THANK YOU, DR. PUVANENDRAN MARUTHAVANAR!

On the 20^th of July 2016, Johannians bade farewell to SJI’s third lay principal, Dr. Puvanendran Maruthavanar. It was a simple, yet memorable occasion, as the Johannian community celebrates the retirement of the third son of St. John’s who has had the privilege to lead our alma mater.

A very calm and composed commander-in-chief bidding farewell to Johannians

Wait, Dr. Puvanendran was a Johannian?

Believe it or not, Dr. Puvanendran was a student of SJI; not as long as our former Principal, Mr. Lim Hean Hwa, yet long enough for him to be acquainted with our heritage and to be part of our Johannian family.

Born on the 21^st of July, 1956, in Setapak, Kuala Lumpur, Dr. Puvanendran received his primary education in SK Jalan Kuantan, and was also schoolmates with HRH Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah of Perak. He then received his secondary education up to the Malaysian Certificate of Education in Setapak High School.

 Dr. Puvanendran receiving HRH Sultan Nazrin during SJI's Speech Day, April 2016

Photo credits: Kementerian Pelajaran Malaysia

HRH the Sultan of Perak pacing the halls of SJI accompanied by Dr. Puvanendran

Photo credits: Kementerian Pelajaran Malaysia

Dr. Puvanendran then pursued the Higher School Certificate in SJI through the Federal Evening Class program, in which he completed with a full certificate in 1977. He was probably among the last batch of FEC students and who was lucky enough to witness St. John’s at its height under the leadership of the one and only Rev. Bro. Joseph Yeoh.

Dr. Puvanendran then went on to the Kinta Teachers’ Training College in which he received his teaching certificate in 1980. He then pursued his Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry at UKM in 1987, Master’s in Education at UM in 1993, and his PhD in the University of East Anglia, Norwich, United Kingdom in 2000.

Dr. Puvanendran served in seven schools between 1980 till 2004. In January 2005, he was posted to SJI as the Senior Assistant of Student Affairs. When SJI was made a cluster school in 2007, Dr. Puvanendran was sent to represent the school administration to undergo the Postgraduate Certificate for School Leadership & Management programme in King’s College, London. Upon his return in 2008, he was promoted to Senior Assistant of Administration and Curriculum.

With a doctorate in Information Technology and experience as the head teacher in IT at SMK Putrajaya 1, Dr. Puvanendran was instrumental in the establishment of the second Smart Lab and ensuring that SJI was keeping up with the latest technology in teaching methodology. One such example was the introduction of smart boards, which eventually was not fully utilized sadly.

After a seven-year stint in SJI, Dr. Puvanendran was promoted as Principal of SMK Taman Yarl, Kuala Lumpur. At that time, we felt saddened that we lost the service of a very dedicated administrator and teacher. However, this was to be only a temporary farewell.

May 2014 saw the retirement of Mr. Lim Hean Hwa, a Johannian who had the privilege to serve his alma mater just like his Director, Rev. Bro. Joseph Yeoh. After weeks of waiting in anticipation, SJI was delighted to receive the news that Dr. Puvanendran was to be the successor of Mr. Lim Hean Hwa to lead SJI.

Dr. Puvanendran listening to his 'ucap jasa' 

Just like his first return to SJI, Dr. Puvanendran was very quick in getting straight to work. He emphasised on the use of IT in teaching and learning in SJI and made sure that Johannians are kept abreast with the latest technology in school. Notebook computers were used widely, smart boards reintroduced, and a plan to provide comprehensive internet coverage throughout the school premises was drawn up.

After two years of service as Principal, SJI bade goodbye to Dr. Puvanendran as he reached the mandatory retirement age of 60. Throughout his nine years of service in SJI, Dr. Puvanendran is fondly remembered as a strict disciplinarian who had a charming aura in commanding respect from students, teachers, and management. His persona exhibits great wisdom and composure that he rarely needs to resort to physical punishment for students who commit disciplinary offences. Whenever he paces the hallways of SJI, he commands respect and admiration from those in his surroundings.

