BERITA

BRINGING YOU NEWS FROM AND AROUND THE EURASIAN COMMUNITY

NEWS
FOR MEMBERS ONLY WWW.SAFTEA.BLOGSPOT.COM ISSUE 2 / JULY - DECEMBER 2012

Notices & Happenings

IMPORTANT NOTICES All members are required to pay the 2013

Save Our Clubhouse

subscription by 30th April 2013. Failure to do so will result in members becoming defaulters and render members not being able to vote at the next 2013 AGM.

SAFTEA HAPPENINGS: Every Friday Night : Members Nite Live Band Every 2nd Sunday : Senior Citizens of the Month Tea Dance - RM20 per pax Every Last Sunday : Family Curry Lunch of the Month RM30 per pax Beer Price : RM8.00 per mug For more details : (03) 2148 3107

As soon as we got the notice to quit the premises, the General Committee took measures to make sure that our plight was publicized. We had 2 articles in the NST and The Star and one on the Candlelight Vigil held on 23rd June 2012. It certainly got us noticed, especially the signs on the exterior of the premises: Save our Clubhouse and Where is our Promised Land which can be seen when driving along Jalan Pudu. However, we were not the only ones who were affected by the intended building of the Bukit Bintang Commercial Centre (BBCC) by UDA. The mosque behind our Clubhouse had put up the following sign on the wall of the old Pudu Jail We, the residents and worshippers, protest the proposal by UDA to demolish Surau An Nur, Pudu. Please do not demolish our Surau!

Presidents Message
Hello! Its my pleasure to be able to reach out to you, dear members and friends. The period from June to September had been a very busy one at the Association. To start with we had our AGM on 3rd June 2012 instead of 27th May 2012. The AGM is an avenue for discussion and debate. We commenced legal action against the Government of Malaysia and UDA Holdings Berhad in May 2012 and there is now an offer of a piece of land. The matter is subjudice but the GC and I are in negotiations to get the best for the Association. On 4th October there was a hearing of the court action. A Candlelight Vigil was held on 23rd June at the Clubhouse to highlight our plight of being asked to vacate 167, Jalan Pudu after nearly 60 years of uninterrupted occupation. What a magical night it was, with the support and attendance of Presidents Mr Aloysius Gasper, of the Penang EA and Mr Michael Singho of the Malacca Portuguese EA. Contributions in kind from many members came in various forms. The vigil ended at about 5am. July saw the Association hosting the inter club darts tournament. This time it was held at the Dataran Merdeka due to the uncertainties at the time of our tenure at No. 167 (our Clubhouse). It was with great pleasure that our dart team emerged champion, for the second time in the last year. It is now known that our dart teams are a force to reckon with! The July Sunday family lunch had an Olympic feel to it with the presence of Mr Ronnie Theseira, our own Eurasian Olympian. During the August family Lunch, the High Achievers Awards were given out to the proud students, with standing ovation for their beaming proud parents. The Senior Citizens Hi Tea in August was the best attended yet! SAFTEA played host to the Inter Club Karaoke contest in early September, and it was great to note that we had a good mix of old and young talent. On a more sober note, due to 2 increases in the cost of beer, the GC had to make the difficult decision to increase the price of beer by RM1.00. The beer price at the Clubhouse is still very competitive. One of the reasons (though not the main reason) for the increase is the nonpayment of subscriptions by many members. There has not been an increase in beer prices since 2008. Our Thanksgiving Mass was held on 8th October 2012 at 8pm. On November 10th and 11th the Penang EA organised the Malaysian Eurasian Games. Many of our Members came to participate as well as to support our teams. Many thanks to all who made these events a success! On 24th November, we held our Presidents Dinner and Dance, themed Treasured Memories of Jalan Pudu. Money will be needed to raise funds for inter alia moving, legal, and building costs. I wish to express my appreciation to all those who had supported this function by donating generously towards the funds to save our old gal, the SAFTEA. We always knew that our time at 167, Jalan Pudu is limited, given the status of the land which we occupy. Time will run out by 30th June 2013. So put away your differences and come and support your Association. The GC is looking into alternative plans and such plans will be dependent on the results of the negotiations. We will report further on this. Our blogspot is up to date. Please send all feedback and letters to sheila.decosta@gmail.com Till I speak to you again. Sheila De Costa PRESIDENT

