#SSNC ~ Eric Koh

                          Photo taken at flight stewardess Rachel Sik's wedding dinner reception ~ Melaka 2013 :)

This is Eric Koh. He was born on Saint Valentine's Day, 27 years ago. That was good enough an incentive for me to get to know him better years ago, but honestly, he truly is someone worth knowing. A co-pilot with MH, a colleague that I enjoy flying with and a promising young Malaysian.

He enrolled in Universiti Sains Malaysia to study Civil Engineering but only had a chance to spend a month over there as he ended up taking an offer of cadetship by MAS. That was in July 2006. He started at HM Aerospace Flying Academy from Aug 2006 - Oct 2008 and not surprisingly graduated with the "Best Overall Cadet" award. He then came back to Subang to complete his training in the B734. He operated that aircraft from Feb 2009 - June 2010. In Nov of 2010, after his conversion, he went on to fly the B738 series and is currently still there.

                                                          Eric the pilot and his machine

The first time we flew together, I remember him as one with the quiet smile. As I got to know him better, I found out what a humble and dependable person he is. Charitable to a fault too! When I approached him to collect donation for the Serve Something Nice Campaign, this is what he had to say ~   

" My grandma always said when it comes to providing food to people, don't be stingy. " 

We seldom see each other at work and we don't hang out with the same crowd but he never fails to keep in touch and checks up on me once in a while, sometimes just to wish me a greeting or to ask how I have been. Oh ya..and he calls me Miss J.

I chose Eric to be in my blog not for the sole reason of him being nice to me but most importantly because I'd like share with you his passion outside of flying. He is an international hockey umpire. 

He was born and bred in Melaka. The third child out of four siblings. Not only was he the Head Prefect and Assistant Scout Master of Malacca High School but also the Captain of their school hockey team. Some of his achievements includes being awarded "Athlete Of the Year 2005", "Best Overall Student" and "Full Colour Ribbon" for excellence in hockey. He played the sport since he was 14 and has not stopped since. He represented Melaka at all age-level groups from Under 15, Under 18 till Under 21. ( I can only imagine what a heartthrob he must have been in high school ). In fact he was so good at hockey that the officials selected him to represent our country's Under 18 ASEAN School Tournament in 2003 but unfortunately, it didn't take off due to the SARS outbreak at that time. It was a terrible blow for him as that would have been the highlight of his playing career. Luckily, it did not stop him from indulging in his dreams. He just had to adjust his sails. Since he had already taken an exam in hockey umpiring in 2002, he decided to pursue it. 

In 2008, he took his umpiring seriously and got himself his 1st international tournament back in 2009 in Canberra, Australia. From then on, there was no turning back. He performed well, was scouted and promoted to FIH (International Hockey Federation) International Umpire status. ( Woo Hoo!!!!! ) Things then took off pretty well for him and since then, he has gone on to do many international tournaments around the world :-

For Example, 

              

                    - 11th South Asian Games, Dhaka 2010

               - 5Nations INSEP Hockey Challenge, Paris 2010

               - 1st Asian Champions Trophy, Ordos 2011

               - World League Round 1, Sinagpore 2012

               - EuroHockey Clubs Championship, Lille 2012

               -World League Round 3, Johor 2013

               - EuroHockey Champions 3, Lausanne 2013

             
                    *FIH Junior World Cup, Delhi 2013* ( He'll be going there in December)

                                         
                                    1st Asian Champions Trophy, Ordos 2011     

                                  EuroHockey Champions 3, Lausanne 2013

An Aquarian baby would definitely love a visit to the Taj Mahal in Agra, India 


                                 

And of course, following in my footsteps and fellow other Malaysians, it was a must for him to climb Kinabalu :)


* When I asked him what he loves most about being Malaysian? This was his reply ~ " 

I have this group of friends, "5 Stooges". That was the name given by our late coach, G.Ravindran because since our group met in Form2 till now, we have been doing almost everything together. We are multiracial too. There are 2 Indians, 2Malays and myself in this group. Truly  1Malaysia even before Najib was PM. hahaha. That picture below is my kakak angkat's wedding in melaka. Her brother is one of us. 

Last but not least, he continues " As the saying goes, the grass is always greener on the other side. Despite having traveled a fair bit, I am still very much attached to Malaysia. We are a country of multiple ethnics but what is more unique is our assimilated ethnicity - Therefore, I am proud to call myself a Malaysian 'Peranakan Cina' "