Dr. Puvanendran is also widely remembered for short and simple speeches. He makes sure that he delivers his message in a very concise manner and avoids addressing the assembly unless it is very necessary. This helps a great deal in keeping the assembly on time and makes the message delivery very efficient. His signature is the deep booming voice in greeting SJI ‘Good  morning’.

The last address to Johannians as Principal

The most important event that took place under his administration was the reverting of the name SMK St. John to St. John's Institution. The good news was announced by none other than HRH Sultan Nazrin during SJI's Speech Day back in April this year. It was a very historic and proud moment for all Johannians when HRH the Sultan broke the news to the audience. 

Personally, it was a great honour to work with Dr. Puvanendran during his tenure in SJI. Like Mr. Lim Hean Hwa, Dr. Puvanendran is very easy to work with and is ready to listen to opinions before making any decision. However, the one trait I find most unique and commendable of Dr. Puvanendran is his ability to keep his cool despite being faced with issues on multiple fronts. This is a skill not many leaders have, and to be able to be alongside one with such quality is an experience to be cherished.

On behalf of Johannians, I would like to take this opportunity to thank Dr. Puvanendran for his dedicated service to SJI all these years. It is our hope that Dr. Puvanendran be blessed with good health and visit us in SJI from time to time.

Dr. Puvanendran cutting the farewell cake. On his immediate left is his spouse, far right of photograph is Pn. Nor Laila Lambak, former Senior Assistant 1

Presentation of the vintage metal chair by Tuan Megat Mizan Nicholas Denney, 

Chairman of the Board of Governors

Thank you very much and all the best in your future endeavours, Dr!

A send-off fit for a king.

Photo credits to Jenko Chugani (except photographs with HRH the Sultan of Perak and the final photograph)

FAREWELL CEREMONY FOR THE PRINCIPAL OF SJI

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN,

ON WEDNESDAY, JULY 20, 2016, A FAREWELL CEREMONY WILL BE HELD FOR

DR. M. PUVANDENDRAN, PRINCIPAL OF ST. JOHN'S INSTITUTION

WHO IS RETIRING BY MANDATORY STATUTE.

STJOHNINSTITUTION.BLOGSPOT.COM TAKES THIS OPPORTUNITY TO EXPRESS ITS SINCEREST GRATITUDE TO DR. PUVANENDRAN FOR HIS SERVICES TO SJI OVER THE YEARS AS SENIOR ASSISTANT AND PRINCIPAL.

JASAMU DIKENANG - ENCIK MUSTAFA KAMAL, PENOLONG KANAN HEM MENABUR BAKTI DI SEKOLAH BAHARU

*Artikel ini telah dikemas kini pada 11 Januari 2016

Salam sehati sejiwa, warga Johannian.

Selepas hampir 5 tahun berkhidmat sebagai Penolong Kanan Hal Ehwal Murid, SMK St. John terpaksa mengucapkan selamat tinggal kepada Encik Mustafa Kamal bin Musa.

Cikgu Mustafa telah memulakan kerjaya sebagai seorang pendidik pada tahun 1993 di Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Cheras, Kuala Lumpur.

Pada 7hb Mac 2011, Cikgu Mustafa telah melangkah masuk ke St. John sebagai Penolong Kanan Hal Ehwal Murid yang baharu, menggantikan Puan Hajah Najibah yang berpindah ke Tingkatan Enam. 

Sepanjang tempoh perkhidmatan beliau di SJI, Cikgu Mustafa telah memperkenalkan dua elemen baharu. Sumbangan pertama beliau adalah memperkenalkan anugerah-anugerah hal ehwal murid dalam majlis Hari Anugerah Kecemerlangan Ko-Kurikulum untuk menunjukkan apresiasi pihak sekolah kepada para pelajar yang mempamerkan sahsiah yang cemerlang sepanjang tahun. Ini adalah satu perkara yang amat sinonim dengan nilai-nilai Johannian dan memberi nafas baharu dalam upacara Hari Anugerah di SJI.

