Helene Tan, our grandmother whom we called Ah Mak, was addressed as Puan Sri by non-family members, MEM and or Towkay Nioh the female version of (Towkay = big boss)
by the house staff and drivers.
To all our grandparent's staff mother was addressed and refereed to Missy Choo, Twa Ee was Missy Lian, and Kuku was Baba Siong.
Ah Mak, was a lovely caring lady, a bundle of very positive energy, full of love with bright eyes, a ready smile, always with beautifully coiffed, light blue rinsed hair, sometimes they got it a bit too blue which at times really was quite funny and cute, but we thought nothing of this, nor apparently did she. She was a most warm loving, charming, indomitable, generous and determined power house of a woman, and in her day it felt to me that not much, if anything could or would get past her or hold her back.... in public Mak was always immaculate and bejeweled, dressed smartly in her trademark cheong-sam a style that my cousin Khim appears to have emulated.
During our childhood, when not inconvenienced by school, (there were morning and afternoon sessions in those days) we would quite regularly go across the road with mum, and join her and our grandparents for breakfast. On arriving we would race up the stairs first to Mak's bedroom, and when we saw her, one immediately felt a sense of calm, well being and reassurance, a big warm hug was engaged in with gusto and kisses on the cheek were freely exchanged... after having greeted Ah Mak, we would then go into the adjoining room for our grandparents slept in separate rooms, to greet Ah Kong, who was usually deeply engrossed and doing paperwork in his study... my sister Helene would crawl into his study, around his desk, and once under the desk would tickle his feet, despite having usually seen her, Kong would always pretend not to have done so, and always acted surprised and shocked, and exclaim "who's that under my desk"
which greatly pleased my sister Helene to no end... after warm hugs and kisses were again exchanged, whilst always quite busy Kong did make time for us grandchildren and was an affectionate man.
Having greeted Kong, it was then back into Mak's large bedroom to laze on her spare bed, to chit chat before we headed out onto the terrace for breakfast, once Kong was ready.. conversations with Mak were wide ranging, what we had done, where, when, who and how, in which she took great interest, she in turn would tell us of her past activities, her plans for later that day, who she would be seeing, as well as telling us which of our favorite foods or meals had been prepared for this morning, which fruits were in season, who had sent or bought what fruits from, where... and always ask us what we would like to have for breakfast or dinner on our next visit.
Good food played a very big part in our grandparents lives and it was plentiful, and everyone ate well... according to mum, Mak had been on 1 type of diet or another since the 60's... which was attested to by the numerous diet books we found after she had passed on... in which Mak had kept meticulous notes about her weight.
Mak's was a lovely open and cool bedroom, to give you an idea of size, there were 2 what seemed to me extra large king size double beds, with space for 3 or 4 more... a built in wall to wall wardrobe with 6 large doors (I remember this because we would sometimes hide in them during games of hide and seek) at the other end of the room, and a sizable mirrored vanity cum make up table.
On her bedside table, there would always be the latest copy of an Agatha Christie novel, along with her most recent diet book which both sat on her bedside table, along side her bible... all 3 books seemed to be read with equal regularity, and similar levels of interest... she also kept a ledger in which the expenses relating to the household were again meticulously recorded and tracked, but just as importantly (possibly more so) a record of how she had fared at mah-jong each day... the ledger along with other valuables were religiously locked in her bedside lockable draw before she would leave her room.
At some stage during our visits there would always be a happy report on how she had fared at mah-jong the day before or earlier that week, with who she had payed with, accompanied by such summary phrases as "that Aunty (so and so) "really took me to the cleaners" and or "I lost my pants"... these fine dowager ladies and pillars of Singapore's society did have some very funny, matter of fact and quite brutal nick names for each other... Aunty Barbara (Ku-Ku's wife) had a regular weekly game with Ah Mak, however if they were short a kaki (leg for one needs 4 to play) that day then she would then be expected to skip work and would be roped in to make up the numbers. Despite mah-jong normally requiring 4 players, I do remember that Ku-Ku and his friends some how managed to play it 3 legged on many of the nights when I would accompany him out on the boat overnight.
On the more rare occasions Mak would tell us quite matter of factually, "I was the sole winner", of that she had "recovered her losses" or "I just won a little" but no matter what the out come being reported, it was always accompanied and made with a happy smile and sparkles in her eye... with the report made, she would then tell us with whom she would be playing later that day, and would we like to join her for lunch...
