When living in peace is the hardest
Yesterday also marked another important day in the international calendar. And this is probably the single hardest day to observe for most human beings.
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The Star
05-07-2025
- The Star
Heart And Soul: A touching reunion of former SMK Bukit Mewah teachers
The writer (front row, standing, in long-sleeved batik shirt) reconnects with fellow educators from SMK Bukit Mewah, Seremban, at their first full reunion in over 20 years. — LIONG KAM CHONG Do you have any real-life, heart-warming stories to share with readers? We'd love to hear from you. Please keep your story within 900 words. Photos are optional and should be in JPEG format (file size about 1MB, with caption and photo credit). There is no payment for stories, and we reserve the right to edit all submissions. Email your story to: heartandsoul@ with the subject "Heart and Soul". We are former teachers and head teachers of SMK Bukit Mewah, Seremban – now scattered across the country after retirement or transfers over the past 20 years. Though we stay connected through a chat group aptly named 'SBM BFF' (Seremban Bukit Mewah Best Friends Forever), full group meet-ups have been rare. So, when someone suggested an in-person reunion, the response was swift and enthusiastic. What started with 20 interested members quickly swelled to 50. To ensure comfort, the organisers eventually capped the number as the hotel restaurant hosting our high tea had its limits. The date – May 16, 2025, Teachers Day – was perfect. True to our teacherly nature, a full programme was drawn up. And long before the 2.45pm registration, most of us were already there, buzzing with excitement. The atmosphere was electric – like a scene of long-lost friends reunited. Handshakes, hugs, laughter and chatter filled the room. In that moment, we were no different from the noisy students we once guided. There were stories, questions, laughter – and heartfelt memories. Many had aged gracefully, some remarkably unchanged. Amid the joy, we paused to remember colleagues who had passed on. But we agreed – at this stage of life, acceptance is key. That, we decided, is the true recipe for healthy ageing. The organising chairperson opened with a brief welcome, followed by a doa (prayer). Then, the celebration began –our first full reunion in over 20 years. Ten of us, former school administrators, were seated at the 'VIP' table with a served meal, while the rest, seated across four other tables, enjoyed a buffet spread. But after two decades of retirement, titles no longer mattered – we soon left our seats, mingled freely, and helped ourselves at the buffet. Conversations flowed as easily as the laughter. More than the food, it was the reconnection that mattered most. Smiling faces and joyful chatter said it all. An hour was set aside for open sharing, and unsurprisingly, the slot filled quickly. Teachers, after all, rarely shy away from a stage. We heard stories of post-retirement life: travel, health, family time, and new hobbies. It was clear – retirement was not just well earned, but well lived. The highlight came with the cutting of the Teachers' Day cake, followed by a rousing group's declaration of 'Kami guru Malaysia, berikrar dan berjanji ...' (We, Malaysian teachers, pledge and promise...). Our voices filled the restaurant – Surely, the other guests knew their school-going children were in good hands! The photo session that followed was a flurry of activity. It took time to gather all 50 of us for the group shot, but that didn't stop the phones from clicking – smaller group photos, selfies, and candid moments captured in abundance. By 6pm, it was time to part. There were waves, hugs, and quiet goodbyes. And in every heart, the same thought lingered: When will we meet again?
