In an earlier post, 10 February 2009, we had alerted readers to visit the IGeorgeTown website, the e-newsletter of iGeorgeTown Penang, which is published twice a month.

http://igeorgetownpenang.com/

Two items in recent newsletters which may be of interest to our readers are:

An account by a “true-blue Baba” of his life, and

a video clip on Penang-Phuket interaction and linkages

Here are the links:

Lim Bian Yam: Master chef and passionate mento

Tuesday, 07 April 2009 11:15

http://igeorgetownpenang.com/features/198-lim-bian-yam-master-chef-and-passionate-mentor

Phuket - Penang Baba Peranakan relationship

Tuesday, 28 April 2009 12:45

http://igeorgetownpenang.com/igt-videos/people/215-phuket-penang-baba-peranakan-relationship

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yt_kESVnduM

From the Peranakan Association in KL – to Friends of PPBNKLS (Dr. Lee Su Kim, President )

1.Our first event for this year is a dinner get-together at Tenji restaurant, Solaris, Mont Kiara,on the 18 of April.

It’s just around the corner. Do hope you can join us for a fun evening of friendship and fraternising. Don’t forget to book your tickets - they are going fast.

***
Date :   Saturday 18 April 09
Place :  Tenji Japanese Buffet Restaurant in Solaris, Mont Kiara.
Time:   7 pm
Price:    RM75/per head  (  the usual price for this restaurant is RM88+/head.  )
Dress Code: Peranakan / Smart Casual

Highlights:

- An after-dinner talk by Dr Neil Khor, the Vice President of the Penang Peranakan    Association who will regale us with an entertaining talk on the topic:
‘Bong Khiam Siap: Tales from the Straits Chinese Magazine.’ ( see abstract below)

- live music and dancing

So do come along and meet fellow babas and nyonyas in the Klang Valley and friends of the babas and nyonyas.
Bring your family and friends to try out the latest and swankiest Japanese Buffet Restaurant in town.

Tickets are available from committee members on first come first served basis.

Please email the committee at this yahoo address, or Cedric Tan :    cedric_cctan@yahoo.com   or Mobile No:   0178834374 for tickets.

Abstract of Talk by Dr Neil Khor:

Bong Khiam Siap: Tales from the Straits Chinese Magazine
In 1897, slightly more than a century ago, tertiary-educated Straits Chinese community leaders decided to test whether the pen was indeed mightier than the sword by writing and publishing articles about
contemporary life in British Malaya. One method employed to fashion a “modern” identity was through fiction. A flurry of characters came
alive from the parsimonious Bong Khiam Siap to the secret reformer
“Lang Um Chye”. These characters, often caught up in remarkably
improbable plots, reveal the aspirations of our community a century
ago. As we lay claim to “Peranakan” in our own century, it might be
worthwhile looking back for pointers to move ahead. Even if they fail
to inspire, these characters will surely make us laugh.

Short bio: Neil Khor is Vice President of the Penang Peranakan
Association. He is currently Post-Doctoral Fellow at the History
Department, University of Malaya.

2. Membership applications

Applications to join PPBNKLS are still coming in.  It is nice to know that there are so many Babas and Nyonyas and enthusiasts/supporters of the Peranakan culture in Kuala Lumpur & Selangor.

I do hope that all those who applied for membership have received responses from the Association and your receipts. We look forward to receiving more applicatons. Don’t worry about the Proposer/Seconder sections as the Committee can fill in those for you.

3. Offer your services

We are looking for more members/supporters/friends whom we can co opt to help us in our activities – if you are keen to do so, please contact us.

Hope to see you all at the dinner.  Let’s joli…at Tenji..