When leaving after our visits, this was possible only after hugs and kisses were exchanged, after which we would happily and sincerely wish her good luck, followed by "yeng dor dor" (literally win lots & lots) as we left .. good byes and wishes of "yeng dor dor" would be repeated a few more times, both on our way down the stairs and again bellowed up to Ah Mak
Growing up we watched the comings and goings of daily life from the side lines as children, regularly going for car rides to accompany and send Kong to his office OCBC and sending Ah Mak to play mah-jong at one of the many Poh-Poh's homes, when she was not hosting the game at Cairn Hill.... accompanying Mak on her regular shopping trips to Robinsons, or going with her to Cold Storage and or Fitzpatrick's, were always fun, and almost always these trips would entail a stop at one of the ice cream bars in the supermarkets...
Two of the Poh-Pohs with whom Mak regularly played with that I remember most clearly were, Poh-Poh Shaw (Kong-Kong Runmy Shaw's wife), and a lady who had lost part of her arm (apparently due to her gardener having run amok) whom Mak refereed to as the "one armed bandit", there was also another Poh-Poh with an unforgettable nick name "pantat koyak" understanding enough Malay made me aware to contain myself during lunch, but could not help myself the next day and having asked why that Poh-Poh had been given that nick name, Mak, with a smile explained very matter of factually that it had to do with child birth! I recently had a chat with Aunty Barbara (Ku-Ku's wife) who regularly joined the Poh-Pohs and she helped to confirm that they were as I remember them.
I recently met up with Michael Eu and we reminisced about the days when I would accompany Ah Mak and or mother when they visited his mother Aunty Miranda and how I would annoy him and his brothers Barry and Sandy, for in those days the few years difference in our ages was telling......
Later in life, we began to put things together, and now looking back, I do have a much clearer understanding of how things really were, and appreciate just what an instrumental and important role Ah Mak played in support to Ah Kong's business success.... it was not only her blue blood banking pedigree, as the daughter of influential businessman and banking pioneer WEE Theam Seng
it was just as much if not more to do with her charm, wit, and very busy social calendar...... whilst mother had taught at ACS after they returned from India after the war, Ah Mak did her part serving as President of the MGS Alumnae Association in 1951, spearheading fundraising efforts to build the Mary Nind Wing at the Mount Sophia campus.
Ah Mak was a firm believer in helping the less fortunate in society and is still recognised today by the presentation of various annual educational and nursing scholarships in her name, the school libraries and that have been named after her, and for her significant contributions to public service and charity work, during her time with the Singapore Chinese Ladies Association (CWA) where for a time she served as President and the Singapore Red Cross, where she served as
Vice President.
Whilst I remember that Mak and Kong had many many friends, one that really stands out was Uncle Malcolm MacDonald's friendship and affection for Ah Mak was probably the reason why he was so tolerant of us children who regularly pestering him to do head stands, which he very sportingly almost always did, especially if Ah Mak was present, despite having only just arrived, in full jacket and tie.. much to my sister Helene's great glee.. Uncle Malcolm most definitely had a very very soft spot for Mak, for he left a very nice letter in the Singapore Island Country Club's time capsule which is on display at the Thompson Road location which makes evident his feelings..
During both our childhood and right up to when she finally stopped playing mah-jong due to illness, Ah Mak took her collection of good luck wishes for both mah-jong and when going horse racing very-very seriously as Karl Meyer one of my oldest childhood friend from our days at United World College (UWC) and later my house mate came to learn, for from our early 20's and well into our 30's... before she stopped playing, Ah Mak would call us each separately, every day during the week, on the mornings prior to her afternoon battles on the mah-jong table with the other equally formidable ladies, and if she could not reach one or both of us at home, then she would call us in the office, and later with the advent of hand phones, it made her task so much easier... as Karl used to say, depending on if you were free, busy and or in a meeting you could have a 1 or ten minute conversation with Mak, just as long as you made sure to give her your good luck wishes for mah-jong....
The company's operator / receptionist and Karl's PA at MUSTAD out on Pioneer Road in Jurong where he was working at the time, both learnt the hard way that you just didn't get in the way of Ah Mak's mission to collect good luck wishes via telephone, in this field even the most battle tested Johova's witness armed with a telephone could not hold a candle to Mak... as Karl relates for I was away travelling at the time, he was apparently in a board meeting with the CEO and the owners of the company, and so had left strict instructions that no one was to bother them, and that all phone calls for anyone attending the meeting were to be declined, and messages were to be taken for him to call back... apparently Ah Mak, having already reached me via my mobile phone, (quite costly roaming charges in those days) had then tried to call Karl, but on her being told that he was not available, and to leave a message, and no they were not sure what time he would be available..... despite Mak having told by both the operator and his PA that it was urgent..... was undeterred... Ah Mak who must have been in equal parts, both concerned for both Karl's safety and well being and also just as likely the possibility of her not getting her usual good luck wishes, ordered up her car and driver and had herself driven all the way from her home in Carin hill Road out to Jurong, well over a 30 minute drive in those days.
