THE CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION OF KEDAH OLDEST SCHOOL

MENU CARD OF THE CENTENNIAL DINNER AT DEWAN SERI NEGERI WISMA DARUL AMAN FRIDAY 25 JULY 2008

TUANKU ABDUL HALIM MUADZAM SHAH CELEBRATING HIS GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY AS SULTAN OF KEDAH OFFICIATING THE CAKE CUTTING CEREMONY OF 100 YEARS SULTAN ABDUL HAMID COLLEGE WHICH IS ALSO HIS ALMA MATER

IN conjunction with Tuanku Abdul Halim Muadzam Shah's , Sultan of Kedah golden anniversary currently celebrated in the State, our Alma Mater SAHC ( Sultan Abdul Hamid College) has also reached a CENTURY since its infancy. Kedahan including His Royal Highness the Sultan of Kedah, his brother Tunku Abdul Malik, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, plus countless others who have made their marks in society and the country have passed through the portals of this re known school since it first opened in December 1908. Truly the youthful baby to many of us schooled in the 1950's has grown into a full blown senior adult. Exceptionally an ex-student aged 89 years old now residing in Singapore, perhaps the oldest living SAHC alumni, came back and on the night of the 'Centennial Banquet' held at Dewan Seri Negeri on Friday 25 July 2008 was introduced to His Highness and awarded specifically.

True to sportsmanship and a Collegian by heart, Tuanku Sultan prompted to ask the visitor several questions and then introduced him to Tunku Abdul Malik , Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad , Tun Siti Hasmah and other VVIP, a scene observed by the audience through the courtesy of CCTV. That was truly an act of benevolence I believe unexpected by the organisers.

A Collegian congratulating His Highness Sultan Abdul HalimMuadzam Shah for achieving the Golden Anniversary of his reign in Kedah Darul Aman

Later the the Sultan walked around the hall, calling on each table to say 'hello' and to receive congratulatory wishes. A gesture much admired by the audience and the Collegians especially.

The night at Dewan Seri Negeri was interspersed with music, speeches, book launching and sketches by Yusoff Chong. The eager and searching fraternity perhaps eclipsed the tremor as friends searched for their former classmates. Several of my earlier classmates of 1948 when we first entered the school gate were there as if to greet the lost years.

We met again the next day when a century celebration was celebrated at the school padang. Unfortunately the morning shower cooled everyone especially the students who had lined the route to welcome the Sultan and his retinues who arrived at the College in vintage and sports cars.

With my wife, BoonLert Somechit and Khalid Yahya, both my early classmates at the College

With Ong Poh Kee, Tan Boon Lin two former Principal of SAHC and Md Noor.

The speeches, presentation of honor to the 'Centurion of the Year' were held at the Padang, thankfully under the canopy and tents erected. We took the opportunity to meet other Collegians especially those of our years and to visit the classroom where we had our lessons. A 'pulut kunyit' with other dishes were served for lunch and enjoyed by the tired group who had endured the rain earlier.

Some of the senior Collegian touching on warmth and comradeship when they met at the school Centenary Celebration.

We had another program to attend just after departing the College gate. We proceeded to Sekolah Menengah Syed Mohd AlBukhary for a lunch session with no less than eighty loud-noised Collegians of the 50's. This was the real do rubbing with the die-hards of the good old days. Everyone crying out in the din of meeting after almost four decades for the first time. Besides the 'ikan bakar', 'tomyam' and other dishes served, some of the members took to the durian feast and other local fruits served as well.

After a group photo session, we parted with memory of a good get-to gather and promising one another to keep in contact. Of course many requested for photos to be forwarded to them realising that one member of my staff was busy taking photos of the occasion. Here are some photos highlighting the Century Celebration of Sultan Abdul Hamid College, the first English School to be opened in Kedah on 8 December 1908. The school of course has turned out illustrious students who have brought honor the the Alma Mater. With TWO past PRIME MINISTERS from the same school, it is a record none has managed to overcome and possible not at all.

The group of 1950's at a special gathering on Saturday 26 July 2008. They met at Sekolah Menengah Syed Mohd Bukhary Alor Malai. The likes of Mat Botol, Azizan Pagoda, Rahim Susu, Mat Syarikat, Hashim Mara,Lah Abass etc were there for lasting companionship

Five-some colleagues namely Noor Aman, Harun Hashim, Abu Bakar Rautin,Ahmad Ismail and Mohd Noor Tahir seen at the SM Syed Mohd AlBukhary gathering.

A nostalgic visit to the school hostel where we had our Std VI classroom. The hostel block has a fresh coat of painting to usher in the centenary celebration.