Kajang High School - Class 77 Reunion

On 7-7-2007, 7.00pm at Prescott Inn, Kajang. About 100 of us gathered together after leaving Kajang High School 30 years ago. Many of us have not seen or met each other for the past 20 to 30 years. How many of us have change, gray hair, bigger face (receding hair line), big belly, heavier and what a laugh as we tried to recall their names.

In pursuit of better life each one of us went our ways discovering bit by bit about ourselves through new experiences. Some went to further their studies, some joined the work force and others venture into business. After 30 years leaving school most of us agreed that the 5 years we spent in secondary school KHS was the most memorable one. It is here the formation of our characters starts to take place forming the foundation and traits of our behavior that will give the uniqueness of each and everyone of us. The teenage years were the discovery years and the belief that we could do no wrong was a myth. Teachers played such an important role with them not realizing it but they played their part of a part time guardian teaching us, guiding us and punishing us when we break the rules. Teachers of those years are unique lots as we come to realize their commitment as a teacher. Teachers then was more focused without the interference and the stresses of todays' lifestyles.

As the emcee, Hock Hai congratulates each and everyone of us for being present in this memorable occasion. Then he proceeded to thank the teachers who were present and the Class of 77 gave a standing ovation and applause in appreciation to the teachers. The Headmaster Encik Mohammad Sani gave a speech, still as witty and humorous and yet commanding showing a glimpse of his past. Teachers that were present were Mr. Hong Foo Wah, Mr. Yong Bang Kuang, Mr. Chin Ket Poh, Mrs. Ong, Mr. Siwnan, Mr. C. Pelly, Mr. Jeyaratnam and Mrs. Sim. Later after dinner, all were treated to a slide presentation showing the past and present. Everyone was attentive as we went down memory lane and some shed a tear or two. As with each passing slide it dawn on us that those memories became clearer and it was a connection that all of us shared.

We took class photos but not all from the past were present and so we join classes for the photo shoot. Later, we had "down memory lane" sharing, Steven Hiew Ming Foong was the first to share his most memorable experienced when how he bit the finger of Mr. Siwnan and finally "apologize" now and a gesture by putting a plaster around Mr. Siwnan's finger. Another was Ragavan who was appointed by Mr. Jeyaratnam to be the class monitor. Ragavan after two weeks requested to resign from his post because he was bullied by the class. Ragavan continued after Mr. Jeyaratnam ticked off the class. Another class mate Heng Ken Ng share the many times he was being slapped ever since primary school till secondary school and he complained that it was a bad experienced. Everyone laughed and had very good feelings from hearing these personal sharing as we began to understand what a bunch we were during those school carefree days.

Finally in closing we requested that we meet again in 2017 and immediately the teachers requested an earlier date (obvious reason "age") and everyone burst out laughing and the committee jokingly promised transportation will be provided. In 10 years time we will be 57 and the teachers will be in the 70's to 80's, how time flies when old friends meet. To those who were not present please leave us a note or your contact here so that Tony Choo and Hock Hai can update the Class of 77 database.

KHS

To view photo gallery click on the photo above

Kajang High School - Poem

My Beloved School
Labor Omnia Vincit

Up on the hill
Standing proud and still
Old and yet beautiful

Is my beloved school.

Born on the 1st of April

Fifty eight years ago,

On a day known as April’s fool,

She was christened

Kajang High School.

Boys and girls go to her,

To acquire knowledge from the wise

teachers,

The country will have brilliant leaders,

With her everyone is happy,

Though sometimes a little naughty,

These carefree and happy days

Will be cherished in the future days,

I wish that time will pass slower,

So that I could stay here longer,

And don’t have to say goodbye

so soon,

To my beloved school.

Pau Kah Heng Form 4 Sc. 1
Written in 1977

The School 7-7-2007 12.43pm

Kajang High School

In the year January 1973, I had been transfered to Kajang High School (KHS) the most prestigious school at that time, it was all male school only to have its history rewritten when they admit girls for the Form 6 classes. Everything was strange and different because in the primary school at Hill Street Kajang we had new buildings but in KHS it was colonial design, the building looked very stately like and very grand. As the main building was built in April 1 1930 and its opening was graced by His Royal Highness Sultan Alaiddin Suleiman Shah K.C.M.G. Sultan of Selangor. As the years past the building at its present site undergo many changes to what it is today. The picture on the right is the right wing, photo taken from road leading up to the main complex.

As boy scouts member we would always be active during most of the school's activities like sports day, cross country run etc. and on other occasions we would camp at our scout house (use to be located just behind the present KHS hall). During our camps we would collect bamboos from the opposite hill (now Bukit Mewah) and build many gadgets like tables and chairs just to test our scouting skills. And at night we would have campfire gatherings and our seniors would tell stories about KHS from ghost stories to the Japanese occupation and especially there were secret tunnels on the border of KHS and the Hockkien Cemetery. So during the day we went looking for secret tunnels and we found them, with fear and anxiety we climb down one particular tunnel which was about 6 feet deep and once inside there were connecting underground tunnels. It was dark except for the sun light through the tunnel, it was covered with cobweb we dare not venture further as it was near the cemetery, pretty scary for a young boy scout.

Sleeping in the school class rooms was also "hair raising" experience, at one particular dark night around 20 of us decided to sleep in the classroom in the main school building and somewhere after midnight, we were still awake and we heard footsteps along the corridor, without hesitating we rush out to see who it was. There was no one............. except.............. ... foot steps...........was clearly heard, really hair raising experience. Till today things still happened in the night without explanation.

KHS had many outstanding students, one of them who was transfered from another school (Victoria Institution) to Kajang High School was Tan Sri Dato' Dr. David Tan Chee Khoon who was a outstanding boy scout and also a patrol leader. Here is an extract ...

Tan Sri Dato' Dr David Tan Chee Khoon, born on 4 March 1919, was a V.I. student at High Street and later at the new V.I. in 1937-1938. He is perhaps the most renowned and respected Malaysian opposition leader of all time. He was also a most selfless doctor, a tireless educationalist, a humble christian and an avid reader and writer to boot. His two sons- Tan Kee Keong and Tan Kee Kwong - were Victorians (and doctors) as well. The latter was also the V.I. School Captain in 1965 and is now the Deputy Minister for Land and Co-operative Development. Tan Sri was close to his alma mater, and he even attended both the Centenary Countdown and Centenary Dinner in 1993. The following is the story of Tan Sri's inspirational life, extracted from his autobiography, Tan Chee Khoon: From Village Boy to Mr Opposition and from various articles.

If you have interesting stories about KHS you are welcomed and If you happened to be a KHS old boy or Class of 77, they will be having reunion dinner in 7 of July 2007 (7/07/2007) you can contact

Tony Choo 012-3667833 or
Kwan Hock Hai 019-2279209, 03-21635848