Sun 3.8.2025
I drove back from Pulai Spring Resort, Senai, Johor, on Friday, together with Hank, after spending 3 days on Pulau Tengah, and the last day in JB. It was essentially a Chua Jui Leng treat for us, and it was great. Certainly it wasn't cheap. But I don't think Chua even gave cost a thought. And there's a likelihood that Hank could make a second trip. Chua wants him to help with the mango bud-grafting thing. Hank had already suggested to me that if we make the next trip, we could take the new KTM KL-JB speed train being launched this month.
There were five of us - Chua, our generous host, Herman, Francis and the two of us from Seremban. We go back to PD 1961. Herman and Francis flew by Batik Air from Subang, and returned the same way. Our drive from Seremban on Monday took us about two-and-a half hours, not including the pit stops senior guys like us always need. That made Herman to call several times, thinking we couldn't find our way. I'd been to Pulai Spring Golf Resort, for golf, maybe two decades ago, but "Waze" helped this time around. I don't recognize the road anymore. Actually, my second son is with Universiti Teknologi Malaysia just next door.
The first night we stayed at Pulai Spring Resort. Chua used to own it, but sold it about 25 years ago, and the new owners are obviously turning away from golf to more lucrative plans. But Chua maintains some connection and keeps some facilities here. I parked my car in his two special parking bays for the entire Johor stay. Pulau Tengah is a product of Chua's diversification after his Pulai Spring venture.
Chua gave us a taste of his "Black Thorn" durians that afternoon. I learned that he has 100 acres of durian. Wow ! On the way to Pulau Tengah the next day, he picked up some more durians. That evening 2 other OP's joined us for dinner at Pulai Spring - Dr. Shaharum Ujang and Zach, both our juniors from RMC Sg. Besi.
Tuesday morning we drove to Mersing in Chua's Mercedes 350. It took also about two-and-a half hours, but since Chua was driving much faster, I think the distance is more than Seremban-Senai.
At the Mersing jetty, we took a boat with a huge outboard motor, capable of carrying about 20 people. The 9-nautical-mile crossing took about 30 minutes. There was some swell, and the boat took hard thumps repeatedly. I was worried I might get sea-sick, but it was soon over, and we reached the Pulau Tengah jetty.
Chua owns the sole resort on the island. He said some friends had asked if he owns the island, which he doesn't, of course. He has 22 chalets, or villas, evenly divided into 11 "n's" and "s's" - meaning north and south. Hank and I were assigned "10 S", which meant that we were the second last one on that line. But Chua said ours had the best ocean view, and took the other two OP's to our place to show them what he meant.
This resort isn't cheap, and it wasn't meant to be, I suppose. On our stay it was a lot of "Mat Salleh" and one large well-dressed Malay family (meaning well-heeled, I'm sure) that we saw. For the two of us in our chalet, for 3 days and 2 nights, I estimated to Hank, the cost was for each RM 3,000 for room and RM 360 for food & drinks. The chalet itself was very comfortable and spacious, and should offer no cause for complain to the guests that come here. "10 S" could accommodate, easily, 5 adults, and looking at the bath tub size, all 5 can get in at the same time !
Chua calls his resort "Pulau Batu-Batu", but that's normal for hoteliers. But Pulau Tengah has a checkered history. The island is 3 km wide, and the highest point is 200 feet from sea-level. It was uninhabited, but had a wild boar population, so much so it was called, earlier, "Pulau Babi Tengah". But for 9 years, between 1970 and 1980, some 120,000 South Vietnamese refugees called the island home. It was the UN Refugee Council Transit Camp for those escaping the Communist regime that had earlier chased the Americans from South Vietnam in the Vietnam war. The story was, the refugee boats were loaded with gold bars that the obviously affluent Vietnamese took with them heading for mostly USA, and a much lesser number to Europe and Australia. The one thing that has left positive results for Chua and his resort operations must be the complete disappearance of the wild boars. The hungry refugees ate them all up. Plus whatever monkeys and iguanas that must have been there.
Chua said he nets a profit of about RM 3 million per year here. That sounds very ok, because the number of rooms is limited, while operating hotels and resorts isn't cheap.
The most interesting part of Pulau Tengah is the turtle hatchery.
From 2015, a volunteer project turtle hatchery was started. Since 2019, turtle watching had been expanded to turtle conservation. Specifically, 2 species are monitored here - the Green turtle, and the Hawkbill turtle. Between 2015 and 2018, 25,200 eggs were laid, and 13,800 turtles released to the sea. The student volunteer said the adult would return in 30 years time. The sad part is that out of 1,000 released, only 1 survives to adulthood. That's the scientific fact. Chua said the Sultan had suggested that the hatchery keeps them for 1 year and "get stronger" before release, but the scientist contradicts that supposition.
We witnessed the release of about 90 turtles from the hatchery on our first night on the island. The next day we were briefed by the university student volunteer on their noble work. I think this is simply wonderful, and the State and Federal governments should pour money and expand efforts in this noble enterprise, especially when there are innumerable little islands in Malaysia that can provide physical bases.
Our last night was in JB. Chua put us up at a small but quite old hotel just about 400 m from his 25,000-sq. foot bungalow, next to a vacant lot belonging to the Sultan. He has been here the last 25 years. That explains the close palace contact. In fact the similarly huge bungalow next to his once belonged to one of his children, but it was never occupied and had been sold at a huge profit to the current neighbour - a Singaporean, if I'm not mistaken.
We had another durian feast in the garden beside the house. After dinner, all adjourned to the durians. Hank had the most, I think. Again it was "Black Thorn" and "Musang King". Here Dr. Shaharum and Zach joined us again. Chua, Herman and Francis had their "Blue Label" whiskey, while the rest had "Ribena". I took all of 3 "seeds" of durian, when my doctor tells me to eat no more than 2. The Type 2 diabetes I'd been diagnosed with since 2000 compels that.
There were interesting facts I got during this enjoyable trip. Francis Teng is the owner of "Hero Supermarket" that I frequent, because it's the nearest to my house. "Giant Supermarket" was the previous one, 5 years ago, but that also belonged to Francis. He said the sale is about RM 1 m monthly, but he's losing money there. I suggested to him he could easily double the sale if his customers get better parking facilities. "Take over the 100-car parking next door, give customers who purchase more than RM 60 parking vouchers" I said. "And go to the CPO NS, plead to relax the aggressive Police enforcement at the moment", I added. But Francis knows better.
Then there was Dr. Shaharum Ujang, the retired IJN heart surgeon, now running his private practice here. He's from Terachi, KP, exactly the same kampong my father was born. Dr. Shararum also referred to Hashim Meon (Tan Sri). I told him Hashim was my neighbour in Damanasara Utama, PJ, before he moved to Shah Alam. We were in the same mosque committee in Damansara Utama. Hashim also has some family relationship with my father's side, I think, because when my first cousin in Terachi died, he came, and when her oldest brother, Dr. Md. Nor Ghani died, Hashim also came. Dr. Md. Nor (Datuk) was Dr. Ling Liong Sik's Chief Secretary.
This was a memorable outing for me. I think the others also enjoyed it. Hank is responsible for my attendance. I remember Chua very well when in "B" Coy in FMC Sg. Besi. I remember meeting him at the 4th. College, University of Malaya, the week new undergraduates reported for enrolment in 1965. I spoke to him. He was talking to another guy. When asked if he was enrolling, he said he was going overseas. When we used to meet at the OP's gatherings, both in PD and Sg. Besi , however, he said he can't remember me. It doesn't matter. Pulau Tengah, and 5 OP's Johor trip, is memorable.
..............................................................................
