The World of Tai Tai

A white speedboat is slicing through the sea under the 4 o’clock sun, huge plumes of spray arcing out from both sides.   Diamonds of sunlight dance animatedly on the water's surface, as the waves rise and fall over each other in a uniform rhythm.            Sixty-four year old Nyalang is steering the boat with enthusiasm and skill.   Like a seasoned sailor, he is familiar with the fickle winds and waves.   Despite his consummate experience, the panoramic sea continues to grow on him with each passing day and has made him feel closer to God and the woman he loves.            When Sandra was alive, they always went out to sea together. She liked to cling to his shoulders while he was driving the boat. They were the envy of many people. Nyalang, an architect, was one of the few people who had a speedboat driving licence in the coastal town of Miri. Sandra Lee, on the oth...

Recently, I attended a course on how to teach literature to secondary school students.   The invited speaker was a large Malay man who had once been featured in an American education magazine.   He taught us many things through activities such as  jigsaw-reading, poster-drawing, poetry-writing ,singing and a forum. On the final day of the course, the speaker showed us how to use miming as a means to familiarize the students with different characters in novels and short stories.              Six teachers were randomly selected to take part in this activity. I was shocked when the facilitator announced that I would be the sixth person to perform in the skit. It was not an honor but a disgrace.   I had never acted in front of anyone before.   The facilitator gave each of us a card, with the name of the character we should mime. The name on my card was Pak Pandir, a funny character who is the Mala...

The mere mention of 'Linut' or sago makes Pit Peng salivate. It is the tradtional food of the Melanau in Sarawak.   Pit Peng learned to eat it from Nina, his Melanau girlfriend. Six months ago, he had been full of misgivings towards the gooey food. “Hi, Peng,” greeted Nina, as she opened the front door of her house. “Welcome to my home.” “Hi, Nina,” said Pit Peng, handing Nina a bouquet of flowers. “I am excited to meet your parents.” “Don’t worry,” said Nina, sniffing the flowers. “They are open-minded and friendly.” Nina, looking beautiful in a pale blue blouse and a white knee-length skirt, ushered the self-conscious, ill-at-ease Pit Peng into the tastefully-decorated sitting room.   Her parents, both seated on a sofa, smiled as the two walked in their direction. “Good evening, Uncle and Auntie.”   Pit Peng said as he extended his hand and shook the hands of Nina’s parents. “Please sit down,” said Nina’s father, a retired government servant in his ear...

It’s sports day at Thye’s school   and break time is almost over. In a few minutes, the 1500m race will begin.   Every athlete and teacher on duty will have to swelter along the stadium track.   As Thye walks down the steps of the grandstand and heads in the direction of the washroom, he receives a phone call from his principal.               "Mr. Thye, I want you to come over to the security office at Bintang Plaza now, " commands the principal in a grave tone.               "Yes, but may I know what is happening?" asks Thye, totally perplexed.               "Your student, Christopher, was caught exposing his genitals to a female sales assistant."               "What!?" Thye exclaims in disbelief.   Chr...