A Year Without Jack

Jack Khoo Tian Leng departed at the age of 21 last year on this very day. Jack was to me, one of the kindest, funniest guys you could ever meet. The news shocked me and hurt me terribly because Jack was my best friend outside my family.

It’s that time of the year when many of us reflect on the whole year’s events and make resolutions for the New Year. But it’s that time of the year when I think of Jack the most. As time passed, we grew and we wouldn’t get together as often as we used to. But time was never an obstacle. We would meet every weekend and pick up at the precise point in a conversation we had left off the week before. We discussed and shared everything from jobs, college, romance and hobbies. During the time following Jack’s death, there were many debates between myself and God over why he had to take such a person from my life. I do most certainly believe that death is part of life. Because of Jack, I’m reminded everyday how fragile life is and how important it is to appreciate my loved ones and those around me. It’s funny how when a loved one dies, some days you wake up and start your day as normal and when walking down the street it hits you that the person isn’t here anymore....... jack u will always be remembered,rest in peace JACK.......

Rajiv Loshan

Sorry now only write for your testimonial jack... i read everybody
testi it makes me sad tat i lost a good fren tat is close to me... Got
mostly good memories when hanging out wit him and our pd gang..
I didnt know he got take my pic in his hp also.. Until u guys posted
the pics in his hp in october..... aiii..

i know him since highschool in stpd... last time his character is a
good fella.. but turn to different when went to subang... but when he
went genting inti to study.. he did well... too bad he must pass on...
So it's going to be a year aledi..
Hang out wit him sometimes wit our gang... but witout him pd will not
be the same anymore...
My other frens some need work in kl.. Some other place... Sometimes
see a pajero in the road tat resembles his 4wd tat always got sound
when on uneven road.. even if i online when he will be reaching the
house can hear the 4wd car to go out yam cha....

Tan Aik Sam

Gone but Not Forgotten

It’s already 2 months plus since jack left this world. Losing jack is like losing 10 friends or even more. Since he left, Pd is so quiet n we don’t even know what to do during the weekends. normally he would plan what to do during weekends such as go for movies,fishing,watch football,tani...what I admire about jack is he will bring prema and chiil wit us during the weekends because most of them once they have a girlfriend they would slowly avoid their friends n only be wit their girlfriend. Even when jack just started the relationship he never forget us in pd,every weekend without failing he will call us out if he comes back.1 thing for sure, if u need a favor from him he hardly say no, if he can help u he will try his best to help. Before 3rd of December 2008, I would rush back after my classes on Fridays to get back home, and sometimes meet jack at kl and go back to Pd together. but now I don’t really feel like going back pd I just don’t know y. whatever it is im proud that I had jack as great friend/brother/hengtai in my life n I don’t think anyone can replace him. No matter what life goes on and , I would like to achieve something for him and always pray that he is doing good up there and god will take good care of him.

Rajiv

Mr Jack

I know jack's birthday is on yesterday. I wish him Happy Birthday and hope he will have a good peace in the sky. Besides that, we doesn't know very well to each other, but he is my senior in the Palace of the Golden Horses Hotel. He was from the Genting College and he same as me had a training in the hotel. He also had mentioned that he felt this Golden Horses was the Five stars hotel and great to training in here. On the other hand,he was a kind,willing to help,funny and many more. I am so happy to add him as a friend and he also would shared his experience with me. This is because I was afraid to training in this hotel. I not always saw him during working or after work. Suddenly, after I finished to attend my convocation at JW Marriott Hotel. The next day I heard a bad news from my friend,Haris. He send me a message to inform me that he already passed away. First, I was shocked and I can't believed this was true. I asked my friend check properly and then sms back to me. At 10.30pm, Haris sms me and said that this new was true. Ay this moment, I can't accept this truth that Khoo was passed away on last year. So,in the end I also need to accepted the truth. Anyway, I hope his family don't felt upset and hope also Khoo can went in peace. Last but not least, I just want to said thank you to Khoo share his experience to me.

