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Free Malaysia Today
06-08-2025
- Lifestyle
- Free Malaysia Today
She may be 95, but Pony's still got a spring in her step
Una Tan-Kinlock was nicknamed Pony by her husband Richard Dick Kinlock. (Adrian David pic) PETALING JAYA : At 95, Una Tan-Kinlock can put many who are half her age to shame with her vitality and vigour. A firm believer that health is wealth, Una – who goes by the nickname Pony – is also an avid golfer, line-dancer, swimmer, fitness guru and bridge player. She said she is likely the oldest living member of the Royal Selangor Club in Kuala Lumpur. 'I've probably not only outlived many of my friends but enemies, as well,' she quipped. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle has gifted the retired English teacher with a strong mental, physical and spiritual outlook. She said much of her good health had to do with her upbringing at home and at school at Convent Seremban, where she was educated, and later returned to teach until her retirement. 'While my father Tan Chin Beng was a strict disciplinarian, the teaching nuns – one of whom named me Una – were equal drill-masters as they groomed me to a successful life,' she said. (L-R) Goh Lay Poh, Teo Bee Heong, Wong Siew Hoon and Una Tan-Kinlock at the 'Malayan Teachers' Training College (MTTC) Kirkby 2025' reunion recently. (Adrian David pic) As a student, she was active in sports, representing Negeri Sembilan in a number of events. 'I continued an active lifestyle after retirement, and have kept myself occupied till today. My only complaint is my friends preferring to play only nine holes at the Seremban International Golf Club,' said Una, who at one time held a 16-handicap for international competitions. She has even played at the Royal and Ancient Golf Club at St Andrews, Scotland. In 1953, Una was selected to train at the Malayan Teachers' Training College (MTTC) Kirkby in Liverpool, England. 'Life in England for two years was enriching. It exposed me to a lot of wonderful things and broadened my outlook, which I cherish till today. (L-R) Chong Hong Chong, Balwant Singh and Nordin Ahmad catch up with each other at the reunion. (Adrian David pic) 'We were trained by respectful lecturers, interacted with a multicultural community, were hosted by English families on weekends at their homes and had various outdoor activities,' said Una, at a 'Kirby' reunion at the Armada Hotel in Petaling Jaya. She added that her family were originally from Burmah Road, Penang but attended Seremban Covent when her father was posted there. She later married Scottish planter Richard Dick Kinlock who died 50 years ago. The couple have a son Richard and daughter Caroline living in Britain. 'My husband was once a prisoner of war at 18, during the Japanese Occupation of Malaya,' she said, adding that he stayed back with his family and worked here after the war ended. 'It was Richard who nicknamed me Pony during a badminton game, as I was fond of tying my hair into a pony-tail, especially during sports. And that name stuck among the convent nuns, teachers and students,' said Una. Peggy Fong (left) and Emily Yap at the reunion. (Adrian David pic) Meanwhile, reunion organising committee member Chong Hong Chong, 87, from the 1957 batch, said: 'It is a real joy to get as many Kirkby alumni out of their homes and to meet their fellow multi-racial collegemates. Chong, who after retirement joined Selangor Pewter as a production manager, added: 'Apart from the annual reunion, we do meet up impromptu in smaller numbers to forge camaraderie, when the situation permits.' Kirkby first opened its doors on Nov 17, 1952 to 149 teacher trainees from Malaya to overcome the acute shortage of teachers for English-medium primary and secondary schools. 'It became known as 'Kampung Kirkby' in tribute to the 'home away from home' feeling it created over the years. 'While the pioneer batch travelled to England from Port Swettenham (Port Klang) onboard the cruise-ship SS Chusan for their 21-day journey, subsequent batches until 1962 travelled by flight,' recalled Chong. The former British-trained teachers at the 'Malayan Teachers' Training College (MTTC) Kirkby 2025' reunion recently. (Adrian David pic) Veteran journalist K Nadarajah, 83, from the 1958 batch taught for six years before working for The New Straits Times, The Star, Hong Kong Standard and Far Eastern Economic Review. Cheong Loo Kong, 83, from the 1960 batch, taught for five years and then became a trainer with the Matsushita electronics factory in Shah Alam and later with the National Productivity Centre. VL Kandan, of the 1955 batch, recalled how then chief minister Tunku Abdul Rahman had on Feb 7, 1956 made the first-ever public announcement at Kirkby Hall that Malaya was to achieve independence. Kandan later served as the Malaysian Intellectual Property Association's founder president and became a senior legal partner with Shearn Delamore.
