJS), are in desperate need of financial support with at least 90% of the school buildings in dilapidated conditions in the absence of sufficient maintenance funds.

Many of these highly regarded convent schools were built over 100 years ago, with the first IJS school as well as orphanage set up in Light Street, George Town, in 1852.

At least two schools caught fire recently as they had to cope with roof leaks, wiring and plumbing issues, and even floods.

In a rare interview, Sister Mary Theresa Chua, the Provincial of the IJS – which is legally known as the Lady Superior of the Society of Saint Maur – says the estimated RM3mil annual grants from the Education Ministry (MOE) for all 56 schools would only be enough for basic maintenance, working out to around “RM50,000 to RM70,000 for each school’’.

“The buildings are very old and daily use, with minimal repairs, has taken a toll. In short, the yearly government allocation is barely enough to cover repairs and maintenance costs as we always must rely on donors and carry out fund-raising initiatives,’’ she says.

Sister Theresa: ‘The yearly government allocation is barely enough to cover repairs and maintenance costs and the schools have to rely on donors and raise funds themselves.’

For example, she points out how the authorities have yet to carry out repair work on the slope bordering the 123-year-old Convent Bukit Nanas after a landslip in February this year. The site borders the Kuala Lumpur Forest Eco Park, and Sister Theresa fears that the ongoing wet spell and the year-end rainy season would be a problem.

In 2020, a landslip also hit the school, which was established in 1899, after heavy rain caused a near collapse of a retaining wall.

Sister Theresa describes the plight of convent schools in Malaysia, which have produced hundreds of thousands of students including prominent figures, as desperate.

“We are in dire straits. We have no one to turn to and we pray that our problems, especially involving the safety of our students and teachers, will be heard,’’ she says.

Sister Theresa explains insurance premiums are not covered by the government and “when any unfortunate incident happens, the Sisters are left to handle and manage them”.

“Often, the Sisters have no means to make proper major repairs as evidenced in the latest Convent Bukit Nanas landslip.

“What makes no sense is that the landslip was due to the Forestry Department felling trees and cutting through the hillslope, thus loosening the soil and affecting water flow resulting in the clogging and retention of mud, which in turn blocks drains so that water is not able to flow,’’ she adds.

Sister Theresa says there is an urgent need for the MOE to meet Mission school authorities to talk about critical building issues, such as, for example, electrical appliances like airconditioners, computers and projectors that have led to capacity overload.

“We are in a dilemma. Most of these schools are over 100 years old and cannot cater for high voltage use.

“However, digital equipment is necessary in the current era and environment for teaching purposes,” she notes.

To support the Convent schools -– OCBC Bank Bhd, Account No : 701-157675-5

For more information, also call Sr Theresa Chua, Tel- 03-20318243 or 03-20780615

There are more fights, disruptions and bickering at political functions and football matches than at Oktoberfest events.

IT may be news to some, including the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Idris Ahmad, but Oktoberfest has been celebrated here for decades now.

I have lost count of the number of Oktoberfest celebrations I have attended.

My first experience of this wonderful festival was at the Malaysian German Society (MGS) in Penang in the early 80s.

For more than 40 years, the MGS Oktoberfest has attracted Malaysians with a Bavarian band specially flown in from the south of Germany, with authentic German food served.

I don’t recall any disruption to social harmony, as Idris imagines and claims.

He told Parliament recently: “Although non-Muslims are not prohibited from drinking alcohol, the government is of the opinion that allowing this festival to happen and making it open to the public should not happen, as it will cause social problems, as alcohol is seen to affect harmony, order and safety of the community.”

There are more fights, disruptions, and bickering at political functions and football matches than at Oktoberfest gatherings.

If it leads to drink driving, then that is the business of the police, and not Idris’ for sure.

Non-Muslims cannot be blamed if they feel that this is another infringement of their rights.

Why should we have to confine ourselves and seemingly hide just to have a drink?

Malaysia is a multi-ethnic country, and non-Muslims are free to drink, as we know. Is this an arbitrary decision of a PAS leader or that of the government?

In recent years, there seems to be a rise in the degree of intolerance, with obstacles even placed on private companies wanting to host such gatherings.

