KENANGAN ABADI - SET TEH SONE CHINA 81896R

Set Teh Sone China 81896R - Kenangan Abadi

Set teh yang ada pada gambar ini ialah Sone China Jepun, corak 81896R, juga dikenali sebagai 81812R - Green White Floral.

Ia bukan Noritake, tetapi dari kilang yang sama di kawasan Tajimi, Gifu (wilayah Mino), Jepun. Sone Seito adalah kilang yang membuat pinggan mangkuk porselin untuk eksport ke Amerika dan Tanah Melayu pada tahun 1960-an.

Ciri-ciri set ini:

• Porselin putih halus dengan jalur hijau sage di tepi bibir
• Motif 2-3 helai daun kelabu dengan tekstur bintik-bintik halus, dengan tangkai emas yang nipis
• Bingkai tepi disalut emas / platinum yang nipis
• Bentuk teko yang bulat dan moden, sangat popular pada zaman 60-an

Nombor 81896R ialah nombor corak. Dalam katalog lama ia dipanggil corak "Bunga Teratai" atau "Daun Hijau Putih".

Sejarah

Cop "Sone China Japan" dengan nombor 5 angka + R ini digunakan dari tahun 1960 hingga 1969. Jadi set ini memang sepadan dengan cerita arwah ibu membelinya pada tahun 60-an.

Pada zaman itu, set teh seperti ini adalah satu pelaburan besar. Ia bukan untuk kegunaan harian, tetapi untuk Hari Raya, untuk tetamu istimewa, atau disimpan di dalam almari kaca sebagai hiasan. Dua piring di dalam gambar `PINGGAN.jpg` yang digantung pada pemegang besi hitam itu — itu memang gaya rumah Melayu tahun 70-an dan 80-an.

Fakta bahawa set anda masih lengkap — teko, dua cawan dan piring, dan dua piring hiasan dinding — tanpa sumbing, menunjukkan arwah ibu menjaganya dengan sangat baik.

Nilai & Penjagaan

Sone kurang terkenal berbanding Noritake, jadi harga pasaran agak sederhana:

• Teko sahaja: RM50-120
• Cawan & piring: RM20-35 satu set
• Piring dinding seperti anda: RM15-25 satu
• Set lengkap 12 keping: RM180-300 di Mudah / Carousell

Cara menjaganya sebagai pusaka keluarga:

1. Basuh dengan tangan sahaja, guna span lembut — bingkai emas akan luntur jika masuk mesin basuh pinggan.

2. Elakkan menyusun cawan terus di atas piring untuk jangka masa lama, bahagian bawah cawan boleh mencalarkan jalur hijau.

3. Jika dipamer, jauhkan dari cahaya matahari terus — warna hijau sage akan pudar menjadi kelabu.

4. Jika nampak garisan halus (retak crazing), itu normal untuk porselin berusia 60 tahun, bukan rosak.

Nilai pasarannya hanya RM200-300, tetapi sebagai pusaka keluarga peninggalan Allahyarhamah Hjh Yang Chik Bt Jasin, ia tidak ternilai harganya.

Set teh ini bukan sekadar pinggan mangkuk — ia adalah kenangan arwah ibu dari tahun 60-an, yang masih disimpan dengan kasih sayang oleh Keluarga Maamor di Ulu Klang.

Al-Fatihah.

Hj Zulheimy Maamor

19 September 2026: 4:23 p.m.

SULEIMAN COURT : KL'S FIRST HIGH-RISE

SULEIMAN COURT: KL'S FIRST HIGH-RISE – The Building That Taught Kuala Lumpur To Look Up

If you are standing in front of SOGO Kuala Lumpur on Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman today, you are standing on history.

Before SOGO, before the traffic, before Pertama and Campbell Complex, there was Suleiman Court - or as KL folks called it, the Mido Flats.

1. The Beginning

In 1957, Malaya was about to become independent. The first prime minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj, wanted a symbol that the new nation could house its own people in the city.

He ordered the Housing Trust Federation to build the first high-rise low-cost flats in Kuala Lumpur. The site chosen was Batu Road, now Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman.

The flats were named Suleiman Court after Suleiman bin Abdul Rahman, the then Minister of Interior & Justice, who had overseen the Housing Trust for 8 years since its inception.

Construction started in 1957 and was estimated to complete in 1958. Tunku wanted it occupied before Merdeka on 31 August 1957, but the first families only moved in February 1958.

