OF MY LIFE’
So for swimming I had to go out to sea on my own. I had a boat and would swim far out and back. I would have been an excellent swimmer if the school had included swimming in its sporting programme. However, I enjoyed outdoor life and showed less interest in my lessons, particularly mathematics.
Question: Perhaps, sir, you can recall some particular incident of humour or interest in your school days? Answer: I cannot recall much of anything that could be said to be of particular interest, but as any other boy of that tender age I had plenty of fun. Mr Chong Weng, my Seventh Standard teacher told me he could send to to be caned for fighting in and outside the room but out of regard for my rank he would let me off that time. But this went on.
Question: Sir, the theme we have chosen for the School Magazine this year is the “Identity Crisis”. Do you agree that there are actually masses of people in the world without individual identities?
Answer: The theme of your magazine ‘Identity Crisis’ - I am inclined to agree with this question. Some people gain fame or notoriety in different ways and some have none at all. Some become great as a result of their service to the nation and their fellow-men by doing a lot of peace, goodwill and understanding, and some bring relief to the poor, the needy, the sick and their nation, their fellow men and their neighbours. They become famous as politicians, welfare workers, social workers, philantrophists. Some gain greatness through games and sports, and after their retirement help others to play the games. All these people achieve greatness and identity.
There are those who achieve notoriety by doing wrong things, by committing crimes and other acts against society, law and good order. This brings to mind, for instance, some of the big gangsters in the American underworld, such as Al Capone who lived by racketeering and killing. There were those who became notorious as bandits, such as Chin Peng and his comrades. There were thouse who achieved their identity one way or another and one in particular was the famous Blue Beard who like Henry VIII killed seven wives and Jack the Ripper who killed many women loitering in the streets of London in the 19th century.
But there are thousands who just carry on their daily lives unobtrusively and without a care in the world. Many thousands of them as office workers and ordinary workmen, have no identity one might say.
Question: Sir, the Penang Free School is said to have a distinct identity of its own. Could you elaborate on this? Answer: The Penang Free School is said to have a distinct identity of its own because it is the oldest English school in South East Asia. It has provided a high standard of disciplinary education, in addition to its normal education. The code of good conduct for its boys has given the school this very special place in our nation.
On the other hand, the name “Free School’ has its disadvantage. When I first entered Cambridge, the snobbish English society of the early twenties, my name with that of the school was put up for the freshmen university soccer trial. At the last moment I was dropped. According to information, I was from a free and charitable institution and it would be a disgrace to have me playing with those from the famous public schools of England. Because of this, I later bought a super sports car with an aluminium body and red mud-guards and drove to the lecture hall. Later it was said that because of me, no cars were to be used by students during lecture hours.
Question: Sir, what prompted you to enter politics?
Answer: I have always been politically minded. Even when I was a boy I used to take great interest in the lives of great men - like Julius Ceasar, Napoleon, William the Conqueror, George Washington, Mustapha Kamal and coming to modern times, Ghandi and Nehru - those who fought for independence. When I was at Cambridge I used to attend Indian students’ political meetings and so when I came back to this country, my great ambition was to free the country from British rule. I never got on well as a Government servant because of my political outlook and views I had expressed from time to time. I even welcomed Nehru when he came here in 1936 as a political outcase. I wan on the Penang P.W reception committee.
Question: It is common knowledge that you declared the Independence of Malaya in 1957. Sir, how did you feel at the moment when you made the declaration? Answer: I was naturally happy when I declared independence of Malaya in 1957 and that happiness is hard to describe for as I stood on the platform and when I shouted “Merdeka” I felt overwhelmed with emotion. It was the first time that this country ever enjoyed freedom. Naturally, I felt proud that I should have chosen to declare that great day.
Question: Sir, you have been Malaysia’s first Prime Minister. Could you please tell us, briefly, what it is to be Prime Minister of this country? Answer: Naturally, I was proud to be the first Prime Minister and I gave thanks to God and the people who had confidence in me to elect me as their first leader. When it was suggested that I should punish certain people who were working against the Alliance Party at the first election I said that in the hour of our triumph we should kneel down and give thanks to God for His small mercy and not think of revenge. That is as it should be.
Question: Sir, are there any words of advice that you would like to say to the present generation of Frees? Answer: The Penang Free School should remember that this school has produced a Prime Minister, Ministers and a Chief Minister as well as high ranking officials and big business tycoons and professional men. In the old days, we were asked to remember Dr Wu Lien Teh, the plague specialist. While you take pride in the old boys of your school who have become famous, you should also take pride in all the great men of the world, irrespective of their race or the country they come from and try and emulate their example. In this way, you can become great too. Above all, have the greatest respect for your Alma Mater and undivided loyalty for your country.