The document summarizes traditions and practices observed during important religious and cultural occasions in Malaysia and around the world. It discusses the Chinese tradition of Cheng Ming or All Souls Day where families pay respects to deceased ancestors. It also mentions the Catholic traditions of Lent, fasting, and commemorating Good Friday. The author reflects on observing these occasions to preserve cultural heritage and express compassion, and encourages focusing on loved ones each day rather than just during special occasions. The document also summarizes a Rotary group meeting where Earth Hour was commemorated and members participated in fellowship activities like a quiz game and karaoke.

1. Vol 18 Number 31 SELAMAT PAGI 3 April 2010
From the Editor President’s Message
“Mankind has probably done more
damage to the earth in the 20th century What Can I Do For You Today?
than in all of previous human history.”
This week is a time for reflection and remembering.
- Jacques Cousteau
The Chinese remember the dearly departed by observing “Cheng Ming” or all
souls day. All filial children would make their way to the final resting place of their
“Earth Hour started in 2007 in Sydney,
ancestors to pay their annual respects. The living take the opportunity to clean
Australia when 2.2 million homes and
up the grave and give their offerings to the dead; to show filial piety and respect.
businesses turned their lights off for
Many will burn paper versions of assets and worldly goods - luxury cars,
one hour to make their stand against
electrical appliances, clothing and of course the ever popular gold and silver
climate change. Only a year later and
ingots. All these are done with the fervent hope that the dead will be able to
Earth Hour had become a global
possess these goods and enjoy a comfortable afterlife.
sustainability movement with more than
50 million people across 35 countries My brother and his kids, my parents and uncles will usually pre-agree on the
participating. Global landmarks such date to carry out this duty. My paternal grandparents have their final resting place
as the, Sydney Harbour Bridge, The CN in Johor so it is a long overnight trip for the troop. The actual prayers are
Tower in Toronto, The Golden Gate normally done just at the break of dawn, to beat both the hot sun and the large
Bridge in San Francisco, and Rome’s crowds doing their rites. So it is no mean feat to carry out the Cheng Ming
Colosseum, all stood in darkness, as tradition.
symbols of hope for a cause that grows
more urgent by the hour” (from Many of my Catholic friends will fast during the 40 days to Lent and during the
www.earthhour.org) final week of the holy week, many more jump on the bandwagon to cleanse their
souls by eating no meat and staying clear of all mortal sins such as drinking
This year’s Earth Hour was observed etc. Another university friend who does not attend church service throughout the
on March 27th coinciding with our group year makes it a habit to take leave to commemorate Good Friday and to be near
9 intercity meeting at eco-green his Creator on this day.
(appropriately chosen).
All these acts and practices are excellent as they draw out the God-fearing side
Back in the 60s which some described of humankind and press the pause button on the remote control of Life. And
as the “golden age” of Malaysia, in my while at the same time help to preserve the age-old cultural practices and
primary years, we were taught many traditions for the generations to come.
things – mostly about things outside the
country. Understandable as there was Wouldn’t it be wonderful if the compassionate and good side of humankind can
not much by way of school curricula rise to the frontline everyday instead of only at such sporadic occasions?
written in the country about the country. Wouldn’t it be great to live everyday to the fullest and enrich the lives of your
Instead we learnt about the 3 little pigs, loved ones and shower them with the gifts you can afford while they are alive?
the bears and goldilocks. The world So approach life and living like it’s your last day on Earth and ask your loved
population then was hardly 4 billion. ones; “What Can I Do For You Today”?
40 years later, the world population as
we know it has climbed to 6 billion. We
do not need to be overly worried about Yours in Rotary,
the Malthusian catastrophe – but the
question is still valid: “how many more Frances
people can this earth support” – before
the waste and depletion that consump-
tion creates and leaves behind kill us
through if not climate change, then
disease or famine. .continue on next page

2. ATTENDANCE INTERCITY MEETING
Guests: - 27 March 2010
Abdul Ghafoor,guest of James Cheong
AG, guest of Graham
A Group 9 Intercity meeting was held
Ann Kim, guest of Kong
last Saturday at Eco Green, TTDI. The
participating Rotary Clubs were Pudu
Attendance: 39% Fines: -
(host), Ampang, Bukit Kiara Sunrise
and Sri Petaling. A total of 60 mem-
bers and guests attended the meeting
Announcements After the club presidents have made
their announcments, dinner was
served. This was followed by a
- Medical camp, a joint project with RC
birthday celebration for all the March
Shah Alam will be heid on 9 May'10. President Frances making
'babies' . To commemorate Earth
More details to follow. announcements at the meeting
Hour that evening, lights were
- Incoming Board members are
switched off for 15 mins. President
encouraged to attend the District
Robin from RC Pudu organised a
Assembly from 16 - 18 April'10 at
fellowship game - Q & A on Rotary
Sunway Resort Hotel. For registration
knowledge. This was a good ice
forms, see PE Poay Lim.