Sumbangan kedua beliau adalah memperkenalkan Hari Graduasi untuk pelajar Tingkatan Lima. Walaupun idea ini tidak lagi diteruskan, ia adalah lagi satu usaha murni untuk memberi kenangan indah kepada pelajar-pelajar SMK St. John sebelum meninggalkan alam persekolahan.

Selain itu, Cikgu Mustafa juga telah secara proaktif mewujudkan dua infrastruktur baharu di SJI. Beliau telah merealisasikan idea bilik kesihatan serta bilik pengurusan sahsiah untuk melancarkan aspek hal ehwal pelajar-pelajar SJI. 

Cabaran terbesar Cikgu Mustafa sepanjang bertugas di SJI berlaku pada tahun 2014, apabila beliau terpaksa memangku tugas Pengetua dan Penolong Kanan Tadbir & Kurikulum tatkala En. Lim Hean Hwa sakit dan Pn. Azizah Yahaya dilantik sebagai Pengetua di SMK Manjalara. Selama hampir tiga bulan Cikgu Mustafa terpaksa menggalas tiga portfolio tertinggi di SJI, dan beliau berjaya melaksanakan tugas-tugas tersebut.

Sekarang tiba masanya untuk warga SJI mengucapkan selamat tinggal kepada Cikgu Mustafa. Walaupun sedih, kami turut gembira kerana Cikgu Mustafa telah dinaikkan pangkat menjadi Penolong Kanan Tadbir dan Kurikulum di SMK Taman Desa. Kami berharap agar Cikgu Mustafa akan membawa nilai-nilai Johannian ke sekolah baharu dan meneruskan perkhidmatan cemerlang beliau.

Selepas ini, kita tidak akan lagi melihat Cikgu Mustafa yang tidak pernah lupa mengenakan baju melayu lengkap bersampin dan bersongkok setiap Jumaat. Kita juga akan merindui karekter 'no-nonsense' Cikgu Mustafa yang boleh dilihat sejak hari pertama beliau bertugas di SJI.

Dedikasi Cikgu Mustafa kelihatan sehingga hari terakhir beliau di SJI. Pada minggu sebelum Krismas, beliau telah datang ke sekolah untuk menyediakan tong kitar semula untuk kegunaan warga sekolah. Beliau bersama isteri telah mengecat label tong kitar semula dan memastikan tong-tong boleh diguna pakai. Jika Cikgu Mustafa masih berada di SJI ketika sekolah buka, sudah pasti program kitar semula akan menjadi satu lagi sumbangan beliau kepada sekolah.

Secara peribadi, saya juga ingin merakamkan setinggi-tinggi terima kasih kepada Cikgu Mustafa atas keikhlasan beliau untuk membantu sekolah serta bantuan beliau sepanjang saya berkerja bersama pihak sekolah.

Terima kasih, Cikgu Mus, dan selamat bertugas di sekolah baharu! 

Berikut adalah sedikit bingkisan sepanjang tempoh Cikgu Mustafa berkhidmat di SJI.

*Images courtesy of Pn. Jessica and Garudamas

   Larian Serentak 1Malaysia 2011

Peraga pakaian Hari Guru 2012 

  Wajah serius menjalankan tugas sewaktu Karnival Ulangtahun ke-110 SJI

 Confirm event ni hari Jumaat - sebab Cikgu Mus berbaju Melayu lengkap.

Tahukah anda Cikgu Mus adalah seorang pemain bola sepak?

Diambil sewaktu pertandingan bola sepak PSKPP Kuala Lumpur 2015

Cikgu Mus kini menyertai Puan Azizah, Encik Lim Hean Hwa, dan Encik Goh Chee Chiang sebagai mantan pentadbir SJI.

Thank You, Mr. Lim Hean Hwa - St. John's Very Own Son At Her Helm

HAPPY RETIREMENT MR.LIM HEAN HWA

By Nizhan Faraz

University of Toronto

Canada

Close to 4 years ago, history was made when St. John’s Institution welcomed one of her own sons to lead her. His name - Lim Hean Hwa.