In 2017, the One Utama shopping complex had to call off its Oktoberfest festival, despite its readiness to move the event to the basement carpark, following a directive from the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ).

Non-Muslims in Malaysia know too well their limitations and when not to cross the line.

No one is foolish enough to apply for a permit to hold Oktoberfest at Dataran Merdeka, for example, or in areas which are predominantly Muslim.

It is not just disrespectful.

From a commercial point of view, it would be loss-making as it would not be the targeted consumer market.

Non-Muslims will also not extend invitations to Oktoberfest, for sure.

PAS has been consistently waging a fight against Oktoberfest since 2014, claiming that it would be insensitive to Muslims.

If we go by the twisted logic of PAS leaders, then the Kaamatan and Gawai in Sabah and Sarawak, where spirits also flow, would lead to social disharmony.

Even at the ongoing Hungry Ghost festival, fund-raising for charity is done with alcohol served at the dinners.

Does that mean this too has to be banned or hidden?

No one should stop eateries, pubs, and restaurants from holding Oktoberfest festivals, and the local authorities should not be acting against these premises.

Here’s more news for Idris.

Even predominantly Muslim countries like United Arab Emirates, Turkiye and Palestine are gearing up to host Oktoberfest again this time, after a two-year hiatus because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

In Palestine, the Taybeh Oktoberfest, which started in 2005, will be held with an expected 16,000 visitors, according to its website. Ditto for Morocco, Turkiye, Lebanon, and many other countries.

Just do a search.

In previous celebrations in Dubai, there were 32 tents, a Ferris wheel, and even a life-sized replica of the famous statue of Lady Bavaria and her lion, according to reports.

PAS seems to have become louder now, as it is in the ruling Federal Government.

But it needs to be reminded that the guardians of Islam are the Malay Rulers.

Recently, Kelantan Deputy Mentri Besar Datuk Mohd Amar Nik Abdullah claimed the people of Kelantan are happier than those in Selangor, basing his argument on Malaysia’s Happiness Index, where Kelantan was purportedly ahead of Selangor.

We do not know why Mohd Amar chose to point fingers at Selangor.

Perhaps he was chafed by the Sultan of Selangor’s royal tick-off given to Idris over the minister’s objection to the Bon Odori festival.

PAS should worry about its inability to resolve its water, logging and drug problems; the addiction to pornography; and increasing incest and molest cases, before lecturing others.

Not to forget its tainted image after its leaders tried to justify corruption and even said a corrupt Muslim leader is more acceptable than an honest non-Muslim leader.

Get your backyard in order first.

Malaysians of all faiths and races are certainly more worried about the religious and social disharmony caused by PAS.

BOOK REVIEW

The Tree Whisperer: The Official Biography of Tan Sri Lee Shin Cheng, founder of IOI Group

HE lived a frugal life despite his fortune of billions and had no interest in or knowledge of luxury brands.

The late Tan Sri Lee Shin Cheng was more comfortable in his simple shorts while at his sprawling palm oil estates. True to his nature, he even showed up at the office in the evenings in his modest attire.

In fact, his shirts were often less than RM100 each and for 30 years, he carried a grey Samsonite briefcase bought in the 1980s.

Yet, he had no qualms about contributing millions of ringgit towards Chinese education, especially to the development of the centuries-old old Kuen Cheng High School and Shin Cheng (Harcroft) Primary School.

He also donated 30 million yuan (RM20mil) to Xiamen University Malaysia without hesitation.

The Kuala Selangor born Lee dropped out of school twice – once while in primary and later during secondary level – and was denied jobs in rubber estates, run by the British then, because he couldn’t speak English fluently.

Lee on his walkabout around his greenfield plantation in Sabah.

He was turned down for a job at an estate owned by the British company, Dunlop Estates, in the late 1960s, due to his inadequate academic qualifications.

But after making enough money about two decades later, he bought the holding company of the same estate that didn’t employ him.

Lee understood the importance of education and was determined that future generations of Malaysians would not be like him, having been born at a time of economic hardship.

Lee, the founder of IOI Group, died on June 1, 2019, just two days shy of his 80th birthday.

Three years on, his official biography (in English, no less) has finally been published and released early this month.

Most of his business friends, staff and associates are aware of his story, but this book will serve as a testimony to ordinary Malaysians in search of inspiration and useful lessons in tackling challenges.

