Introduction
Have you ever wondered the first recollection of experiences when you were young? My first memories of my childhood was when I was 3 years old. Back then, I remembered there was me and my elder brother. I could remember the time when my younger brother was not yet born. Black and white TV was introduced in Malaysia in 1963. I remember waiting patiently late afternoons when the broadcast would start. Minutes before that I would stare at the patterns and listen to the ‘toot’ sound on the TV. If I were blown away by coloured TV, imagine how amazed I was when colored TV was introduced for the first time.
Back in the early 1960s, we did not have computers, hand phones, tablets and Internet. For fun, I climbed trees, catch spiders, and played a game that was made from twigs called kunda kundi. We make our own cherry guns and kites. My friends and I would play Police and Thief, Hide and Seek and Galah Panjang. Playing kites and marbles were seasonal. I bet the children today will not be able to imagine how my generation could have the time of our lives without electronic gadgets. I remember playing a game with my elder brother where each of us chose a car brand like Toyota and Mazda, and we'd sit by the side of the road and count how many Toyota and Mazda cars passed by our house. The person who chose the car brand that had the most cars pass by would be declared the winner.
My family and I lived in the teachers quarters located at Jalan Gasing, Petaling Jaya. It was a walking distance from the railway station where my late father would wait for the train to take him to work in Kuala Lumpur. The house was close to the shops, school and the wet market. This part of Petaling Jaya was known as PJ Old Town. Soon after my younger brother was born, my family moved to a house my mother bought in Section 14, Petaling Jaya. When we moved there, the place was a barren land with rubber trees. Today, it is one of the most developed part of Petaling Jaya
National Type Primary School (English)
I spent 6 years of my primary education at a school nearby my house. Back then, schools are 'national type' schools categorized by medium of instruction. The school that I went to had a generic name; National Type Primary School (English) Road 10, Petaling Jaya. The name of the school tells us that its medium of instruction is English and it is located at Road 10, Petaling Jaya. I went to this school because my mother was a teacher of that school. Convenient.
Every day, my mother gave me 20 sen school pocket money. Usually I would spend my money buying fried noodles (10 sen) and a cordial drink (5 sen). That leaves me 5 sen for my piggy bank. Today, if we see 20 sen lying around on the ground, most people will not stop to pick it up. Back then 20 sen has value.
Bukit Bintang Boys Secondary School
My first 3 years of secondary education was at a school named Bukit Bintang Boy Secondary School (BBBSS). Back in the early 70s, many schools were either a boys school or a girls school. BBBSS is a missionary school which meant they only got partial funding to operate. I remember how the school continuously initiated activities to raise funds. Back then, classes were named after colors. I was in the Yellow class from Form 1 to Form 3.
The school was a 15 minutes walking distance from my house. I remember taking the longest route possible because I hated going to school. My route usually involved going through Jaya Supermarket and alleyway between houses and fields. The only motivation to go to school early was that I get to play Police and Thief or chopping with my friends.
Our school field had little grass. Playing football on the school field was like playing on some desert. At least the ground was flat. I was quite good at this sport. I represented the school and got to play against the rival schools. Back then, football boots were expensive. Many of us wore ankle guard instead of actual football boots.
This was the time when parting our hair in the middle, wearing jeans and bell bottoms were cool. The most popular but very expensive jeans back then was Amco. Heads turn if you wear Amco jeans. Back then Chopper bikes were the in thing. The Rolls Royce of bicycles was the Raleigh. My friends and I would make sure our bikes were sparkling clean and fit them with all kinds of accessories.
Victoria Institution
After Form 3 and having taken the LCE, I transferred to Victoria Institution. This school has a long history, rich in school traditions. It was established in 1984. The British Resident, W. H. Treacher was successful in convincing the governor of the Straits Settlement to build the school. During the first year, the school took in 115 students. Tuition fees were $1 per month.
I joined VI in 1974. It was hard trying to make friends in a new school. My skills in playing football helped me make many friends. Living in a hostel also helps. For the first few months schooling in Victoria Institution I lived in Asrama Dr. Latiff, Jalan Gurney. Living away from the comfort of my Petaling Jaya neighborhood was unsettling. Slowly but surely I adjusted. I spent 4 years here from Form 4 to Upper 6. It was here that I my wife, Noraini.
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