THE JAPANESE INTERREGNUM-TOA SEINEN GAKKO; IKENOBU SAN, TSUBOCHI SANAND NIPPON-GO

/PART I

In the 1930s events in Europe and Asia were moving sloser and closer to World War II.But to the British Colonial regime in Malaya, they were far atway, unreal and perhaps irrelevant.Life went on at its languid and pleasant pace.In the local scene, the Kajang High School, under Mr. C. E. Gates, the Head Master, achieved notable progress.During his tenure, he inspired his charges to strive and to excell.

In the 1936 Mr. Gates had to go on retirement and sailed for home and England, the Englishmen's "Other Eden".As his steamer sailed away, Mr. Gates must have felt felt tremendously gratified for the legacy he had left behind-Kajang High School Golden Age.(1) However, little did he forsee that Kajang High School was about to undergo a drastic makeover, as indeed the rest of the Malay Peninsular, in form and substance.

About a year after Mr. Gates had left, there was excitement and joy over the visit of Pandit Nehru, the famous Indian Nationalist on June 6, 1937.(2) The headmaster, Mr. J. B. Carr gave permission for pupils and masters to hear a public address by Pandit Nehru from 11.00 am to 11.30 am.They must have come away imbued and flushed with patriotic and nationalistic sentiments.

There was much youthful enthusiasm and verve too as the Kajang High School students celebrated their 9th Annual Sports on July 17,1937.( 3 ) For the first in the school's history, real hurdles were used courtesy of Towkay Low Ti Kok, one of the school's founders and benefactors. The good Towkay presumably might have imported the hurdles from England out of his own pockets.

PART II

The ominous visit to the Kajang High School by several Commonwealth military top brass on Sept 14 1941 must have caused consternation to teachers, masters and pupils alike as it might mean something very serious and grim was afoot.

The commonwealth military entourage was led by Major-General Sturdes of the Australian Army and Major-General Murray Lyon, General Officer Commanding (G.O.C) British Army Northern Area.They told Mr. O.G. Williams that the military would take over the school in February 1942.(4)

However, about three months later on Thursday December 7,1941, Mr. Williams was instructed at 12.45 by Bloomfield on the telephone to evacuate the school by Monday morning. (5) Acting on instruction and perhaps too shell-shocked to do anything else, the Head Master carried out the evacuation exercise. The "war refugees" rushed helter skelter over to the Convent School at Church Road (now Jalan Gereja) on Monday morning December 11, 1941. One of them was the late Abd Rashid Busu (deceased 2013),Victor Ludorum, Vice School Captain, student-organizer of the School Geography Room and Mr.Williams' blue-eyed boy.
.

The Kajang Convent was then under the charge of Mother Martha I J.(6 ) She was confronted with the "exodus" from the Kajang High School. Her girls apparently continued to attend classes in the morning while the boys occupied her premises in the afternoon from 1.15 pm to 5.30 pm.(7)

In all probability, Mr. O.G williams was still the Head Master during the transition from the Kajang High School in Jalan Semenyih to the Convent in Jalan Gereja.But sensing bad times ahead, he must have left Kajang in great haste to join the rest of British community in their helter-skelter dash to
Singapore.
After Mr. Williams' departure, a senior member of the teaching staff, Mr. T. Mailvahanam took over  as Head Master.He was transferred to the Kajang High School in 1930 when the school was established.He had a brief stint as Head Master in 1932.(8) Before coming to Kajang he had taught at the Klang High School and the Maxwell Road High School in Kuala Lumpur. In Kajang, Mr. Mailvahanam occupied Government Quarters No. 166 Jalan Timur (9),now non-existent.

PART III

The exodus of the British community in Kajang and indeed elsewhere, was the harbinger that

something was seriously amiss. Prior to this, life had been pleasant. Nobody expected the unexpected and so British Malaya "slumbers"on(10). However, it was rudely awakened on December 8, 1941. The Japanese had landed .The beaches at Kota Baru, Kelantan the main invasion point were swarming with Japanese soldiers.

The Japanese invasion of British Malaya, presumed to be an impossibility, was well under way, a grim and shocking reminder that it was Curtain Fall for the British in Malaya and things wouldn't be the same again.

From Kelantan and other beachheads in the north ,camouflaged with leaves and twigs in the wake of their armored columns, the Japanese soldiers swept down the Peninsular on their bicycles. Their fighter planes which had earlier neutralized British defenses  provided them with air-cover.

Within a month of their landing, the Japanese soldiers had reached Kuala Lumpur(11). The people of Kajang had braced themselves for any eventuality. They had dug trenches in which to seek cover upon hearing the wailing of the ARP (Air Raid Precaution) siren, the harbinger of the aerial onslaught. The Japanese intended to bomb Kajang and their planes had flown several  reconnaissances for that purpose.

The much-anticipated bombing occurred on January 12, 1942(12). The target was  of course the Kajang Railway Station at 15th Milestone, Reko Road. The intention was to interdict the British retreat to Singapore.Unfortunately, the bombs fell in the grounds of the cathedral-like Catholic Church which was just across the railway tracks in front of the Railway Station. It was badly damaged; the residence of the Infant Jesus Sisters in the Convent School ground was destroyed (13). The Japanese warplanes at the same time bombed the Rice Stockpile Center near the Railway Station and strafed the neighborhood. There were scores of civilian fatalities. Several dead bodies lay sprawled in the drains and on the stretch of Reko Road from the Sun Cinema (now a Buddhist Center) to the Kampung Bukit (Reko Road) Muslim Cemetery.There were a few dead bodies too in front of the Kajang English School building* near the Sun Cinema.

Several brick houses which suffered the aerial attack had gaping holes punched by machine- gun bullets into their walls. These tell-tale signs were evident in the neighborhood in 1947 when this writer, aged nine, moved in with his parents to live in his uncle's house called the Sentosa at No 11 Reko Road or Kampung Bukit, Kajang(now non-existent).The house had undergone some repairs and had a fresh coat of paint.It was a walk away to the Rice Stockpile Center.Before the outbreak of the War, it was a private school known as the Kajang English School* . As far as it could be ascertained,it had not suffered any significant damage.

PART IV

The Japanese bombing raid of Kajang Town mercifully, didn't cause any significant damage to the Kajang High School. Perhaps it was not considered legitimate target on the basis of their assessment of intelligence reports from their espionage network operating from the Japanese Photo Studios in Jalan Tukang.

On entering Kajang after the British and Commonwealth troops had fled, the Japanese army seized the Kajang High School and turned it as the Headquarters of the Japanese Imperial Army in the District of Ulu Langat.(14) They also removed the brass plaque commemorating the opening of Kajang High School. It read thus :

"This tablet was unveiled on the occasion of the opening of this Shool by His Highness Ala'iddin Suleiman Shah, G.C.M.G, Sultan of Selangor, on 19th of March 1930."(15)

The disappearance of the plaque was perhaps the only "collateral damage" sustained by the school.A sizeable collection of English books kept in the school were left largely untouched and they were all carted back to Singapore Raffles College in 1946.(16) Those books were brought to Kajang High School just before the outbreak of war to be "mothballed" in its safe sanctuary. So it was thought.But there was a claim that the school had been converted as the first Teachers' Training College in the country before the end of WW 2 and those books were brought over to stock its library. However, this was not corroborated in the school journal dated 27.09.1945 by the Head Master, Mr.Mailvahanam. Just for the record, the British established the first Teachers' Training College in Taiping in 1898.(17)

As the Head quarters of the Japanese Imperial Army in Ulu Langat, the name of the school was changed to TOA SEINEN GAKKO.(18) It was no longer known by its old British colonial name. Everything associated with British Colonialism and Western Culture in the school was forthwith eliminated and prohibited. Of course the English Language, the standard-bearer of Western Culture, was proscribed and supplanted with the language of the new masters- NIPPON-GO.