At the tender age of 11, Shin Cheng left school to become an ice-cream seller, and in fact, was even too short to get onto the bicycle.

He tried his hands at everything, including starting off as a rubber estate cadet in Banting, Selangor, and later, a failed attempt as a pig farmer, petrol station dealer, property developer to finally, opening a whole new plantation frontier in Sabah and other parts of Malaysia.

Lee as a young man.

Spending more of his time in remote areas to tend to his oil palm trees than his family, Lee would end up being aptly called “The Tree Whisperer.”

Lee was also known as the tree whisperer because he loved talking and singing to his trees. He once said every tree is different, just like women.

So, he would talk to them, get to know them better, saying it would help them grow better, according to a report in The Edge.

Known as a stern and intimidating boss who would not tolerate laziness and negligence, his management staff were known to be wary of him.

He had a keen eye for detail and in his “management walks” of his numerous businesses, everyone was expected to answer his questions.

Lee, who was fluent in Tamil, was able to interact with the Indian staff at his estates.

With a fortune worth US$4.7bil (RM19.7bil), Lee was ranked by Forbes as Malaysia’s fifth-richest man and the 325th richest man in the world in 2019.

IOI Corp, with a market capitalisation of RM26.32bil then, remains an integrated palm oil company which has operations in eight countries across Asia, Africa, Europe, and North America.

It’s among the 30 largest companies listed on the Main Market of Bursa Malaysia, forming one of the component companies of the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI, the stock exchange’s benchmark index.

As for IOI Properties, valued at RM7.37bil, it’s a property development and investment company which has a substantial presence in Singapore and China.

It was the property arm of IOI Group prior to its spin-off listing on Bursa Malaysia in January 2014.

The book is essentially divided to his childhood days, his meeting with his future wife, Puan Sri Hoong May Kuan, who was a teacher in a rural school, his early working days and business ventures, his growing family, his expanding ventures, his relationship with his family and responsibilities, and more importantly, his contributions to the community.

Lee and Puan Sri Hoong tied the knot in 1963.

On the corporate front, Lee was ever the polite gentleman. But even gentlemen can be aggressive if the situation warrants it.

Two chapters have been devoted to the hostile takeover bid by Sime Darby Bhd to gain control of Palmco Holdings Bhd, an oleochemicals manufacturer in which IOI Corp was the single largest shareholder at the time.

Sime Darby had, in July 2001, made an unexpected conditional voluntary offer for all the shares – at RM4.35 apiece – in Palmco.

A few hours later, IOI Corp, which held a 32.1% stake in Palmco then, said it had no intention of accepting Sime Darby’s offer.

It was a dramatic business story as the media played up the fight between IOI and Sime Darby.

Within days, IOI Corp launched a takeover on Palmco by matching Sime Darby’s offer, forcing the latter to raise its asking price to RM4.60 per share.

Lee emerged the victor finally. The takeover saga ended in October after IOI Corp got hold of more than 50% stake in Palmco.

Lee never stopped working. In 2017, though, he was diagnosed with lung cancer. After several visits to the hospital for treatment, it was finally time for him to go home.

However, he arrived an hour later than expected.

“It turned out that he had asked his driver to make a stop at IOI City Mall before heading home.

“At that time, construction work for the mall’s second phase of expansion was already underway, and he wanted to look.

“Too weak to walk or stand, Shin Cheng could only remain in the car while he met with executives from different departments.

“They formed a neat circle around the car, taking turns to answer his questions and update him on the construction’s progress.”

Although Lee was a well-known public figure, he kept deferring writing a book because he was still energetic and wanted to do more in business and education before committing himself to a book. The decision to publish this biography was made by his family not long after his passing.

His biography is a page-turner because it’s well-written with in-depth research, especially on some of his corporate deals. The author, Angeline Lee Hoong Lian, is also a good storyteller and can hold her readers. The English translation was done by Michelle Tan Ching Wuen.

The Chinese version was released in January this year with the English version published in early July.

Certainly, this is a highly recommended book because it’s not just about Lee’s business success, but an inspirational journey about how a man, who had nothing, could reach the pinnacle of his career through his tenacity and enterprising spirit.

