June 24, 2022

Sg. Merah : License to Drive


 Family Remembrances.


My grandfather was very keen on motor cars or in anything that was mechanical. Relatives were in awe of him and they would sing praises of him by saying that he could fit any thing together if they were metal or mechanical parts. And in fact he was not at all highly educated. He was schooled at home in the old Minqing village of Wun Chieh for only a few years. But he was able to do very high level maths calculation (according to his cousins in Sibu). 

And one of the cars he bought for his own amusement was this unique "jeep" which he must have purchased from Kuching, bearing the plate K7827. He kept the vehicle on his hill top property in Sg Merah. When grand children came to visit, he would allow an uncle to drive it. And the driver must have a licence. 

In this photo, Uncle Sia Kie Ming is the driver. And he had a licence from Singapore. Here is a beautiful family photo for remembrance. Lots of positive vibes.

Later my uncle Tai Hieng and Aunty Laura all drove without Licence. And by then grandfather had passed on to prevent all the illegal driving on top of the hill. I believe my Aunt Laura was able to drive when she was 13. My uncle Tai Hieng was to become owner of many good cars like Mercedes and even a sports car later on as he inherited a lot of wealth from my grandfather and he also had very good connections.

Here in the photo,  Uncle Sia Kie Ming had come back from Singapore for a visit. 

In the photo : Aunt Greta, Aunt Chiew, Aunt Siew and Aunt Laura, with young 5th Aunty. Grandma Siew is third from the left back row.

Uncle Tai Hieng is first from the right in the front.

Those in the photos must be extremely happy to be in this record breaking kind of event...How many people can sit in a jeep?

The roof (on the right) in the photo probably is the roof of Wong Cheng Ang's house.

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