Born on June 15, 1954, as the eldest of six siblings, Mr. Lim spent all his school life in St. John’s. He did his elementary education in St. John’s Primary (1) from 1961 to 1966, and secondary education up to Form Six in St. John’s Secondary from 1967 to 1973. He is one of those who lived through the development phase of St. John’s. This was the decade when the Main Block went from brick red to white and finally in its current red and white livery. This was also when the vast Dewan Tun Dr. Ismail and the Arts Block (now Form Five Block) were built. Most importantly, this was also the time when the old school coat of arms was replaced with the existing one.

In his message in the 110^th Anniversary Celebration Programme Book, Mr. Lim said, “Never in those 13 years did I ever, even in my wildest dreams, imagine that I would one day return to serve as the principal of this great institution”. I guess Mr. Lim and St. John’s are destined to meet each other again. After 37 years, the student returns to his alma mater, this time as the captain at her helm. Mr. Lim Hean Hwa was appointed the third lay principal of this great institution effective August 16, 2010. The Johannian community rejoiced, knowing that the spirit will be revived since St. John’s is now in the hands of a fellow Johannian.

Mr. Lim’s administration saw the return of a long lost tradition – the celebration of Founder’s Day, an event to commemorate the founder of our institution, Jean Baptist De La Salle. It also saw a streak of success in the fields of academics and co-curricular activities. The 2013 SPM and STPM examinations saw St. John’s achieving the highest student percentage of all A’s since 2005. Our Naval Cadet Band managed to win the Best Drum Major award at national and international level competitions for two years straight. Our archery and badminton team won gold medals in national-level tournaments.

I personally had the honour of working alongside Mr. Lim for the past four years, starting with the tower clock project up to the management of the RM680 000 received last year from the government. I am grateful for the opportunity and trust given to me by Mr. Lim in handling these projects for the school. I found that our common goal of protecting the welfare of the school resulted in the both of us being able to work together very well. At the same time, I took the opportunity to get to know St. John’s during Mr. Lim’s days as a student.  

Every time I returned to Malaysia for the summer, I never missed the opportunity to join the Johannian community and celebrate Mr. Lim’s birthday. This time around, although missing the 110^th anniversary gala dinner, I was glad that I made it to Mr. Lim’s farewell ceremony yesterday. I was also glad that yesterday’s ceremony went well, it was a very touching and memorable event to everyone present yesterday.

On behalf of Johannians, I would like to take this opportunity to thank Mr. Lim for his service to St. John’s over the past four years. One thing is for sure, we will miss that pleasant smile. Personally, I will miss working with a man who shares the same sentiment on what is best for St. John’s and strives to bring the school back to its glory days. It was indeed a great pleasure working with you, sir. It is my sincere hope that you will continue visiting St. John’s from time to time and join the Johannian community in all future events in the school.

Thank you, sir, and all the best in your future endeavours!  

Pazhani Jay- To be honest, from my Tadika till my Form 6 schooling, Mr. Lim Hean Hwa, Headmaster of St. John's Institution, Kuala Lumpur is my favourite Headmaster. He is very dedicated and most important, He is a very patient human being. I feel so sad and sorry for him when he was admitted at hospital few months due to illness but he bounce back and gets back to his duty and thats where he is so determination. He is really a wonderful person and never seen a headmaster as him in my schooling time. Really proud to have a headmaster as him during my schooling time and now he is retired so wishing him a very good journey ahead in his life and May God bless him with lots of happiness.Fide et Labore

Photos by: https://www.facebook.com/cikgu.ruby

In Memory of Mr. Gana - SJI's Most Avid Watchman

I am still in shock over the news of Mr. Gana's passing on Thursday, February 27, at 8pm Malaysian time. In fact, his death is something that never crossed my mind for one bit. It just sounded impossible given how long he has been in St. John's and the things he had gone through over the years. Whenever I wanted to hear updates about the school from halfway across the globe, Mr. Gana is one of those people in my call list, and we would spend almost to an hour talking about St. John's in every session.

Please allow me to share the memories I have with him over the past decade I got to know him.