And yet, he remained humble and down to earth, preferring to be known for his contributions to education and helping the poor.

Lee was small in stature, but he was indisputably a giant in the Malaysian corporate world and will go down in history as a legend.

‘The Tree Whisperer’ is available for purchase at major bookstores or online at https://bit.ly/3y7X1vs.

AFTER months of speculation, it is now finally clear – Finance Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz looks set to contest in Selangor as a Barisan Nasional candidate in the coming general election, which is expected to be called soon.

Tengku Zafrul will attend the Selangor Barisan convention on Sunday and will be expected to join his colleagues in the coalition’s blue uniform for the first time.

Although he is a known Umno member, the 49-year-old former banker has never been active and has stayed away from politics.

Following his appointment as the finance minister, he has been cautious in ensuring he does not take any political positions.

He kept to his role as a senator and a technocrat, picked to carry out his professional duties, like former FM Tan Sri Abdul Wahid Omar, who was also a banker.

But now he has received the endorsement of Umno’s top leaders to contest a parliamentary seat in Selangor, the richest state in the country.

It is most likely that if given the green light, Tengku Zafrul will contest the coastal seat of Kuala Selangor, located on the north-western side of the state and just 70km from Kuala Lumpur.

He has been making many visits to the constituency, which has caught the attention of the media.

But he fends off the speculation; when asked if he had eyes on Kuala Selangor, Tengku Zafrul recently replied: “My ministry is not only zooming in on Kuala Selangor but also others.

”My focus has always been, and still is, the Finance Ministry. I was also in Shah Alam, Kuala Lumpur and Sepang. I am not only coming to Kuala Selangor.”

Selangor Umno chief Tan Sri Noh Omar has openly endorsed Tengku Zafrul’s candidacy, describing him as a heavyweight and a credible candidate.

Besides his impeccable academic background in economics, accounting and management from the University of Bristol and University of Exeter, he also has a second Masters Degree from the prestigious Tsinghua University in Beijing, China.

With talk that he will spearhead Umno’s charge to regain Selangor from the PKR-led state government, some Umno leaders privately suggested that he should contest a Federal and state seat.

Likewise, they say Umno deputy president and Negri Sembilan Umno chief Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan should do the same, as the fight in GE15 will be unprecedented at all levels.

”It is no longer business as usual. We cannot continue the same way as previously because GE15 will be a tough one,” said one Umno supreme council member.

Despite Tengku Zafrul’s lack of political experience, it will, ironically, be the best reason for him to lead the battle as Barisan needs fresh faces with solid credentials.

The ageing Selangor Barisan leaders look jaded and unappealing to the demanding urban Selangor electorate, which has been anti-establishment. Selangor has been held by the opposition Pakatan Harapan coalition for three terms since 2008.

”Over the last 30 months, Tengku Zafrul, who has a large following on social media where he is known as an urbane and moderate personality, has managed to build bridges across the political divide,” Singapore’s Straits Times reported.

It said that Tengku Zafrul’s tenure at the Finance Ministry “has so far seen a more consultative approach to policy making, with multiple engagements with the business community, professional class, trade unions and politicians, despite scepticism by Umno’s senior figures who are more comfortable with ‘government knows best’ decision making.”

He is at ease with opposition leaders and certainly Tengku Zafrul’s close relationship with the country’s royalty helps as the Rulers play a major and decisive role including even the choice of Mentri Besar, as in Selangor. Tengku Zafrul himself is of royal blood and he understands and navigates the powerful palaces best.

His challenges will be the various Umno “warlords” in the state who would also jostle for a chance to contest in GE15 as well as Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia.

He was appointed to the coveted FM post by Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin when he took power in March 2020 following the collapse of the Pakatan Harapan government.

But as word leaked out of the major announcement of Tengku Zafrul’s candidacy, it has generated a lot of excitement and interest – which is what Barisan wants.

It won’t be a walk in the park for Tengku Zafrul who may find realpolitik to be rough, but it will surely be a baptism of fire for him soon.

Dislodging the Pakatan government will not be easy but certainly by having Tengku Zafrul in the ring, Barisan has provided a fresh impetus and a realistic chance in its battle to wrest back the state. Sometimes, it helps to play the underdog, too.