Highest on the liquidation list of the Japanese were the pro-western and anti-Japanese elements in the Kajang population. The school mythology claims that torture and summary executions of those perceived to be anti-Japanese rule were carried out at Kajang High School. An incident in 1949 tend to lend credibility to this popular belief. A human skull was found by a pupil on the site which was being cleared for the school's Primary Department. He caused quite a sensation by putting the skull at the end of a short stick and twirling it around before his wonder struck and gaping school-friend spectators! Digging further at the site, several boys found the rest of the skeleton. It was taken out and cleaned under the supervision of the school's first Senior Science Master, Mr. A.D. Dennison-a useful and authentic visual aid during biology classes.

PART V

As the Kajang Catholic Church had suffered "collateral damage" due to the Japanese bombing of the Railway Station, the Japanese army ordered the closure of the Kajang Convent.(19) The Kajang High School (TOA SEINEN GAKKO) classes in the Convent were ordered to shift to a new location- a movie house called the Queen's Theater (later known as National Theater) on the bank of Sg. Jeluk just a stone's throw from the Convent.(20)

Mr. T. Mailvahanam who had earlier taken over from Mr. O.G. Williams was allowed to continue as Head Master and ordered to start Japanese classes at the Queen's Theater.He stated in the School Log that two Nippon-go (Japanese Language) teachers, known as Nippon-jin sensei, were sent to teach Japanese in July 1942. They were IKENOBU SAN and TSUBOCHI SAN. The Headmaster wrote that they ceased teaching at the end of the year.(21)

It appears that IKENOBU SAN was also instructed to teach Japanese to Mother Martha's pupils.(22) She had started a small class in the church ground after the Convent was closed. It was a sine qua non for the class to function.However,not long aferwards he perished in the Straits of Malacca when the boat taking him home to Japan was bombed and sunk.

One of the surviving students of the Japanese class of TOA SEINEN GAKKO held at the Queen's Theater was young V. Pathamanathan. Being a very determined and resolute youth, he didn't quit school but was prepared to undergo the discipline and rigor of the Japanese regime at the Queen's Theater.

The pupils at the Queen's Theater had to learn Nippon-go as fast as they could under pain of punishment. In addition they had to undergo "Thaiso", drills which were like calisthenics. They were taught at Mother Martha's too.(23) Two other pupils whom Pathmanathan could recall attending classes with him were Hashim (tall and fair) and Ismail. Both of them were from Cheras.(24)

The Japanese classes and Thaiso were held in the morning and afternoon. The Japanese Language was taught to the exclusion of other subjects. In between classes, they had to do gardening on vacant plots of land on the banks of Sg. Jeluk. In this way, pupils were taught self-reliance.Such simple agriculture pursuit in the backyard were naively perceived to be the way to achieve self-sufficiency in food production. The Allied naval blockade of the Malay Peninsula had brought unprecedented hardship and deprivation among the population. Rice was extremely difficult to get,not mention other needs.

The long dark nights and the nightmare of the Japanese Interregnum came to an end when the Atom Bombs fell on Japan. After the defeat of the Japanese, Kajang High School was reopened on September 27, 1945. Mr Mailvahawam who was still Head Master had to hand over the baton to Major Waters July 11, 1946. He continued to remain on the teaching staff until 1949. He used to come to conduct Spelling exercises in SMC 1B ( Special Malay Class) of that year-the indefatigable School Master that he was.

Postscript :

Following the defeat of the Japanese in the Pacific War, Kajang High School was reopened on September 27, 1945. It became an English School again and reverted to its old name, no longer TOA SEINEN GAKKO. Mr. Mailvahanam, loyal as ever to the school, took over as Head Master in the transition period but had to hand it over to Major Waters July 11, 1946.

When the Kajang High School was reopened those who had skipped school altogether or those who had remained in the school and went through the rigor and tough regime of the TOA SEINEN GAKKO but with little or no schooling, began to stream in to join the Alma Mater again. The joy and elation, when they met the first time, was felt only in the "deep heart's core" but was palpable and could only be expressed with difficulty, choked as they were with deep emotion, when trying to recall their lost years.

Among the earliest to enroll themselves were N. Murugiah- School Captain 1945;1946; T. Sivagnanam- School Captain 1947 and K. Kandasamy- School Captain 1948.

Others who were also the "early birds" were Abdul Rahman Abbas who left school in 1947 and joined the Malayan Civil Service; Muhd Shukor bin Ali who was Editor of the School Magazine 1948 and later graduated from the prestigious London School of Economics (LSD); Satwant Singh (Dr.) who became Chairman, Kidney Foundation of Malaya; and Pretam Singh (Dr) who became Consultant Orthopedic Surgeon, Federation of Malaya. He was the son of Mr. Chanan Singh, a member of the teaching staff.

Of course, the youth whose steely determination had seen him through hard times at the Japanese classes of TOA SEINEN GAKKO, V.Pathmanathan also came back to continue his studies. He emerged as one of the school's brilliant scholars in the immediate post-war years. Having achieved excellence in the Cambridge Oversea School Certificate, he joined the Post School Certificate Class (PSCC) and thereafter became a freshman at University Malaya. During his senior years at KHS, he managed to write a piece, The Place of Business in The World of Today for the school magazine- an early indication that economics was his forte. But he was destined to be a "School Master" and had taught both in our Alma Mater and Sekolah Menengah Sains Selangor for some years before being elevated as Head Master of a prestigious primary school in Petaling Jaya.

As for Mr. T. Mailvahanam, he remained on the school's teaching staff for a while under a subsequent Head Master, Mr. G.W.L Clark. This writer didn't recall seeing him in the school scene post-1949. He just faded away, like the legendary old soldier.

                                                    LABOR OMNIA VINCIT

* As recounted by Kang Buang (deceased) a long-time resident of Kajang and an alumnus of Kajang English School--- Han.Kamalbahrin Lubis.

REFERENCES (MOSTLY PHOTOSTATED)

(1)   KHS MAG 41/1974 Pg. 26

(2)   KHS MAG 25/1957 Pg. 45

(3)   IBID

(4)   IBID

(5)   IBID

(6)   CHURCH OF THE HOLY FAMILY KAJANG / ANNIVERSARY 1901-2001-ROY ANTHONY ROGERS Pg. 17

(7)   KHS MAG 25/1957 Pg. 45

(8)   KHS CLASS 1956 SOUVENIR (2010) – SIVAMALAR Pg. 18

(9)   IBID

(10)                       CENTURY CLIPS : NST NOV 8 1999 – ZAINAL ABIDIN ABDUL WAHID

(11)                       ROY ANTHONY ROGERS Pg. 16

(12)                       IBID Pg. 17

(13)                       IBID

(14)                       IBID Pg. 19

(15)                       KHS MAG 23/1955 Pg. 18

(16)                       KETINGGIAN 47/1980 Pg. 18

(17)                       ORIGINS OF MALAY NATIONALISM – W.R ROFF Pg. 132

(18)                       KHS MAG 25/1957 Pg. 45

(19)                       ROY ANTHONY ROGERS Pg. 17

(20)                       KHS CLASS ’56 SOUVENIR (2010) – SIVAMALAR PG. 18

(21)                       KHS MAG 25/1957 Pg. 45

(22)                       ROY ANTHONY ROGERS Pg. 17

(23)                       IBID

(24)                       KHS CLASS 1956 SOUVENIR (2010) Pg. 13./ HANAFIAH LUBIS KHS 1956.

