My experiences travelling in buses began as a young boy. I was then staying at the 2nd mile, Kapar Road, Klang. I remember travelling in blue coloured buses owned by the Kuala Selangor Onimbus Company (K.S.O.C). This company, for readers’ information was run by Klang’s well known Chinese entrepreneur, Mr. Tong Kok Teck and his family.

If readers should read one of my earlier articles in the blog, you surely must have read an episode whereby my grandaunt once travelled down from our ancestral abode at 136, Kapar Road to Klang. Being a fat, jolly old dame, the bus, which she embarked one fine day, suddenly moved off before she could find a seat.

Fearing that she would fall, she had to find something to hold on to. Luckily for my aunt, Madam Tan, she saw a young, Chinese lad, with long, “Afro” looking hair sitting near to her. My aunt, launched her hands into the young lad’s mane, holding on to it for dear life. Her actions may have prevented her from falling. But it caused the victim’s face to turn red, like a cooked lobster!

While staying along Telok Pulai Road, Klang, in the 1950’s and 60’s, our family then possessed no cars. We then had to travel extensively by using the familiar “blue and yellow buses” belonging to the MARA Express Company.

When working for more than 10 years or so in Kapar Town, Selangor, I used to frequent buses run by the Kuala Selangor Bus Company almost daily. I still remember paying approximately RM1.50 going to the above town, which was located some 10-15 kilometers away.

In the 1960’s, I once worked as a “temporary” teacher in a small, sleepy hollow of Telok Datok, some 18 kilometers from Klang. In fact, I was attached to the Methodist English School (M.E.S.) under auspices of a MR. Vincent Daniel, who happened to be the younger brother of the then, well known principal of my alma mater, the Anglo Chinese School (A.C.S.) Klang, situated at Jalan Raya West, Klang, he was Mr. D.R Daniel.

In those days, I travelled mostly via express buses run by the MARA Bus Company of Banting. Without those buses and the services which they provided, I would surely be at a loss going to my place of work in those days.

I have already written quite extensively about my association with tour or express buses in my earlier article entitled “How To Seriously Consider Attempting To Solve Bus Accidents”. I was then in Penang doing my studies there in the 1970’s. I had to travel to and from Penang Island a total of 2-3 times per week then.

I can still vividly remember that I used to travel in express buses such as MARA Express, Ekoba Express and S.T.P. Express Bus, amongst others. It costs me RM13 or so to travel from Penang in those days. Reflecting upon it, I feel rather strongly that without the services provided by “buses” in those days, my studies in the Pearl of the Orient, as Penang is so well known as, would certainly have not been achieved. “Syabas” to the bus express companies which provided me with their invaluable services way back in the 1970’s.

Talking about the subject of travelling by buses, I feel that the trips I organized to the “Lion” city of Singapore and also to Penang Island, way back in the 1970’s, should also be given mention as well. For both the above trips, we used an air-con bus belonging to the Kuala Selangor Onimbus Company, Klang.

In Penang, we remember visiting the former Prime Minister or “Bapa Malaysia”, Tengku Abdul Rahman Putra Alhaj, at his home, “Takdir” at No.1 Jalan Tengku, Penang. We also visited my interesting places in Penang such as the Governor’s Residence; a batik factory in Telok Bahang, a “sardine” factory located in Riverside Road, Penang and also the annual exhibition or “expo”, which was held at Sungai Pinang site, near Bayan Lepas.

Thinking back regarding our trip to Singapore Island, which I organized with my colleague, Mr. Chee H.C., amongst the interesting places the group visited were the “285 feet above sea level cable car” to Sentosa Island. The Japanese Gardens, the Chinese Gardens, the Aw Boon Huat Tiger Balm park, the Janjong Katong beach, the famous “Bugis Street”, where the “maknyahs” were located, and finally the Botanical Gardens, where according to history, the first “rubber” seedling brought here by H.N. Ridley from South America, were planted.

Although our trip to Singapore was an enjoyable and fruitful, yet educational one, nevertheless, it should be reiterated here that there was one thing the organizers and the group felt we failed to achieve, and that was our intention and mission to meet face to face with the man whom we have learnt so much about in our everyday “History” lessons!

And that being, meeting the first Prime Minister of Singapore, Mr. Lee Kuan Yew himself. The group in fact had written to the Prime Minister, but at that particular time, Mr. Lee was himself facing a political crisis. Singapore, was then in the process of breaking up with Malaysia. Nevertheless, even though Mr. Lee Kuan Yew was unable to meet with us, he did however advised his Secretary to provide our group all the assistance we required for our visit to Singapore.