The Star
22-06-2025
- The Star
A teacher's tribute
We celebrated Teachers Day last month, and while the invaluable contributions of our educators to nation-building deserve to be recognised, I would like to take this opportunity to share how two of my former students have been a blessing to me. Tan L.S. and Kong S.M. were my students at SMK Mahmud, Raub, Pahang, in 1984. I was in the fifth year of my teaching career and was pleasantly surprised to be made form teacher of the top Science class, 4 Science Merah. Tan, having to find her feet after transferring from an all-girls school, stood out on that very first day in class. Disregarding all formalities, I relied on my intuition and appointed her as class monitor. She did not fail me. She performed her duties admirably, even though she had to take charge of a co-ed class with boys and girls from different backgrounds. Her excellence caught the attention of the prefectorial board, and she was soon elected a school prefect. Taking on responsibilities on two fronts – as class monitor and prefect – proved too great a burden, and she had to relinquish the class monitor role with a heavy heart. A few months later, I discovered a hidden gem in class. Kong, in whom I had noticed leadership potential, was appointed class monitor to replace Tan. She was responsible, courteous and had a pleasant disposition. I never regretted my decision, as she proved to be a capable and dedicated monitor who managed the class superbly without ever needing my intervention in peer matters. Only recently, after 38 years, did I learn that some students were not in favour of others from a certain background being made to do chores. Kong, just 16 at the time, resolved the issue in a diplomatic and amicable manner. Well done, indeed. I still vividly remember seeing Kong come into the staffroom every day without fail during recess to hand over the list of absentees – a truly reliable monitor. At the end of 1984, I was transferred back to Klang, Selangor. My 4 Science Merah students were kind enough to organise a memorable farewell for me at one of their homes. I left the school with a heavy heart, thinking that would be the last I would hear from them. Fast forward to 2022, when I decided to write about my life in Raub. The story was published in the newspaper along with a class photo of my 4 Science Merah students. It caught the attention of some of my former charges, and after a flurry of calls, Tan and Kong managed to track me down. When I was their form teacher, I treated them the way I would have liked my own teachers to treat me. Thankfully, Tan and Kong appreciated my approach. From my recent conversations with them, I realised that I had given them self-belief and recognition at a time when the co-ed school environment felt both foreign and challenging. Since reconnecting, we have met up whenever possible, despite their busy schedules. Bosom buddies since kindergarten, Tan is now an accomplished lawyer with her own law firm, while Kong has settled down in Australia, juggling family duties with social activities. Both strongly believe that nothing in this world is more precious than gratitude towards others and contentment within oneself – for that, they say, is the root of happiness in life. To me, these two godsent students are the greatest gifts I have received in my 35 years as a teacher. The recognition and appreciation I have received from students like them make all the blood, sweat and tears poured into this profession worthwhile. THIAGAN MATHIAPARANAM Retired teacher Klang
The Star
02-06-2025
- The Star
Mothers with special children touched by treat in S'ban hotel
Andrew (right) and Anita (left) celebrating the mothers with special children. SINGLE mother S. Gayithiri was lost for words when she was honoured at a belated Mothers Day celebration for her role in raising her six-year-old twin girls born with special needs. The 46-year-old veterinary assistant and nine other women who raised special needs children were treated to a sumptuous meal and celebrated at a hotel in Seremban, Negri Sembilan. The event was organised by the Malaysian Public Service Society (MPSS). Gayithiri said it was the first time she had celebrated Mothers Day. 'I felt truly humbled. It goes to show that there are people out there who care and appreciate mothers who raise their special needs children despite the hardships and daily challenges,' she said. Gayithiri's twins both have autism. The older twin, Sri Theva Sena, also suffers from hemiplegia, which refers to paralysis that affects one side of the body. Both girls were born premature at 33 weeks. 'I'm happy to have met other mothers with special needs children. 'We are able to exchange notes on so many things,' she said, adding that she also got invaluable information on schools for children with special needs. Aznah Mohd Jani, 61, who attended the event with her 35-year-old daughter Nurul Atiqah Md Fauzi, also thanked MPSS for holding the event. 'Nurul Atiqah, the second of my three children, has Down Syndrome with hearing, vision and heart-related ailments since birth. 'Although the hospital is like a second home as she has many appointments, we are happy to be able to be here to celebrate this very special day,' said Aznah, a former teacher at a school for children with special needs. MPSS chairman Andrew Raju said the event themed 'Mothers' Loving Touch' was to celebrate mothers for their sacrifices in raising their special children. 'Raising a child with special needs can be emotionally challenging, not to mention the other challenges such as managing the financial costs and getting the proper schools or centres for them to learn basic things. 'We are here today not only to celebrate Mothers Day, but also to recognise and appreciate the great contributions of such mothers in raising special children with love,' he said. Andrew said these mothers were not only the primary caregivers but also teachers, nurses, protectors and true friends to their special children. Since parents are always concerned how their special children would cope after their passing, he said the authorities should consider building a special home that could be both a safehouse and development centre for these children. 'The home can be a collaboration between NGOs, therapists, psychologists and the community to create a sustainable ecosystem of support. 'With fundings from the state and collaborations between the local authorities and community organisations, this initiative, I believe, can be realised,' said Andrew, while thanking donors for making the project a success. MPSS women's wing bureau chief Anita Timothy urged the medical authorities to help parents with special needs children by providing them with more frequent follow-up appointments compared to between four and six months currently. 'This is important to ensure their development is not hampered. 'It is also hoped that private medical centres can help such parents by reducing the treatment cost, as insurance companies do not generally cover these children,' she said. She added that teachers should also be given extensive training to cope with the children's emotional dispositions.
