Head of State recalls his school days in St Joseph’s
Thinking back of the old days (in school), I cannot help to feel a sense of gratitude of how much we have owed to the school.
KUCHING: Living up to ‘Ora Et Labora’ which translates to Prayer and Labour has proven to be an epitome for students of St Joseph’s Kuching during and after their schooling days.
With the motto close to their hearts, the school has so far managed to produce several prominent leaders in the state including two governors and four chief ministers, the latest being the Yang di- Pertua Negeri Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud and Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem.
“Thinking back of the old days (in school), I cannot help to feel a sense of gratitude of how much we have owed to the school,” said Taib during the St Joseph’s Grand Jubilee Celebration Dinner for the class of ‘55, ‘63 and ‘64 at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching ( BCCK) on Saturday night.
He also pointed out that during his days in class of ‘55, there were not many students, which enabled the school to instil among its students the desire to become good people.
Taib also said learning in a mission school had taught him to have a strong attachment to his classmates and teachers as they did not go to school merely to learn and pick up lessons.
“We were going to school because we were growing up and needed coaching to face the world after school,” said Taib, who was the chief minister from March 26, 1981 to Feb 28, 2014 before passing the baton to Adenan.
Among the most important life lessons that he has learnt from studying in a mission school, he said, is the opportunity to better understand the religion of others.
According to him, that particular life lesson was learnt when he took up the courage to meet Brother Patrick, director of the school, to seek permission to perform their Friday prayers at the mosque which inevitably would result in them skipping certain classes.
“I was nervous and thought that he would not understand why I would like to ask permission to go out to pray. I was much surprised that he said if you are serious about it, I will give you permission and any other students to get off
Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud, Yang di-Pertua Negeri
for Friday prayers,” said Taib of his eye- opening experience.
After that day, Taib admitted that he then realised that by studying in St Joseph’s, students learnt not to distinguish their friends by race or religion.
“I have also learned to respect a person for his goodness and character which is the best lesson I have ever had,” said Taib.
He also said the school had taught him not to take things for granted and volunteerism as they were handed shovels and brooms to clear a compound to build the school’s new wing.
Also present at the reunion dinner was Adenan whom Taib said was the state’s another prominent leader produced by St Joseph’s.
Though not his classmate or schoolmate, he said he met Adenan (class of ‘64) after they both had returned from their further studies in Australia.’
He said Adenan had shown promising qualities to become a leader since rising up in the 60s and during his time in the federal government and the state government when he was still the chief minister.
“Within all this period, I already have my eyes on Adenan Satem. Of course, he does not strike me as a typical politician who knows how to win hearts. He is a blunt but a very sincere man. He means what he says and when he wants to do things, he will commit himself 100 per cent,” said Taib.
However, he admitted that grooming someone like Adenan was not an easy task due to his blunt personality.
“Over the years, I think he has mellowed a bit. However, his straight forwardness is what makes me trust him. It was no doubt Adenan Satem and thank God today, I can see one of my wishes coming true,” said Taib.
Meanwhile, the event saw the presentation of two portraits — one to Taib depicting his wife Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Raghad Kurdi Taib and another to Adenan which depicts his wife Datin Patinggi Datuk Jamilah Anu.
Among notable figures present at the dinner were Minister of Land Development Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Masing, State Legislative Assembly speaker Datuk Amar Awang Asfia Awang Nasree, former deputy chief minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr George Chan Hong Nam, De La Salle Brother Charles O’ Leary and organising chairman Alex Ling.