I’m the grandson of an immigrant from China

I never met my Chinese grandparents though because my beautiful mother was adopted by a Malay family when she was a baby

I’m not sure why but since my mum passed away I’ve been very curious to find out more about her real parents, my biological grandparents. Saja nak tahu. 

Dalam surat beranak dia, ada tulis that she was born in Sg Lembing, Pahang so I went there recently to see what I can find out

Sg Lembing used to be world famous for tin mining but now no more. 

Now it’s a forgotten small town still frozen in time from the 80s.

I had no idea where to start and went straight to the museum. Maybe there will be something there 

But not really. The museum had info about the glorious days of tin mining but not so much about the people. 

I was about to just leave and drive back to KL empty handed when I saw the kakak cleaner. I thought nothing to lose la, might as well just talk to her and ask her. 

So I approached the kakak cleaner and told her about my quest for info about my mother. She confirmed memang betul there were many cases of Chinese children being given away for adoption to Malay families in those times

She told me to go talk to the ketua kampung and gave me the address where to find him. The shop selling satay after the first big tree on the main road. 

So off I went, not really that optimistic about finding out much info. I managed to find the location but he wasn’t in pulak.

But luckily his wife was in. Kak Salmi was ever so helpful and told me to speak to this pakcik Harun. 

Gave me the address - the white house in the right side after the sharp corner after the Klinik Kesihatan. 

And again I found the place! And yes Pakcik Harun was in. He was 80+ already but still quite fit and was very charming

Worked for 27 years in the underground mine and was the one in charge of the blasting. So I had to really shout when talking to him haha

As I explained to him about my mother, he remembers about the family that adopted her. My adopted grandfather was a postmaster and Pakcik Harun remembers him. 

He remembers a bit about my mother but not so much. He asked me to see this Chinese elder in the village. He might know something more about my mother’s parents 

But I have to bring someone who can speak Chinese

So I plan to come back soon and continue my search 

Why am I telling you this story?

I’m also not too sure 

Maybe to ask you to remember about your grandparents and how hard they hard to work to earn a living in those days

I never met my Chinese grandparents but now I know my grandfather came to Malaysia to work in the underground tin mine in Sg Lembing

Doktor Az 🩺 

The grandson of an immigrant