Tuesday 18 November 2008

The Launching of my Books in Kuching, Sarawak.

The Launching of My Books in Kuching, Sarawak by YAB Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud, the Chief Minister of Sarawak, on November 6, 2008.
It had taken me a few long years to finally complete my autobiography "My Adventure". The second book, an anthology which contains about 100 poems, was written in one and a half years. Then the second obstacle was getting the money to print the books. Lucky for me, I had a good Samaritan friend in Kuching who had helped me find a sponsor (Yayasan Sarawak). In a double-quick time, I had the two books published. This good Samaritan friend went further to organise the launching of the books in the State Legislative Assembly by the Chief Minister himself! Wow! That was too good to be true. I was told that it is never easy to get the CM to officiate in a function, unless he thinks it important. Did he think my books were important? I'm flattered. The date was November 6. 2008. I could only stay for 4 nights. This good Samaritan friend then filled up the four days to the brim with promotions of the books in the major hotels and book stores in Kuching - tiring but most satisfying. In between the promotions, we were even taken for a tour of the Cultural Village in Santubong and a little shopping in the border town of Serikin near Bau.
Publicity in the local media
YB Datuk Talib Zulpilip who organise the occasion with some of the ex-servicemen who attended the launching.
YAB Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud, the Chief Minister of Sarawak launching the books.
YAB CM reading some lines from the anthology
I handed over my autobiography "My Adventure" over to the Chief Minister.
Tea after the launching
Another report in the local media on my book presentation to the YAB the Prime Minister of Malaysia, Dato' Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.
I caught him as he was leaving the National Intergrity Seminar 2008. I presented him with both my books. He was pleasantly caught by surprise. Managed to tell him I would like a second launch in KL by him.
Pak Lah reading my autobiography.
My anthology
Some of the VIP visitors to my kiosk
Another VIP visitor, the Resident of the Fourth Division. He invited me to an international poetry event, organised in Miri in a couple of days time
Another familiar VIP - Dato Putit Matzen. He bought a pair.
Over all, it had been a busy and most rewarding schedule. I would like to thank YB Datuk Talib Zulpilip for the splendid organisation, planning and administering the four days' programmes. Thank you for the VIP treatment for me and my family. We had thoroughly enjoyed our four nights of stay in Kuching. You had made us craving to come again.

4 comments:

  1. Dear Colonel, hope u dont mind if I post a comment. Correct me if I am wrong...since we are the only country in the world that was successful in battling the communist insurgency, however, there are not many literatures or military history recorded and mentioning our success...I wonder if in the current military history module teaching in MPAT/MTAT or Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia includes this subject? Thank you, Colonel.

    Rano

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  2. Dear Rano,

    Yes, Counter Insurgency is an aspect of warfare that is compulsory in all training schools. We are an authority on this as we are the only nation who had successfully defeated a communist insurgency.

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