2. The Building Itself

Your two photos capture it perfectly:

• 3 Blocks – A, B and C with 295 apartments in total
• Architectural Style: Modernist. The wavy, undulating facade you see in the colour photo was not just for beauty – it was a brise-soleil sun-shading design, very advanced for the 1950s.
• On top of Block A was a huge MIDO watch advertisement. That's why everyone called it Rumah Flat Mido.
• On the ground floor, as you can see in your first image, was the famous MEI LI CAFE and other shops. It was a self-contained community.

At that time, living in a high-rise was frightening for many Malaysians who were used to kampung houses. Tunku had to waive the rent for the first 6 months to encourage people to move in.

Former resident Karuna Netty recalled that Tunku himself came to inspect, and when he found defects with only 13 families moved in, he ordered all rectified immediately.

3. Life in Suleiman Court (1960s)

Your second photo from 1963 says it all. Life was simple. Children played with a ball in the garden below the flats. The Odeon Cinema, Coliseum Theatre and Globe Silk Store were within walking distance. Some residents even walked to Stadium Merdeka for the Merdeka proclamation.

More than 200 former residents gathered in 2007 for a reunion – 21 years after demolition – to remember the days when Suleiman Court was the pride of KL. Many of them were bachelors when they first moved in.

4. The End

After only 29 years, Suleiman Court was demolished in 1986 to make way for modern commercial development. In its place rose SOGO Shopping Complex, which opened in 1994 and still stands today.

Had it still stood, it would be almost 70 years old now – a perfect heritage building for Merdeka celebrations.

Why It Matters Today

Suleiman Court wasn't just a building; it represented the birth of modern high-rise living in Kuala Lumpur. It proved that affordable housing could be vertical. Without Suleiman Court, there would be no Pekeliling Flats, no Flat Loke Yew, and no modern KL skyline.

Suleiman Court, Kuala Lumpur (1963) vs Suleiman Court, Kuala Lumpur (colourised) – same facade, different era.

Location: Batu Road (now Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman), opposite former Odeon Cinema. Where SOGO KL is today.

Sources: Wikipedia Suleiman Courts, The Star / HBA "200 former residents reminisce" 2007.

Hj Zulheimy Maamor

19/9/2026: 2:46 a.m.

TRAVEL : HOTEL MEMORIES (OVERSEA)

1 AUGUST 2001: HUILONG HOTEL, CHENGDE, CHINA

Often referred to as Huilong Dasha Hotel in Chengde, China. The hotel is a well-known landmark in Chengde due to its proximity to the city's main transport hub and its historical status as one of the earlier multi-functional high-rise hotels in the area. Situated at No. 1, Xinjuzhai North, Chezhan Road, in the Shuangqiao District, just a 5-10 minute walk from the Chengde Railway Station. 

I stayed at this hotel during the IEM staff trip to China in 2001. The hotel serves as a base for tourists visiting Chengde's UNESCO World Heritage sites, such as Chengde Mountain Resort, Putuozongsheng Temple, Puning Temple, etc. 

31 JULY 2001: BEIJING TAIWAN HOTEL, BEIJING (北京台湾饭店)

The hotel is famous for its distinctive twin Chinese pagoda towers on the roof. This "Sino-modern" style was very popular for prestigious buildings during the 1980s and 1990s. The hotel was located at Jinyu Hutong. 

We stayed at this hotel during the IEM Staff Trip to China in 2001. 

27 JULY 2001: BEIJING LANDMARK TOWER, BEIJING

Beijing Landmark Towers (北京亮马河大厦) is still a well-known fixture in the Chaoyang District today. Opening in 1990, the hotel was a popular choice for business travellers due to its proximity to the China International Exhibition Center and various embassies. 

We stayed at this hotel during the IEM staff visit in 2001. 

24.12.2003: XIN KAI FU HOTEL, SHANGHAI

Located at 888 Sichuan Bei Road, Shanghai, China, originally opened in 1996, it was a 27-storey building with 276 rooms. It was a prominent fixture in the Hongkou District, known for its proximity to the Bund and the shopping district of North Sichuan Road. 

We stayed at this hotel during the IEM staff visit in 2003 to Shanghai, Hangzhou and Suzhou. 

Latest information on the website: this hotel is no longer operating under the name in 2025. It is now known as Hitime Internation Tower. 

22.12.2003: JIAN FENG HOTEL, HANGZHOU, CHINA

Also known as Xin Yu Jian Feng Hotel, it is located at Qiutan North Road (Qiutan Bei Lu) in the District of Hangzhou. It is known locally as the Jianfeng Mansion. Located near the Qingchun Square and the IN Time Mall, a very busy commercial area today. 

We stayed at this hotel during the IEM staff visit to China in 2003.