As a result, our group of 50 or so youths and organizers, were accorded a fantastic stay at the National Youth Training Centre in Ang Moh Kio, I think, for RM1.40 per day, with breakfast thrown in.

So much my endeavours of travelling in buses in the 1970’s and 80’s. Whether you believe it or not, even up to this day, I still travel quite a lot in buses. Buses anyway, are a layman’s mode of transportation.

Once in every two or three days, I still travel from Klang to Kuala Lumpur. To travel to Petaling Jaya, one has to pay approximately RM1.50 to RM2.50. If one were to stop at Pasar Seni bus station in Kuala Lumpur, then one has to pay a sum of RM3.00.

What buses do I travel on these days? Amongst the buses I frequently use are buses from the Causeway Link Company, Seroma Bus Express, Rapid KL and also not to forget mentioning “Citiliner” bus expresses, owned by the Konsortium Transnational Berhad (KTB). In reality, the purpose of writing this article is not to relate to readers about episodes of my bus travels over the years.

It is in fact to highlight the woes facing bus companies, especially “Citiliner” buses. Citiliner buses services in Selangor, with effect 13th December, 2011. The Konsortium Transnational Berhad or KTB, is in the process of seeking the Selangor state government’s assistance.

According to KTB, the Company is reported to be incurring a loss of some RM8 million per year. Unless and until the Selangor government extends KTB some form of help, the public or “rakyat” will be the ones who will suffer.

The question the public would be asking is, should or should not the Selangor state government throw the Konsortium Transnational Berhad, the “life line” that it needs. Well, Menteri Besar, Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim, how about it? What do you think?

Concerning the dilemma that is faced by bus companies these days, the STAR daily newspaper in its editorial, did a write up. The editorial reiterated that “quality bus services in this country is but still a pipe dream”.

The STAR editorial further continued, in the interest of ordinary folks who depend on buses to move around, the current matter has to be sorted out as soon as possible. In short, the interest of the people or “rakyat” should be accorded due consideration.

However, this is only a short term solution. The long term objective is for all bus operators to sit down together and develop a strategy for the future. Bus companies should come up with a programme whereby punctuality is emphasized. Besides that, reliability should be taken into account. Efficiency of bus companies is also an important consideration which should also not to be forgotten. All in all, it is important to keep the buses running.

The authority that is responsible for the bus companies’ welfare, that is the Land Transport Commission (SPAD), must do the correct thing for now. The bus operators on the other hand, must work out a long term solution. If the present bus woes is done right, the number of commuters will, without a doubt increase. The money will then flow in.

The pipe dream of an efficient and profitable bus service will then become a “reality”! The public would then be the ones to benefit tremendously from this success.

“It was a dark and stormy night”, isn’t that how most novels start in the beginning. Indeed it was a dark and stormy day on the 2nd of May 2012. It was the day Cikgu Yap’s (my father) first book, Driving Made Easy was officially launched.

My father was invited by True Wealth Publishing, his book publisher, to attend the launching ceremony at PWTC in conjunction with KL Book Fair 2012. The initial plan was to attend the event together with my father and my wife and it turned out to be a family event. Both my mother and sister attended the event as well since it was a major milestone for my dad.

As the event schedule was fixed at 4 pm, we left home at around 3 pm hoping to beat the traffic. But the sky that day caved in with a heavy thunderstorm which I haven’t seen in years. This is the kind of storm you get to see once in a decade.

Due to the heavy rain, flooding and jam on the road, our trip to PWTC took longer than expected. We actually arrived at the exhibition hall at 4:30 pm. Well, it was just in time for us to have our toilet break and then head over to the event stage at Pentas Utama.

Cikgu Yap at the author’s waiting area

My wife, mother and sister

As expected, there was only a small crowd as it as a Wednesday evening. The event started with the arrival of some VIPs and the person which I wanted to meet, Azizi Ali as the Managing Director of True Wealth Publishing.

Pentas Utama, PWTC

Opening speech by Azizi Ali

Official Launching

There were speeches and more speeches and the highlight of the event was when Cikgu Yap was called on stage to receive a Certificate of Appreciation from Azizi Ali for his hard work in writing the Driving Made Easy book.

Cikgu Yap awarded Certificate of Appreciation

All authors on stage

My mom and dad

Cikgu Yap with Azizi Ali

All in all, I think it was well worth the effort by us as a family braving the thunderstorm and heavy traffic to attend the event.