Lim Seu Kee

Memories

It's exactly three weeks last night when you had your fall and I remembered the wee hours morning call that I got from 'Uncle Rashid' the guy in charge of accommodations. He called me at 3.00 am and said"Puan, Khoo jatuh dari tingkat tiga" I was shocked to get that call and I asked him"Khoo tian Lengkah?" "Ya Puan, minta maaf menggangu puan" was what he said. My husband who had just come up to sleep after watching t.v asked me what was it and I told him that tian leng had fallen he quickly called my daughter Charmaine who was tian leng's batch in school and his senior in college and told her about it.Our first thought that he and his room-mates were fooling around in his room and somehow or other had fallen from the window. I called Rashid again and asked him how bad he said,"Puan doalah, teruk sangat. From that moment I could not sleep and I know both my children too were effected by the news. I prayed asking the Lord to save him. At 7am my son gets a message that he is really bad. I waited till 8.00am when I called on my prayer group to pray for him. I spent the whole day praying begging God to work a miracle. On Sunday when I was in church I got another message that he was bad I broke down and asked the Lord why. Still I did not give up hope thinking that the Lord will answer our prayers as there were so many people praying for him. I even emailed my cousin in the US to pray for him and on the net Parents who pray pleading for all to pray for him.When my children and I went to the hospital to see him and I spoke to him telling him that many of us were there waiting for him and I was hoping that by speaking to him he would fight and come out of it but God had a better plan for him.

Tian Leng had something about him that when anyone who came in contact with him will sort of get hooked on him.There was something infectious about him. I only knew of him through my daughter who use to talk about him from school and he had this bad habit of passing my house on Saturday nights in his parent's jeep and shouting out my daughter's name. He had been to our home for christmas but he was shy. When I went to college to lecture at the begining of this year he was sitting for his 3rd semester exam and was going out for his industrial training. I only had two classes with him before his death. I still remember his first class, after his class he asked me what Charmaine was doing and where was she going to do her degree? I told him Australia and he asked me about the cost.

I remember the Monday morning when Shaun came pass my office at 9.45 as I was getting ready to go to tian leng's for my lecture and he just said Gone. I broke down and also had to be the bearer of the bad news to all his friends.

Till today I'm finding it difficult to accpet his death I find it difficult to go to his class and believe it or not my children and I just don't feel like celebrating Christmas as it will remind us of tian leng. He had told Charmaine a few days before he fell that he will be coming for Christmas to our house.

Well tian leng we won't have the pleasure of having u with us but u will always be in our hearts.

Ms Maureen

Best Trainee

Rest In Peace my friend..Khoo was the best trainee that i ever had..fast learner and never complaint anything..it was such a wonderful to know u...may GOD be with you...

Blasius Hendrikus

You are the Man!

Khoo Tian Leng my BEST FRIEND i ever have!! what should write more bout him.......?? Great lost of him make me speechless!! we use to do stupid thing whn he still around us. For me he is truly amazing person. The day whn he walk off of our life actually i dont believe cx i think he strong to fight for his life but unfortunately i'm wrong. Deep inside my heart i love him so much!!
Every day i keep thinking of his face, his laugh and his funny smile. I still cant take it that he has gone to The Mightiest,is out of my mind!! I believed he still here,he always still with us!! ppl will i stupid and bullshitter but for me Tain Leng still near to us and i'm sure he will create thousand of joke to us whn he see us.

He is amazing man!! You Are The Man my friend!! My prayer for u will never end!! Rest In Peace! Dont be naughty and playfull! You will always in my heart!! Love you forever my beloved my friend Khoo Tian Leng!!

Dennish Eyu

Testi by Adrian Wong

Sorry i just heard about your news yesterday

Tian Leng was one of my most dearest friends and knowing what happen really devastated me. He was always enjoying himself , not in a selfish manner but constantly making people around him smile . He was shy but playful at the same time , bringing joy to everyone with his bubbly attitude .

You will always be in our hearts and hopefully you may rest in peace. Always treated you like a brother and always will have.

Thank you for the joyous moments you brought in to my life and many others . You will be deeply missed.

Adrian Wong

A Lovable Idiot

Tian Leng's an idiot, and I mean that in a good way. I'm sure that he has made all of us laugh with tears in our eyes with his silly sense of humour.

Sigh... the world seems a bit duller without you around mate.

A toast to the Sky Dragon. He's probably up there somewhere looking down and cracking jokes and making St. Peter rofl.

cheng loon

Testi #22

Yo man... why so early??? There are loads of things that i wanna tell after I come back from UK... cars... bicycles... every time I see a cyclist with a trek bike, the first thing that comes to me is you...


I remember all the things I have done together with you and will never forget about it... you have always been my idol since the day I know you... I get to know lots of things from you.. fishing... basketball... cycling... everything man... eventhough we have not get in touch much these few years but still I always care for you... you know what happened right???



You will always be my best friend and no one will ever take your place... miss you and love you... see you bro...



Allan

Goodbye and Rest in Peace Bro

kukulengleng is the epitome of fun,joy and laughter.
rest in peace bro.
till we meet again..
-cara.MON-tay-, as how u called me.

chia yi chin

My Brother, My Friend

A revised version of my speech.