22.12.2003: ZHEJIANG RAILWAY HOTEL, ZHEJIANG, CHINA

Zhejiang Railway Hotel (浙江铁道大厦) is an iconic landmark in Hangzhou, China, known for its unique "H-shaped" or "gate" architecture that straddles the entrance to the Hangzhou Railway Station. 

We did not stay at this hotel; we only had our dinner for that night at his hotel. 

2016: TAISHUN BUSINESS HOTEL, BEIJING

Taishun Business Hotel (also known as Taishun Shangwu Jiudian in Chinese, written as 泰顺商务酒店 on the building's facade). Located at Zhoujiazhuang, Chaoyang District, Beijing. China, near the East Fourth Ring Road. It was a popular choice for group tours because of its proximity to the Beijing Happy Valley theme park.

Based on recent information for 2025, the Taishun Business Hotel is no longer operating under that name. It is now operating as a Ji Hotel. 

12.11.2017: DAYS INN FRONTIER YANGSHUO HOTEL, GUILIN

Situated at Guanlian Road, strategically placed near the Li River and about a 15-20 minute walk from the famous West Street (Xi Jie). This hotel was a popular 4-star choice for international travellers, known for its blend of traditional Chinese architecture and modern Western amenities. 

I stayed at this hotel with my family during our vacation to China in 2017. 

13.11.2017: UNIVERSAL HOTEL, GUILIN, CHINA

Also known as the Universal International Hotel, a well-known 3- to 4-star hotel favoured by international tour groups because of its prime location in the heart of the city. 

Located at Jiefang East Road, right on the banks of the Li River, its surroundings would have offered some of the most iconic views of Guilin. 

NOVEMBER 2017: ROYAL TULIP LUXURY HOTEL, GUANGZHOU, CHINA

A 5-star luxury hotel located at the foot of Baiyun Mountain in Guangzhou, China. The hotel featured between 178 and 302 rooms, known for their modern design and signature-glass-enclosed bathrooms with rainfall showers. 

I and my family stayed at this hotel during our vacation to China in 2017. 

2000: PRINCE PALACE HOTEL, BANGKOK

Prince Palace Hotel, located on Damrongrak Road, is named after Field Marshal Putera Kromaluang Nakhon Chaisri Suradej, who is the son of King Rama V.

2006 - EMERALD HOTEL, BANGKOK

Emerald Hotel Bangkok is located at Ratchadaphisek Rd, Khwaeng Din Daeng, Din Daeng, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10400, Thailand. It is very close (about a 2-minute walk) to the Huai Khwang MRT (subway) station. It opened in 1992 as a 5-star hotel featuring multiple restaurants (Chinese, Japanese and international), an outdoor swimming pool, a full-service spa, a gym and various other facilities. 

TOWN IN TOWN HOTEL, PATTAYA

This relaxed, modern hotel is 2 km from Pattaya Beach and 7 km from the 20-storey Sanctuary of Truth. 

REGENCY HOTEL, HATYAI, THAILAND

During our visit to Hatyai and Songkhla in 2002, we stayed at The Regency Hotel, located at Prachathipat Road in Hatyai District, a strategic location near the night market and easy to find halal food nearby. This casual hotel is 6 km from the Hatyai Floating Market and 4 km from the Prince Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Natural History Museum. Haytai Station is a minute's walk away. 

AREEJ AL FALAH HOTEL, MEKKAH (2015)

During our Umrah 2015, I, with my wife, my sister and my niece, stayed at this hotel which was located at Ibrahim Al Khalil Street in the AshShubaikah / Al Misfalah district, approximately 500 metres from the Masjidilharam. 

LOULOAT MUBARAK 3 HOTEL, MADINAH (2015)

Our stay at Madinah, the Louloat Mubarak 3 Hotel, located in the Al Naqa district of Madinah, approximately 250 metres from the Masjid Nabawi, near gate 310, which provides direct access to the area of the Prophet's Grave. 

ABRAJ AL JANADRIYYAH, MEKKAH (HAJJ 2017)

Our hotel during Hajj 2017, Abraj Al Janadriyyah, is located about 700 metres from Masjidilharm in Mekkah, which is also the headquarters of the Tabung Haji in Mekkah. 

AL ANWAR MADINAH MOVENPICK HOTEL, MADINAH (HAJJ 2017)

Our hotel at Madinah during Hajj 2017, located just 50 metres from the Masjid Nabawi.

The Anwar al Madinah Movenpick Hotel is Madinah's largest hotel, a 5-star hotel that offers facilities for families, individual travellers and leisure groups. Being the nearest hotel to the Prophet's Mosque (Masjid Nabawi), it is also close to all attractions of Madinah. 

Hj Zulheimy Maamor

17 September 2026: 9:54 p.m.