President's Address

A very warm welcome to the OPA Annual General Meeting of its 99th edition and thank you for taking off time to be here today.  To ensure a safe and civil environment for our meeting, we had the pleasure of inviting Inspector Adi Khusani Saripudin, the Ketua Balai Polis Campbell to be observer today, but unfortunately, he just sent his sincere apologies due to a government related duty.  However, he assures that his Inspectors and patrolling units will still be around this area just to ensure that things are in order.  So, let’s look forward to a great meeting today.

 

I would also like to acknowledge the Board Chairman of SPI Secondary, Dato’ Dr Bob Samuel who is with us today. We also have the presence of two of our esteemed Ex-Presidents, who are none other than Mr. Ng Yee Tim, seated alongside me as he is also one of the current Vice President, as well as Mr. Hilary Santa Maria. Thank you for joining us today and we deeply appreciate your ceaseless support for OPA.  I must also take this opportunity to congratulate Dato’ Dr Bob Samuel, for having been conferred the DBNS award from His Royal Highness The Yang Di Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan, which carries the esteemed title of Datukship.  Congratulations Dato’ Dr Bob, we at OPA share in your joy and celebrate this remarkable achievement with you.

 

This AGM is particularly significant as it is an election year, where we will be electing a new committee.  For the first time in our 99th year history, we are witnessing an extraordinary turnout today, with many of you travelling from near and far, including some Paulians who have come all the way from Melbourne, Sydney and Western Australia. I must acknowledge these individuals like Mr. Peter Wong who flew in all the way from Melbourne, Mr. Christopher Siow from Sydney, we also have our hockey legend, Mr. James D’cruz who flew in from Perth, as well as Mr. Raymond Baptist from Brisbane.  Thank you for making the effort and the length of distance that you have traveled, truly represents your seeking spirit as True Paulians in action.

 

I like to report that 2024 has been a remarkable year for the OPA with many significant achievements. Our financial position remains healthy as a result of our prudent spending, allowing us to enhance our activities and advancing in our mission to serve the Paulian community and our alma mater. Throughout the last term from April 2023 to December 2024, the Committee has convened a total of 23 Management committee meetings, with all activities documented in the comprehensive Annual Report by our Hon. Secretary. I must extend my heartfelt gratitude to all members of my committee, the sub-committee and all the supportive Paulians for their unwavering dedication through volunteer efforts, donations and also active engagements.

 

In addition to all our existing scholarship funds like the OPA Education Fund, Bro Felix Donahue Student Welfare Fund, The Class of 78 Student Welfare Fund and OPA Sports Fund, I’m proud to say that last year, the OPA have established another two new funds supported by the late Paulian Mr. Lee Siew Chow from Class of 1959, who has pledged his substantial fixed deposit, now managed by his daughter.  Progress is already underway, with an initial token amount received to kick start the fund which will be utilized towards supporting Paulians in pursuing Tertiary Education.  Furthermore, the Ammal Chacko Vocational Trust Fund, initiated by Paulian Mr. John Chacko, from Class of 1973 aims to assist weaker students in pursuing vocational education, with a pledge of RM500,000 over a 10 years period with an initial donation of RM30,000. Thank you, Mr. John Chacko, for your thoughtful initiative in benefitting these weaker students.

 

At the beginning of the school term, OPA also sponsored RM4,655 to provide uniforms, school bags, and shoes for needy students.  Moreover, I’ve also asked the school to identify 10 needy and deserving students who will each receive a scholarship of RM1,000.  In our support for the Primary school robotic education, OPA donated a Robotic Set worth RM5,200 and we are currently looking into a request to donate another Robotic Drone Set to enhance robotic education in the Primary school.

 

Last year, we celebrated our Alma Mater 125th Anniversary, under the theme of “Our Pride & Legacy”, which was officiated by YB Mr. Cha Kee Chin in the absence of YB Mr. Anthony Loke. About 800 commemorative Tee Shirts and also 1000 commemorative Mugs were produced to mark the event, and both items were well received and a complete success.  The recent completion of The Paulian Arch, which is a gift to our school from Paulians, in honour of the anniversary, now stands as another significant milestone for the OPA.  Initially, it was planned as a school project, to be funded from the YTL RM1 million donation, but the OPA chose to take on this initiative, just to relieve the school of the financial burden, especially given the many pressing infrastructure repairs needed for a school building that is more than 65 years old, thus saving the school an amount of RM 60,000.  Thanks to the collective support of Paulians, the Arch now stands proudly, giving St Paul's Institution a stunning facelift.  Well Done Paulians!

 

These are a few highlights of our many accomplishments and the list goes on and on.  For the past 99 years, the OPA has all the while been a realm of camaraderie, fellowship, togetherness embodying the oneness of Paulian Spirit. But as you know, in recent months and for no apparent reason, the OPA were subjected to a series of deceitful lies, slander, defamation, and unfounded accusations including those of racist nature.  It is just disheartening to see this behavior. and while I am ashamed to discuss the specific, I must say that this situation is unhealthy and cannot be allowed to continue.  I’m not sure of the motive, but if anyone is sincere and genuine to serve in the OPA, they would never have resorted to such dishonorable behavior. In fact, we have initially chosen to remain silent, we tried not to be affected by this nonsense.  However, as the attacks became more intense, we felt compelled to address the matter openly.

 

As I conclude my message today, I wish to emphasize that my committee is not here to seek position or glory but more to fulfill our sense of duty and a commitment to serve.  This is a voluntary role, and I take it as a Paulian Badge of Honour, and I want to clarify that I’m not being paid, contrary to deceitful rumours that the President receives a salary of RM10,000.  I encourage my fellow Paulians not to judge us based on rumours and misconceptions you hear, but rather on our records and actions because this is what truly defines us. As we approach our 100th anniversary next year, it’s crucial to reflect on how far the OPA has come, and today’s election will be a good opportunity for Paulians in deciding our future. The OPA has enjoyed a smooth transition of leadership for the past 98 years maintaining the tradition of nurturing. I would be more than happy to pass on the leadership to anyone who is genuine and committed to serve. However, I cannot accept individuals who seek to undermine the OPA through dishonest or disruptive actions and I’m sure that this sentiment resonates with many of you here today. With that said, I am offering myself for re-election along with a few of my existing committee members, with a hope of continuing our noble and meaningful work.  Regardless, of the outcome today, we have to put a stop to these unwarranted negativities as this does not serve our purpose as Paulians. So, the decision now lies with you, and if it so happens that we are to lose, we will gracefully accept it with a smile.