POINEERS OF THE "PENCINTA BAHASA BRIGADE"

Being a new and vital experiment in Education in the Federation, the Language Institute was launched, without fanfare, on Sunday, January 5, 1958. A stately mansion in Bukit Senyum, Johor Baru was adapted to accommodate the fledgling Language Institute. The 1st term ended on Friday March 14, 1958. (J.E Tod, Dec 9, 1957)

Fresh school-leavers who had completed their Overseas Cambridge School Certification and with excellent Bahasa Melayu results were taken in as freshmen and assigned as Course A Students. There were about 60 of them . Serving and qualified Malay Primary School teachers, also numbering about 60, were designated as Course B (A renown Malaysian educationist, Prof. Dr. Awang Had Salleh was among the 1st intake of Course B). The Course B Malay Teachers abandoned the course midway due to salary dispute.

The Language Institute in Bukit Senyum, Johor Baru as on March 7 1958

Course A2 Students of the Language Institute as on March 14, 1958 (end of 1st term) with the 1st Principal, Mr. J. E. Tod and Vice Principal, En. Zainal Abidin bin Ali.

Those in the picture from L to R

Sitting : Nik Jaafar (Kelantan), Omar Hassan(Johor), Raja Shahriman(Perak), Salleh Darus(Perak), Muhammad bin Long(Pahang), En. Zainal bin Ali(Vice  Principal,Lecturer in BM), Mr J.E Tod(1st Principal and English lecturer), En. Mokhtar bin Mohd. Don(Education and Elementary Phonetics lecturer), Shaari Che Man(Perlis), Mohd Hussein Ahmad(Johor), Shamsul Bahrin(Perak), Kamar Ibrahim / Hanafiah Kamal Bahrin Lubis(Selangor), Saad Jusoh(Perlis).

Standing : Mohd Kenali(Pahang), Tajuddin Hussein(Johor), Mohd Anshar(Johor), Shamsuddin(Kelantan), Mustapha Muhammad(Selangor), Mohammad Musa(Penang), Mohd Karim Sharif(Johor), Raja Ahmad(Perak), Noran Abdul Rahman(Johor), Zakaria Ibrahim(Johor),

Raja Aizuddin Anor Shah(Perak), Muhammed bin Hussein(Johor), Nasir Jalil(Johor).

Not in photo : Nasir Ishak(Johor), Muhammed bin Arshad(Perlis).

Lecturers not in photo : En. Ku Bahadur(Methodology-Malay), Mr. K Sundram(Methodology-English), En. Rahim Che Teh(General Linguistics Theory and Language Acquisition), En. Nordin Bachik(Language Teaching Materials).

CourseCoCurse A2 resplendent in their dark green blazers with the 2nd Principal and Vice-Principle

The date at the back of this photograph was December 12 1958

Sitting(center) : Mr. F. Daniel(Principal). On his right, Mr. Drennon(Vice-Principal)

2nd row standing : 4th from left : Nasir Ishak, Muhammad bin Arshad(5th from right).

Note : Muhammad Arshad was the co-designer of the Institute's crest,together with Abdul Rahmad Khalifah(Course A1).  By  HANAFIAH LUBIS  COURSE  A/30 LANGUAGE INSTITTUTE ,BUKIT SENYUM,JOHORE BARU 1958.

SCHOOL CAPTAINS 1930-1956

1930 Wong Kong Yew & Rasdan bin Othman
1931 Saw Kim Hock
1932 Saw Kim Hock
1933 Sharif bin A. Samad
1034 Maruf bin Sheikh Ahmad
1935 Juala Singh
1936 Raja Adnan bin Raja Abdullah
1937 Raja Adnan bin Raja Abdullah
1938 K. ParOamalingam
1939 Ng Chin Hong & Kamaruzzan bin Mohd. Sharif
1940 R. Subramaniam
1941 Goh Oon Hock
1945 N. Murugiah
1946 N. Murugiah
1947 T. Sivagnanam
1948 R. Kandasamy
1949 Yaacob bin Ibrahim
1950 P. A. Rajendra & Tan Toh Hong
1951 Teh Sham Fook
1952 Muhd. Bakri bin Haji Isa
1953 Hakik bin Sultan Khan
1954 Budiman bin Kassim
1955 Phang Ah Kow
1956 Abdul Aziz bin Mohd. Amin
         Chandran T ( Vice School Captain )
         Tan Ban Lee (Vice School Captain )

REUNION

This Group Photograph was taken at the Ballroom of the Prescott Metro Inn, Kajang on February 24 2010 in conjunction with the Luncheon Reunion of KHS Alumni and the launch of the Souvenir Magazine produced by members of the Kajang High School Class 1956. Among those who came for the luncheon date and the launch of the magazine were:

Front Row
Datin Rosalingam, 7th from left and Ms. Sivamalar, 8th from left (both are daughters of Mr. T. Mailvahanam - Head Master 1932 and 1941-1946).
Mr. Teh Sham Fook (next to Sivamalar)-School Captain & Gates Medalist 1951.
Mr. V. Pathmanathan (on Mr. Teh Sham Fook's left) - alumnus of TOA SEINEN GAKKO and ex- Head Master.(4th from R--Pn. Rokiah Bee Arabi); (3rd from R--Mrs.Pelly); (2nd from R-- Mrs.Chandran); Far Right-- Puan Hjh Maznah Yahya Nasution (KHS alumna.)-writer's wife.

Second Row
Kamarudin Taki (Far Left); Lt. Col (R) Razali Yusoh Nasution (2nd from Left); Aris bin Haji Majid (3rd from L); Lee Yau Seng (5th from L)-Queen's Scout 1956; Dato Kamaruddin Nordin Lubis (6th from L); Emeritus Professor Dr. Abdul Latif Ibrahim Harahap (7th from L); En. Nik Man (8th from L)-Pengetua Sek. Men. Tinggi Kajang; Dr. Satwant Singh Gill (9th from L); Abdul Aziz b. Mohd Amin (10th from L)-School Captain 1956; T. Chandran (11th from L)-Vice-School Captain 1956; Kamal Bahrin Lubis (12th from L)-alumnus '56; Arabi Zalman (13th from L)-alumnus '56; Christopher Pelly (14th from L)-alumnus 1956; Zainal Abideen Ibrahim Lubis (Extreme Right)-alumnus 1959; Yasmin Nadirah Lubis(5th from R)-writer's daughter; Fuad Husni Lubis (6th from R)- K H S student;writer's son.

Back Row
Billy (1st from L)-teaching staff of Sek. Men. Tinggi Kajang; Chai Kim Sin (5th from L)-Editor of KHS MAGAZINE 1957; Dr. Sankaran R (6th from L); Dato Samuri b Juraimi (8th from L)-alumnus 1963,Sate Millionaire; Ismail Timbang (9th from L)-Junior Singles Champion, Ulu Langat Badminton League 1955;School Badminton Captain 1956; Kassim Wahab (2nd from R)-School Bodybuilder ;Mr. Kajang 1954.

KAJANG HIGH SCHOOL - LEST WE FORGET

                                     MR. WONG  SEE'S LITTLE BRATS !

Kajang High School; Dec 5, 1952. Standard V A with Class Teacher, Mr. Wong See.(Back Row.Far Right).

1st Row L to R: Moorthy; Joseph Fernandez; Tan Ban Lee; KhorYong Hing; Nelson Anandaraj; Sharif Monok; Loy Seng; Choon Hai; Christopher Pelly; Abdullah Samad.