Mr. K. Kanapathy, whom we all know as Mr. Gana, began his service with St. John's sometime in 1967, when the Main Block was pure white, Dewan Tun Dr. Ismail just officiated, the Arts Block (now Form Five Block) in its second year and Bro. Joseph McNally the Director. At that time, he saw St. John's just as another place to work, nothing more. Who would have thought he would eventually become one of the most attached man to this beloved institution.

Over the years, he worked in various departments in the school. While we all know him as the great handyman who knows every electrical and water supply and outlet in the school, Mr. Gana used to be a watchman as well as an office assistant. I remember him telling the story of Bro. Joseph Yeoh paying him overtime during examination season to make copies of examination papers (Please bear in mind that this was 40 years ago, and I don't think photocopiers are as simple as they are in today's world).

During the Brothers' administration, he was also entrusted to manage the bookings of the badminton hall after school hours. The income from the badminton hall rentals was what St. John's used to fund any maintenance works needed in the school premises, and the fact that the Brothers leave the management of the badminton hall and the rental collections to Mr. Gana shows how reliable and trustworthy he has been over the years he has been in St. John's.

As a believer in preserving sentimental values, Mr. Gana was an active advocate against any attempts to remove working antique equipment or furniture from the school premises. He once expressed disappointment over the unnecessary removal of a number of light fixtures from the Form Five Block and Lower Lecture Theatre. At first I did not see it as too much a deal, but when I managed to catch hold of the same light fixture, I saw his point of frustration and agreed that it was a bad decision.

I also remember another incident where Mr. Gana called me at 11pm one night to report the disappearance of the school hall's old metal chairs. I was aghast as these was furniture from the 1950's, which existed way before he even came to St. John's. I had a search party look high and low for those chairs, only to learn that the chairs were relocated to avoid contact with the weather and are still in the school grounds. This shows you how concerned is he for the school despite no longer officially in service with St. John's.

His concern for the school is such that most of the time he takes no remuneration for the things he did. If you walk past the portico, take some time to observe the wooden boards hanging in the hallway. Notice that the School Rally board looks rather new, with fresh varnish and polished white letters. We have no one but Mr. Gana to thank for it. Over one of the school holidays, the board broke away from its mountings and came crashing down. It was Mr. Gana who took it to his workshop at the basement and had it fixed, all without asking for a single cent from the school.

Unfortunately, all this is now a thing in the past. We will no longer see Mr. Gana making his rounds in the school premises after hours to report possible electricity wastages, water leaks, or unauthorized personnel. We will no longer have someone skilled in carpentry and iron works conveniently close to the school. We will no longer have someone experienced enough to offer advice on how to go about restoration projects in the future.

As for me, I will no longer receive detailed reports about problems with the tower clock. I will also no longer be able to ask for spare parts for antique things I fix in the school. I will also not be able to learn more things about St. John's past from the perspective of a man who spent a chunk of his life in our beloved school. Most importantly, I have lost a dear friend whom I can express my ideas and concern about St. John's and shares the same undying passion for it.

So long, Mr. Gana. Thank you for your dedicated service to the Brothers and St. John's all these years. You certainly are irreplaceable, and will be missed by us here in St. John's. May God grant you eternal rest.

Cikgu Ruby - Permata SJI oleh Markus Lim Johannian 1993-1999

Puan Robiah Abu Amin - Cikgu Ruby ..

Permata berharga yang sukar dicari gantinya...!

NUKILAN DARIPADA

MARKUS LIM HAN KING

PELAJAR ST.JOHN’S INSTITUTION, 1993-1999

 Nama puan robiah abu amin atau Cikgu Ruby sudah begitu sinonim dengan St.John’s Institution (SJI).

Sebut sahaja nama Cikgu Ruby, perkara pertama yang terlintas dalam fikiran kita semua ialah senyuman dan keperamahan beliau.Senyuman manis dan sikap peramah inilah yang menjadikan dirinya cukup popular dan istimewa berbanding individu-individu lain. Kerana itu jugalah, Puan Robiah begitu disenangi dalam kalangan pelajar sekolah dan rakan sekerjanya.

