by Colin W. Campbell

A Pantoum in the Sarawak Club

So meet me in the Sarawak Club
down in the hall beside the pool.
Kuching spins around this hub
and everyone is ever-so-cool.

Down in the hall, beside the pool
here the folks are ever-so-neat
and everyone is ever-so-cool
with such an elegant lot, to eat.

Here the folks are ever-so-neat,
Kuching spins around this hub
with such an elegant lot to eat.
So meet me in the Sarawak Club.

The Sarawak Club

Set up in 1876, this is probably the oldest private membership club of its kind in Malaysia. Today, the Sarawak Club is a friendly hub for some 3,000 members which come from a cross section of Kuching City’s business, professional and civil service community. Entry is by invitation and introduction only.

Photos can offer just a glimpse into the prestige and excellence of the City Branch with its fine sporting, dining, recreational facilities, and library. There is also a second site with the Resort Club with golf and more.

The Sarawak Club is a good place for a book-launch:

Chief Minister Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud spoke at the Oct 2011 book-launch of Crimson Tide Over Borneo – Untold Police Stories. He recalled that Sarawakians, “Should not take the matter lightly as many people of all races had sacrificed their lives to defend the state and country.” Also among those present at this event in The Sarawak Club were Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Ismail Omar, Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu, Minister of Special Functions Tan Sri Datuk Amar Adenan Satem, and James Ritchie the author of the book.

The Sarawak Eurasian Association Legacy Cookbook Book was officially launched in June 2011 at The Sarawak Club. The book went on to win global recognition when it took the “Best in the World” prize for the local cuisine sub-category at the 17th Gourmand World Cookbook Awards in Paris. This is highly regarded as the Oscars of the culinary world.

Author and Former Minister Datuk Amar James Wong Kim Min launched his Memories of Speeches at the Council Negri  and also his updated and third edition of Birth of Malaysia in Nov 2010 at The Sarawak Club. The writer has since passed away but his words live on in print to serve as a reference for following generations. He was a long-term legislator at both state and federal levels and was also known as a poet, golfer, and environmentalist.

It would be no surprise for the club to be featured itself in print in The Sarawak Club by H.K. Vincent Foo. Paper Back, 128 pages. Published 2007. ISBN: 9789834283025.

by Colin W. Campbell

Note:

Colin W. Campbell has previously been published in Eastlit:

• Santubong Haiku in February 2013.
• Three Pantoums in April 2013.