2nd Row L to R: Azar Khan; Phan Kong Ying; Tan Ping Sing; K. Pasupathy; Kamar Ibrahim(Hanafiah Kamal Bahrin Lubis); Soo Poh Seng; V. Vignaendra; Yap Ki Ling.

3rd Row L to R: Nadarajah; Arabi Zalman; Abd Aziz Mohd. Amin; Lee Yau Seng; Dahlan Jali; Ong Guan Boon; Chong See Fah; Tan Toh Hock.

Back row L to R: Goh Lai Choon; Adnan Mardi; Kamaruddin Nordin; Loy Boon; Wong Siew Tin; Yong Ming Fay; Ong Kean Kok; Low Tuck Chee; Siew Yong; Ong Thiam Aik; Mr. Wong See (Class teacher)

ILLUSTRIOUS ALUMNI (PAST AND PRESENT)

1. Abdul Aziz bin Haji Abdul Majid, Tun, Dr. Hj. - Menteri Besar Selangor; Permanent Secretary, PM’s Department; Governor of Melaka.
2. Abdul Aziz bin Hai Ismail - Pilot Officer, R.A.F.
3. Abdul Aziz bin Mohd Amin, Hj - M.A.S Regional Manager Sarawak/Kalbar.
4. Abdul Jalil, Hj - Chief Penghulu of Hulu Langat.
5. Abdul Jalil bin Ibrahim - Deputy Superintendent of Police.
6. Abdul Kadir bin Shamsuddin, Tan Sri – Chief Secretary to the Government.
7. Abdul Latif bin Ibrahim, Prof. Emeritus, Dr. - U.P.M; Managing Director National Biotechnology Directorate MOSTE; Visiting Professor, M.I.T.
8. Abdul Majid bin Haji Ismail - Deputy Superintendent of police; Liason Officer, Reid Constitutional Commision.
9. Abdul Majid bin Haji Mohd. Shahid B.A. (Oxford) – Conservator of Forest, Malaya.
10. Abdul Rani bin Dato Shamsuddin, Dato Ungku – Orang Kaya Mahabijaya Hulu Langat.
11. Abdul Wahab bin Abdullah – Asst. State Secretary Selangor.
12. Adnan bin Raja Muhammad, Raja – Superintendent of Police.
13. Alias bin Yassin – A.D.O Tampin.
14. Arasu, P.T. Dr. – Selangor State Assemblyman.
15. Chandran T – Senior Executive, Tenaga Nasional Berhad, Kapar, Kelang.
16. Chistopher Pelly – Senior Science Teacher, Kajang High School.
17. Clifford Herbert B. Econ; M.C.S. Tan Sri - Secretary–General, Finance Ministry;
Chairman Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd.
18. Gary Wang – Editor-in Chief, Hong Kong Standard.
19. Hanafi Kamal, Dr. – Pengarah Lembaga Peperiksaan Malaysia.
20. Heng Cheng Swee – Acting Commissioner of Labor, Federation of Malaya.
21. Kamaruddin bin Nordin M.A (Econ.) Dato – Director-General National Registration Department.
22. Khalid bin Ismail, Dato – Sec-Gen. Ministry of Tourism Malaysia.
23. Loh Yit Lock – General Manager, Malayan Co-operative Wholesale Society Ltd.
24. Low Nan Wan, M.R.C.P (Edin.)
25. Ma’arof bin Sheikh Ahmad – President Seremban Town Council.
26. Mahidin bin Mohd. Arshad – District Forest Officer, Kelang.
27. Md. Rashid bin Md. Nor – Director of Vocational Training, Ministry of Education.
28. Mohd. Khalid, S – Assistant Commissioner of Police.
29. Mohd. Nazir bin Hj. Abdul Jalil – Commander of the Auxiliary Police Force.
30. Mohd. Nor bin Daimon – Director of Fire Services Wilayah Persekutuan.
31. Mohd. Sidek bin Abdul Latiff – Director-General of Co-operatives; Chairman Railway Service Commission.
32. Muhammad bin Raja Allang, YM Raja – Member of Kuala Lumpur Municipal Council and Selangor State Council; Member of State Advisory Board.
33. Muhd. Arif bin Abdul Rahman – State Agriculture Officer, Selangor.
34. Muhd. Shariff bin Abd. Samad – State Secretary, Negeri Sembilan.
35. Muhd. Shukor bin Ali – State Welfare Officer, Terengganu.
36. Muzaffar bin Hj. Zainal Abideen M.A. (Cantab.), M.ENG (U.T.M). Ph.D .
37. Nasir Yacob Major – Malay Regiment.
38. Ng Bow Kwee Dr. – Private Medical Practitioner, Kajang.
39. Ong Guan Boon Dr. – Private Medical Practitioner, Penang.
40. Othman Rijal Tan Sri – ex. Sec. Gen Finance Ministry
41. Paramalingam K. – Public Trustee Federation of Malaya.
42. Pretam Singh – Consultant Orthopedic Surgeon.
43. Raman A. Professor – University of Malaya Teaching Hospital.
44. Razali bin Yusof Lt-Col – Royal Malay Regiment.
45. Samanther P.T. – Stores Superintendent, P.W.D Federal Workshop, Kuala Lumpur.
46. Sankaran Ramanathan Associate Professor Dr. – UiTM
47. Satkunasingam V. Lt. Col. – Ministry of Defense.
48. Satwant Singh Gill Dr. – Chairman, Kidney Foundation of Malaya.
49. Sivanesan Dr. C. – Consultant Ortodentist.
50. Sthipam T.S. – Director, D.I.D Wilayah Persekutuan.
51. Tajuddin bin Haji Ahmad – Chief Police Officer, Terengganu
52. Tan Ban Lee Dr. – Director of Health Selangor.
53. Tan Chee Koon Tan Sri Dr. David – Parliamentarian (Mr. Opposition).
54. Tham Tat Meng – President Seremban Town Council.
55. Vaithynathan Dr. V. – President Selangor Cricket Association.
56. Veerasingam N – Station Manager, Melaka Power Station, TNB.
57. Vignaendra Dr. V. – Consultant Neurologist, University of Sydney, Australia.
58. Yob bin Busu Hj. – Commissioner of Co-operatives, Malaysia.
59. Yong S. M. – Member of Federation of Malaya Legislative Council.
60. Zainal bin Hitam Military Cross (M.C) Capt – Royal Malay Regiment.
61. Zainal Abidin bin Ahmad Assc Prof Dr. – ex- Deputy Menteri Besar Selangor, currently Member of Parliament.
62. Zainal Abidin bin Kasehatan – Commissioner of Land, Perlis.

(We intend no offence or embarrassment and do sincerely apologize for any inadvertent inaccuracy, commission or omission found in the above list. It could not be updated before press time due to the lack of information at our disposal.)

- SECRETARIAT KHS ALUMNI 1956

THE FOUNDING FATHERS OF KAJANG HIGH SCHOOL

The K

For his strong support for the establishment of Kajang High School, he was made a House Patron (Kindersley House - Sch. Nos. ending in 1 and 2;House color- White) He opened up the Inch– Kenneth Rubber Estate, one of the earliest rubber plantations in Malaya then in Simpang Balak at the beginning of the 20th century.





A rich tin miner and rubber planter in the district. He donated hurdles for the School Sports Meet in 1937.Real hurdles were used for the 1st time. He had ordered the hurdles from England at his own expense. House Patron of Low Ti Kok House– Sch Nos ending in 5 and 6; House color - Blue.Jalan Low Ti Kok is named after him.

l

A popular Mandailing personality of the Nasution clan residing in Pekan Ulu Langat, he was
appointed the Chief Penghulu of the district. House Patron (Haji Jalil House – School Nos ending in 3 and 4; House color – Red)



The 1st Malayan Headmaster of Kajang High School. Also a House Patron (Buck House - Sch Nos
ending in 9 and 0; House color – Yellow). He introduced the Senior Cambridge School Certificate Class in Kajang High School in the 1920s. Tun Abdul Aziz and S.M.Yong were among the pupils under his tutelage.