SAFTEA Office Bearers for 2012-2013

President Ms Sheila E. De Costa Deputy President Mr. James P. Monteiro Vice-President Mr. Edward Joseph Hon. General Secretary Mr. Joseph de Souza Hon. Treasurer Mr.J. Ivan Rosario Chairperson Ladies Section Mrs Maureen Sibert Chairperson Senior Citizen Ms Elaine Especkerman Chairman Sports & Recreation Mr. Sidney J. Roy Chairman Membership Mr. Derek M. Surin Chairman F. & B. and Socials Mr. Cyril P. Anthony Committee Members Mr. Darren G. Duarte Mr. Yap Tee Loy Mr. Shalendra Madawan Mr. Neil C. Shortt

The Presidents Ball: Treasured Memories at Jalan Pudu

A Fund-Raising Event
The annual Presidents Ball held on Saturday, 24th November 2012, raised more than RM100,000.00, thanks to the generous sponsors and donors. More than 200 members and well-wishers attended. The dinner and dance was graced by The Deputy Speaker of the Dewan Rakyat, YB Datuk Dr Wan Junaidi bin Tuanku Jaafar and his lovely wife, YB Datin Feona. Also present, along with the President, Sheila De Costa, were Past Presidents JP Monteiro, Datuk Nick Peterson accompanied by their respective charming wives, Jean and Datin Ann, Minister Counsellor for the Brazilian Embassy, Luis Soares, Leslie Armstrong, former Vice President of SAFTEA and current President of the YMCA, KL and Joy Appukuttan, President of the Catholic Lawyers Association. Also in attendance were SAFTEAS Deputy President James Monteiro, Vice President Edward Joseph (who was also the MC for the evening) and the members of the General Committee. The Clubhouse function hall looked glamorous in shimmering green, lovingly decorated by Elaine Especkerman, Edwin Gasper, Yap Tee Loy, Maureen Sibert, Joseph De Souza, Alex Liew and Mary and Willie Nunis. The entertainment was provided by Winds of Change, Dynamics, The Blueberries and the ever popular comedians, Allan Pereira and Indy Nadarajah of Comedy Court.

The Candlelight Vigil - A Truly Magical All Nighter

The Vigil on the 23rd June began with many people, members and friends, alike bringing food (the event was an all nighter) for the pot luck or pot bless as my mother likes to say. The event which coincidently was the Vigil to St John the Baptist where the custom of lighting candles around the house is a thing to do. So, we began the evening with 2 bands donating their services for free, namely the Winds of Change and Luke and Derrick. One lady, Linda Lesslar-Sia came all the way by bus from Johor Bahru to join us for that historic night. So did Presidents Aloysius Gasper of the Penang EA and Michael Singho of the Malacca Portuguese EA, and Past President JP Monteiro and all members of the General Committee. We began the evening with a speech by the President and then the breviary was prayed which was presided by Dennis Doss and Iris De Souza. After the prayers, everyone marched out in procession with lighted candles in hand, singing hymns and songs while the band played. It was a sight to behold with everyone holding their candles. After half an hour everyone went back into the Clubhouse and had the pot bless .This was a miracle too as the food never finished even when the last of the members left just before 6am. Nobody wanted to leave. The band played until 3am and then there was football to watch until well past 5am. Linda Lesslar from Johor Bahru did not want to go home but had to go as her son came to pick her up at about 2am. Many thanks to the Ladies Chairperson, Maureen Sibert and Senior Citizens Chair Elaine Especkerman for coordinating the food, VP Edward Joseph for ensuring that we did not run out of drinks, Dennis Doss for preparing the breviary together with Iris De Souza, and the following for donating food - Balaraman, Yvette Ash, Yap Tee Loy, Alice Bain, Susan Danker, Ann Lam, Willie & Pat Scully, Lydia & Siva, Willie & Mary Nunis, Nancy De Souza, Bala, the card room members and Alex for providing security. Also thanks to the Andy Murugesu, Ivan Rosario, & James Monteiro for their generous donations.

