Saluting Under The Flag

I chanced upon this article by a former sea scout recently and thought it apt for today's occasion (well, he did write it for Merdeka 2 years or so ago). Gives a lot of meaning and context to the stuff we usually regard as mundane and stupid. Here's a snippet of the article.

I was salutiong under the flag
by seymores | August 31, 2005

[...] My tenure as ASM saw me going through many bittersweet experiences. Some are memorable and some are just plain boring. During camps, we would do many stupid things and as an ASM I get to made junior scouts do even more stupid things. However there are things you wish the young ones would know, that certain silly things are too important to ignore.

As a scout and as a leader, we raised and saluted to the national flag in the morning and pull the flag down before sunset. A very elaborate ceremony to respect the flag if you ask me. But what I failed to see as a young scout then I came to realized later when I became a leader.

When I salute to the national flag I saw the past leaders saluting the same way. I looked at my juniors and I was aware that sometimes ago some young men took on the leadership role to guide the young scouts, to manage the scouting activities, to have sacrificed and labored for the passion of scouting. They have done all that with a genuine heart and with honors. I felt privileged to be given the chance to contribute to something bigger than one individual.

When I salute the flag, I salute to all the past, the present, the future leaders, and the followers; for their contributions, their spirit and cause for the greater good. I respect them for the fact that they understood we are all brothers under the sun.

When I salute the flag, I salute to the men and women who did something more for everyone.

When I was saluting under the flag, I was standing on the shoulder of giants before me. [...]

Our nation celebrates 50 years of independence today. Here's wishing all Malaysians a Happy Merdeka.

A Brief History of PFS Scout Car Grand Prix

Previously, we highlighted some foreword messages found in the 1992 PFS Scout Car Grand Prix souvenir magazine to debunk claims that the pedal car race organised by the Penang Turf Club in August 2007 is the first ever pedal car racing in Malaysia as claimed by them and rubber-stamped by the Malaysian Book of Records.

Here, we would like to publish in verbatim the introduction from that same souvenir magazine which gives us a great look at the history of the PFS Scout Car Grand Prix.

The Scout Car Grand Prix, originally called the Soap Box Derby, was the brain child of the late Mr. F. Haydn Dimmock (editor of "The Scout" magazine). The Soap Box Derby was first held in 1939 in Britain. The event was a great success.

Mr. Dimmock's main idea was to organise a novel event to let youngsters have a means to express their competitive and team spirit in a fun-filled way and also to encourage skills and creativity in the design, construction and means of propulsion of cars from used bicycle spare parts and scrap material. Little did Mr. Dimmock realise then that this unique idea would capture the interest of Scouts in Britain and throughout the world.

After that first experiment, the event has been regularly organized and has now taken on a national status. The idea that Mr. Dimmock gave to Scouting has spread like wild fire all over the United Kingdom and is now an annual affair. In America it is Carnival time with Soap Box cars and families spend the whole day watching the thrilling races.

Although speed has been one of the principle objects of the event (fastest speed recorded - 26.87 mph), the Derby has been noted for the very high standard of workmanship achieved and great ingenuity has frequently been displayed. It is not common for cars to have nine gear changes and considerable skill is exercised by the young mechanics.

This event was first introduced to Penang by Mr. Peter Oon of the Penang Free School B-P Guild, who participated in a classic event in London during his days as a law student. The first Soap Box Derby was organised by the Penang Free School B-P Guild in 1969. In 1970 the second was held in the City Stadium.

The Penang Free School Rover Scout Crew which was formed in 1972, decided to undertake the task of continuing the exciting tradition after the dissolution of the Gild under the new name of "SCOUT CAR GRAND PRIX". The first Grand Prix in 1972 attracted a total of 31 Scout groups and 14 Guide and Ranger companies with 11 Scout cars. In 1974, the venue of the 3rd Grand Prix was held at Gurney Drive to allow greater involvement from the public. That same year, the Crew was able to exhibit some of the Scoutcars at the 3rd Malaysian Jamboree in Johore.

There was then a lapse of three years, after which the next Grand Prix was held in 1978 which attracted more than 30 Scout and Guide groups participating with 11 Scoutcars. In 1979, the event was held in the month of December in conjunction with the Pesta Pulau Pinang and the State's efforts to promote tourism.

In 1980, a new event "Fastest Scoutcar" was introduced and with it a new challenge trophy bringing the total number of challenge trophies donated by supporters of the Scouting Movement to six. The Scout Car Grand Prix was last held by the PFS Rover Scout Crew in 1984 with 12 Scout and Guide groups participating with 10 Scoutcars.

