DGK - Notice Board : Datin Seri Endon's Homecoming

Tuesday, December 17, 2002
Emotional high when Endon visits old school
By CHRISTINA KOH

KAMPAR: It was an emotional moment for Datin Seri Endon Mahmood last Sunday when she revisited the primary school she and her twin sister, Nor Aini, studied in some 50 years ago.

The wife of Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi received a warm welcome when she arrived at the SK Methodist (then Anglo-Chinese School) for a reunion with classmates, teachers and old friends.

Among those who turned up was her former teacher Chye Kooi Loong, 73, and his wife Yoon Lai Fun, 63.

Endon and Nor Aini lived in Kampar in 1951 when their father, the late Datuk Mahmood Ambak, who was a mining assistant in the Department of Mines, was transferred there to help oversee about 60 mines in the district.

They studied under Chye from Standard 2A (Year Four today), before the family moved back to Kuala Lumpur four years later.

During the visit, Endon managed to spend time reliving the good old days with Chye and his wife.

She briefly toured the school and had a look at her old classroom. She was also delighted to see old photographs of herself and her class.

Endon paid tribute to Chye and said he did not “look old” for his age.

“He is the teacher I will never forget. He taught me sports such as running, relay and long jump.

“This has been a nostalgic trip for me, and I planned to return here in April with my husband when the school celebrates its 100th anniversary,” she said.

She also donated RM50,000 for the school’s maintenance, saying she felt sorry to see the school in a poor condition.

Endon’s visit to Kampar included a trip to her old house at Jalan Enam and Aston Settlement where she stayed with her family for four years.

An elated Chye, who taught Endon for two years, said teachers in those days coached their students in all subjects such as reading, writing, history, geography and sports.

“When she was taking part in sports, I had told her that the most important thing in life was not in the winning, but in the struggle. That is important,” he said.

Chye remembered Endon as the more studious and serious of the twins while Nor Aini was the more extrovert and playful in class.

He said Endon and his wife represented the school’s B team in the 4 x100 yard relay during the annual Empire Day when schools in the district competed with each other.

He said Datuk Mahmood, who used to play tennis with him when they were in Kampar, would often ask about his daughters’ progress in school.

“He was one of the few fathers I knew who showed great interest in their children’s studies, and I wish more parents were like that,” he said.

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