PORT DICKSON: it was a stroll down memory lane for some 10 batches of former Federation Military College (FMC) students who revisited their alma mater after nearly 60 years.
Now in their 70s and 80s, the veterans attended the school at Camp Haigh Lines, Port Dickson, Negri Sembilan, from 1952 to 1961.
FMC students are referred to as “budak” (boy) as they studied at the “boys’ wing” of the facility, which also trained officer cadets. FMC has since been renamed the Royal Military College and had been relocated to Sungai Besi in Kuala Lumpur.
Welcoming the 129 “boys” and their spouses at the Non-Commissioned Officers (NCO) College was its director, Colonel Inderjit Singh Bachan Singh, his staff and their wives, who all made the former students feel at home. NCO College, where the former FMC was located, is now part of the Army Academy.
“I bet this visit was a memorable one that they will cherish forever,” Inderjit told the New Sunday Times.
He said the itinerary included a welcoming breakfast, lunch and the launch of the book I Remember: Reminiscences of FMC Budak Boys, which details their stint at FMC.
“It also involved a camp tour and a tree-planting ceremony.”
Present was former Old Putera Association president Tan Sri Mohd Radzi Sheikh Ahmad, who had served as minister in the Prime Minister’s Department and home minister. Others were former Armed Forces chiefs General (Rtd) Tan Sri Abdul Rahman Abdul Hamid and General (Rtd) Tan Sri Borhan Ahmad, as well as former RMC commandant Major-General (Rtd) Datuk Ghani Yunos.
Inderjit said the visit was a platform for the veterans to renew their acquaintances, for many had not met since leaving FMC.
“This nostalgic visit reflected the sole purpose of FMC’s establishment by the British administration — to prepare young Malayans to take on key positions in the military, civil service and the corporate sector, which were crucial for nation building.
“It played a key role in preparing the nation to gain independence.”
Ghani, who is from the 1959 FMC batch and became RMC commandant from 1985 to 1989, said: “Even the rain could not dampen our spirits to make the visit, which was a joyful one.
“It truly reflected the everlasting unity and bond among us, irrespective of ethnicity, religion and background. It allowed us former students and our families to reminisce about our experience at FMC.”