Mr Lawrence Tay in The Star

Mr Lawrence Tay was featured in The Star national newspaper on the 6th November 2011, Sunday. The article was written by my one and only who had this article in the waiting list for.. pretty long. Glad it was featured.

Well done Mr Lawrence. You made the BB proud!

KulGames 2011

This years Kulgames was one of my first assignments as the new KL Full Time Officer. But rather than just running around and handling administrative matters, I was glued down to manage the Table Tennis Competition. It was also one of my first times (that I can remember) handling a sporting event as chief umpire. 

It was pretty fun and easy despite much running around to do. It was simply a matter of figuring out your systems and procedures before hand, getting reliable umpires and of course, praying for the conditions to be right. 

We managed four categories, Junior Singles, Junior Doubles, Senior Single and Senior Doubles. It was just eleven (11) points for a set, with the best two sets (out of three) proceeding to the finals (there was a qualifying round - so the Boys all get to play a few times). During the finals (as in the top 4), we increased it to the best of three sets out of five, to make it just a little more fun. 

In the end, turns out that 4th KL did a clean sweet - winning a 3 of the 4 categories, with 2nd KL taking the Senior Doubles. 

All in all, a very good KulGames. Special thanks to Mr Terence Tay, the chief organiser and Mr Vincent Puah and Benny Tham for being the umpires for Table Tennis. And of course, glory to God for his faithful guiding hands! 

Read article on 3rd Kl Website

First Day at Work as the KL State Full Time Worker

My first assignment as the KL Full Time Officer (official title is Executive Secretary, but it sounded too chim for a nature it ought to be) started with a visitation to the 2nd Kuala Lumpur Company on the early mornings of 15th October 2011, a Saturday. Parade was held at their usual grounds at Grace Methodist Church Sentul. Attendance was hampered mainly by exams and a non-BB excursion some of the Boys were having, but that didn't stop a loyal 10 Boys and the one steadfast captain from coming!

2nd KL Opening Parade - Attendance was poor mainly due to exams

2nd Kuala Lumpur is one of those companies which has roughed it out over the years. Having being formed in 1957,  pretty much the same year as the country, was one of the few companies formed when BBM was still the FCMBB. In the past decade, it has constantly been threatened to closure due to its relatively small membership, partly due to the shrinking population of recruitable Boys in their school base, Methodist Boys' School Sentul (SMK (L) Methodist, Sentul). Still, the moral of the 2nd KL story is that not once did it go in-active or close down. That's the meaning of Steadfastness!

The Company has saw three different captains in the last 4 years, dues to various sensitive reasons. At present, Mr Cephas Yap faithfully leads the Boys and it's few officers. The was a standard BB program - the opening parade, singspiration, games, band, Christian Education and closing parade. There was no drill that Saturday as they extended the band to practice for an upcoming performance for school.

Pte. Terence Lee doing a forfeit during an games session

Personally, I do not find 2nd KL Boys any different from those from other all Boy companies. The passion and yearning for brotherhood is exactly the same. This is key towards the attractiveness of the BB, that is fellowship - BB's main source of retention. From there, the Object too can be realised. 

In the last year, Cephas was able to stabilise the programs and make things more consistent - another thing which is extremely crucial. Our Boys can clearly see our mistakes, as much as we like to assume how dumb and inexperienced they are, when in actual fact they see our cover ups and excuses as clear as day. In the past 2nd KL was plagued by officers and senior NCOs who go absent at will, something absolutely unacceptable no matter what background one is from nor whatever the circumstance. This will only lay a dying foundation, spiraling out of control year after year, until one day people just decide not to come altogether, for a few weeks, which eventually turn permanent. Fortunately, this culture is slowly being weeded out of the company through firm discipline and care. 

I'm confident 2nd KL will recover to a greater strengths in the future. With people such as their capable officers and enthusiastic Boys laying a foundation to the future, things will slowly but surely improve. There are talks of them acquiring another school for recruitment next year. I hope I can assist them the best I can. 

It's high time The Boys' Brigade in Kuala Lumpur to shine!

1st KL's And There Was Light

We were given a real treat by the 1st Kuala Lumpur Company on the 2nd September 2011 with their highly anticipated Cantata.. which is a musical-story telling thing. Many 1st KL Boys, past and present were involved in this production, but what raised my expectations was the involvement Mr Terence Yap, who is well known for producing quality performances. 

That night, the Wesley Methodist Church Kuala Lumpur Sanctuary was transformed into a dazzling display of colourful lights. The Boys did well.. each item held it's own surprises. Above all, it was FREE.. even had a free bookmark to bring home.

With 3rd KL celebrating it's 55th Anniversary next year.. hopefully this didn't cause my own officer to dream too big... as such productions require mammoth amounts of time and effort. 

KL State Basic NCO Training

On an odd Saturday morning, I was dragged out of bed to ferry the KL State Treasurer, Mr Terence Tay,  to Sekolah Sri Sempurna as he was the Guest of Honour.. and he didn't know the way there. 