An Inside Look at the Candlelight Vigil- by Derek Surin

The arrival of the 23rd of June, 2012 will, in the annals of the history of SAFTEA, be remembered as the day 165 people and dozens of others who could not be here but gave their open support, stood up to be counted in one voice. The 24th was supposed to be D-DAY for the Association Clubhouse as we had marching orders from UDA, the developers of the new Bukit Bintang City Centre, and that levelling work was to begin soon. The eviction notice was sent to us 30 days earlier. With not much time, and too much to do, the General Committee met and decided on two issues. The first was to engage a Law Firm who would represent us, and the other was to reach out to as many people as we could to face the impending bulldozers. In the ensuing hearing at the court coupled with appeals by various parties to the Government, UDA, through its lawyers agreed to a six month stay. As the G. C. felt that the extension would only mean having to face this same dilemma at a time when the most activities are planned for the community, we decided, not without argument, to go ahead with the candlelight vigil. The court action and press coverage of events such as the vigil, will not hurt the discussion process but let others know we are serious about the issue at hand. Lets go back 30 years and see what appeals to the Government have achieved for us. There is a thick file documenting what the Past Presidents had done, for anyone who has doubts to peruse at their leisure. Sad to say, we were still served with an eviction notice from UDA. Whatever it is there can be only one solution and that is to get this piece of land. To do this, we need everyones support. This is a common cause to save our Heritage, The Association flourished because back then there were ample fields nearby. We had a Tennis Court, a Badminton Court, a mini Gym. Billiards was a craze then and so was mahjong. Everyone lived within a five mile radius. A clubhouse alone is not enough, we need a field too. The GC have decided to be proactive and respond in a firmer manner. Just for the record, we did seek a diplomatic approach first and that avenue is still open save for the impending elections which is clamoring for the attention of the Minister whose help we sorely need to resolve our case. In the confines of your own home pray for our success because our success is your success. The parties involved are in agreement to the two approaches and everyone and anyone can raise questions and give their opinions. To those who attended the vigil and to those that sent us sms and emails, our heartfelt thanks for your views and support.

Saftea Education Fund High Achiever Award

The Selangor and Federal Territory Eurasian Association (SAFTEA) had its Annual Education Fund High Achiever Award Ceremony on Sunday 26th August 2012 at the SAFTEA Clubhouse. The SAFTEA Education Fund was started around 1960, to assist the children of Ordinary Members of the Association who had the ability to continue their studies, but lacked the funds and means to do so. The fund was active in the sixties and seventies, providing loans and scholastic assistance to needy students. It however lapsed in the eighties, and was reactivated in 1999. A High Achiever Award was introduced five years ago, to reward excellence at the STPM, SPM, PMR, and UPSR Examinations. These Awards are now are an annual affair. Over the last two years, the High Achiever Award Presentation has incorporated recipients from our other Portuguese-Eurasian and Eurasian Associations in Malaysia, namely Kedah, Penang, Perak, Negri Sembilan and Malacca. This year we have invited the newly formed Eurasian Association of Sarawak to participate. Motivation Awards are also presented to Members children who achieved As in these exams. Leadership Awards are given to those who have shown outstanding leadership qualities in their school activities. The Education Fund also supports the activities of our Associations Youth Committee, in its endeavours to develop character and leadership qualities amongst our younger generation through activities incorporating sports, skills and leadership development.

Dato Sothinathan
At the 2011 High Achiever Award giving ceremony, Dato Sothinathan, a friend and guest of member Dato Lawrence Lim, witnessed the award presentation. He was so impressed by what he saw that he spontaneously gave RM 10,000.00 to the SAFTEA Education Fund. The Association wanted Dato Sothi to be our guest of honour this year (2012) to give out the awards but he was at IJN for a heart by-pass during the 2012 award presentation ceremony. We wish him a speedy recovery and hope to see him at our Associations functions soon.