Tian Leng, or more fondly known as Jack among his friends, was born on the 1st of February, 1986. With similar characteristics to the mythical dragon, Tian Leng, which means “Sky Dragon” in Chinese, was adventurous, always unpredictable, sometime uncontrollable, intelligent, trust-worthy and a strong protector of his family, friends and loved ones. I used to tell him, “you’re a sky dragon born in the year of tiger. You have a very strong name. You’ll do great things in future.”

Many of you wouldn’t know. But his favourite comics weren’t Superman, or Spiderman or any of those action heroes. He grew up reading Doraemon. He had a whole collection of them and sometimes, watched it on RTM 1, even in high school. He probably wouldn’t tell you because it’s not very cool. He was rather fat during his childhood days. Some aunties in PD town used to call him ‘tua pui’.

Maybe that was what prompted him to go on a diet. He used to starve himself with just tomato and cucumber sandwich for dinner. He was so determined, so much so that he lost so much weight and everyone had a shock.

That is Tian Leng. If he was passionate about something, he would buy magazines and books on that particular subject and master it. So for example when he was body-building himself, he bought tonnes of body-building magazines. He had posters of Bruce Lee and The Rock, and really thick autobiography of Arnold Schzernegger.

He and I fought a lot when we were young. I remember this one time where the fight got so bad, I slapped him and he punched me so hard in the stomach. Then we looked at each other for a few seconds, and we both started crying. As we are much older now, he was, still is, my best supporter in whatever that I do. He was always there for me without much question. The last event he helped me out with was 2-3 weeks ago. He did all of the heavy-lifting and asked me if he could use my things for his college events. He then said, "Eh, sis, event over liau yo. Let's celebrate" and brought 3 glasses of champagne. This is my one and only latest shot with him, celebrating with champagne after the event.

His first sport was sailing. But he wasn’t passionate about it. During that time, instead of breaking wind, he looked down into the water and searched for turtles and fishes. So, that led to his other passion – fishing. After dad bought him his first two wheeled bicycle, he would cycle off on his own around town with his fishing rod. Sometimes making new friends with old uncles sitting by the harbour in town. So from there, he learnt a few tricks or two about fishes and fishing. He was rebellious. I was told that it runs in the Khoo family. We never knew of his whereabouts but he was always home for dinner because that was the time that mom and dad would be home. He also took badminton lessons and swimming lessons, and represented school in these two sports. Tried tennis, but didn’t like it. He was already very enterprising even in primary school. Because of his interest in fishes, he would cycle alone to the pet shop. He would buy birds, and mark up a few cents and sold them to his friends. He then used the money to buy fish. His first pet fish died the second day. Then he bought a few more and they all died. But after many trials and error, his best pet the Arowana, grew into a beautiful fish, and he sold it after many years for about RM2,000. Among his many experiments, he also tried to rear birds, cats, hamsters, rooster and even goose. The goose was…a nightmare. He suggested snake thereafter and we put a stop to it! He was really the person to speak to if you wanted to open a pet shop. He grew up watching National Geographic and Discovery channel before football and ESPN took over.

He wasn’t the brightest student in class, but he was well known among his teachers because of his cheeky, playful yet lovable nature. There was one time, where Tian Leng got angry with a girl who apparently back-stabbed him. So he and his partner-in-crime, Wai Seng, put glue on her chair and she sat down on it. This was in high school. They were both severely punished by the discipline master. When my dad was called in by the discipline master; he also didn’t know whether to scold him or to laugh.

Finding a balance between studies, sports and curriculum, Tian Leng was also the Vice President of Leo Club, and represented PD high school in swimming, cycling and cross-country running. In college, he became active in football, futsal and basketball. I was told that he also played squash in Genting. So, I guess you can say that Jack is really Jack of all trades! Was that how he got his English name?


Last week, he was asking me about blogging and I referred some famous blog sites, such as kennysia.com and Patrick Teoh. Now, he has a blog site dedicated to him. It is very sweet of Kwek to start this blog as a tribute to his good friend. Thanks Kwek.

Tian Leng taught us all a few lessons. First, his departure is a lesson to us all that life is short, unpredictable, and definitely, not within our control no matter how fit, strong and healthy a person is. He told me he wanted to accompany me for my business trip to Sabah in January because he wanted to climb Mount Kinabalu with his Sabahan friends. We were planning for a family trip to Macau. Bought the tickets already. It is actually a family trip after many years and he was looking forward to it, researching about Macau’s attractions online. We were also planning for June June’s sweet 16 birthday this coming 27 December. He was also looking forward to completing his degree overseas, telling my mom that he might switch to Australia instead of Switzerland because that can help save some money. He admired Tan Sri Lim Goh Tong. Told me that one of his dreams is to set up his own hotel one day, some day. Just last week, while we were on our way back from KL, he told me that maybe being a politician sounds fun. “Talk bullshit and earn millions.”