The NCO Training scene in Kuala Lumpur is one of ups and downs.. but at least it's been consistent for the past three years. I was not at this year's BNTS, but it looks like it went okay. Special thanks to Mr Andrew Tan and the 10th Kuala Lumpur Company for hosting the State. 

Well, it was a worthwhile trip to see the members in the closing ceremony. Pity Mr Terence, had so many hands to shake and salutes to give. 

Johor State's NCO Training and 3rd KL's Leaders Retreat

Another round in Johor, this time for the real show. Finally after several attempts, there is finally an ANTS in Johor Darul Ta'zim. Praise God! In total, there were 23 ANTS and 56 BNTS participants, and roughly 20 of so Officers and helpers converging in the humble town of Kluang, Johor in the confides of SJK (C) Chong Eng from the 27-29th August 2011. It was (supposed to be) a combined effort by both Selangor and Johor State Councils, with Selangor contributing (one) Officers and Johor hosting.

Overall, I am pretty satisfied with the outcome of the camp, despite a few unforeseen circumstances and some questioning of how the NTS system works. All in all, some mistakes made, lessons learnt and all that is necessary to lay foundations for the future. I was focused mainly on the ANTS side while the BNTS was managed by the 1st Johor Bahru Company. I believe they did an excellent job, so well done. 

As for the members, participants from 1st Johor Bahru, 4th Johor Bahru, 1st Kulai, 1st Kluang, 2nd Kluang, 1st Klang, 1st Kajang, 4th Petaling Jaya and 8th Penang made up most of the participants in this course. This group was an interesting one and I am touched by their willingness to make sacrifices for one another. Good stuff. 

Late night jogging! 

There was one unpleasant moment when we had no choice but to chase away 6 participants from a local Company of which has not been through the Basic NCOs' Training School. Their Officers have claimed that they have conducted their BNTS as part of the regular Company programme, but after thorough investigation, we found that their syllabus is outdated - which is the current ENTS syllabus. It pains me to break the news that they needed to be transferred out of Advance and be put into Basic.

I hope BB Officers man up and be responsible for their members. All BNTS and ANTS organised needs a green light from Headquarters and the Brigade Training Chairman (at the moment it's Mr Loh Pau Joo). That goes with a Training Application Form and other formal procedures. Only ENTS can be done by Companies on their own without need for application.

 BNTS and ANTS participants from Johor and Selangor 

My special thanks to the young State Commissioner and 2nd Kluang Captain, Mr James Soo Ya Ge for his efforts in making this course possible. You are a living testimony to the saying "let no one despise your youth". Also would like to thank all coaches.. Madam's Ang Yiu Fei (1st Kulai), Tan Wee Ling (1st Kulai) and Tan Giok Hui (1st Petaling Jaya) who have made so much preparations in terms of materials.. as well as Joel (1st Klang), Leshvind (1st Klang), Peow Teik (4th Petaling Jaya), Jye Yng (4th Johor Bahru) and Boys from 2nd Kluang for all the hard work put in.

3rd KL NCOs Council 2011/2012

The course ended at 1.30pm and I wasted no time in hitting the road again. I was hoping to reach Fraser's Hill by 7pm in time for dinner. 3rd Kuala Lumpur was having it's Leaders Retreat and I was hoping to catch the last night and day at least rather than missing out completely. No regrets rushing up and down - it was fun.

1st Ipoh 20th Anniversary Dinner

I received an invitation over Facebook from friends made in Ipoh. A couple of years ago, I did not have a single contact in Ipoh. Now, they are one of my key partners in the Brigade ministry and I am glad to know so many fine people serving in this Company.

On the 7th August 2011, the Company was celebrating it's 20th Anniversary (since revival) and celebrated together with Wesley Methodist Church Ipoh's anniversary, which is their Sponsoring Authority.

Mr Wong Chee Khoon leading the Guest of Honour Mr Lim Chong Ho, TRAC Representative

In year 1991, the Company was revived with Dr Ting Cheh Sing spread heading the effort. Dr Ting is still going strong serving as the Company's Honorary Captain. Though 1st Ipoh has been through it's ups and downs since revival (I remember seeing their school magazine which needed three pages to report on BB as well as a year when 20 Founder's Man were produced), it has remain to be one best Companies in Malaysia.

Dr Ting doing the first part of MCing

How does one determine the best company? Most would say numbers/sizes or from Competitions. However, I believe success is determined on how many Boys going through the ranks perform well in society and making a social impact. That is - something that resembles the BB Object. Many 1st Ipoh Boys have gone on to do pretty well in their studies and careers (though some may argue that it's due to their Life Chances) which no doubt had help from the BB in terms of character building, especially in the area of Christian Manliness.

The evening's programmes was simple. I had good Company being on the same table as the 1st Teluk Intan Boys. One (Sgt. Wesley) was receiving his President's Badge that night. Congratulations!

Well done 1st Ipoh. Hope more is to come!