Who is MSBCA?
The Malaysian Singaporean and Bruneian Community Association (MSBCA) is a non-profit organization formed in 1989 to foster kinsmenship amongst residents primarily in Calgary with heritage from Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei.
We also welcome Calgarians at large who would like to join us for the various social activities. See our Events page.
- To promote and afford opportunity for social and recreational activities among members
- To assist in the settlement of new residents from the home countries (Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei)
- To promote through cultural events understanding between our communities and the community at large
- To provide a resource centre for use by our members and any interested parties
MSBCA always welcomes new members! By joining and becoming part of our society, you get to meet Canadians, expats and friends of the Malaysian, Singaporean and Bruneian community who celebrate our unique Southeast Asian cultures and heritage.
MSBCA is a non-profit organization (NPO) as meets the criteria as a charitable, ethno-cultural group under the Alberta Gaming and Licensing Commission (AGLC). We consisted of a broad-based group of volunteers from around Calgary who choose a 100% democratically elected Board of Directors.
We strive towards the goals of transparency, openness and accountability towards our members in order to deliver successful ethno-cultural programs that promote and enhance Malaysian, Singaporean and Bruneian cultures and heritage. These programs are for the enjoyment of members and the public.
“Established in 1989, MSBCA offers many popular events and activities throughout the year. We are pleased to offer many classes such as dance, choir and entertainment activities featuring Malaysian, Singaporean and Bruneian cultural influences and from around the Southeast Asian region. Made possible through AGLC-approved activities, charitable programming such as these and other contributions towards the community-at-large:
- Guest instructors for lingual, traditional arts and crafts, cooking, music, history and other ethno-cultural lessons
- Donations to other charitable groups and other ethno-cultural groups such as Inn from the Cold, Mustard Seed, Canadian Red Cross, YWCA
- Scholarship funds
We have a clubhouse located in the heart of Chinatown. A lot of our activities are held at the clubhouse.
Meet our Team
Board Members for 2022-2023
President: Agnes Goh Hobmaier
VP Malaysia: Theresa Khoo
VP Singapore: Vacant
VP Brunei: Vacant
Secretary: Cecilia Chong
Treasurer: Pamela Yee
Committee Member: Jonathan Looi, Adrine Chong
Other contacts
Membership: Emily Teoh
Events: Elaine Gascoine
Webmaster/Newsletter: Tracey White
Left to Right: Pamela Yee (Treasurer), Cecilia Chong (Secretary), Agnes Goh Hobmaier (President), Adrine Chong (Committee Member), Theresa Khoo (VP Malaysia), and Jonathan Looi (Committee Member)
Agnes Goh Hobmaier | President
I left Singapore in 1985 and went to school in Dallas, Texas where I met my Canadian husband. I have been married for 34 years and have 4 beautiful adult children. I am passionate about life and about connecting with people.
I’ve been an entrepreneur for 12+ years with combined experiences in administrative duties and event planning, home staging, residential , and small office organizing. Prior to being an entrepreneur, I worked as a volunteer director and an executive assistant at a mid-size non-profit organization where I oversaw several departments.
Today, I help women clients navigate life’s challenges (raising children and those with disabilities, low self-esteem, lack of joy and motivation, relationship issues, traumatic events, and more) and come out victorious.
I am always eager to put my gifts and talents to work through acts of service and assisting non-profit organizations. I have volunteered at several organizations from being a board member, attending to crisis calls to assembling food hampers.
It is an honour and a privilege to be a part of the 2021-2023 board of directors and to serve the MSBCA community in the capacity of a president.
My desire is to continue seeing initiatives being developed and turned into projects that promote MSBCA membership growth, to foster connection, closeness, and trust among members and encourage belonging, support social-cultural and community ties.
Theresa Khoo | VP Malaysia
I was born in Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia. I had worked in different parts of Asia. I was an advertising manager, director and film producer at international advertising agencies, film image banks and production houses in Kuala Lumpur.
After living in Ontario and Texas, I relocated with my husband, Vernon and our children, Roland, and Daryl to Calgary in 2005.
From 2006 to 2020, I worked as a Relocation Consultant assisting clients including the Malaysians with their relocation to Calgary.
I have been a member with MSBCA since 2008. I plan to start smaller interest groups like walking, hiking, lunch, or dinner group. I like to resume our Sunday lunches and gourmet cooking groups in the future.
Cecilia Chong | Secretary
I was born in Kota Kinabalu and spent a few school years in Singapore before moving to Calgary. One of my favourite pastimes is creating art and crafts.
Pamela Yee | Treasurer
I joined MSBCA in 2017. One of the first events I attended was ‘Kopitiam’ where I was surrounded by tasty samples of Malaysian, Singaporean, and Brunei dishes. From then on, I was hooked. Besides trying different cuisines, I can be seen hiking, doing yoga, and other activities that require moving the body. In my opinion, MSBCA is like a second family, a place that connects those of all ages and community together. It would be my pleasure to help in any way I can.
Adrine Chong | Committee Member
I was born in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. I have been in Calgary since 1981 and I have been a MSBCA member since 2007. My husband, John and I have two children, Jessica, and Winston.
I like to travel, shop, dance, try different food, and watch Chinese or Korean dramas. I have been one of the MSBCA cultural dance coordinators for the past few years. I have a wonderful team of dancers who is hard working and dedicated and I love teaching them.
I envision MSBCA to have an increased number of members who would be involved in our clubhouse activities, who will create new activities or crafts that are closely related to our native home.
Jonathan Looi | Committee Member
I joined MSBCA in 2013 and have been an active volunteer ever since. Covid-19 has affected our community and touched everyone we know. It is hard to imagine we could go back to the familiar way things worked in the past. Yet, there is always a need for social interactions and for belonging. MSBCA shall continue to be a place for sharing Malaysian, Singaporean, and Bruneian culture to our members and the city. With my experience, I would like to help MSBCA implement public health guidelines and confidently transition into a post-Covid world.
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