For those who are looking for tips on how to pass your Malaysian driving test, you can now get a copy of Cikgu Yap’s book in major bookstores.

How many of us ever wonder or even take the time to ponder, that life is indeed full of a long list of “waitings”.

On Father’s Day, my family members and myself, were at a simple, neighbourhood restaurant to have our dinner. There were infact not too many tables then. Only may be 9 or 10 tables or so.

But the sad thing was, there was only one lady cook at the said restaurant. So, whether we liked it or not, the cook politely told us, we have little choice but to wait for at least one hour.

After completing for my senior Cambridge and Federation of Malaya certificate (F.M.C) examinations way back in 1962 to be exact, the waiting period then began. My friends and I had to wait for more than 3 months before our results were finally released. Well, another period of waiting, didn’t I tell you earlier.

My son, Wee Li, left secondary school in 1994. All his classmates have since gotten married or settled down and have since raised families of their own. Believe it or not, some of his close classmates have even managed to have 3 or 4 kids by now.

But whether you wish to believe what I am saying or otherwise, surprisingly some have even landed up in divorces. One of his close classmates that I know of, is presently awaiting for his lawyer’s documents and for the court proceedings to begin. May be in another few more months of anxious waiting, the above friend will finally be freed of his tensions. All his worries hopefully will soon be over.

It is a sorry and sad situation. But that’s the way life is. Some marriages, I’m sure you’ll surely agree, lasts a life time. Well, some lasts only a short while. Good and lasting marriages, they say, are made in heaven. They last a long, long time, till eternity, some people seem to say.

Well, coming back to my son’s case, out of 40 or more classmates, he is still single and not yet married. I believe he is the last of the “Mohicans”, already in his mid-thirties and still s bachelor.

Anyway, readers, especially the girls and the mother, shouldn’t worry too unduly. My son, underwent his wedding registration at the famous Thien Hou Kong temple in Taman Seputeh on the 22nd of May, 2011. The big day has been set for the 30th of October, 2011.

Well, didn’t I tell you that life is full of “waitings”. My son has to wait for a few months more before the auspicious and happy day arrives.

My first daughter, Swan Nee, is now happily married with two lovely girls. One is now studying in standard two in Sekolah Taman Rimau, near Kota Kemuning. The second daughter, is in kindergarten. She should be attending regular school in 2012.

Well, even kids have to wait, didn’t I say earlier? Anyway, before the birth of my first daughter, Swan Nee, my wife, Mary, like all mothers around the world, had to wait for more than 9 months, before my daughter was finally born. My daughter was scheduled to be born, the doctor said, during the month of August, to be exact.

But do you know what happened? My daughter finally decided to be born on, of all days, Malaysia Day, 16th September, 1971, approximately 2 weeks or so late or overdue, as medical people say.

And what did my wife have to bear? Another period of waiting! Do you know what a period of anxious waiting for her first baby feels like? If you were to be a mother yourself, I’m sure you’ll certainly know the feeling of tension, worry and excitement one has to undergo. That’s only what a mother goes through. What about the anxiety the would be the father has to go through waiting for the arrival of his first baby?

Men who have to shave their beards everyday, also go through a process of waiting. The process of shaving takes from 5 minutes for some people, to 10 or 15 for others. In one week, a man has to waste some 90 minutes to shave himself so as to be presentable. Calculate this in 1 year, you will discover quite a lot of time is indeed wasted for shaving alone.

There was a survey made to demonstrate how much time men have to spend on shaving alone. But unfortunately, I have forgotten where I kept the article.

If you are told, that mankind goes through a period of waiting all their lives, then obviously this conclusion would be incorrect. My maternal grandmother, whose maiden name was Ee Siew Mooi, was nearly 85 yeas old when she passed away. Although my granny was old, nevertheless, she was hale and hearty. Strong and fit so to say.

One fine morning, my grandmother was to pass away. She died so peacefully in her sleep. She did not have to wait, to suffer and cause untold difficulties to those who loved her. My grandmother did not have to wait for “death” to come and take her away from this world. The good lord above just took her away peacefully.

You may not believe the above story I’m unfolding into you. But my grandmother’s only daughter, that is this writer’s mother, Ong Geak Tee, similarly died the same way her mother did. My beloved mother died at the age of approximately 68 years old. Yes, I admit, my mother was weak of heart.

The medical doctors had earlier told us so. Like her mother, my mum also passed away peacefully in her sleep. She did not have to wait for her time to come. Again, the good lord spared my mum the pain and sufferings which most people undergo. Strange, but all these things which I’m talking are true stories.