See, we can plan as much as we want in life. But the moment you take life for granted, everything that you plan for becomes meaningless.

Tian Leng also showed us that life was meant to be lived to the fullest. He was never into winning medals or prizes or being the best, but whatever he did, he did it out of love and passion for it. He followed his heart and lived a meaningful life, and one that we can all be proud of.
He also showed us that it is the imperfections of a person that makes him beautiful. He was someone who had many talents but never realise it. He gave in to temptations but was always aware of his mistakes, and openly admitted it when asked. He was always insecure about himself. His palms would get all sweaty if pretty girls spoke to him. Yet, his friends are so multi-racial and ranging from students more junior than him to seniors more senior than me, and uncles more senior than our dad. He was never the loud, live of a party kind of person but he lighted up the life of people around him with his silly jokes and goofy character. I keep thinking that the one person we need now in this situation is Tian Leng to just say something that is totally out of this world and crack us up.

For someone so physically strong, he had many fears too. He was afraid of ghosts. He was afraid of cockroaches. There was once I asked him to help me kill a cockroach in my room. The roach flew up and he ran out of the room swearing, then asked me to handle it myself coz he can’t handle flying roaches. He was afraid of being alone. So he constantly surrounded himself with friends. The only time you’d find him alone was… his ‘shitting’ time. He was afraid of heights. Life has many ironies and it is ironic that it was a fall from height that took his life.

He never saw himself as a sociable person. Yet, I look at all of his friends who turned up at the funeral and I would just like to say to him that he is the best PR guy I have ever known. He was a people person. He got along well with everyone. He was always real. He was not pretentious. What you see if what you get, unless of course, if he was trying to play a trick on you. He was good at that. Few weeks back, Tian Leng was telling me about how people only get famous after they die when he was relating the story about Tan Sri Lim Goh Tong’s funeral procession and about how much Genting staff and students were paid to attend his funeral. Tian Leng, at 21 years old, with no money or possessions, armed only with his humour, humbleness and good nature, is blessed with sincere friends and family, and in my personal opinion, Tian Leng, if you lived till 89 like Tan Sri, you would be more famous than him.

I would like to end with an sms message which Tian Leng sent to me some time back. In his message, which was sent out-of-the-blue, he said “Eventhough I don’t know how to express my feelings, I don’t show love to you all but deep down in my heart, I do love you all a lot! I know I don’t show care and concern about you all but deep down inside I do. It’s because we are brought up in a way that we keep everything in our heart. It’s like a saying empty vessels make the most noise because they don’t think before they talk. I’m quiet because I use that time to think. If you have any problems in life just give me a buzz. I will help you as much as I can. I am willing to sacrifice my life just for you all. You may think that I am dumb and naïve and narrow-minded but its’ this type of people that can be trusted. That can be counted on when you need them.”

We love you very much and we will miss you dearly. Rest in peace, our beloved son, brother and friend.

Love, Hsieh May

Partying with Angels

Try not to drive all those heavenly creatures and God crazy wit ur crazy stuff...bt i knw..ur making heaven a way more livelier place at dis moment...btw..dun use heavenly super glue to play a trick on God...i dun think those angels r gonna let u get away wit it..plus u need ur partners in crime 2 carry out de perfect plan..although i really do think u can do it by urself...dun go clippin wings or sewing hems tgtr..n pls..if there r such things as balconies in heaven, make sure de doors r close b4 u decide to go 'bare' dancing..hahahaaha...always tian leng..u wil be remembered...always...wit lots n lots of love...de memories u left behind r priceless..

-Caroline-

A Man with Dreams

Jack is not an average Joe.. let me share with you his dreams..

To be honest, I've had countless heart to heart talk with Jack for my whole life.. We'll just grab a few beers and some peanuts and we'll talk till morning. By the beach, that's where we spill everything.

Jack is a family person. He loves every member of his family to bits and used to tell me how much his mum loves him and how he hopes to repay her in the future. He knows it, although he doesn't really show it, but he always tells me how much he loves his mum. The person he admires most I know it's her sister, Hsieh May. He told me how he saw his sister develop herself into someone so successful and he is VERY proud of her. He used to tell me ... "saw that nigga, my sister got us to the jacky cheung concert! For thatttttt, we have to drink to celebrate". He looks up to you alot Hsieh May.

