WelcomeSelamat datang

The author

3rd generation Chinese (Guangdong, Zhongsan)

Educated in a vernacular national school, British O-levels (Ipoh)

Cambridge A-levels & 1119 exams (Kuala Lumpur)

Undergraduate & Post-grad in International Business (Australia)

Asia-Pacific exposure: Amex, Ove Arup, Mediacorp, GroupM

Quad-lingual: English, Bahasa Malaysia, Mandarin, Cantonese

Adventurous streak: Scaled Mount Kinabalu, Dragon boating, Water rafting,

Horse riding..

Zhū 珠 Pearl Inspiration

Two PhoenixPopo and Mama

Matriarchs in the familyBorn in Guangzhou, China

1900 – 1945

Modern Cantonese LadiesDaughters born during a period of War

Born in Guangzhou, South China during the prolonged civil war

Fierce in-fighting between Dynasties (Qing & Ming being the last two),

Nationalist Kuomintang vs. Socialist CPC which ended in 1949

Japanese Occupation united the 2 battling parties

Both fled to Ipoh, Malaysia……North West of Peninsular Malaysia

2nd wife to my maternal grandfather, out of 3 wives.

Polygamy was rife, even condoned and respected within a Chinese feudal system. Married at the age of 16, bore 11 children, 3 died before reaching adulthood.

Grandfather passed away when she was in her 30’s, as with the 1st wife. Hierarchy wise she ascended into the role of the family’s matriarch.

Acting CEO over the family’s business, Cheong Chee. At its peak was a major diversified company: properties, cocoa plantations, gold mines, shares in listed companies etc.

Cheong Chee empire eventually died a tragic death due to mismanagement, incompetent leaders, clash over Western meritocracy & competency vs. Chinese nepotism & cronyism.

Passed away at 86 years old, fearing that her ‘Chieftain’ in the netherworld would reprimand her…

A woman born ahead of her time.

Twice married. Bore a son out of wedlock at the age of 21.

Chartered Secretary. Studied and lived in UK, Singapore and Malaysia. Returned to Malaysia to help with the family business. Married my dad.

Local author, Chinese calligraphy painter, performer.

Fun-loving mother, loyal friend, compassionate sister, gifted artisan. Feminist.

Ill-luck in both of her marriages. Sufferer of mental illness, clinical depression.

Published her one and only book, The Bridge Across after her recovery from severe depression.

Succumbed to depression in 1997 on Mother’s day….

Why Pearl?

According to early Chinese civilization,pearls symbolizes wisdom acquired through years of

experience and struggles.

These luminescent spheres are believed to attract wealth and luck as well as offer protection. Known for their calming effect, pearls can balance one's karma,

strengthen relationships, and keep children safe. The pearl is also said to symbolize the purity, generosity, integrity, and loyalty of

its wearer.

Jade & TeakSymbolism

IpohTin City. Valley of Millionaires. Limestone caves. Gastronomy.

Concubine LaneOpium. Mahjong clubs. Prostitutes. Loan sharks.

Eat. Drink. Man. Woman.Tangyuan. Yee Sang. Love potion. Yam abacus seeds.

Guo Jiao

‘Face’

Lose faceThick faceSave face

‘Death’

Chinese proverbs

“A rose by any other name would smell just as sweet” 玫瑰不管叫啥名 , 闻起来总是香的

méi guī bù guǎn jiào shá míng, wén qǐ lai zǒng shì xiāng de

All things are difficult before they are easy 万事开头难 wàn shì kāi tóu nán

It is easy to find a thousand soldiers, but hard to find a good general千军易得 , 一将难求qiān jūn yì dé, yī jiang nán qiú

Can we re-write history?

LoveStock Parade

Concerted effort by pioneers of IpohBritish, Chinese, Malay, Indians

Harmonious blend of unique identitiesHopefully life can imitate art…….

China 2015………

Xu Bei Hong

Portrait of Madam ChangPainted during the Kuomintang

upheavalNationalist supporter

Auctioned off at Christie’s HK

Now owned by a private collector

Xie Xie

www.jaseminsibo.com