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By Mihar Dias December 2024
Looking at an old, sepia-toned photograph, I find myself transported to 1967, a time when life was simpler, friendships were pure, and our dreams were as boundless as the Kedah skies.
There we were, 28 bright-eyed students of Upper Six at Sultan Abdul Hamid College in Alor Setar, standing together in the prime of our youth. Today, as I prepare to turn 78, I gaze at these faces, some familiar, others dimmed by time, and wonder—where have the years gone, and where has life taken each of us?
In those days, life revolved around school, cycling, and sharing humble meals at Mee Ah Boo’s stall. Coins were scarce, but camaraderie was abundant. I vividly remember Pak Ya convincing us to cycle all the way to Perlis just so he could meet a girl he fancied. It wasn’t just the adventure; it was the unspoken bond of friendship that made us pedal on, rain or shine.
A lifetime later, those bonds remain, though the faces have grown older, the laughter softer, and the reunions rarer. Recently, thanks to the efforts of our illustrious classmate Razak—now a Tan Sri—many of us gathered for lunch to celebrate my modest writing achievements. A dozen of us reminisced over the good old days, the room filled with stories of triumphs and tribulations. Not long before that, Tan Teng Boon—still as charming as ever—hosted a grand lunch for 30 of us, bringing together classmates from Arts, Science, and beyond.
This December, we’ll return to the school grounds for a reunion, braving Alor Setar’s recent floods as if the heavens themselves are weeping with nostalgia.
Yet, amidst the joy of reconnection, there’s a shadow of loss. We recently bid farewell to our dear classmate Teoh Sing Mooi, who left us in the same month as luminaries like Tun Daim and Ananda Krishnan. In her quiet, devoted way, Sing Mooi was a leader too—shaping minds and nurturing dreams as an educator, just like many others in our class.
The photograph before me holds the faces of 12 girls, each etched with stories of resilience and achievement. Chow Lee Lee, my confidante, spent countless evenings talking with me on Jalan Putera, her uncle’s gentle hints reminding me to head home as the night wore on.
Julita Hanum Beh, ever the center of attention, had every boy vying to carry her books. Marie Westwood and Julita have ventured far, to Europe and Australia, but their memories remain close to heart.
Among the boys, the debonair Tajuddin and Tan Teng Boon won hearts effortlessly, while the reserved ones—like the late Dato’ Prof. Dr. Yakob, Dato’ Megat Muhyiddin, and Yahaya Ahmad—quietly carved their paths to greatness. Manaf, my companion from primary school to Sixth Form, chose a solitary path but remains a cherished connection through the occasional social media message.
As we prepare to reunite, I can’t help but marvel at the legacy we’ve left behind. Teachers, administrators, captains of industry, and nurturers of young minds—our class has contributed in countless ways to the world around us.
To my classmates, wherever you are, may your days be filled with joy and purpose. Let’s celebrate the lives we’ve lived, the lessons we’ve learned, and the friendships that have stood the test of time. Until we meet again, I raise a toast to our golden days at Sultan Abdul Hamid College and the enduring bonds of our shared youth.
Here’s to the memories—and the ones yet to be made.
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