The only alumnus made House Patron (Raja Muhammad House – Sch. Nos ending in 7 and 8; House
color- Green). He was the grandson of Raja Borayun, a powerful and influential Mandailing of the Nasution clan who was the Founder of Kajang in the 19th century and awarded the title Tengku Panglima Besar.His father, Raja Allang, the owner of Raja Allang Estate, was one of the richest Mandailings/Malays in Selangor then.    HANAFIAH LUBIS  KHS alumnus 1956.

IRON MAN OF KAJANG HIGH SCHOOL

The Kajang Fair in 1954 was a great success. Huge crowd thronged the Town Padang, the venue of the fair. It was held to show the agricultural products of the district and also the creativity of its people. Kajang High School had something else to show – a person with bulging muscles of the Charles Atlas – type.
One of the attractions of the Kajang Fair is the Body Beautiful Contest. Kassim bin Abd. Wahab beat all the opposition and became winner. He had the most beautiful and muscular body – bulging biceps, muscular stomach and thighs. He was crowned "Mister Kajang." He was then in Form 3C. When the Head Master, Mr. Bumford was told about Kassim’s success, he was amazed but greatly pleased. Kassim had brought a kind of fame to the school. He became an instant icon and started a craze among his school-mates.Every body wanted to become a body-builder and started pumping iron in the secrecy of his backyard and garage.

According to Kassim, in an interview many years later, Mr. Bumford told him to develop his brain as well. But at the same time he encouraged Kassim to continue his body building regime. He also regularly provided him with fresh eggs as an incentive.

At such a young age, Kassim was not only known for his muscular physique but also for cultivating inter-ethnic good-will and relationship. He played hockey and cricket for the Kajang Indo-Ceylonese Sport Club. He played soccer for Kajang Malays. Kassim said, in a recent interview, his Indian school mate, Ruben used to fetch and drive him to the match venue in town. He even supplied him with fresh cow’s milk before every match.
Kassim also revealed that a teacher in school, Mr. V. Pathmanathan had kindly offered to tutor him in English and other subjects at which he was wanting. But he politely declined.
Kassim married at age 24. He has four children and several grandchildren. He has been to Mecca for the haj. Now he lives in solitude and isolation in Batu 13 where he has built for himself a modest but pleasant country home. He seldom goes to town except on occasions when he has to get his pension.He says he enjoys such a life. Our ex-iron man doesn’t look his 83 years. He is still handsome, sprightly, fit, ever-smiling and the serenity and peace within show through.

                          

  
Hanafiah Lubis .
KHS Alumnus 1956

Dear Vasantha,In all humulity,I hope this piecewill suit your purpose.

OUTSTANDING ALUMNI 1950-1956/1957

It is with great pride that we give space to our outstanding students for their academic excellence, sporting prowess, extreme courage and devotion to duty.
Gates Medallist (Best student in Senior Cambridge Exam)
1950 Pretam Singh
1951 Teh Sham Fook
1952 A. Rahman
1953 Kuang Meng Zee
1954 Ng. Meng Pan
1955 Ng Yok Seng
1956 Joseph Fernandez
1957 Lee Chen Hin


EMINENT ACADEMICIAN

Professor Emeritus Dr. Abdul Latiff bin Ibrahim of form five class of year 1956, an eminent veterinarian from University Pertanian Malaysia, discovered a vaccine for Newcastle disease, which commonly affects livestock, especially poultry. The success of this vaccine, which is used globally, has earned him award locally and at international levels. Well done Latiff for giving prominence to Kajang High School and our Class 1956 in particular and thank you for being our standard-bearer.
Outstanding Sportsmen
1) Aris bin Abdul Majid – Represented Kelantan(Tracks) 1958-‘60
2) Chong Koon How – Selangor State Sprinter
3) Haniff Khan – Represented Kedah in Cricket and Hockey
4) Kassim bin Wahab – Mr. Kajang-Bodybuilder
5) Thambyrajah K – Malaysian Pole Vaulter;Represented Kedah in Cricket and Hockey




Two of our classmates of Form Five, year 1956 are cited for bravery

Lt.Colonel Razali bin Yusof – was shopping in a hardware shop and there was an attempted robbery. He tried to confront the robbers but was shot. The robbers fled leaving Razali wounded. He survived and recovered from the gun-shot wounds. He proves that a soldier is always combat-ready and reacts appropriately in any crisis situation. Well done Razali, you made our class proud by exemplifying a well-trained and tough soldier par excellence!

Mohd Nor bin Daimon – a fire officer stationed at Pudu Fire Station received a distress call of a fire out break. As his team of fire crew was rushing to the scene an unexpected tragic incident occurred. The fire vehicle somersaulted leaving the crew badly injured. Mohd Nor bin Daimon suffered extensive injury and recovered only after a lengthy medical treatment. He continued to serve in the fire services till his retirement and rose to the rank Director of Fire Services, Wilayah Persekutuan K.L. A committed fireman, Mohd Nor goes on record for devotion to duty to the extent of disregarding personal safety; something you left behind for all of us to remember you by. He passed away sometime after retirement. May he rest in peace.


CONTRIBUTED BY : CHANDRAN T (VICE SCHOOL CAPTAIN 1956)
HANAFIAH KAMAL BAHRIN LUBIS @ KAMAR (HON. SECRETARY PREFECTS' BOARD 1956)

OUTSTANDING TEACHERS

The teachers, who had had a great influence in shaping our character and personality, were appropriately given awards, promotions, and citation in the course of their lifetimes.


Among the outstanding teachers were:
1. Besant Singh – Head Master, Kajang High School Primary Section
2. Christopher, H.S – Head Master, Sekolah Alam Shah, Petaling Jaya
3. Dennison, A – Head Master, Govt. English School (Secondary), Kg. Kuantan, Bukit Rotan, Kuala Selangor
4. Jaafar bin Menantu – Senior Teacher, Victoria Institution, KL
5. Kandiah, K – Chief Education Officer, Melaka
6. Mahmood bin Pawan Teh, Dato Seri Wan – Secretary-General, Ministry of Information
7. Miranda Rajadurai, Mrs. – Lecturer, Teachers’ Day Training Center, Kuala Lumpur
8. Mohd. Sidek Abdul Latif – Chairman Malayan Railway Service Commission
9. Eng Bow Poo – Senior Teacher, Victoria Institution, Kuala Lumpur
10. Osman bin Din, Dato – Director-General of Lands and Mines
11. Pathamanathan, V – Head Master, Sekolah Alam Shah, Petaling Jaya
12. Rajadurai, P.D – Lecturer, Teachers’ Day Training Center, Kuala Lumpur
13. Shivarajah, S – Registrar, Specialist Teachers’ Training Institute, Kuala Lumpur.
14. Thambiah, S - Head Master, Govt. English School. Kuala Kubu Baru
15. Wong See – Head Master, Batu Pahat

THE KAJANG HIGH SCHOOL,SELANGOR -THE SCHOOL EMBLEM

The headmaster, Mr. J. R Davidson replied to the toast of KHS …….. . HE announced that steps were being taken to build up a school spirit: a school song had been composed; and the school badge had been redesigned – to incorporate a book above, a ladder above, a bullock cart – the cart for Kajang, the ladder for High and the book for School. …… the boy on the ladder of school life could climb upwards to education in the school or could fall back to the life of the bullock cart – Report on Old Boys’ Reunion Dinner July 28 1956 by KP (KHS MAG 24/1956).

