If I were the Governor of the land below the wind - Sabah, I would bestow Jasper a Datukship for his contribution to the popularity of Sabahan language and culture in Peninsular Malaysia and the region!


Terms like “papaidah?” derived from “Apa faedah nya?” or “What’s the freaking point?” has been a vocabulary not only used by Sabahan friends in Kuala Lumpur, it has also been a household word for the rest of his friends from Semenanjung Malaysia - Indian, Chinese, Malay and dan lain lain.


By the way, it just doesn’t stop there. It has been so contagous, even our friends from the Philippines, Lebanon, and Australia… oh and Indonesia have been using the term "papaidah" in perfect contacts. Soon it will find it’s way into Wikipedia.



Jasper loves to sing. When he is in the mood, he could be singing not only in Karaoke joints, but also at the Devi’s Corner, Jalan Alor, Nasi Lemak Antarabangsa at 4 o clock in the morning.


And of course the introduction of the traditional Sabahan party song – no no – not that sumazau Jambatan Tamparuli song! It’s “Drink Sang Galas” which means “yo! drink up from your glorious glass!” to KL party scene and has even found its way to the region including Bangkok, Jakarta and Phnom Penh at venues I am not privileged to disclose.

Enough about this party animal.

Friendly is Jasper’s nature.

He can even have a solid conversation with lady Imelda Marcos or even Makcik who sells kerepek on the streets of Bangsar.


Quite lot of people who do not know Jasper could be quite intimidated when they meet this kinda good looking Pan Asian bloke who claims to be orally versatile with tongue that speaks French, Tagalog, Queen’s English and his all time favorite Bahasa Indonesia – PASTI DOUNG!) until they see him gobble up sambal belacan and ulam down his throat, then they notice the irony which breaks the ice immediately. And once the wall collapse, they will be apart of Jasper’s circle of friends, which as you notice over your shoulder are samples of individuals from all walks of life. From the royal houses to corporate bigwig and entrepreneurs or even a mere mortal kampung boy from terengganu like me. The proof is all around you - how socially versatile Jasper is.

For this I have to say:

Jasper Diego, we are blessed to have you not only as a good friend, but also to have you as part of our life!

A bit of a background on our dearest host tonight is rather appropriate, I reckoned.


Jasper graduated from a Catholic Walsh University in the land of Barrack Hussein Obama (not Kenya, the United States lah!) He was a pias student who’s heart very close to the fate of the poor and the homeless. Eventhough he rarely cooked for us, he cooked for the poor and the homeless!


After graduated with magna-cum-laude (I wonder who he slept with to get that!), he came back to Sabah clueless what to do next until his family dragged him into a dangerous business of firearms trading. Yes guys, guns! Not roses! The glorious Kashoogi era didn’t last that long when Jasper decided to do his MBA at University Malaya – I am not sure whether it was a case of a thirst for knowledge or an escapism. Any how, besides Barbarran Friday nights and rowdy The Chill Club Saturday nights, besides The Backroom nights,


he miraculously completed his MBA, after which he lectured at University Malaya for a couple of years before a good friend recommended him a job at a Fortune 500 company – Petronas based in the twin towers. Ideally located, since then KLCC has been our favorite lunch venue, especially on Fridays – as prelude to weekends of partying.

Now, Jasper has reached a fork in his professional life. A good fork!


Jasper has been promoted to be the Head of Regional Planning Department in Petronas Carigali Sabah Operation, (well, lets congratulate him to that)

to report duty the day after tomorrow – which I foresee is going to be quite hard not because of transitional adjustment of environment, but to get rid of the hangover or basian as a result of this party.


Trust me Jasper is a cheap date who can be tipsy after a mug of beer, or a glass of finely concocted Vodka Cranberry by Mario Mahmood or half a glass of Long Island Iced Tea mixed by our favorite bartender from the Philippines.

Jasper Diego,

Prior to your legendary departure, on behalf of our friends, I would like to say the followings:


Warong Haji Don in Plaza Damas and Berjaya Restaurant in Bangsar will be very peaceful from now on, without your loud voice. Besides, the patrons will be bored as they will no longer be entertained by gossips that slipped through our tables.


There will be less waiting time for dinner - “goodness - your lateness!)

There will be one less regular patron who suffers from hangover on Sunday afternoon at SFX church.

and

One less Indonesian speaking Sabahan in KL


I am, naturally quite sad not having the privilege (sometimes a burden) to hangout as often as we did for almost a decade anymore. I am sure all of our friends share the same feelings about this.

But, I seriously don’t know how you are going to cope with a new working life in Sabah after a colorful life in KL. I will try to get Tony Fernandaz to start Air Asia loyalty program because I know for sure you will be a frequent KK – KL route flyer beginning next week.

As much as I am sad, I think for sure we will see you quite regularly during your future fabricated business trips to KL.


I can go on and on bitching about Jasper, but enough is enough. We know he is a great guy and we all are going to miss him very much.

Before a special toast to Jasper, on behalf of our friends,

Jasper,

we would like to express our gratitude for hosting such a wonderful party (as always). Even though it was rather last minute, (as always), it has been a great pleasure to be here.


Now, I would like to ask all of you to raise your glasses, a toast to the ONE and ONLY Jasper Diego.

May your new endeavor bring you lots of success and may our wonderful friendship lasts forever.

CHEERS!