HIGH ACHIEVERS AWARDS: LIST OF RECIPIENTS

The list of recipients for 2012 are as follows: SAFTEA ASHLEY YEE SHOU WERN AMANDA MARIE JOSEPH NICOLA ANNE DEBRUYNE CHOON MING WEY NICHOLAS ANDREW FANVELL ASHLEY DENISE CHAI SINGHO SARAWAK KEVIN KANA JACQUES KEDAH NICHOLAS RYAN SURIN JUSTIN JOHN SURIN MALACCA ALDEN RONALDO LOPEZ TAMMY MARION SINGHO MARCUS KENNETH THESEIRA CHERYL ANN SMITH ANGIE ADELENE FRANCIS ANDRINA SEQUERAH SAMUEL PETRUS NONIS MEGAN KATHLEEN DANKER KRYSTINE MAY THESEIRA EXAMS UPSR PMR SPM SPM PMR EXAMS SPM EXAMS UPSR SPM EXAMS UPSR PMR PMR PMR PMR PMR SPM SPM SPM RESULTS 5A 6A 9A 6A 6A RESULTS 9A RESULTS 5A 7A RESULTS 5A 7A 6A 7A 7A 6A 10A 7A 7A

Scholastic Assistance was also awarded to a single mother of two children who was having some difficulty in meeting the educational expenses of her two children in school. The awards were presented by the SAFTEA President Ms Sheila E. De Costa. Thank You. Datuk Nick Peterson, Chairman SAFTEA Education Committee.

Photos show the recipients and the group photo shows the recipients and their proud parents together with the President, Sheila De Costa which also included Vice President Edward Josephs daughter Amanda.

The Treasure Hunt

The Treasure Hunt The Swithin A MonteiroTreasure Hunt Challenge Trophy : 25th& 26th August 2012 The long awaited treasure hunt was held on Saturday the 25th August and the flag off was from the Port Dickson Golf and Country Club. Organised by Deputy President, James Monteiro together with Larry James Sta Maria, Trevor Especkerman, Darren Duarte and their team. There were about 10 teams participating. Many came with friends , family and grandparents in tow! The President, Sheila De Costa and Past President JP Monteiro also participated. The event rounded off with a barbeque dinner at the Port Dickson Golf and Country Club and prize giving. The winners of the inaugural Swithin A Monteiro Treasure Hunt Challenge Trophy were the team calling themselves Awesome Possum comprising Jean Theseira, Vanessa Theseira, Florence Oh Alayanna & Lara Sta Maria. Second place went to Team Intimintus comprising the following Skelchys: John, Jeremy, Sharon and Clive and 3rd place was team Cousins3 of Simone Surin, Nicole Fincato, Kumar and Nathania Yap. Many of the participants and their families stayed overnight in Port Dickson to have a great weekend of bonding and a round of golf the next day.
PR FI SE CO ND TH IR D PR IZ E PR IZ E R ST IZ E

Sports & Recreation

New Sports Chairman

Mr Edwin Gasper has been appointed the new Sports Chairman after the resignation of Mr Darren Duarte. We thank Darren for his invaluable contributions to the Association both past and present and hope to see him at our functions. One of the first tasks of the new Sports Chairman was to coordinate and raise a sports team for SAFTEA to compete in the Malaysian Eurasian Games organized by the Penang Eurasian Association. It was held on 10th and 11th November, 2012 at the College General, Penang. Eurasian Associations from Penang, Malacca, Selangor, Kedah and Singapore competed in the 2-day event. The SAFTEA team was led by the Deputy President, James Monteiro. Among the games competed were darts, table tennis, badminton, cross-country, football, hockey, table tennis, tele-match, tug-of-war, volleyball and carom. Our darts and hockey teams took 1st place, whilst we were runner-ups in carom, table tennis and tug-of-war. Balut too was contested and we emerged champions. Overall we took 3rd place, Malacca 2nd and Penang were champs. Congratulations to all Winners! The Association would like to express our thanks and appreciation to those who participated in the competitions and not forgetting those who came as supporters. We hope to do better in the next Malaysian Eurasian Games. Kudos and Gracias to Penang Eurasian Association for successfully organising this event.