breaker as everyone were put into
five teams in their respective colours.
The winning team received a bottle
District NEWS of white wine sponsored by AG
Veiven.
Integrity Night
A Joint Project Between Balai Ikthisas Rotarians enjoying the evening
Malaysia & Rotary District 3300
Sunday 11 April2010 To complete the evening, the final event
Venue: Selangor Club, Dataran Merdeka was a karaoke session. Some Rotarians
Cost : RM80 per pax took the opportunity to show their hidden
talent and kept the rest of us entertained!
RI District 3300 and BIM has been Drinks from the 'bar' were free flowing until
organizing the Integrity Night since RY we had to vacate the restaurant at 11.30pm.
2007-2008 and this year is the 3rd year Everyone enjoyed the meeting and the
running. fellowship.
Guest Abdul Ghafoor together with
District Leadership Seminar President Frances and DG Leslie
The objective of the seminar is to
provide leadership training to
Rotarians, particularly Past Presidents,
to prepare them for further leadership
roles at the District level and beyond. CLUB MEETING
This is in line with the objective of the - 20 March 2010
Club Leadership Plan (CLP).
Date: 23 May 2010 RYLA Awardees Gerard Lim
Venue: Kelab Shah Alam & Siew Rong Qin
Host Club: RC Shah Alam - Experiences at RYLA 2010
Cost: $35
At the regular club meeting on
Saturday, RYLA Awardees Gerard
and Rong Qin shared their
experiences at RYLA 2010 which
Happy was held at Eagle's Ranch, Port
Dickson from 4 - 7 March'10. The
Easter awardees received their certifi-
cates from President Frances.

3. Today's Programme NEXT CHANGE
Mohan & Gina 10 April (Sat) 7.30am
'Living in Saudi Arabia' Speaker: Tbc
17 April (Sat) 7.30am
MEMBERSHIP Speaker: Ezra Zaid
DEVELOPMENT Topic: Publishing in Malaysia
How to recruit more young professionals 24 April (Sat) 7.30am
Business meeting
With more than two-thirds of all Rotarians over the age of 50, many Rotary clubs
are trying to bring more qualified young professionals into the fold. But what’s the
best approach to take? Here are some strategies for success:
CALENDER of EVENTS
Family-friendly activities
Board meeting
RC Baguio Sunrise, Benguet,Philippines, works to keep its meetings innovative Date: 8 April 2010
and fun, says past club president Rey Abellada, now assistant governor of Venue: Sri Wangsaria Condo @ 7.15pm
District 3790. The club holds meetings with themes such as New Year’s and
Halloween, inviting family members and asking everyone to dress for the 76th District Assembly
occasion. Other meetings feature demonstrations of new technologies like the Date: 16 - 18 April 2010
Nintendo Wii. Young members plan the meetings to ensure they’re appealing to Venue: Sunway Resort Hotel
a younger crowd. The result? Young professionals compose about half of the
Baguio Sunrise club. Fireside chat@ Tanjung Malim
Date: 1 May 2010
A club within a club Venue: PP Elsie's residence
Cost : $20 (BBQ dinner)
When Dale Roberts joined RC Fairview, Alberta, Canada, at 23,he was in a cohort
of about 10 younger members. “Because we had a group of people who were the Medical Camp
same age, we were able to not feel like the odd man out,” says Roberts, past Date: 9 May 2010
president of the Rotary Club of Comox, British Columbia, and current assistant Venue: Shah Alam
governor of District 5020 (part of British Columbia and Washington, USA).
