Last Saturday at Sri Malaysia Sungai Petani, I met again old friends most of whom I had not met for the last 40 years. It was ex Gaya Collegians Reunion lunch attended by some 60 people from all over Malaysia. Most had retired from the teaching profession, but some had left teaching many years ago to enter into a different vocations . There were lawyers, judge, politicians, managers and businessmen. Some are still active and some led a semi retired life.
Among the friend that was prasent was Kasim.Kasim was the first person I met when I arrived at Kota Belud in Feb 1968 after a long travel of two weeks from Sitiawan by bus, train and cargo ship. The cargo vessal was my most memorable journey. The vessal Kimanis sailed through rough sea South China Sea for 5 days before arriving at Kota Kinabalu wharf late at night. When I hit the road, it was rolling and I swayed as I walked.I didnt checked out of the boat immediately for I had no place to stay that night. Only the next morning I took a Land Rover for another winding ride to Kota Belud, where to my relief I met Kasim who also came from Perak.
Hamdan was also at the gathering. He had been my good friend from the college days and I visited him on many occasions in Kiulu where his wife came from. I admire Hamdan for his sheer determination and hardwork in furthering his education until Phd and his contribution towards the consumer movement in Malaysia. From somebody unknown and unattached, he has become a public figure in consumerism in Malaysia.
The ex collegians that were present were colourful figures, with adventureous spirit and mind of their own. Most attribute their specialness to the experience they have at Gaya and the life they lived in Sabah. Because they share unique experience, there was a bond of frienships among them that had gone through the test of time.