Pendekatan berhemah dan sikap keibuan beliau dalam mendidik anak-anak muridnya cukup terserlah. Tanya sahaja kepada mana-mana pelajar yang pernah dididik oleh puan robiah, rata-ratanya menyatakan kegembiraan mereka semasa dalam sesi pembelajaran.  

Seronok dan “best….itu antara perkataan yang sering diucapkan oleh anak-anak didiknya ketika persoalan tersebut dilontarkan kepada mereka. Bagi mereka, sesi pembelajaran kendalian puan robiah tidak pernah sunyi daripada elemen humor dan nasihat. Puan robiah sentiasa berpegang teguh kepada pendekatan yang santai kerana itulah cara terbaik untuk menarik perhatian para pelajar untuk mengikuti sesi pembelajaran dalam kelas.

     Kini, kebanyakan pelajar yang pernah dididik oleh puan robiah sepanjang 26 tahun termasuk penulis telah berjaya dalam hidup mereka. Masing-masing berjaya kerana berkat didikan puan robiah selama ini.

Kehadiran puan robiah dalam hidup penulis cukup signifikan. Beliaulah satu-satunya guru sekolah yang masih berkomunikasi dengan penulis hingga ke hari ini biarpun penulis sudah meninggalkan st.john’s institution lebih 15 tahun lalu.

Puan robiah jugalah yang sentiasa berada di sisi penulis ketika penulis mengharungi detik-detik sukar dalam hidup. Keprihatinan beliau terhadap kebajikan penulis sesungguhnya tidak boleh dibeli dengan wang ringgit.

Tatkala penulis dilanda kesukaran, kehadiran beliau menceriakan suasana dan memberikan satu sense of comfort. Jelas, puan robiah bukan sekadar guru kepada diri penulis tetapi juga seorang ibu yang cukup penyayang.

    Puan robiah bukanlah calang-calang guru biasa. Hakikatnya, banyak beza antara seorang guru yang baik dan guru yang cemerlang. Pada hemat penulis, puan robiah layak dikategorikan dalam kategori guru yang cemerlang. Beliau layak mendapat gelaran itu.

Apa tidaknya, dedikasi dan pengorbanan beliau kepada pelajar-pelajar yang cacat penglihatan di bilik resos menuntut kesungguhan yang lebih daripada seorang guru biasa. Mendidik dan mengasuh pelajar-pelajar yang cacat penglihatan adalah dua kali ganda lebih sukar daripada mendidik pelajar-pelajar biasa.Pengalaman berkhidmat sebagai guru di bilik resos telah mengajar puan robiah untuk lebih bersabar dengan pelajar-pelajar cacat penglihatan. Ia juga telah memberikan satu kekuatan kepada beliau untuk berhadapan dengan segala macam keadaan di sekolah.

Justeru, berita mengenai persaraan puan robiah abu amin  selepas lebih tiga dekad menabur bakti dalam dunia pendidikan merupakan satu kerugian besar kepada st.john’s institution.Berakhirnya satu era gemilang kerana kini sudah sampai masanya obor perjuangan untuk mendidik anak-anak bangsa diteruskan oleh tenaga pendidik masa kini.

   Adalah menjadi harapan penulis agar tenaga-tenaga pengajar baharu di sji kini mencontohi profesionalisme serta dedikasi puan robiah dalam mendidik anak-anak murid. Meskipun puan robiah sudah meninggalkan sji, namun segala sumbangan serta keringat beliau kepada sekolah tercinta ini akan tetap dikenang hingga ke akhir hayat. Terima kasih kepada puan robiah kerana telah banyak berjasa bukan sahaja kepada sji bahkan juga kepada semua pelajar sekolah yang pernah dididiknya.

    Daripada diri penulis pula, puan robiah..anda telah meletakkan penanda aras yang cukup tinggi untuk dicontohi oleh guru-guru sekolah lain. Anda telah membuktikan bahawa anda adalah seorang tenaga pendidik yang sejati!

Biarpun berjauhan daripada kami semua, namun anda tetap dekat di hati.

