Oldies turn MCKK ‘boys’ again
IT was the first day of the new year, and 15 anxious members of the Class of 1966, a few with their families, arrived in time for lunch in Kuala Kangsar, Perak for a memorable event.
One of them took the Sinaran Pagi Utara train from Kuala Lumpur and had to be picked up from the railway station to join the rest of the crowd.
It was for a reprise of an event that each of them had gone through exactly 50 years ago when they were young boys — enrolling and registering at the Prep School (Form 1) of the Malay College Kuala Kangsar.
These men, all in their early 60s now, were part of a group of over 20 from the Class of 1966. They “registered”, armed with their “letter of offer” for enrolment into the college. They brought along a complete set of school uniforms and boarding school paraphernalia like towels, toothbrushes, toothpaste and soap-boxes required for their stay at the Prep School. It was exactly as it was 50 years ago.
After registration, they were escorted to their dormitory by the duty prefects and assigned to their respective beds, and grouped according to their “houses”.
They had to then prepare their beds and lockers, and get into school uniform, to be ready for their first inspection by the headmaster.
The inspection was done in a manner customary in the 1960s, with strict decorum. All stood at attention and spoke only whenspoken to. The beds were scrutinised to ensure the bedsheets were well tucked in and stretched (even had to go through the coin toss test!), lockers organised, and uniforms well put on.
Those with unkempt appearances, who did not wear the school uniform properly, sported long hair, or did not have sufficient toiletries were punished with detention class and confinement. Five were reprimanded that day.
This golden anniversary was an important moment in their lives. As such, many of the 60-plus year olds had waited anxiously for their “letters of offer” to enter MCKK.
Some even confidently went to the tailor to make white pants for the school uniforms, before their letters arrived. A few went to a local chain selling school uniforms to get theirs.
This trip was indeed a “Balik Kuala (Kangsar)” or “Back to Kuala Kangsar” experience (instead of “Pergi ke-Kuala” or “Going to Kuala”). However, this time it was more than that, for it was a chance for all those involved to relive an important phase of their lives. More C66ers arrived for tea and dinner later that night.
The presence of present day prefects who were at the college for their annual prefects programme (leadership development), lent a sense of realism to the event.
The young prefects were amazed at the level of enthusiasm and the seriousness of their “seniors”. They saw how the college spirit continued to course in their veins, and how strong their love for the school was.
After tea and inspection, the young lads gathered around their seniors and asked questions about life in Prep School 50 years ago.
The largely informal dinner was attended by the headmaster, some teachers and the whole Prefects Board and special guests — former kitchen staff who worked at the Prep School and the Big School in the 60s. Age was no barrier.
The Old Boys were brought around a tour of the school the next day, and it was nice to note that the Big Tree is regaining its lushness. The Big School is also undergoing repairs to be rid of pests.
It is hoped that the new pride of the college, the IB Complex, will bring not only scholastic achievements but also enhance performance in sports and other extra-curricular activities, in line with the Fiat Sapientia Virtus motto — Let manliness come through wisdom.
