Jiao Zong cancels teachers award ceremony

THE prestigious Sim Mow Yu Teachers Award ceremony will be cancelled this year due to the Covid19 pandemic, Sin Chew Daily reported.

According to Jiao Zong, the organiser, uncertainty stemming from the pandemic and strict social distancing protocols imposed by the government for public events had forced it to call off the event this year.

“After careful consideration, especially with regards to the safety and health of participants, Jiao Zong has decided to cancel the 2020 Sim Mow Yu Teachers Award ceremony which was originally scheduled to be held on Oct 4,” it said in a statement.

The award has been held each year without fail since 2009 in memory of Chinese educationist

Datuk Sim Mow Yu who died the same year.

Sim, who was MCA Youth deputy chief in 1966, had served as head of Jiao Zong for over 28 years.

In 1987, Sim was detained for six months under the Internal Security Act for his opposition to some education policies of then Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

In the statement, Jiao Zong, known also as the United Chinese Schools Teachers’ Association, regrets not being able to hold the event to recognise the hard work teachers had put in throughout the year.

“Even so, this does not stop Jiao Zong from recognising teachers for their hard work and diligence, especially in providing them with support and encouragement.

The development of education go hand in hand with the development of teachers,” it said.

> A song named Plum Blossom, first performed by Chinese singer Fei Yu-Ching, 64, is trending once again 37 years after its initial release, Sin Chew Daily also reported.

The song went viral after a man uploaded a video of himself singing a snippet of Plum Blossom while out in the snow.

The 13-second clip has since inspired a host of memes and parody videos related to the tune, one of which includes North Korean leader Kim Jong-un riding a horse through snow-covered plains with Plum Blossom playing in the background.

It became the most-listened song in Norway and had reached number two in both Finland and Sweden.

Fei’s manager said he was surprised at the news but added that the recently retired singer had no plans to make a comeback soon.

“Little brother (which Fei is fondly referred to by fans) has retired and will not be returning to the entertainment industry,” he said.

Plum Blossom was first released in 1983 and composed by Peter Chen with the lyrics written by Wawa King and has remained popular in China for decades.

This does not stop Jiao Zong from recognising teachers for their hard work.

Jiao Zong