KUALA LUMPUR: NINE years ago, a group of school friends who had lost contact since 1983, were brought together at a school reunion event on the former students’ collective 45th birthday.
Fifty-four-year-olds Rashidah Ibrahim, Roshila Abdul Kadir, Intan Yub Abdullah, Rugayah Yusof, Lisa Lee, Trixie Hoh, Prema Thivag, Helen Chew, Suzanne Van Dort, Patricia Geraldine StaMaria, Yogeswari Narayanasamy and Suryati Junsi were from SMK(P) Convent Jalan Peel’s Class of 1983.
Since the reunion, the old friends have been inseparable, strengthening their four-decade friendship through Facebook and WhatsApp group chat.
“We have a Facebook page where all of its members are those from our batch.
“That’s where we post our plans for holidays or just share updates about each other,” said Rashidah.
The group members, clad in white blouse adorned with colourful scarves, shared their inspiring friendship anecdotes during an interview with the New Sunday Times at Balai Berita, Bangsar, here, yesterday.
A BOND STRENGTHENED THROUGH TRAVELS
“The 1Malaysia (concept) was actually based on us. They copied us,” said Patricia, the self-professed loudmouthed member of the all girl-group that predates the Spice Girls.
“Back then nobody gave a fuss about the colour (of our skin). We became friends because we understand each other. Skin colour had nothing to do with it,” said Rashidah.
The group said that while some friendships last for a season, theirs lasted a lifetime.
Keeping their bond close was their common love for food and travelling, despite coming from different background and religions.
They recollected the time when they went for a group trip to Hatyai, Thailand.
“We decided to be adventurous. So we took the train to Padang Besar. We booked an entire coach. It was so loud since it was all girls. We even celebrated a birthday on the train,” said Rashidah.
“When we arrived in Padang Besar, we did not notice that the Immigration counter is on the other side of the huge road. So there we were, dragging our luggage to cross over for our train to Hatyai.”
While they were dragging their luggage, it began to rain and the “girls” found themselves soaked.
“Rashidah pushed through the crowd and called us to join her! Luckily the other passengers didn’t complain,” Intan said with a laugh.
Hatyai was one of the group’s more recent trips together. It was their best one to date.
“We managed to get all 12 members to go without having any of our family members accompanying us. It was all about food, shopping and enjoying good company,” Yogeswari said.
The groups have also visited countries in Europe, Australia, Japan and many other destinations Malaysia.
Suryati recalled an experience in Paris that is forever etched in her memories.
“We went to Notre-Dame Cathedral, which was the first visit to a church for me, Rugayah, Intan, Roshila and Rashidah.”
“We were so excited because it was so beautiful inside. We began talking and taking pictures, oblivious to the people around us who were getting annoyed.
“Suddenly, we heard a loud ‘shhh!!!!,” said Suryati, she recalled with a laugh.
What made the trip memorable, she said, was the fact that all five Muslims from the group (the other one was Suzanne) were wearing hijab.
It was them who later encouraged Suzanne to attend mass at the cathedral because they believed it would be an experience of a lifetime.
“Initially I didn’t want to attend mass because I thought they would want to do something else. I was touched when they told me to attend it and that they would want to witness it,” said Suzanne who, together with Patricia, are the two Eurasians in the group.
SECRETS TO A LONG LASTING FRIENDSHIP
If they were not travelling together, the group members, comprising Malays, Chinese, Indians and Eurasians, meet regularly for their usual outings.
And what do they call their get-together sessions?
“When we are looking for food, we call it the ‘jalan-jalan cari makan’ adventure, which we do every month. Then there is the ‘kura-kura walk’ (slow walk) session at parks,” Rashidah said.
The group believes that respect, tolerance and openness are important to keep their bond strong.
Chew said: “We’ve never had any misunderstandings because we respect each other. We value each other’s privacy. Things that are shared in confidence will stay that way and if someone prefers not to talk about it, we do not pry further”.
Jealousy was unheard of in the group, Yogeswari added.
“We support each other’s achievements instead of trying to bring the person down. When one of us excels in something, she brings joy to the whole group.”
Coming from different career backgrounds such as banking, education, business, food and beverage, manufacturing, home-making and babysitting, the women know how to support each other in good and bad times.
“Each of us brings different things to the table. It is the glue that keeps us together. We just be ourselves and we know our friends got our back,” Rashidah said, as the other members nodded in agreement.
SPIRIT OF MALAYSIA
The ladies agreed that inculcating good values about races and religions must start from young — at home and in school.
“When we were growing up, our parents encouraged us to go out and make friends with our neighbours regardless of their ethnic background and religion,” Prema said.
“I remember running into my Malay neighbour’s house.
“I spent a lot of time playing with the children who were around my age and often joined them for meals.
“However, I don’t see many families doing this any more. People keep things to themselves and keep their doors closed. As a result, their children don’t go out to play any more.”
Rashidah agreed, saying parents should build strong religious foundation for their children with a belief that no religion promotes harm, anger or hatred.
Rashidah, who had sent three of her children to a Chinese school in the city, said the experience would allow the children to expand their world view on other cultures and religions.
“I’ve had people asking me if I was worried that my children would become less of a Muslim because they went to a Chinese school. I got annoyed by that question, so I asked them back: ‘Is your iman (faith) that weak?’ I send my children to a Chinese school because I want them to learn an important universal language and mingle with people from other ethnic groups and cultural backgrounds.
“It’s sad when parents don’t allow their children to mix around with those from other race and religion.”
Patricia said the important role that teachers play in the life of a pupil was during his formative years.
“I remember Mrs Yusof who taught English in our school.
“She was such a wonderful teacher and treated us equally.
“Her first rule in class was that nobody of the same race was allowed to sit next to each other.
“Life lessons from an experience like that will stay with you forever. We learned about each other and built long-lasting friendship regardless of race and creed which we hold on to until today.”
Meanwhile, Hoh recalled a subject taught school known as Tawarikh (or History) that imparts the basic study of comparative religion that allowed students to learn about each other’s religion.
“That subject needs to make a comeback, with updates, of course. What we learned from it opened our eyes to other people’s faiths. From the subject, we learned more about our friends and subsequently learn how to respect them.”
The ladies hoped that their friendship would inspire other to join hands in the spirit of a multicultural Malaysia.
“Sticking to own races is boring,” they said in unison.
While getting ready for the photoshoot, the “girls” broke into their school anthem, followed by the popular tune Can’t Take My Eyes Off You by Frankie Valli which they directed to the cameraman (who was blushing).
So what’s their plan after the interview?
“Lepas ni durian (after this we will get some durians),” they said, adding they had been planning
to enjoy the fruit at the famous durian stall in SS2, Petaling Jaya.