I remember him telling me how he was caught ehem watching xrated movies by his dad hahahaha and how he was in cemas mode. :) that was those funny moments. To me, he's very very respectful to his dad.. He used to tell me how he enjoys talking to his dad and how he stole his dad's salem and beers. And he shares the beers with me most of the time. I remember clearly how he said that he'll do his best to help out at the store and how his parents are working so hard to give him education.. he said he really admires uncle n aunty because they are always working hard to keep the store running.. He's grateful that everything that has been provided for him and he gets to live a comfortable life.

As for Jun Jun, he loves you the most. Remember the other day I told you the stories bout him telling me bout you? He is always worried bout you and he always tell me "eh i suspect jun jun got bf wei. how ahhh foul rite.?!" ah the great times:>

I always enjoy driving to and back from subang with Tian Leng. He's my official co-pilot. Whenever I drive back, he's there, most of the time. And we'll listen our favorite song, talk cock, sing ... talk bout life and all. I remember how he always brings back bags of groceries and always say 'eh take la, my mother give u wan." and I'll always end up with heaps of groceries:> what i'm trying to say is, Jack always puts his friends above himself. All the time. All the time.

I remember clearly as if it was yday... the day I hit my car against the divider.. he was the first to be there to help me out.. he stayed throughout the day and didnt even complaint of boredom because we were there at the station for ages. I remember how he always borrows money to his friends who were in need of help, while he himself only had barely enough.

Jack is always the peacemaker as well. Always when theres a war between friends, he's always the middle man to solve all the problems. I remember wai seng having problems n all with some friends. HAHAHAHHAHAH but still he sticks with him thru thick and thin. I believe he's the most "yao yi hei" guy that I've ever met. Never ffk me b4.. always an honest guy with very well kept promises. I love him man. Seriously I love him. I remember telling nee, how I'll definitely fall for him if I'm a girl. haha but its true.

He is definitely a Leader and a great team player. Thats why I always believe that he will make it big one day. I remember him asking me, how to be successful and all.. he was reading books form Robert Koyosaki erm.. and I remember telling him"why are u even worried jack, ur already half there! "everybody knows it, he's gonna make it big one day. He has the three biggest quality. VERY Lovable, teamplayer, and a great leader. What more do you ask for from such a fantastic individual? I call him the networker. He's the one who connects people, just like what Nokia did, he connected ppl from all around him to become as ONE. The uniter. Without him, everything goes haywire. I maybe older than him, but I certainly look up to him as my tai lou, my big bro. Don't think he's only made out of playfulness, whenever i needed advise, he's always giving me shockingly logical and mature advises. Words that only can uttered through a sincere heart, sincere individual who's there really to help you. Nothing else.

I'll continue the next part soon.. good night peeps, talk to u soon jack.


Kwek

Best Friends and a Bro

Thx nigga for all those nice memories.. alwiz have been a big brother to me.. rest in peace.. Don worry , i will surely meet u someday when my time comes.. till than .. Keep tat J for me ya ... Miss u .. luv ya..

Prakash Robin

Brown Man

Will always cherish all the unpredictable adventures that we had nig...thanx for always beeing there.u will always be remembered for the humorous and simple person u r, always trying to get and keep all old friends together...always remember what u said nigga chill and dont trip:)'peace n eternal happiness be with u...always luv ya bro...

Galvin, pigeon, brown brother

Testi #20

Although I met him only a couple of times, when he worked with us at the Cathay Pacific office for a couple of days and the various concerts we attended, he surely did leave a lasting impression of guy with who had really good nature, was really cool, knew how to have fun and most importantly, one that loved his sister dearly. Condolences from me and hubby.

Sharon and Jason (Australia)

Testi #19

You will be remembered, my dear friend Khoo Tian Leng.


Siok Yin (Rachel) Tan

"Obstacles don't have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don't turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it." Michael Jordan

Testi #16

my joker khoo khoo....

u still haven't play badminton v me..how come u leave me so soon??our betting havent end up yet...

bro...no matter when,how,what...i'll always remember u and miss u deeply..

btw...RIP my friend khoo!!!

Toh Chin Seng

Testi #14

Although I didn't know PD very much, I do recall him being a quiet person (I know now from reading other testimonials that he was far from quiet). He seems to be a lively person, much like Travis and Bala mixed into one person. I guess that's how I would describe him. In any case, I hope he rests in peace and the family stay strong through this period of grief.

God Bless.

Asif