SPEECH: MALACCA REUNION: 10-12 July 2008

Friends:

We must truly be grateful to the Almighty for our presence here at this Reunion. The fact that we are able to meet once again after two years means a lot to many of us, particularly, at our age. Two years for us is a long time. It is indeed bonus time for those of us in our 70s.

While we made it for this Reunion, there are others who sadly could not make it. Fatimah Deen could not make it; Huang Soon Ngak could not make it; Easvaralingam could not make it; Lim Yoke Lim could not make it; Pasupathy could not make it; Andrew Chin could not make it; Maimoonah Hashim could not make it. These seven Kirkbyites left us during the past two years.

Every time a Kirkbyite passes on, it is disturbing and distressing. It is disturbing because part of Kirkby is no more with us. It is distressing because part of Kirkby history is buried forever.

Unlike our status as a citizen of Malaysia where we are one of the many millions, we are microscopical in number, but our Kirkby status is different – it is special. You are recognisible and identifiable. We are one of a small band of 1,500 pioneers – now fast diminishing in numbers.

Sadly our numbers can only continue to diminish. I have often wondered

who amongst us will be left to close the final chapter on Kirkby? This honour - if it can be termed as such - will surely belong to the last surviving member from the Kirkby fraternity. When that happens, Kirkby will only be a long lost memory, perhaps, forgotten forever.

Whatever that future may be, let us rejoice today that we were fortunate to have gone to Kirkby where this friendship was forged in a foreign soil thousands of miles from our homes. Can you imagine if we had not gone to Kirkby, we might not have met at all! And we will not be here today as part of that wonderful Kirkby family.

This friendship has not only endured but it continues to be alluring, in the words of Nat King Cole, “like a song of love that clings” to us like an unforgettable melody.

This poignant moment in our history has brought us together in eternal friendship. We must never allow this friendship to fade away. We must keep this bond that binds us as brothers and sisters – except for those who are married!

This is our third bi-annual Reunion that took off in 2004. And this Reunion has surpassed the previous two in numbers. It is heart-warming that 156 Kirkby friends have made this pilgrimage to be here to grace this occasion and bring back fond memories of a bygone era.

The organizers must be congratulated for making this occasion possible in such a successful manner. We are grateful to them.

We can only hope to be there at the next Reunion, God willing. Permanence and eternity are not ours to decide. It’s in the hands of God.

Thank you.

11 July 2008