Last Sunday, I received tragic news over phone message that one of my childhood friend's, Debbie Cheah Pei Yung, was killed in a tragic car accident close to her home at the tunnel junction exiting the NPE leading into Kuchai Lama. According to accounts, the accident occurred at 1.30pm when her Myvi crashed into the divider.
I was absolutely gutted by the news. Not only because we used to be good friends, but also because I was on that same stretch of road an hour before the accident, after sending one of my Boys home after a BB-related event.
Debbie is the eldest daughter of Mr Richard Cheah and Ms Lilian Lee, both who also serve as officers in the 10th Kuala Lumpur Company. Richard only recently began serving as the Kuala Lumpur State Council Treasurer. We worked very closely on several BB projects, most notably the Bowling Competition of which Richard was of great help in the committee. Her mother, Lilian, also worked closely with me when I was in BBM as she dealt with uniform logistics. Debbie's sister, Dena Cheah, recently won the President's Badge during the recent "garden" Founder's Day. She also has a brother, Brandon.
Debbie and I weren't close. In fact I've only found out her full name after the accident. But we did spend a fair amount of our time in The Boys' Brigade together while I was in college and university, while she was in secondary school, hanging out on cyberspace. We have had countless of conversations on MSN Messenger (back in the day when it was still popular), talking about crushes (Yew Hon used to be crazy about her, but she totally wasn't interested) and the silly little things people in their youth would normally talk about.
She was often teased by peers for her "humble" height, but she proved to be a real chilly padi, going through the ranks in BB and eventually becoming a Sergeant, serving as an inspiration to her company mates and fellow NCOs. She was into art, often posting entries into Deviant art. Her online accounts will also bear the username, justbeingblu3 (none of her old accounts are currently active).
Years after she has left BB, we have since lost touch as she apparently doesn't use Facebook, but we would often talk with one another if we bump into one another during BB events, where she would sometimes be the photographer, or just to support her friends and family.
I don't have many pictures of Debbie as she was extremely camera shy (to me anyway). But here is whatever I have.
Debbie (right) playing the snares during the 10th KL's E&A in 2005
Debbie (in brown t-shirt) during 10th KL's Drill Camp in 2006
Backstage during Pesta 2006, 10th KL's Singing Team
Front row, 5th person in suit from the left
10th KL Pesta 2006 Team performing. Debbie is 2 from the right
Debbie (front right) playing the 24 Season Drums during the Pesta 2006 Opening Ceremony.
Final pose. Debbie is one of the two persons at the front row.
The only picture with Debbie and I in it. My farewell in 2007 when I first went over to Melbourne for studies. Special thanks to Ps. Mark Tan for reminding me of its existence.
Deb, we'll miss you. Thanks for the good times and memories. Stay quirky and enjoy your time with the Lord. See you sometime at the end of the century.
Picture credits: Pesta 2006 Pictures from The Boys' Brigade Malaysia.
