THE NUS MEDICINE CLASS OF '89 REUNION DINNER

The 37th anniversary dinner of the NUS Medicine Class of 1989 took place on Saturday, 11 July 2026 at the Weil Hotel, Ipoh. For me, it was a time to reminisce about the five years spent at Kent Ridge, attending unintelligible lectures, sweating over cadavers, fumbling around in laboratory classes, looking blur at tutorials, later "spotting" questions at the Provisional and Professional exam papers, "hunting" for signs at the hospital wards. 

With Chu Siu Kong, Rajesh Shah,
Loo Choo Woon & Kenny Ee.

It was during the first two years (1984-1986) when the class of 205 was united, a time we saw everybody at lectures in Anatomy, Physiology and Biochemistry, and smelling of formaldehyde in the dissection hall. From 1987, we were split into clinical groups of eight and then packed to the hospitals for clinical postings - Internal Medicine, General Surgery, Orthopaedic Surgery, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Paediatrics and all the miscellaneous short postings - Psychiatry, Ophthalmology, Otorhinolaryngology (Ear-Nose-Throat), Dermatology, Anaesthesiology and more. But we returned to attend lectures in Pharmacology, Pathology, Infectious Diseases, Immunology, Community, Occupational and Family Medicine, some of which were conveniently missed to spend more time in hospital.

With Teoh Mei Lin, Vanessa Ng (Mrs Loo),
Chu Siu Kong and his missus.

Before long, it was April 1989 and the Final Professional Exams and the final reckoning. By May, the more conscientious and cannier ones would be let loose in the public hospitals as house officers. Somehow, I got myself retained for another six months before passing in September. This afforded me a month-long vacation in London to attend all the concerts I wanted before actually beginning work in November. I eventually graduated in 1990, but the class of 1984-1989 represents my fellow passengers in the rite of passage that is medical school. 

Table 3 of Weil Hotel Ballroom

It was a short but highly eventful five years, which I only began to treasure as the years flew past. The antics will not be forgotten although some would rather forget those in a hurry. Whatever it is, the memories of old friends and colleagues will linger on, and we should meet again as soon as we can.   

 

Solid Gold Dancers.
They really put in much practice for this.

The same foursome 1989 and now:
Lim Woan Huah, Janet Lee,
Yong Sze Tein & Juliana Tan.

The Way We Were: 1984 and 1990.

This foursome made it to Buckingham Palace:
Lim Boon Ang, Janet Lee,
Philip Koh & Lim Woan Huah.

Does this remind you of someone?

Getting ready for the big photo.

Here it is!
Credit: Jett Fynn

"Datuk" Leong Seng Keen serenades
with Yue Liang Di Biao Wo De Xin.

This silly game involves catching of balls.

The big question is, "Do What?"

With Koong Heng Nung, Nelson Chua,
Erik Ang & Karen Yap (Mrs Ang).

With Nelson Chua, Kam Leng (Mrs Chua)
and Datuk Rajesh Shah of Pulau Pinang.

We're not gangsters,
just ex-NUS medical students!

P.S. Sometimes I wonder what my ex-classmates thought of me then. I would probably be remembered as the strange fellow who loved classical music, played the piano, binge-watched Professional Wrestling, and could never get a girlfriend. Mind you, I tried. Which is just as well, because that might have meant retention for one more year, possibly more.

THE NUS MEDICINE CLASS OF '89 DESCENDS ON IPOH, PERAK... AND SPENDS LOTS

Taken at Weil Hotel on Friday 10 July.
Among the people are Chen Lin Han,
Nelson Chua, Leong Seng Keen, Janet Lee,
Lai Yeow Choy, Lee Hung Meng and their spouses.

I've attended class reunions in the past, but this was the first one overseas - in Perak, Ipoh. The National University of Singapore (NUS) Medicine class of 1984-1989 made its 37th anniversary by having the reunion in Ipoh, Perak. The 35th anniversary reunion was held in Penang two years ago, which I had missed much to my regret, so I was sure to make it up this time around. 

Assembling to take that group photo
in front of Ipoh Town Hall.

This was also a Raffles Junior College
pioneers' (1982-83) reunion.
With my piano playing friends,
Janelene Leong & Mabel Cheng.

Of a class of 205 people, just under a quarter took the trouble and expense to turn up, most of them with their spouses and family members in tow. I was one of the few exceptions, but that did not dampen the spirits as the class was let loose on Ipoh. For Singaporeans, most places in Malaysia are a shopping and foodie paradise, so we let our wallets do the talking. Many restaurants and food stalls, a posh hotel and a record shop got to be beneficiaries. 

The Jalan Panglima steps leading to the
Birch Memorial Clock Tower.

Going down to the basement bank vault
of Book Xcess, Ipoh's iconic bookshop.

Getting one's fill at
Restoran Thean Chun.

Outside the Kung Fu Cafe & Huay Kuan.

More importantly, it was time to reunite and reminisce, to rake up old stories and antics which young people in the 1980s got up to - which was not very much (especially med students). Most of the time was spent studying, attending lectures and tutorials, lab sessions and later hours in the hospital wards. At least I had some time to attend concerts, and in those days, it was mostly the SSO. With few distractions, all we had to do was to pass exams over five rather quick years. 

The lot descend on Durbar at FMS
to keep Aunty Susan busy.

Sampling of durians at Weil Hotel.

Rambutans & Mangosteens.

It's time to go back home.
With the Au Eongs, Kah Guan and Denise.
Leong Seng Keen, Chan Kay Heem & wife,
and Lee Cheng Chuan.

Before long, we were let loose on the hospitals, and many did not get to see each other again, except for class reunions. Which is why, such events are important. The next one is set for the 40th anniversary of passing, to be held in July 2029. God willing, I will be there again to cause some trouble.

Here are the "official" class photos:

Official photos from the 

camera of Chan Kay Heem.

SUKA MAKAN: CHOOI YUE DIM SUM IN IPOH, PERAK

Positively the last Suka Makan from Ipoh, Perak. For the final day in Ipoh, we decided to skip the hotel breakfast, opting instead to make a short journey east to feast at Chooi Yue Dim Sum, arguably Ipoh's best dim sum restaurant. It's in the suburbs but most Grab drivers know it anyway. There is usually a crowd there, but our party did not have to wait to get a table that seats six, and soon we were feasting.

Anaesthetists and cardiologist often
have to make life-changing decisions.

There was not a single dim sum item that disappointed, and everything was as expected, and there were simply no scraps left. The best part, how often does one get filled up for breakfast (with no lunch needed afterwards) for about $10 a person? I rest my case.

An ideal morning begins with
Ipoh White Coffee.

Pei Tan Chok (Century egg porridge)
and Chai Tow Kuay (Carrot cake)

Hakka tofu

Classic Siew Mai

Crystal dumpling & Har Gao

Assorted baos & chicken's feet.

Chee Cheong Fun done differently.

Ready to tuck in.

CHOOI YUE DIM SUM

2,4 & 6 Tingkat Taman Ipoh 12

Taman Ipoh Selatan

31400 Ipoh, Perak

Chooi Yue Dim Sum, Ipoh - Bangsar Babe 

Post-breakfast, buoyed by the food,
the anaesthetists and cardiologist
shop for their home kitchen!