In relating to you about how people have to wait for a long time before we manage to get things we want to be done, it is only fair and appropriate that we make mention about waiting, while attending a function, especially so at Chinese wedding dinners.

I dislike attending wedding functions. They are indeed very, very time consuming affairs. Chinese weddings are normally scheduled for 7.00 o’clock. But in most cases, the above functions do not begin until 8.00 or 8.30 p.m. Just imagine having to wait for one and a half hours before we are allowed to enjoy eating our dinner.

We wait for interviews to begin. We have to wait quite a long while before a movie begins. At home, we have to wait for our turns to use the family toilets at times. Waiting for food to be served at the restaurant is something normal.

In short, life is actually a long series of waitings. Besides, what I have mentioned earlier, don’t forget that we wait for hours and hours while our wives do their shopping for dresses, shoes, and other paraphernalia, especially during festive occasions, like Chinese New Year, Hari Raya and Deepavali celebrations.

My Longest Waiting Period

I personally have come across husbands who wait anxiously at supermarket and malls many, many times. That’s what life is all about. A long list of waitings!

Do you want to know the longest period of time I had waited for something to take place or happen? Well, I feel the longest time I have ever waited must surely be the incident whereby I waited for dawn to break at the Pudu Raya bus terminal in Kuala Lumpur, way back in the 1980’s.

You see, I had departed Butterworth bus terminal at 12.00 p.m. one afternoon. The bus was to arrive at Kuala Lumpur Pudu Raya Station by 8.00 p.m. at the latest. But due to heavy rains along the entire route from Penang to the federal capital, the express bus finally only managed to arrive at Pudu way past midnight.

By that time, the bus service to my hometown, which is located at Klang, had unfortunately been suspended to travel back to Klang, the taxi drivers demanded a whopping RM50, which I could ill afford at that time.

Rather than giving in to the demands of the taxi drivers, I decided to stay put at the Pudu Raya bus terminal from 12 midnight until dawn broke at 6.00 a.m. the next morning. The “wait” lasted more than 6 hours. It was the longest period I have ever experienced waiting in my entire life.

Reflecting upon this long wait, it has become somewhat of an experience to me. I now use it as a yardstick, especially when I’m faced with some difficulties or obstacles. I always remind myself, that I could get through the “longest” wait of my life at Pudu Raya, there surely must exist nothing in this world which I could not possibly overcome!

After quoting and reflecting to readers episodes of times when we have to wait before things are done, thereby proving that life is in reality a long series of waitings, I feel pertinent that two other stories should infact be related as well.

Waiting For The Letter

The first regards a short story entitled “Surat” or in English “Letters”. The above episode was set in India. It’s a matter of fact, it was in the 1950’s when India had just obtained her independence. This “touching” sad story has it there was once an old Indian father, whose only daughter had moved to neighbouring Pakistan. The father indeed loved his daughter very much.

Before the daughter separated from her father, the father had implored that his daughter not forget writing letters to him. Every day, the old man would walk miles from his village to the nearby post office to inquire of the Post Master if by any chance, there was a letter for him from his daughter. When told that there wasn’t, the old man felt extremely sad and utterly disappointed.

But the old man never gave up hope. He believed that one day, he would receive a letter from his daughter whom he loved so much and missed. This went on for years and the old man never for once gave up hope. But the letter never arrived!

One fine day, after many years had gone by, the Post Master called out the old man’s name. But the surprising thing was, the old man was not around to receive the letter which was meant for him. Years had passed by, but when a letter had really arrived for him, he wasn’t to be around.

Other village folks, told the Post Master that on the day the letter from his daughter did in reality arrive, the poor old man had died! He had waited in vain for years, for a letter which never arrived.

Finally, this article highlighting the maxim that life is in reality a long series of waitings, that we have to wait at traffic lights, and that we sometimes have to wait at long queues while waiting to pay our utility bills or collect our medications at hospital counters.

One story that is connected with waiting, should by right include the story of a Singapore man. It was said the man bought a new vehicle. He was reported to be an ardent punter of 4 digits numbers. Without fail, the man was said to have betted upon his car number for years. Unfortunately, his number never came up.

But the story has it, the man never gave up hope. He believed that one fine day, his car number would eventually come and he would strike a lucrative prize. His wait finally ended in vain. On the day his car number finally came up 1st prize, the man had died! Believe it or not, it’s all up to you!