Report on the Dart Section

The darts section of SAFTEA organized the 3rd Inter Club Darts Tournament on the weekend of the 7th and 8th July 2012. Due to the uncertainties and the status of the Clubhouse, when the idea for the tournament was first mooted in April 2012, it was thought better to have the tournament at an alternative venue. Through the good offices of Past President Datuk Nick Peterson, we managed to get the use of the premises of ETCI at Dataran Merdeka Thanks Datuk! SAFTEA (Kevin & Colin Theseira, Shalendra and J. Ravi (JR)) won the trophy for the second time in the last year and to top it up our Dermawatie Sipayung won the ladies trophy. Congratulations to all the winners. The prizes were given out by the President and Past President, Herman Anthony. Thanks to the Organizing Chairman, Dato Lawrence Lim, Dart Convenor Balaraman, Derek Surin, and Ivan Rosario for a well organized event. Thanks to darts official, Praba for organising the lucky draw at the last minute! Results of other tournaments which the dart section participated in: January 2012: Royal Ipoh Inter Club Darts Tournament: SAFTEA were runners up in the Losers Pool; March: Sitiawan Inter Club Darts Tournament: SAFTEA were winners in the Losers Pool; April 2012: Kelab Aman Inter Club Darts Tournament: SAFTEA were winners of the Losers Pool; May 2012: Malacca Club : SAFTEA runners up in the final,losing to PJ Club; June 2012: Sungei Ujong Inter Club Darts: 1 team reached the quarter final and the other team went on to the semi-final. The ladies won the championship.

Family Lunch / Senior Citizens Committee

The Sunday Family Lunches were held every last Sunday of the month throughout 2012 with a good crowd attending each time. Lucky Draws were held each time with prizes donated by Dato Lawrence Lim and Mr James Monteiro. Our thanks to the following bands who provided us with good music, namely Winds of Change, Amigos, Crystal Notes, Bennet Mowe and Stairway. On Mothers Day Family Lunch held at the end of May, Audrey De Souza was voted best dressed mother 2012. The picture at left also shows the Mother and Father of the year 2011, Mrs Maureen Sibert and Mr JP Monteiro respectively. The wedding anniversary of Deric and Maureen Sibert was celebrated at the Clubhouse on 8th June. Deric who was quite ill made a great effort to be present on that day to celebrate the occasion with members and friends.

Report by the Senior Citizens Committee Chairperson Elaine Especkerman

Our monthly Hi Tea held on every 2nd Sunday of the months of June, August and September brought a net total of RM 1160.00. For the month of July, we had no function due to the interclub darts tournament held on the 7th to the 9th of July 2012 which SAFTEA was hosting. We like to thank our members and friends for their kind support at our functions. The Committee also organized our annual Thanksgiving Mass on October 8th, 2012. We thank all members for attending and giving a love offering and contribution of food. The Winds of Change, Bennet Mowe and Luke & Derrick were the bands in attendance. Once again, thank you for your support. Help us to help our Association . Take care and God bless you.

Thanksgiving Mass

Thanksgiving Mass at SAFTEA on the 8th October 2012.

SAFTEA is very grateful to GOD and Father Patrick Boudeville that holy mass was celebrated at the clubhouse on Monday the 8th October 2012. We have had a lot to thank God for 60 years at this site, the many happy memories that we have had at here too. Fr Patrick said that due the current situation regarding the tenure at no. 167, Jalan Pudu, it was imperative that all Eurasians unite and work together. If we have to move, accept it he said. After the mass we had a fellowship with Father Patrick and among the attendees at the mass was Past Presidents Stanley Augustine, JP Monteiro and his lovely wife Jean, Datuk Nick Peterson and his lovelier wife Ann, former Vice President Donald Schubert, and Rita Pinto. About 85 members attended the breaking of bread together. Thanks goes to Elaine, Maureen and Yap Tee Loy and the senior citizens team for coordinating the event, Neubert Ambrose for commentating, Dennis Doss for his beautiful and angelic singing, Derek Surin and Luke for providing the music and Bala and Rapheal Skelchy for the donation of food.

Christmas Cheer / Childrens Christmas Tree Party

Christmas Cheer: 9th December 2012 Members and friends had a jolly time during the Christmas Cheer celebrations. Many donned Santa hats and were entertained by carols sung by Safteas choir of young and not-so-young members. The event was organized by our hardworking Senior Citizens Chair, Elaine Especkerman, and her committee.

Childrens Christmas Tree Party: 2nd December 2012 It was delightful to hear the childrens laughter and see the joy on their faces especially when Santa turned up to give them gifts! As usual, children from challenged backgrounds were invited to the party, gratis thanks to the many sponsors. parents, grandparents and friends had a great time too! Thanks to Maureen Sibert and her committee for getting the event going.