This time after a lapse of seven years the Scout Car Grand Prix has been revived by the PFS Rover Scout Crew and the PFS Combined Scout Council. The Crew and The Scout Council sincerely hope that this event will continue to be a useful outlet for the tremendous creativity and skill in our youth today.

In the next article, we will publish the list of participating schools and scout cars for the 1992 PFS Scout Car Grand Prix.

Congratulations New Leaders

And the Troop Leader for 2007/2008 is....

Andrew Ng Wei Qin

We also have a new ATL in Melvin Tan Kee Tat. Not many changes from the other positions, just a few minor tweaks. For more information, refer to the new Troop Roll Call and Court of Honour.

Goodbye Boys on Astro Kirana

If you missed Wednesday night's screening of Goodbye Boys on Astro Kirana, fret not. You'll have another chance of viewing the movie this Sunday, 26th August 2007 at 3pm. Astro Kirana is on channel 23 for your information. The movie will last about two hours so you would want to keep 3-5pm this Sunday free if you're interested in watching the movie.

Additional screenings will also be available in September on the 1st, 11th, 23rd and 28th. Screening times are unavailable at the moment.

Annual General Meeting 2007

The time has come for the Annual General Meeting to convene once more. Details as follows:

Date: 24th August 207
Time: 0830hrs
Venue: Lecture Theatre School Canteen
Attire: FSSU

All sea scouts are to meet at the UMP first. Attendance is compulsory for all.

AGM is always associated with the appointment of the new TL but we all know it is more than that. Oh, screw it, who are we fooling here? We want to know who will succeed TL Jeffrey Lee after tomorrow! So who do you think it will be? Will it be between Prob. ATLs Andrew Ng and Nicholas Ong? Or maybe Prob. VUL Melvin or Prob. VUS Lee Jang Heng?

Will this year's race be any more interesting than the Amazing Troop Leader Race 2005 and Amazing Troop Leader Race 2006? Will there finally be an upset? Stay tuned to find out.

The 1992 Revival of PFS Scout Car Grand Prix

There are many meanings when it comes to "The 1st Malaysian Pedal Car Race". It could mean that this is the first of many to be organised by a particular organisation (ie. Organisation A's "1st Penang Treasure Hunt", although obviously it is definitely not the first ever treasure hunt to be organised in Penang). It could also mean you are really the very first, the pioneers to organise the event (ie. "1st Malaysian Horticulture Exhibition" that has never been organised by anyone ever before).

There is nothing wrong if it is the former but when you make claims such as "introducing pedal car racing in Malaysia" and "pedal car racing to debut in Penang", you meant to say you are the pioneers in organising such an event when clearly, the Scout Car Grand Prix (formerly known as the Scout Soap Box Derby) has been in existence way before August 2007, the inaugural 1st Malaysian Pedal Car Race.

This is part of a series of articles to debunk the claims the pedal car race organised by the Penang Turf Club in August 2007 is the first ever pedal car racing in Malaysia as claimed by them and rubber-stamped by the Malaysian Book of Records.

We start off with some foreword messages found in the PFS Scout Car Grand Prix 1992 souvenir magazine, which was revived by the then PFS Rover Scout Crew and PFS Combined Scout Council after a lapse of seven years. The event was held on Sunday, 26th January 1992 at Gurney Drive.

Here is the message by Mr. Tang Hon Yin, the then State Deputy Director of Education.

Message from Penang Deputy Director of Education II, Mr. Tang Hon Yin.

In England, the Soap Box Derby has become something of a special event in the Scouting calendar since 1939. The Derby provided a novel event where young people could have great fun modifying their old bicycles and motorcycles into designer models which could run efficiently no matter what they looked like. Great ingenuity, creativity and skills are called upon from the youngsters assembling the various parts to make their very own 'Ferrari' or 'Formula 1'.

Since Peter Oon brought the Soap Box Derby to Penang in 1969 - the event has been held 8 times in the last 22 years, albeit the name of the event has evolved somewhat.

This year, PFS SCOUT CAR GRAND PRIX 1992 is brought to you by the PFS Rover Scout Crew and the PFS Combined Scout Council. I congratulate the initiative of these 2 groups for reviving the Soap Box Derby. Properly organized, this novelty event could indeed develop into an event which could draw wider participation and be a permanent feature in the PESTA PULAU PINANG calendar.

