Battle of the Bands: - Sime Darby Plantation

CorporateKorporatfamily, much to our delight.Jeanette’s mother used tokeep tabs on the company’supdates even though thefamily no longer owns anyshares in the company.However, she mentionedthat she would love to buysome of the shares if giventhe opportunity.The Malaysian hospitalitycontinued when we reachedKempas estate. Themanagement team, headedby Mr. Andrew Cheng,Senior Manager of KempasEstate, welcomed us with anarray of Malaysian breakfastdelicacies. Jeanette andSally were truly delightedwhen they were given a touraround the estate and wereamazed at how much workis involved in the processof making the finest qualitypalm oil.The reunion felt completeupon meeting the Darbyfamily representatives; PuanKhadijah Haji Jadi, wifeof the late George Darby,and her family memberswho currently reside inMalacca. George Darby wasthe son of Harrie EdwardDarby, the first cousin ofHenry d’Esterre and HerbertMitford Darby.At one point, Georgehad converted to Islam,changed his name to BacheHassan and married JariahMohamed in 1937. She borehim 11 children before shedied. George then marriedKhadijah Jadi in 1966. Hepassed away in 1984.Harrie Edward’s father,Edward George Darby aswell as Henry d’Esterre andHerbet Mitford’s father, JohnClere Scott Darby, werebrothers. We were informedthat at one point, 10 ofJohn Clere Scott and EdwardGeorge’s sons were livingin Malaysia.The most remarkablediscovery that day waswhen Ms. Rosemary Gill,wife to an ex-employee ofSime, Darby & Co. revealedthat her husband and shehad personally workedwith the Simes. Jeanetteand Sally were all earswhen Rosemary sharedher experiences. She evenbrought old photos with herand Jeanette was elatedto find some of her familymembers in it. Rosemarysaid that the last time shesaw John Middleton Simewas in Simpang Rengamestate, Johor, in 1966 beforeshe migrated to Melbournewith her family. She hascome back to Malaysia forgood and resides in Malacca.Lunch was at Mr. Cheng’shouse in Merlimau. All of theMalacca estate managersand Zone Heads werepresent, excited to meetthe Simes and Darbys.Thereafter, the entourageheaded straight for atour around the historicalMalacca town. Why Malacca?It was the state where Sime,Darby & Co. was establishedin October 1910, taking onlocal partners, most notablyTun Tan Cheng Lock. Lateron, Tun Tan Siew Sin becamethe first Malaysian chairmanof Sime Darby Berhad.We were given an exclusiveexception by one of TanCheng Lock’s grandaughter,Madam Tan Siok Choo tovisit his family home atthe very heart of Malaccatown, situated right alongJalan Tan Cheng Lock.Entering the home was likestepping into a realm fromthe past. The walls areadorned with old photos,Chinese calligraphy andother relics of memoriesfrom the days of Tun Tan.The home itself was a wellmaintained architectureof the early 1900s. BothJeanette and Sally eyedeach photo carefully,determined to spot theirrelatives. It was exhilaratingwhen they managed to spota few including some photosthat are often used in SimeDarby’s very own magazinesand annual reports. Jumpingin excitement every timeshe came across picturesthat could possibly be ofher grandfather or uncle,Jeanette anxiously showedthe photos to everyone inthe room.“I don’t think I would everforget this experience, ever!I’m going to rememberthis forever”, said a smilingJeanette. It is safe to saythat she was not the onlyone who felt that way as itwas a wonderful experiencefor all of us. It was as ifSime Darby Plantation SdnBhd’s precious history camealive with this newly-builtbridge between the Simesand the Darbys, providingthe missing link to ourcompany’s great heritage.With Sime Darby’s 100years, Sime Darby Berhadof today carries with itmore than 400 years ofheritage. At the point ofmerger some 3 years ago,Kumpulan Guthrie was 186years old, while GoldenHope Plantations was 102years old. These centuriesof heritage are what we aretoday. Happy Centennial,Sime Darby!Unification of two families through old photos… (From left) Sally Hunter, KhadijahJadi and Jeanette McComb.Bersatunya dua keluarga melalu foto-foto lama… (Dari kiri) Sally Hunter, Khadijah Jadidan Jeanette McComb.Attentively listening....... Rosemary Gill sharing her tales.Mendengarkan secara bersungguh-sungguh....Rosemary Gill sedang bercerita.4.Seedlink January 2011