Free Malaysia Today
27-06-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Selangor Club shelves plan for new annexe near homes, school
The proposed annexe was to be located off Jalan Burhanuddin Helmi in upscale Taman Tun Dr Ismail, which borders Kuala Lumpur and Petaling Jaya. (Wikimedia Commons pic) PETALING JAYA : The Royal Selangor Club has decided not to proceed with a proposed annexe that would include a gaming room, after strong objections were raised by residents of Taman Tun Dr Ismail, bordering Kuala Lumpur and Petaling Jaya. The TTDI residents' association was informed of the decision in an email from club president Rizal Edi Effendi Sahbudin to association president Abdul Jabar Ahmad Junid. Rizal said the club and its business partner had 'mutually agreed not to proceed with the proposal for the new annexe at TTDI'. The proposed annexe, on half an acre (2,000 sq m) off Jalan Burhanuddin Helmi, was to include a bar, restaurant, pickleball courts, and slot machines or a gaming room for non-Muslim club members. Khairudin Rahim, a spokesman for the residents' association, lauded the joint decision of the club and its slot machine operator, a company identified as GPL. 'It showed they listened to, and respected, the TTDI community's objections,' he said. However, the association was still anxious to hear city hall's response, which he said would clarify its position on GPL's application, made on March 10, as the area was zoned for commercial use in the city's local plan. On Monday, the residents' association of the upscale housing estate had questioned the logic of placing a gaming operation so close to a residential neighbourhood, police quarters, and a religious primary school. Khairudin said the residents had filed a formal objection on June 16, urging Kuala Lumpur mayor Maimunah Sharif and the city's executive director of planning, Zulkurnain Hassan, to reject the plan. Rizal had previously stated that the proposed annexe was not initiated or undertaken by the club. He said club members had in December 2023 approved a proposal to relocate the club's gaming room, but delays prompted its business partner to propose a new site earlier this year. The Royal Selangor Club, founded in 1884, has its main clubhouse in a historic colonial-era building at Dataran Merdeka. The club currently operates a sports annexe in Bukit Kiara, separated from Taman Tun Dr Ismail by two golf courses.
Rakyat Post
12-06-2025
- Politics
- Rakyat Post
TTDI Residents Protest 'Mini Casino' In Their Neighbourhood
Subscribe to our FREE A petition has surfaced recently to oppose the establishment of an alleged gambling center in Taman Tun Dr Ismail (TTDI), Kuala Lumpur. The petition was prompted by an announcement published by the Royal Selangor Club (RSC) in April of a proposal of an annexed building in TTDI (Annex2) which will feature a bar, restaurant, pickleball court and gaming facilities, among others. According to the petition, Annex2 will be located next to Menara Ken on Jalan Burhanuddin Helmi, TTDI. In the RSC announcement, it states that the club's slot machine operator GPL notified RSC on 21 March, 2025, that their relocation deadline from RSC is no later than 31 December, although they aim to move out sooner, possibly by October 2025. Image: Royal Selangor Club TRP reached out to an RSC member, who spoke on the condition to remain anonymous, and learned that the slot machine relocation was due to licensing matters, but did not elaborate. Residents of TTDI put out petition against Annex2 The The petition starter Zafrul Is, speaking on behalf of other concerned residents, said they are worried for the tranquility and safety, should a gambling center exist in their area. 'Gambling activities are notorious for attracting undesirable elements such as loan sharks and gangster-related activities. Allowing such an establishment could jeopardize the peaceful environment we have worked so hard to maintain. 'Furthermore, it poses a significant risk to our youth, whose futures could be marred by exposure to gambling and its associated vices. The Malaysian youth, being the backbone of our future, deserve to grow up in environments that foster healthy development and positive influences,' Zafrul said. He further illustrated how data and reports have shown that communities near casinos and gambling centers often experience rises in crime rates, debts, and other social ills. As at press time, the petition has collected 1,819 signatures. Share your thoughts with us via TRP's . Get more stories like this to your inbox by signing up for our newsletter.
