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CONTINUITY will be his “most important” aspiration to ensure the spirit of La Salle lives on, said Datuk Ram Singh, the newly-elected President of Alumni Association of La Salle and Sacred Heart Primary School, Kota Kinabalu, at the installation ceremony held at the school hall on Thursday, Nov 23.

The installation ceremony was presided by alumni patron, Bro Justin Mobilik.      

The event was a flashback reminder of the late Datuk Bro Charles O’Leary – the legendary ex-principal who was widely regarded by thousands of ex-students as the embodiment of the La Salle spirit.

“It takes a whole village to educate a child,” the late Datuk Bro Charles once quoted a famous African proverb.

Though he intended it to highlight the imperative of the entire community in the upbringing of a child, Charles’ favourites were the sea of old boys and girls who formed the Association of Ex-students of La Salle and Sacred Heart whom he always milled around with at annual alumni dinners, and worked with his ex-student leaders who deliver outcomes he desired.  

Ram the former ‘chief minister’ of La Salle 

Charles actively nurtured this care-centric custodial partnership, actively engaging not only the PTA, Board of Governors and the alumni, in particular, as care givers to the need of the School and students but also a very unique School parliament system capped with “cabinet ministers” to develop student leadership, as incoming alumni President, Datuk Ram Singh was once a “chief minister” of SM La Salle.  

The swearing-in ceremony led by Datuk Ram Singh.

Datuk Ram Singh speaking after being sworn in by Bro Justin.

So, Ram of Form 6 Class ’79 is back in that leadership role, as if he had never left La Salle, because of the fond memories of the Charles hey days, with a declared intention to continue the good old traditions.  

The installation of the new Exco members of Association last Thursday officiated by the last remaining Brother Justin Mobilik, was a reminder of Charles’ ardent wish they would remain a positive contributor to the wellbeing of the premier school, as pledged, led by Ram, now a prominent barrister.               Pledge to preserve ‘good name’ of alumni 

“We, the undersigned, having been elected Executive Committee Members of the Association of the Association of Ex-Students of La Salle and Sacred Heart, for the term 2024-25, hereby pledge to sincerely do our best to serve the Association to achieve its objectives, for the good name of our association and our Alma Mater,” Ram Singh read out loud. 

New Exco lineup

The new Exco line up are: Datuk Ram Singh (President) Immediate Past President Annie Shin, Deputy President Kevin Padasian, Honorary Secretary Brenda Ann Lajinga, Honorary Treasurer Rashit Awang Damit, Social Secretary Mohamad Ariffin Khan, Education Secretary: Lourdes Mary Batin, Sports Secretary Safri Jefri, Membership Secretary Petrus Bansing, Information Technology Yap Kit Lui, Property Secretary: AK Alliyuddin B. Pg Ahmad Tajudin, Deputy Property Secretary: Shabudin Mohd Dun. Advisors: Peter Liau, Dato' Awang bin Ahmad, Dr. Kathryn Rivai. 

The committee members are Conidon Wong, Brenda Wong, Lourdes Mary Batin, Dino Chung, Mansur Abdullah and Teo Chee Kong.

Present at the installation ceremony were, Ho King Wong, Chairman of the SM La Salle Board of Governors, Daniel Tan, Chairman of the SRJK Sacred Heart, Karamunsing, SM La Salle new Principal, Vijaya Kumar, SRJK Principal Principal, Wong Ling Ching.    

Bro Justin calls for close ranks

In his post installation speech, Bro Justin acknowledged that every election has its aftermath and exhorted Lasallians to close ranks. 

“We are all Lasallians, we don’t say we are ex Lasallians, we are always Lasallians, once you have attended  La Salle, you are always Lasallians, when you have election, after election everyone must come together, unite together, the spirit of La Salle must continue, and look after whoever needs help and whoever you can help , please help,” he said.    

“After that, if you are invited to give your opinion, don’t be afraid to give your opinions, good if they are accepted but even if not accepted, take it in the Lasallian spirit,” Bro Justin advised.

‘I agree with Bro Justin’: Ram 

In response, Ram said: “I agree with what Bro Justin has said just now, the most important thing is continuity, I am from class ‘79, not too old, not too young, it may look my Exco Committee is was mostly ‘79, ‘82 and ’89, we will serve, I think I have a good team, I have two principals in my team.”

Sacred Heart not forgotten 

Ram hinted that he would give more thought to Sacred Heart.

Alumni La Salle and Sacred Heart Patron Bro Justin greeted by school principal Vijaya Kumar. Behind Justin are Ram and Treasurer Rashid.

“Because the word La Salle comes first in our Association’s name, we are always forgetting Sacred Heart but I think it’s Sacred Heart first, we go to primary school first, later La Salle, so let’s not forget Sacred Heart, like what Mr Daniel Tan has said.

“In fact, I am a thorough-bred, I completed Sacred Heart Primary 0ne to Primary Six, I completed La Salle Form One to Form Six, so let us all work together, I mean we pledge to work together, I think it is not difficult,” Ram extended a listening ear to possible oversight “sometimes maybe due to ignorance.”   

New principal: La Salle in unique 

Meanwhile, in his opinion, new SM La Salle, Vijaya Kumar, who served in Kuala Penyu before joining La Salle, said: “Actually I found La Salle very unique, I love to work in La Salle, frankly speaking, I enjoy it, so I look forward to the support and good relation from the alumni.  

Something to look forward to: Daniel Tan

Daniel Tan, Chairman of the Board of Governors of Sacred Heart Primary School, Kota Kinabalu, or SRJK Sacred Heart, said: “The Board looks forward to a close working relationship with the new Exco of the Alumni Association.

“As Lasalian President Ram Singh rightly pointed out, the Alumni Association is also the platform for former students of Sacred Heart.

“Sacred Heart Primary is a feeder school for La Salle Secondary. They are the only Lasallian schools in Kota Kinabalu, and both schools have a common heritage and share similar ethos,’ Tan noted.

“The alumni therefore plays an important bridge for both schools and is the strongest unifying force which can be harnessed to bring about positive changes to our community,” Tan said.    

Stay strong, united, inclusive: Board Chairman 

Meanwhile, Ho Kin Wong, Chairman of SM La Salle Board of Governors, said: 

“I agree with Bro Justin that after each election, both sides should close ranks and work together in an inclusive manner, for the good of La Salle.

“It is the only choice for the alumni collective, in order to stay strong, united and inclusive, with readiness to serve,” said Ho, who had been Board Chairman for 21 years and alumni President 1988-92.          

A tribute to ‘From financial dependence to financial freedom’ 

“The Association has come a long way. The last decade has been a watershed moment when it turned from financial dependence to financial freedom.

Now the Association is capable of financing activities without resorting to endless fundraisings which sapped up lots of energies, I would give Past President Herman Yee full credit and appreciation.

Herman initiated and completed the acquisition of Sri Murni Apartments which now produces a steady stream of income in excess of RM10,000 a month,” Ho said in his post-installation comments.

“I am confident that under President Datuk Ram Singh, care and wisdom will prevail, as we continue the course of ‘Service to La Salle, our Alma Mater’.”

All 3 ‘cabinet ministers’

Incidentally, like Datuk Ram Singh, both Daniel Tan and Ho Kin Wong were elected members of the SM La Salle School parliament in their student hey days, who became key ‘cabinet ministers’ as outstanding student leaders.