How should we judge a government?

In Malaysia, if you don't watch television or read newspapers, you are uninformed; but if you do, you are misinformed!

"If you're not careful, the newspapers will have you hating the people who are being oppressed, and loving the people who are doing the oppressing." - Malcolm X

Never argue with stupid people, they will drag you down to their level and then beat you with experience - Mark Twain

Why we should be against censorship in a court of law: Publicity is the very soul of justice … it keeps the judge himself, while trying, under trial. - Jeremy Bentham

"Our government is like a baby's alimentary canal, with a happy appetite at one end and no
responsibility at the other. " - Ronald Reagan

Government fed by the people

Government fed by the people

Career options

Career options
I suggest government... because nobody has ever been caught.

Corruption so prevalent it affects English language?

Corruption so prevalent it affects English language?
Corruption is so prevalent it affects English language?

When there's too much dirt...

When there's too much dirt...
We need better tools... to cover up mega corruptions.

Prevent bullying now!

Prevent bullying now!
If you're not going to speak up, how is the world supposed to know you exist? “Orang boleh pandai setinggi langit, tapi selama ia tidak menulis, ia akan hilang di dalam masyarakat dan dari sejarah.” - Ananta Prameodya Toer (Your intellect may soar to the sky but if you do not write, you will be lost from society and to history.)

Monday, November 05, 2012

Old pics evoke memories of yore (5)


Original caption: Long before Ampang Park, Sungai Wang, BB Plaza or the newest Pavilion shopping malls .. the colonial " Prestigious " shopping places were Whileaway Laidlam, John Little's and Robinson's Dept Store located at Mountbatten Road ( Jalan Tun Perak ) which managed to stay in business till the 1970s ( photo ) with the top 2 floors being converted into a Chinese restaurant and night club.

If my memory serves me right, OCBC (KL Main) occupied the building further down the road from Robinsons. But I am certain its premises was at the corner (on Mountbatten Road into Malay Street). When Wisma Lee Rubber on Jalan Melaka was ready, OCBC moved into it, leaving its old premises vacant for a number of years. One day, in the 80s, I was walking from Jalan Melaka to DBKL building (Jalan Raja Laut) where my car was parked. I had to walk on some wooden platforms outside a building under construction just after the vacant OCBC building. I made eye contact with a guy walking in the opposite direction within the narrow walkway. He stopped me. Sensing trouble, I turned back and there was another guy behind me. But I remembered there was a policeman near Jalan Melaka, so I pushed him aside (luckily he was a softie, maybe a drug addict) and I ran back to Jalan Melaka to get into a cab to get to my car in Jalan Raja Laut!

Back to the story on OCBC. The bank owned a few shops (could be Robinsons) next to their old premises. It took them a number of years to plan and put up their new building which they now occupy. If anyone were to check OCBC KL Main's history of managers, for many years the surname Ong was predominant! There was Ong Thai Ghee in the 60s, then Ong Chong Hui and years later (80s), Ong Seng Kuan. 
Link

4 comments:

manghup said...

Since you are into music you may remember next to Robinson is William & Co.

KoSong Cafe said...

I did not have much freedom during childhood and have only vague memories of Robinson and William & Co.; never stepped into a music store until years later. Bought my first Kapok guitar from stationery shop and a used drums set from an ex-classmate in 1968. Never had proper soundproofed room, playing drums was half-expecting complaints from brothers and neighbours!

KoSong Cafe said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
KoSong Cafe said...

Just checked with someone who knew the place well. Robinson is now CIMB Bank (absorbed United Asian Bank). The new OCBC building included former William & Co. and Tay Seong coffee shop premises. Ubaidullah refused to sell to OCBC and is squeezed between CIMB and OCBC.