Apparently Karl's very nervous PA knocked gingerly at the board room and when finally admitted, she rather awkwardly announced that Chuan's grandmother is downstairs sat waiting in reception, she would like to see you, and has asked me to make her a cup of tea...
Karl relates how apparently the room first fell silent, to be followed by some very annoyed stares, a few questioning and in some cases just completely confused and bemused looks being leveled at him by those attending the meeting, and with all eyes now firmly focused and boring down on him, he remembers momentarily fearing for his job, before hurriedly excusing himself and rushing downstairs to see Ah Mak, who was perched regally on the sofa in reception in full battle dress, in her trademark elegant cheong-sam, hand bag, walking stick and bejeweled, ready for her mah-jong game later that day.... with her Rolls Royce and driver at the ready, parked right outside in front of the main doors to the offices... sealing of both access and exit!!
As Karl first hugged and kissed Mak as he greeted her (for she did look upon and treated him like an extra grandson) and then sat down to first apologise for not being contactable and was then half way through trying to explain why she had not been able to get through to him and that he was unable to take her call, Mak's tea arrived and further polite conversation was expected and now required...
At some stage motivated possibly by an equal mixture of annoyance, intrigue and indignation the CEO and the rest of the Board made an appearance, Karl who having composed himself (after scurrying form the board room) was now engaged in relaxed conversation, apparently oblivious to the apparent annoyance and consternation of the company's leadership, who's who... and when some what harshly addressed in Norwegian by the CEO, turned around and introduced the board to Chuan's grandmother, which apparently initially drew a few blank stares, however Ah Mak won them over in a heartbeat and having apologized for their causing the need for her to interrupt their meeting by having dropped by to check in on Karl, as she had been very concerned at not being able to contact him, then apparently went on to suggest and assumed that they would not mind and would overlook the matter if Karl was occasionally late back to work from lunch with her, and with that, having already received her good luck wishes for today's mah-jong game from Karl, she bade them all good morning and left.
Karl mentioned that it helped greatly to both calm the mood and blood pressure of the board and also gave him a perverse feeling of pleasure when he was able to explain that Ah Mak was the wife of the Chairman of OCBC where the company banked.. word of this got around the Norwegian business community and from that day forward even as Karl changed companies he was never asked to explain where he had been and or why he was late coming back to the office after our quite regular Peking Duck lunches downtown at what was then the Malaysia Hotel with Ah Mak and her mah-jong gang...
more another day...
Helene Tan, (Ah Mak) was married to Tan Chin Tuan, (Ah Kong) in Singapore on 18 September 1926, a record of their marriage, which was reported as "Fashionable Chinese Wedding - banker's Son Marries banker's Daughter"
Helene Tan served as President of the MGS Alumnae Association in 1951, spearheading fundraising efforts to build the Mary Nind Wing at the Mount Sophia campus. She was a firm believer in helping the less fortunate in society and is recognised today for her significant contributions to public service and charity work.
Mrs Helen Tan, wife of Deputy President of Legislative Council, being given the MBE (Member of the British Empire by
His Excellency the Governor Sir John Nicoll at an investiture held at Government House
In one of the books written by Sir Malcolm MacDonald (he was quite prolific) -
Bringing an End to Empire; Uncle Malcolm devotes a section to Ah Mak noting that she, Puan Sri Helene Tan Chin Tuan was in her time President of the Singapore Chinese Ladies Association and Vice President of the Singapore Red Cross.
He also lists some of Ah Kong's many achievements at the time noting that he had joined the Chinese Commercial Bank in 1925, became Managing Director & Vice President of the Overseas Chinese banking Corporation in 1942, and Chairman in 1973. That Kong was Singapore Municipal Councillor 1939-41, a Member of the Singapore Executive Council 1945-52, and a Senior Member of the Legislative Council 1948-1955
After his term in Canada ended in 1946, Malcolm MacDonald moved on to serve in other Imperial posts: as Governor-General of the British territories in Southeast Asia from 1946 to 1948 and then Commissioner-General for Southeast Asia covering regional affairs as well during the communist insurrection;[8] as High Commissioner in India from 1955 to 1960
More to come soon... in the meantime I am seeking stories and photographs from all who knew our grandmother, once this CB is over and I able to safely return to Johor to gain access to my library, I will upload photos as I try to tell the story of this amazing woman...
In the meantime I can be reached by any one of the following means; the contact & feedback section on this website, via facebook, linkedin, chuancampbell@gmail.com or whatsapp, line, viber, wechat and or by calling me at +65 96346497
I do look forward to hearing from you, many thanks in advance, warm regards, Chuan Campbell
