I AM a simple kampung-boy from Sungai Petani, Kedah. I was from an equally undecorated school but one with clear values and a good sense of history with correct pride in education and right values. I had both my primary and lower secondary education at the Ibrahim School of Kedah.

The true break in my life, what can be considered God’s intervention into my personal and spiritual life, happened in April 1969.

We were waiting for our Form 6 HSC results to be announced in April 1969 when the late Mr Ong, our geography teacher, and a member of the St James and St Peter Anglican Church of Malaysia, asked me to attend a Scripture Union Camp in Baru Feringgi in Penang.

I was reluctant as I thought it was only for lower secondary kids. He challenged me by saying, “You are a natural leader and I know that if you come, a few others of your peers will join you!”

I agreed and so did Thomas, Jothy, Nathan, and Philip, with many younger others. The speaker was an American Pastor, Rev Bill Love, who was then serving in Alor Setar Baptist Church. The topic of the Seminar was “God has no Grandchildren!”

Through this message, the Pastor challenged all us to consider and review our personal relationship with God Almighty!

A life of public service

From that day onwards too, my human father’s advice “that in whatever you choose to do in life, choose to serve the other more than anyone else!” became even more real for me.

By then, I had then completed my upper secondary education in the then Federation Military College in Sungai Besi which was also declared the Royal Military College, and given royal colours, in our Form 5 graduation parade in 1966.

In January 1967, we all were made “princes of the nation-state we love!” We were ever since been labelled as “puteras,” and therefore, the Old Putera Association, or Alumni of the Boys Wing of the RMC.

I believe my vintage of UM students had the most meaningful university years of any undergraduate could ever have had in Malaysians public universities; for two reasons:

1. We had very credible teachers, who lectured based on competence, knowledge, and credibility. They were always sincere. My lecturers included Paul Chan, Rafidah Aziz, and Michael Ong, who is now based in Canberra. Mavis Puthucheary was my undergraduate thesis advisor.

2. We had an unspoilt and honest learning environment and those were days well before race and ethnicity-based issues became mainstream! Moreover, we also studied entirely in English.

Apart from my 17 other RMC boys at our hostel; I made some of my best friends in the First Residential College of the University of Malaysia. While ethnicity and heritage was always within my conscience; but, it was not so bad that it became a detractor or a differentiator.

I remember then, as a ‘freshie,’ I was encouraged (or em-couraged which means to put in courage) by Seniors to stand for Junior Common Room Committee or JCRC elections. I was the only frieshie ever to stand for elections against a slew of seniors. And, I won!

I am proud to say that I stood against a Chinese from RMC and a Malay from Sungai Petani and become the Food and Welfare Committee Chairman. My assignment was to ensure all students were served with a high quality of human love and basic facilities; whether food, welfare or human care.

It was the start of my life in public service, that started with that deep desire to serve others before me. – October 9, 2017.

* KJ John worked in public service for 32 years, retired, and started a civil group for which he is chairman of the board. He writes to inform and educate, arguing for integration with integrity in Malaysia. He believes such a transformation has to start with the mind before it sinks into the heart!

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.