Roberts’s wife, Maureen,currentComox club president and past district
membership development chair, promotes building a club within a club: Invite April Celebration
prospective members to an introductory meeting to find out more about Rotary
and, as new members, have them continue with informal gatherings to learn Happy Birthday
about such topics as The Rotary Foundation.
Sunny 18 April
Community-oriented projects Kate 19 April
Yau 21 April
RC Cupertino, California,USA, set out to recruit members who reflected the
community’s Asian demographic, and ultimately achieved a net growth of 3-12
members annually,says Don Allen, past club president and past district governor.
One strategy was tweaking the annual club fundraiser to benefit schools in China Duty Roster
and eye care in India. “If you want to have younger members, you will have to look
3 April (Club Service)
at activities younger members are interested in — more family oriented, probably
somewhat more community oriented — because you can include kids, wives,
Sargeant-at-arms James Lau
and husbands,” Allen says. .... extract from The Rotary World
Desk Duty Karen
Introducer Poay Lim
Thank Speaker Cecelia
From the Editor
Fines Frankie
..... continue
10 April (Vocational Service)
Short of a war of biblical proportion, there is still a way mankind can be put at risk
– natural disaster. I don’t know if ala 2012 but I do know the world has very little to
gain from infinite growth. Sargeant-at-arms CY
Desk Duty Thomas
So with rotary at the forefront of community work like fighting hunger, polio Introducer Kong
eradication, perhaps we should also be influencing the process through our Thank Speaker James Cheong
own decisions – consume less, consume smart and educate and do Fines Yau
more about sustainability.
Else, the next hour of darkness may not happen again Visit our Blog @
induced, at night, at our will or from which we http:// rotaryclubbks.
may not emerge. PP James Lau blogspot.com

4. Board of Directors 2009/10 Around the
Rotary World
President
Frances Po
21731618(0)
Guide to Daily Living
President Elect
Tan Poay Lim
77277127(0) In addition to the Four Way Test, District 3310 has adopted The Guide to
remind Rotarians of their priorities when doing Service Above Self and their
Immediate Past President/PR obligation to advance The Object of Rotary.
Elsie Low
77281807(0) Before doing the things, we want to do, consider first, the precept of the
guide. Ask ourselves 4 questions and act upon them:
Vice President/Membership Director
Dr Sanjay Doshi First : Have I spent some time in self-examination?
23008030(0)
Second : Have I spent quality time with my family?
Honorary Secretary
Third : Have I given my best to my work?
Cecelia Matuya
56342870(0)
Fourth : Have I given some time to someone near and far?
Honorary Treasurer The first question prompts us to evaluate ourselves and our ability to serve.
PP Graham Bennett
012-2918619 The second question reinforces our commitment to the family – our “Intimate
Community of Life and Love”.
Club Service Director
PP Karen Chong The third person requests us to commit ourselves to work excellence and the
012-2893380 practice of high ethical standards.
Vocational Service Director The fourth question reminds us of our duty to Lend a Hand, rendering
PP CY Fong compassionate service and world peace.
78032276(0)
The Guide, in fact encompasses the 4 parts of the Object of Rotary.
Community Service Director
Ho Ee Lay
019-3395688
International Service Director District 3300 Sister Clubs
Susan Lim
012-2325860 District Governor Leslie Salehuddin RC Bugis Junction [D 3310]
03-61424628 (0) 03-61424058(Fax) Saturday, 08:00 am
New Generation Director dgles0910@gmail.com Hotel Inter-Continental
Ghaurry 80 Middle Road, Singapore
23003757(O) Assistant Governor Veiven Goon
03-79805529(0) 03-79813514(Fax) RC ChiangmaiThinthaingam[D 3360]
Rotary Foundation Chairman vgoon@streamyx.com Thursday, 12.00 noon
PP Sunny Khoo International Center
Rotary Clubs in Group 9
22849089(O) Chiangmai University, Thailand
Ampang
Bukit Kiara Sunrise
Bulletin Committee KL West
RC Chungli Chung Shing [D 3500]
Thursday, 12.00 noon
Pudu
James Lau/ Karen (Editor/Production) No 4, Ln 10, Gwo-Ti Street
Sri Petaling
Poay Lim (Speaker’s Programme) Chungli, Taiwan