It was those days when I cautiously ventured out from my
coconut shell home of Penang and headed for
the “big world.” My destination: Universiti Malaya. My excuse: tertiary
education. That was my ticket to “merdeka” from watchful parental restrictions.
Orientation week itself was significant. It was called the “Minggu Haluan
Siswa.” My “socially-challenged” personality was suddenly thrust into a
community that was to be my “family” for the next three years. Different
cultures, family background, and social upbringing were all grouped together in
the Second Residential College
which was also known as Asrama Menara Budi, which carried the theme of
religious spirituality. This College was my “home away from home” for three
years during which I forged many great friendships from fellow collegians of
different ethnic groups, religion, and social background.
Orientation week: we had activities till past midnight and
forced to wake up at 5am; we sang “patriotic” songs as we prepared to compete
with other residential colleges in the inter-college games; we explore
facilities on campus; discover our faculty and register for courses we (I) had
little knowledge of. On one night event for us “freshies” there was a special
guest speaker. Everyone in the hall was tired but we were told it was so
difficult to engage this individual that it was our privilege that he could
come to address us as we began our academic journey in Malaysia’s
premier university. Besides, he was an alumnus; an alumni the varsity was so
proud of.
We made our way to Dewan Tunku Chanselor, affectionately
known as DTC (Dewan Tak Cat). The hall was packed – not only with freshies but
with seniors and officials wanting a glimpse of this important person and to
hear what he had to say. It was not a long wait. Perhaps, our super-packed
schedule made us all extremely tired. Many took the opportunity to nap in the
midst of chatterings. Then the announcement came. The VIP had arrived. Everyone
was excited. There he was as he walked to the stage and took the mike. I cannot
remember what he said that night but the gist of it was he recalled his own
varsity years as he looked at us, first year students – he told us how he took
part in a student demonstration against the government. But was impressed me
was this: there he stood as the Minister of Education in the government and
told us to remove all protocol and address him as Saudara Anwar. That impressed
me – just call this “big shot” brother!
Fast forward to 2014. Many events occurred in between from
those varsity days. Complains are endless about how our local varsity produced
graduates who possess no employability qualities. Political landscape had also
changed so much. Some of my professors are now active in politics – Zainal
Kling, Syed Husin Ali. Some professors who impressed my young mind now raised
questionable credibility – Khoo Kay Khim – whose office was like an over-sized
ash-tray, impressed me that studying history should come from the heart, but
today this authority of Malaysian history can support a “change in history.”
And what has become of that “special guest” who spoke to the
first year undergraduates in Dewan Tak Cat that night during orientation week?
News abound everyday about this man. He still commands the attention of young
people despite his age. He became the catalyst to a reformation that has come,
a reformation building up in its waves of influence along the years. Leaders
are people who come and go. But it is a vision imparted that will impress and
carried to its fulfillment. Years or generations may past but vision or dream
will stay alive till its fulfillment.
I can never be as proud of UM students as now to read in the
news about the passion they possess to fan the fire of reformation to change
this nation and to bring this generation to a higher plane.
I am a UM graduate!