I wish the organizers every success.

(Signed)

TANG HONYIN
Deputy Director of Education
Penang.

Next, an excerpt from Mr. Khoo Yeoh Gan Hong's message, the then State Scout Commisioner and also former Troop Leader of 1st Georgetown (South).

Message from State Scout Commissioner, Mr. Khoo Yeoh Gan Hong

[...] The credit for organising the first Soap Box Derby for Penang Scouts - the forerunner of the Scout Car Grand Prix must go to lawyer Mr. P.T. Oon former Patrol Leader of Wu Lien Teh Troops. It was held at the City Stadium on 30th March 1969. There was great excitement with many thrills and spills! This historic race was also the first of its kind in this part of the world. [...]

Lastly, the message by then Penang Free School headmaster, Mr. Goh Hooi Beng.

Message from the Principal of Penang Free School, Mr. Goh Hooi Beng, AMN

I wish to congratulate the Scout Council of the Penang Free School especially the Rover Scout Crew for their initiative in reviving the Inter-Scout Group Scout Car Grand Prix as part of the 175th Anniversary Celebrations of the school and a small contribution to the coming 'Visit ASEAN Year 1992'.

The Grand Prix not only provides a good opportunity for Scouts to show their creativity and innovativeness in the design and construction of Scout Cars from recycled bicycle parts but also offers an occasion for youths of differing backgrounds work together and compete against each other in friendly rivalry and goodwill in the spirit of Scouting.

Well done!

(Signed)

Goh Hooi Beng, AMN
Headmaster
Penang Free School

So you can see from these foreword messages that pedal car racing is nothing new even back then in 1992, what more now in 2007. It being an event as part of promoting a tourism campaign is also nothing new as the 1992 Scout Car Grand Prix was part of the 'Visit ASEAN Year' campaign then. Not only that, the Scout Car Grand Prix was also a part of the Pesta Pulau Pinang, a popular yearly tourism event.

In the next instalment, we will delve into some history lessons regarding the Scout Car Grand Prix and the Soap Box Derby when it was introduced initially, right from the first ever race in 1939 in Britain, up to the introduction by Mr. Peter Oon in Penang and the 1992 revival of the PFS Scout Car Grand Prix.

Debunking So-Called Malaysia's First Pedal Car Race

Time and again, they rubbed salt in our wounds and throw dirt at our face. I really don't see why it should be any different this time around.

It's not enough that they ridiculously claimed to organise the FIRST pedal car race in Malaysia. It's not enough that they foolishly claimed to have INTRODUCED the "new" sport to Malaysians. It's not enough that they absurdly RIDICULED the Scout Car Grand Prix, which existed way before they knew anything about pedal car racing, as a "past-time sport". Now they went one step further by getting the Malaysian Book of Records to rubber-stamp them as the "First Pedal Car Race" in Malaysia. All this when the Scout Car Grand Prix (formerly known as the Scout Soap Box Derby) existed way back in 1969.

Even after a former sea scout wrote to the Editor of The Star, the official media sponsor of the event, regarding the gross misrepresentation and inaccuracies of their articles and such claims as "first", "debut" and "past-time sport", nothing came from that effort. What else should we have expected from them but to keep quiet about the matter? They would have been shooting their own foot if they had retracted after over-glorifying what is nothing more than a copycat attempt.

And when corporate sponsors are asked to cough up RM5000 per car, it makes it all the more laughable when our own cars which look and function much better than the scrap metal they've dished out for the "inaugural race", cost just a fraction of that amount. Even when their cars cost 5 to 10 times that of a scout car, the organiser's car was unable to complete the race which they were leading by about 500m after it crashed with another car.

Some may remember how Jody7 tried to knock VitalStatistix off the tracks (and claimed they lost control of their car) but all but destroyed their own car with VitalStatistix very much intact and went on to win yet another race. This goes to show that even high school students embracing a "past-time sport" utilising "old bicycle parts" are more capable in putting together a sturdier car than a "professional vehicle" manufactured by "local engineers". So much for their "professional" cars now, huh?

As such, an effort will be made in the following weeks to set the record straight that the Scout Car Grand Prix existed way before the so-called First Malaysian Pedal Car Race. The Pedal Car Race by the Penang Turf Club is a laudable attempt, make no mistake about that and this is by no means an attempt to stop the event from ever being organised again. I'm actually glad someone came forward to organise such a novel event but when you ignore the facts and try to rewrite history and ridicule previous efforts in the process, that is just not right.

