KUALA TERENGGANU: It has been 43 years since they left school.
Hence, a reunion for the alumni of Sekolah Kebangsaan Panji Alam here, complete with a potluck meal, proved to be a nostalgic event – and sumptuous too.
The 55 alumni of the Class of 1970-74, who arrived from all over the state and country, had much to discuss.
Ahmad Embong said that a majority of them had just retired from the civil service after turning 60 last year.
“Others are still actively working in the private sector or running their own businesses.
“Three of our alumni are, however, bedridden, while a handful of others have died,” said Ahmad, a retired headmaster of Sekolah Kebangsaan Padang Kemunting in Batu Rakit, Kuala Nerus.
He added that the alumni passed the hat around to collect money for the medical expenses of their three bed-ridden former schoolmates.
“Although it is not a very large collection, we hope it will, in a way, lessen their financial burden,” said Mokhtar Che Ali, who retired as deputy general manager of the Central Terengganu Development Board (Ketengah).
Syarikat Air Terengganu technician Kamaruddin Ismail, and retired education department officer Wahab Salleh said that they were very excited to meet and catch up with their former schoolmates, who also include several women.
“After leaving school, many migrated to other states and even overseas to look for jobs and greener pastures.
“Thus, we have not been able to gather in such a large number until now,” said Kamaruddin at the reunion’s venue at the Batu Burok Beach Resort here.
Wahab said that previously, only a handful could meet up due to various reasons, including work and family commitments.
“But now that almost all are retired, we made this reunion possible,” said Wahab.
Sedap Corner eatery owner Ariffin Ramli said that some of the male alumni had also married their female schoolmates.
“Thus, in a way, this is also a family reunion for them,” said Ariffin.