Selamat bersara puan robiah dan yang pasti, kami semua akan merindui senyuman manis anda.

NUKILAN DARIPADA

MARKUS LIM HAN KING

PELAJAR ST.JOHN’S INSTITUTION, 1993-1999

 SELAMAT BERSARA CIKGU

When the rugby field fell silent

Posted on 4 November 2011 - 05:11am

Mohsin Abdullah - 

Mohsin Abdullah is an old boy of St John’s Institution Kuala Lumpur. Unlike his three sons, he never played rugby but loves the game nevertheless. And he is honoured and grateful to have known Coach Hang.

PASSION FOR RUGBY

HE would be on the field by 6.45am although training was supposed to start at eight. A case of the coach turning up well before the players.

Sharp 8am, training would start, ending some three hours later. While the players hit the showers and get ready for afternoon school, the coach would prepare for another training session – this time for boys who had attended morning school. The second training stint would end at 6pm. Only after all the players had left, would he take the route home, driving through the heavy after-office traffic. By the time he got back home in Sentul, it would be close to 8pm.

And the next day, all that would be repeated – a demanding routine even for the young. But not for Hang Kek Kang although he was already in his 60s. A former army man from Langkawi, who in his own words was “passionate over rugby”. Needless to say, he played the game during his schooldays in Kedah, when he was in the army, and even after retiring.

In 1991, Hang was sent by Cobra to reorganise rugby in Kuala Lumpur’s St John’s Institution. The school had a rich history in rugby but somehow the sport faded away in the 1980s.

Under the Cobra rugby development programme, Hang was to “sort things out” and return to Cobra for other assignments. But he stayed on as he felt all the “sorting out” would come to nought without a coach to see things through. So began his relationship with the school.

To say his responsibilities as coach were heavy is an understatement. Every year, there would be at least 50 boys of different ages, ability and knowledge of the game under his charge. Everything and everybody required his close attention. One coach for 50 boys – somehow the equation wasn’t right.

And the situation got worse when the different age teams played simultaneously in tournaments and Hang was expected to be with the players.

Rugby at St John’s took a lot of his time. And what he was paid was certainly not enough to compensate for the sacrifices. And when his teams were invited to tournaments, he would look high and low for support. So why do all this, I asked him once. “For me, as long as there are boys who play rugby, I would be happy. When I do this, there will always be boys taking up the game and rugby will be alive in this country”. That was his reply.

Hence, rain or shine, he would be on the field, planning game strategy, putting his boys through the paces, imparting the rules of the game. With his heavy Kedah Malay accent “mixed” with English, he could be heard from far giving out instructions.

But in April this year, he slowed down, literally. He coughed badly, and for weeks on end. He still ran training sessions and attended games. But he tired easily. Not too long after, training sessions were “suspended”. Hang had to go for treatment and was in and out of hospital. Tests confirmed that he was suffering from liver cancer.

He kept it from his family and his players. He didn’t want them to see them worried. Four days after Hari Raya, I visited him at his Taman Datuk Senu home, and my three sons came along. All three play rugby and it was Hang who had introduced them to the game.

We spoke about many things and of course rugby – the World Cup in New Zealand which was to kick off in a few days. But he couldn’t stop thinking of his team despite his illness. He was worried about who would take care of his boys especially the Under-15 team which was to play in the national championship later this year.

He said that if he wasn’t sick, he would have gone to the prime minister’s Hari Raya open house and “whisper to Najib to come up with a fund” for the St John’s rugby team. The money, he said, would enable the team to take part in tournaments all over the country.

He never knew the PM personally but Coach Hang wanted to make an appeal to Datuk Seri Najib Razak who was a former St John’s student. In 2005, Najib provided financial aid to the school’s rugby team for several sets of jerseys and other gear.

Ten days after meeting Coach Hang at his house, I received the sad news. He was 65. And on Wednesday, Sept 14, he was cremated.

There can never be another Coach Hang Kek Kang. You will be missed, my friend. We love you.

REST IN PEACE COACH HANG.!!