Note: The guest of honour was the Hon’ble the Minister for Education, Federation of Malaya, Dato Abdul Razak bin Hussain. Another distinguished guest was the Hon’ble Inche Abdul aziz bin Haji Abdul Majid, Menteri Besar, Selangor.
The design of the new school crest and the conception behind the symbols was the creation of the late Mokhlas bin Haji Redzuan of Form 5B in 1956 – Secretariat

THE SCHOOL SONG

We look to the future and promise true
To work for the good of all.
And while we were discerning what we ought to do,
We learn to know duty’s call.
We think of the past and our school’s proud fame.
We will never let it down
We will work hard to perpetuate our High School’s name.
A credit to Kajang town.
We thank our teachers, thank our friends, helpers of every race.
And will show them by our industry,
Our gratitude for training us for life’s race
Learning lessons and playing games as they should be played.
Helping brothers of all kinds with our loyal aid
Everyday we renew it, everyday we pursue it
This our promise to KAJANG HIGH SCHOOL.

Lyrics by
J. R Davidson (Headmaster)
1956

TOA SEINAN GAKKO ; IKENOBU SAN, TSUBOCHI SAN AND NIPPON-GO

In the 1930s world events were moving inexorably toward cataclysm. But they were far away, unreal and, perhaps, irrelevant to the British colonial administration in Malaya. Life went on at its languid and complacent pace in British Malaya.
Kajang High School had to say good-bye to the Mr. Gates who went on retirement in 1936 and sailed for England, the Englishman’s “other Eden”. Little did he know foresee that the school he had helmed for many years were soon to undergo a drastic makeover in form and substance.
On June 6 1937 Kajang Town was honored by the visit of the famous Indian Nationalist, Pandit Mehru. The Headmaster, J. B Carr gave permission for pupils and Masters to attend a public rally for Mr. Mehru from 11.00 am to 11.30. The pupils must have come away imbued and flushed with patriotic and nationalist sentiments after having heard Mr. Mehru spoke about India’s struggle for freedom.
About a month after the historic visit of Pandit Mehru, Kajang High School hold its 9th School Sports on July 17 1937. For the 1st time in the school’s history, real hurdles, most probably imported direct from England, were used courtesy of Towkay Low Ti Kok, one of the school’s founders.
The ominous visit to the Kajang High School by several British and Australian military top brass on Sept 14 1941 caused consternation to the school pupils and masters. The Commonwealth Military entourage were led by Major General Stardes, Chief of General Staff (C. G. S), Australian Army and Major General Officer Commanding (G. O. C) Northern Area of the British Army. They told the Headmaster, O. G Williams that the military would take over the school in February 1942.
Despite the spectre of war in Europe and Asia, Peninsular Malaya “slumbers”1 but woke up to learn that Japanese forces has landed on the beaches of Kota Bharu, Kelantan on December 8 1941. The Japanese invesion of British Malaya was under way.
The Japanese Soldier camouflaged themselves with leaves and twigs as they swept down the Peninsular on their bicycles. Their fighter planes had earlier neutralized British positions in advanced of the bicycle onslaught. In Kajang, the Rice Stockpile Center in Reko Road was sprayed with machine-gun bullets from the air. There were scores of civilian fatalities. Dead bodies were sprawled along Reko Road between the Sun Cinema and the Muslim graveyard. The Kajang High School was spared, probably because it was not considered a legitimate target. They might have obtained intelligence from their resident Japanese spies in Kajang that the school had been evacuated earlier.
On Thursday morning Dec 7 1941 Mr. O.G. Williams were instructed on the telephone by Bloomfield to evacuate the school by Monday morning Dec 11 1941. Misjudging the gravity of the situation and oblivious to the reality of war, the Head Master told the pupils and masters to move over to the Kajang Convent Church Road (now Jalan Gereja) on the appointed day and date. The Kajang High School pupils attended classes in the afternoon from 1.15p.m to 5.30p.m. the Convent girls attended classes in the morning. The Headmaster, O.G. Wlilliams must have left soon after to join the rest of the British community in their helter-skelter dash to their fortress in Singapore. Mr. T. Mailvahanam, a senior member of the teaching staff took over as Headmaster.
The Japanese army seized the Kajang High School building the moment they occupied Kajang in 1942. They henceforth called the school by its Japanese name – TOA SEINEN GAKKO. They also removed the brass plaque commemorating the school’s official opening. It was the only “collateral damage” sustained by the school during the war, they turned it into their military Headquarters. The school mythology claims that it was here that summary executions of anti-Japanese elements in the Kajang population were carried out.
An incident in 1949 tends to lend credibility to this mythology. A senior pupil og the school discovered a human skeleton while playing on the site which was being cleared for the Primary Department building. The school’s first Senior Science Master, Mr. A. Dennison kept the skeleton in the Science Laboratory for use during biology classes later during his tenure.
In 1942 Mr. T. Mailvahanam was allowed to continue as Headmaster and he was instructed by the Japanese military to shift the Kajang High School classes held in the Convent to the Queen’s Theatre on the bank of Sg. Jelok, a stone’s throw from the Convent2. The English Language was abolished and Nippon-go was mandatory. Two Japanese teachers were assigned to teach Japanese. They were Ikenoba-san and Tsubochi-san. Mr. Mailvahanam wrote in his report that the Japanese teachers were assigned to the classes in July 1942.
One of the pupils who enrolled in the TOA SEINEN GAKKO was young V. Pathmanathan. He had to learn Nippon-go and he recalls two other classmates who were also learning Japanese. They were Hashim (tall and fair) and Ismail. They were both from Cheras. But he doesn’t remember most of the others who attended TOA SEINEN GAKKO.
In 2008, V. Pathmanathan related that besides learning Nippon-go they had to tend vegetable plots in the morning as well as in the afternoon. They were to turn every vacant lot on both banks of Sg. Jelok into vegetable plots. In this way, Pathmanathan added, the Japanese tried to instill a sense of self-reliance among former British colonial subjects. They also drove them to achieve self-sufficiency in their daily needs during the Allied blockade of the Malay Peninsular.
After the Japanese defeat in the Pacific War, Kajang High School was reopened on Sept 27 1945. Mr. Mailvahanam was still in-charge but had to hand over the school to Major Waters in July 11 1946. Pathmanathan, who had undergone the rigor and tough discipline during his time as a pupil in the Japanese school, enrolled himself in the Kajang High School. He emerged as one of the brilliant pupils of Kajang High School in the immediate post-war years, besides having the distinction of the only known living alumnus of TOA SEINEN GAKKO. He went on to serve his Alma Mater as a full-fledged teacher for a number of years before assuming the post of Headmaster of a prestigious Primary School in Petaling Jaya.
References:
1. Zainal Abidin bin Abdul Wahid – NST Focus, Nov 8 1999.
2. Ms. Sivamalar - KHS Class ’56 Souvenir Magazine BY HANAFIAH LUBIS  KHS ALUMNUS 1956.

Some Old Forgotten Things About Kajang High School

CHAPTER 2

THE KAJANG HIGH SCHOOL (1930 – 1945)

Some Old Forgotten Things About Kajang High School

The old rickety Kajang Government English School in Jalan Besar beside the Police Station (Balai Polis) might experience a great fall and cause fatal accidents due to its decrepit condition. A new and more spacious ground, a more dignified building and, of course, a new name had to be found for the school which had seen better days. The enrollment kept on increasing and the school had become overcrowded. The enrollment stood at 389 pupils in 1926 (1). A new site and a new name was therefore inevitable.

