From Malaysia to Singapore (2E4 Kok Wai's Father)

My name is Koh Kok Wai. I interviewed my father on

26-7-07. My father’s name is Koh Eng Yong. He was 

born in Malaysia and his address is Johor, Potian,

Kukup. He came to Singapore at the age of 13 and

has a job of a foreman until now. His present

address is Block 403 Clementi Ave(1) 

Singapore 120403. He has two sisters and three

brothers. His sisters are named Koh Ah Moi (Elder

Sister), Koh Bok Chin (Younger Sister). His brothers

are named Koh Bok Seng (Eldest brother), Koh Eng

Bok (Elder Brother).and Koh Eng Quan (Younger

Brother).

       His father's name is Koh Kia Koon and his mother's

name is Lim Ah Pee. When my father came

to Singapore, he came with his eldest brother and two

sisters. He came to Singapore to sell noodles with

them until he was 18 years old. He found a job

of being a foreman. He has been doing this job for

nearly thirty years. His job is to repair ships that are

need repair. It is a very tough job as he needs to stay

awake for three consecutive days to repair the

ship in time. But these days he cannot stay up so late

as he is already forty-seven years old. 

The life with the parents is very boring as his parents are 

busy working to raise the family. So, the parents

had any hardly time to spend with the children

playing and entertaining them.

       The games my father played during the past

were marbles and the yo-yo. His parents could not afford 

any expensive toys as they had problems

raising my father and his brothers and sisters.

They also had no holidays and whenever they did

a wrong thing, they would be punished severely. The

punishments were to do extra housework or stand

at one corner and do reflection. Everyone in the

house had his or her responsibilities. For example 

to do wash the clothes or to sweep or wash the

floor.

       The places in Malaysia are separated by great distances

 so my father’s family hardly went to any worship

places. But, luckily there are two worship places near

their house so they usually go to those places and

worship. My father only studied until primary

six as his family do not have enough

                                        

money to support them to study. My father could not

remember what school he studied in but he could

remember one teacher’s name because my father was

punished when he had made fun his own classmate. He was

punished by standing on the table for about two hours.

       When my father was young, he lived with his

family in a six-room house. I also do not know what

the house is called. But, the house is still there at the

moment as my grandparents left it behind for the

family when they passed away a few years ago. Now,

the house is owned by my father’s eldest brother so

every Chinese New Year, my family and I will

go back to Malaysia to celebrate as it is 

our usual practice every year. During any

weddings or funerals, we will still follow the usual

                                 

formula that was used in the past. My father's only

hobby was collecting stamps but he quit when

he was 20 as he was too busy with his work.

       My father's only advice to everyone is if you have got a

school to study in, you better do your best in

everything you are going to do.(621 words)