Please do not take this an attempt to get the Scout Car Grand Prix instated as the "First Pedal Car Race" by the Malaysian Book of Records, for it is not. We do not care about labels. If they had not made claims that they were the first to organise, first to introduce the sport and belittling the Scout Car Grand Prix and the efforts of all the scouts involved in organising the event and constructing the cars in the process, we wouldn't have given a rat's ass. All that we seek is for the Scout Car Grand Prix to be recognised for what it is, not just some silly small "past-time sport" that has no significance at all for I assure you, you are gravely mistaken. We just want to set the record straight.

Penang State Campfire

The Penang Scout Council is organising the State Campfire on Aug 25 at Sekolah Menengah Haji Zainul Abidin, Jalan Hamilton, Penang, in conjunction with the 100th year of scouting.

Call Yeoh Peng Hong at 012-4278844.

Off To National Service

Have you checked your selection status for the National Service for the year 2008? Here are a few methods you can check:

Website:
http://www.khidmatnegara.gov.my/

SMS:
NS (space) <> and send to 33995 (RM0.40 / SMS)
[ eg. NS <900808085555> ]

Telephone:
03-2681 3446/ 2687 3423/ 2687 3410/ 2687 3434

So who are the lucky ones selected for next year's session?

Memoirs of a Sea Scout: Entry 015

This was my first time canoeing. I can't wait to go back to PKSA again. I was afraid that I may fall into the sea but fortunately I have a good senior to help me. I sat in front (bow) and he controlled the stern. Of course we all had to wear life jackets but the thought of floating in the middle of the sea is just not something I enjoy thinking of.

We get to choose either a single seater or double seater canoe. For us juniors, we have no choice but to take double seater canoes so some seniors can guide us. Then we have to choose a paddle to help us move in the water. We have to choose either a left handed or right handed paddle depending on if you are left handed or right handed.

We learn how to push the canoe into the sea and put our butts in the canoe first. We learn how to synchronise our strokes and also how to turn our canoes around. There was also a mock presentation of a capsized canoe and how to rescue using the H, T, and Z methods and how to climb back into your canoes in the middle of the sea.

We also learn how to put our canoes up and that meant to raft up during emergencies to avoid strong waves or help someone in distress. Didn't know there were so many procedures for canoeing but it's a really exciting water sport. Some adventurous ventures even canoed all the way to the nearby rock island, Pulau Tikus. I hope I'll get a chance to join them soon.

My arms are still aching but I'm already looking forward to go canoeing again. Hahaha...

Once A Scout, Always A Scout

The Star article highlighting the reunion of 8th Georgetown South's pioneer batch of sea scouts.

Much may have changed over 50 years but not the strong bond among a bunch of former scouts from the Penang Free School.

Reunited after half a century, the old boys – now fathers and grandfathers – renewed the Scout's promises and enjoyed a fun weekend in Penang.

Reunion coordinator Ang Teng Chye, 63, said the two-day reunion was held for the school's 8th George Town Scouts from the year 1958 to 1963.

About 60 of them, their spouses and children, gathered at Miami Beach on Saturday evening for a fun canoeing session.

Ang said they were made Sea Scouts in 1961 and had even made their own canoes using wood and canvas.

"Some of us are a little too old for canoeing now but it is still fun to see the younger ones having fun in the sea," he said.

Retired lecturer Geh Thuan Hsien, 63, came from Perth for the get-together.

He added that they had arranged for a gathering in Australia before but this was the first big reunion.

"Many of us still keep in touch and I am glad to see a good turnout in this gathering," he said.

Their Scout Master Ch'ng Eng Kee, 73, said the old Scouts were once his students and now his friends.

"I really had a great time with them," he said.

The group also met up for a barbecue lunch at Muka Head and a grand dinner at Hydro Majestic Hotel on Sunday.

You can view pictures of the event here.

We Are Two

Happy 2nd Anniversary 08online....

Xaverian B-P Guild to Hold Fellowship Dinner

The Xaverian B-P Guild will be organising a fellowship dinner to celebrate 100 Years of World Scouting and 50 Years of Merdeka at Bayview Hotel, Georgetown, Penang on August 11 at 8pm. All scouts are invited.

For details, call Khoo Heng San at 04-2280386 or fax 2260386, Ong at 012-4939681 or Patrick Chin at 012-2352028.