The search for the site of a new school was initiated especially by five concerned gentlemen in the District of Ulu Langat. They were RCM Kindersley, Haji Abdul Jalil, Low Ti Kok, Raja Muhammad and, of course, the dynamic and indomitable Ng Seow Buck, the incumbent Headmaster. As a result of their strenuous effort they were able to secure a gentle slope of a hillock along Jalan Semenyih for the site of the new school-the site of the present-day Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Tinggi Kajang in area. All five of them are appropriately regarded as the Founding Fathers of the new school which has a sprawling area of 28 acres.

(Official Opening of Kajang High School)

(KETINGGIAN 47/80.Pg 20)

 His Royal Highness the Sultan of Selangor, Sir Ala'iddin Sulaiman Shah G. C. M. G. graced and performed the official opening of the school, henceforth known as the Kajang High School, on March 19 1930 (1). But as a matter of fact, the school had begun to enroll pupils and functioning on January 5 1930 (2). The initial enrollment was 402. Among the pioneer batch of pupils who joined the Kajang High School was Tan Chee Koon (Tan Sri) (3). The others were Kong Siew Hock, Loh Pak (later Headmaster of Kajang High School 2(Primary)) and Tajuddin (Datuk)-an outstanding hockey player in his school days and who played for the Federated Malay States. They were all classmates (4).

(KETINGGIAN 47/80. Pg. 21)

Mr. C.E. Gates who was appointed Headmaster of the school in 1929 assumed the same appointment in the new school. Mr. Muncha Singh who had served as a 1st year Normal Student in the former Kajang Government English School when it was first established was also assigned to the Kajang High School. En Hashim bin Ibrahim most probably followed suit.Both Mr. Muncha Singh and Mr. Gates served as the link between the old and the new.There was continuity and Kajang High School should not be regarded as a new entity at all because of this continuity factor.

When the House System of the British Public School was introduced, the Founding Fathers were given the honor to be House Patrons.Raja Muhammad had the distinction of the only alumnus to be made House Patron-Raja Muhammad House.(Sch Nos ending in 7 and 8;house colour;green).Thus were their effort and memories perpetuated among generations of KHS pupils.

 The motto in Latin, LABOR OMNIA VINCIT was adopted as the school's motto, perhaps, at the suggestion of C.E Gates.The school emblem was also probably designed and adopted at almost the same time.

(SPN MPIK 1992. Pg. 10 – Lee Yong Heng)

"The Golden Age" of KHS (1930-1936) (5)

In the estimation of one of his pupils, Tan Sri Dr David Tan Chee Khoon, Mr. C.E. Gates is arguably "the greatest Headmaster the Kajang High School has ever known" (6).

Mr. Gates' tenure as Headmaster could be regarded as the school's Golden Age. He let "a hundred flowers bloom". He exhorted them to scale greater heights and be true to the school's motto. He drove them on with the exhortation: "Hitch your wagons to the star" (7).The boys thus became inspired and motivated.

The ex-pupils of Mr. Gates became men of substance and men of excellence in the government, professions, politics, police, army and journalism later in their lives.

  

                                                              (KHS MAG 21/1953.L of Pg 2)

 (TAN SRI) DR. TAN CHEE KOON

In the case of Dr. David Tan Chee Khoon, he was best known to all Malaysians as an articulate and highly critical politician. He entered Paliament representing the working class and became paliamentary Mr. Opposition in the early history of Malaysia's parliamentary democracy. He created the Gates Medal Award in memory of his Headmaster, Mr. Gate who had helped shape the lives of several of Modern Malaya's/Malaysia's administrative elite and eminent politicians. The award is given every year since 1950 to the Best Scholar Of The Year in the Kajang High School. The first winner was Dr.  Pretam Singh who later became the Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, Federation of Malaya (8).

Not only Dr. Tan Chee Khoon but also several other ex-pupils of the 1930's also became involved in the Malayan working class movement. Lee Moke Sang became the President of the Malayan Labour Party. Tan Tuan Boon, a prominent trade unionist, stood for election representing the working class in 1955. V. Selvanayagam, who held a senior position in the Civil Engineering Department of the Malayan Railway, was also active in trade unionism. It is interesting to know that he was also a member of the F.M.S.V.F (Federated Malay States Volunteer Force); saw action in Gemas and suffered the loss of his right leg. He was mentioned in dispatches (9).

Mr. V Selvanayagam

(KHS MAG 23/ 1955. PG. 28)

The Kajang High School of the 1930s produced first class legal minds too like Abdul Kadir bin Shamsuddin, (later Tan Sri), Paramalingam and Atma Singh among others.

Mr. Paramalingam

(KHS MAG 29/ 1959. Opp Pg. 3)

K. Paramalingam obtained a law degree from London University, became a barrister and Deputy Public Trustee, Federation of Malaya.

Atma Singh Gill also joined the legal fraternity. He passed his Bar Finals within a year but he had set his heart on other interests. It was no wonder that he also became a successful planter and businessman in Negeri Sembilan. While attending law school in London he took the opportunity to visit Mr. Gates who lived in retirement at Barton, Kettering, north of Cambridge (10).

The years 1932-1934 were notable, perhaps historic, for the school. For example, Mr. Gates ordered school blazers and awarded them, for the first time in its history, to those who were outstanding in school spots and games (11). Muhiyuddin b. Mohd Zin who was cricket captain in 1935 must be one of those who had earned his "school colours" (given a blazer). He and another alumnus, P.T. Samanthar, turned up wearing what appears to be thier old school blazers during a cricket friendly School vs Old Boys on Aug 3,1954 (12).

In the academic field the school notched a 91% success in the Cambridge School Certificate Examination in 1933. It was an all-time best in the 1930s. Several of the brilliant students like Low Nan Wan and Cheng Swee left for Hong Kong University to pursue medicine or Arts -- a rare and memorable occasion for the District of Ulu Langat (13). The others who also had excellent grades were still eyeing the prestigious and elitist Malayan Civil Service in the Federated Malay States just like their predecessors from the Kajang Government English School of the 1920s.

Mr. Low Nan Wan
(KHSM 21/ 53. Pg. 18)

Regardless of their lower middle class status or peasant background -- often an implicit and a decided impediment -- both Sharif (School Captain 1933) and Maruf (School Captain 1934) (14) applied for appointments in the Malay Administrative Service in the Federated Malay States. To everyone's astonishment, they were accepted to fill two of the only 3 vacancies available in the whole of the Federated Malay States (15). They had gone in strictly on their mettle, not on the basis of their social class background.

Both of them were later admitted into the British and aristocracy --dominated Malayan Civil Service. In the early 1950s they were sent to England to do post-graduate in public administration -- the Devonshire Course at Oxford or Cambridge University. During their stay in England, they managed to take time off to visit Mr. Gates, their former Headmaster, who in 1953 lived in Kettering. During a visit by Sharif (M.C.S) Mrs. Gate prepared curry for him. He enjoyed it tremendously. In his fantasy, it was then the best East of Suez! He spent a most happy time with his ex-Headmaster and family. (16)

In the summer of 1954, Mr. Gates visited Maruf at Cambridge University and they watched a cricket match between Pakistan and Cambridge University at Fenner's -- the university's famous cricket ground (17). For his part, Mr. Gates who lived in Kettering, fifty miles north of Cambridge, was always glad to meet old boys who had come to visit him like Sharif, Maruf and Atma Singh. In 1951 he sent a message to the KHS magazine and was published in KHS MAG 19/1951. Early in 1954, Mr. Gates and elder daughter visited Maruf at his flat in Cambridge. Maruf cooked tiffin for them. He was very eager, according to Maruf, to know everything about Kajang High School and its Alumni. Later Maruf returned Mr. Gates' visit. He had lunch with him and his family. They served him "Malay makan", all cooked by Mrs. Gates. It seemed , however, that the delicious curry was prepared by Mr. Gates himself and he jokingly called it "Gates Curry" (18). Such was the affection and high esteem in which Mr. Gates was held by his ex-students. He didn’t forget to send X’mas Greetings to KHS staff when Kajang High School reopened its doors one again after the Pacific War. Such was his deep sentimental attachement for his old school.

Like Tun Abdul Aziz, Abdul Kadir bin Shamsuddin had a meteoric rise and was a towering figure in the Civil Service. He obtained a law degree (Hons) from Bristol University. He also attended the Imperial Defense College in London and did postgraduate studies at Yale. Being secretary of the Malayan Delegation to the London Merdeka Mission in 1956, he played an important role in the negotiations with the Colonial Office. Abdul Aziz bin Haji Abdul Majid was one of the representatives of the Malay Rulers who took part in that negotiation to achieve Independence for the Federation of Malaya.

Mr. Gates introduced cricket and hockey in Kajang.The pupils were enthusiastic.Mr Gates shaped the School Cricket Team and it emerged as one of the best School Cricket Teams in Selangor.It also had one of the best cricket pitches.Among the formidable cricket players of the day were Mohd Sharif bin Abdul Samad (MCS), Abdul Maruf bin Sheikh Ahmad (MCS), K. Paramalingam (Barrister-at-Law), Tajuddin and Majid Ismail.

Paramalingam was the School Captain in 1938 and he was a reputable bowler.Abdul Majid Ismail set a school record by taking a hundred wickets in the 1931 School Cricket Season (19).The record remains unbroken to this day. Tajuddin was a classmate of Tan Chee Koon and being very good at hockey, he played for the FMS even during his school years (20).

ASP Tajuddin

                                                         (KHS MAG 20/1952. Pg 17)

R. Sathivelu who atended the Kajang High School from 1928-1935 was also a first class school cricketer.But his real love was hockey and gave his attention to the development of the game in the country.He was utimately elected to be the Hon. Sec. of the Malayan Hockey Umpires' Board, 1953-54 (21).

An ex-pupil who had set out from Kajang for medical school in Hong Kong, Gary Wang ended up in the Graduate School of Journalism of Columbia University, New York. He was one of the few Asian journalists who witnessed the historic surrender of General Okamura in Nanking in 1945 at the end of World War II. Subsequently he became the Editor-in-Chief of the Hong Kong Standard. When he returned to Kajang after the Pacific War, he was appointed the Sub. Editor of the Malay Mail in Kuala Lumpur in an ironic turn of fate. Being a much-travelled man as a journalist, he was dubbed as "the Ulysses of Kajang High School" (22).

Mr. Gary Wang

                                                         (KHS MAG. 23/1955. Pg 26).        

                                                

           

Those in the armed forces and police were also a source of pride and fame to the school.Abdul Majid bin Ismail of school cricket fame joined the Police and later gratuated from the Police College in Coventry, England.During the days and weeks before the formation of Malaysia, he was the Liason Officer of the Reid Constitutional Commission (23). His brother Abdul Aziz Ismail graduated from the RAF Officer Cadet Training Unit in Lincolnshire (24). Later he became a pilot in the RAF and served in Hong Kong.

One of the earliest recruits to the Malay Regiment was Mohd Nazir bin Yacob, a very humorous and jovial personality to his classmates. He joined the army in 1935 and held the rank of Major. He was awarded the M. B. E (Member of the British Empire) by Queen Elizabeth. Another alumnus, Zainal bin Hitam joined the army in 1937 and was also one of the earliest recruits to the Malay Regiment. He was a trail blazer in the army. He was the receipient of the Military Cross (M. C) which is perhaps next to the Victoria Cross (V. C) and the George Cross in prestige, according to age-old British military tradition. He went to Buckingham Palace to receive the M. C from Queen Elizabeth for gallantry and leadership in battle against the Chinese Communists Party of Malaya. He held the rank of Captain and was the 1st Malay Officer in the Malay Regiment to be so honoured. (25)

  Capt. Zainal Hitam 

(KHS MAG 24/ 1956. Pg.20)

                                            

After a stint of seven long years as Head Master of Kajang High School during which he nurtured many of his students to bloom and become men of substance and excellence later in life, Mr Gates left the school and Kajang Town, perhaps his second hometown, in 1936 to live his retirement years in Barton Seagrave, Kettering, England. For his services to the school and the Kajang community, the Kajang Town Board named the road near his house Gates Road (demolished long ago) in Jalan Timur (26). Now Jalan Gate and serves as the access road to new housing areas such as Taman Sri Minang, Taman Kajang Mulia and Taman Angkasa Indah.

As his house in Jalan Timur was just a walk away from the school, Mr. Gates must have walked his way to school along Jalan Gates before getting into Jalan Timur. The significance of this particular road is lost to the 21st century generation of Kajang folks. It may even suffer obliteration as in the case of Jalan Raja Allang, the father of one of the school co-founders, Raja Muhammad. A road was named after Raja Allang, in memory of a wealthy and prominent member of the Mandailing community in Kajang at the turn of the 20th century. It used to run beside Dr. Ng Bow Kwee's residence in Jalan Timur. Due to the cavalier attitude towards local history and heritage, Jalan Gate might also be wiped out from memory.

GATES ROAD

(Mr. Gates former residence in the left background)

(KHS MAG 23/ 1955. Opp Pg. 4)

 Taking a leaf from the former Kajang Town Board who had thus honored Mr. Gates, those running the Sekolah Menengah Tinggi Kajang should honour this man, its former British Headmaster and perpetuate his memory. They can do so by naming a prominent building or landmark in the School Campus after him. Galeria Gate would be an appropriate name for the school’s own Galeria Warisan which was established in 2006. But such prospect seems remote because, as Dr. Tan Chee Koon once observed, it is now fashionable (cool?) to belittle the efforts of expatriate in the post Merdeka Era (27).

SOURCES - (MOSTLY SECONDARY)

1. KHS MAG 25/1957. Page 43-Shelly
2. Ibid. Page 44-T.A. O'Sullivan
3. KETINGGIAN 47/80. Page 34-Tan Chee Koon (Authentic)
4. KHS MAG 41/1974. Page 26
5. Ibid
6. KHS MAG 21/1953. Page 2-Tan Chee Koon
7. Ibid
8. KHS MAG 41/1974. Page 26 (authentic)
9. KHS MAG 23/1955. Page 28
10. KHS MAG 24/1956. Page 21
11. KETINGGIAN 47/80. Halaman 18
12. KHS MAG 22/1954. Page 37
13. KETINGGIAN 47/80. Halaman 18
14. KHS MAG 21/ 1953. Page 15
15. KETINGGIAN 47/80. Halaman 18
16. KHS MAG 21/1953. Page 14
17. KHS MAG 22/1954. Page 26
18. Ibid
19. KHS MAG 21/1953. Page 15
20. KHS MAG 41/74. Page 26
21. KHS MAG 23/1955. Page 27
22. Ibid
23. KHS MAG 24/1956. Page 20
24. KHS MAG 21/1953. Page 15
25. KHS MAG 24/1956. Page 20
26. KHS MAG 23/ 1955 – Editorial
27. KHS MAG 41/1974. Page 26 Dr. Tan Chee Koon   -    By  HANAFIAH LUBIS KHS 1956.