98th ANNIVERSARY DINNER OF THE OLD FREES’ ASSOCIATION (OFA)
SPEECH BY THE CHIEF MINISTER OF PENANG YAB TUAN CHOW KON YEOW FOR THE 98th ANNIVERSARY DINNER OF THE OLD FREES’ ASSOCIATION (OFA)
14 January 2022 @ St. Giles Wembley
Dato’ Dr. P.P. Shah
Trustee of The Old Frees’ Association
Mr. Andrew Lim Chong Huat
President 2021/22 of The Old Frees’ Association (OFA)
Past Presidents
The Organising Chairman
Members of the Management Committee for 2021/22
Members of The Old Frees’ Association
Ladies & Gentlemen
A very good evening to all of you.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the organizing committee for inviting me here this evening. The honour is truly mine as we are all gathered here in this ballroom to celebrate the 98th anniversary of the Old Frees Association (OFA) and the 205th anniversary of the Penang Free School.
The Old Frees’ Association first came into being as an exclusive old boys’ club for former students of Penang Free School. Indeed, the OFA has come a long way since your inception in 1923. From the initial 100 members, the OFA now has 1,503 members comprising members of both the faculty and alumni.
Penang Free School, the oldest school in South-East Asia, is proud to have many prominent Old Frees who have gone on to make a name for themselves, both locally and internationally. The recognition and success of these Old Frees clearly show the high standards of quality education that is being provided by the dedicated educators in Penang Free School. It is a school for scholars, sportsmen and gentlemen alike and of course, also for women of substance who are equally successful.
Ladies & gentlemen,
Realising the significance of our schools especially the ones which are steeped in history and traditions, the Penang state government has never lost sight of doing whatever we can to ensure these schools are well-equipped and remain in good condition to provide a conducive learning environment. In 2021, we allocated RM6.5 million for our Chinese and mission schools, RM2 million for our Chinese independent schools and RM2.39 million for Tamil, Punjabi schools and Tamil-based kindergartens. It remains the state government’s objective that our historic and elite schools, PFS definitely being one of them, will mold the next generation of fine men and women who play meaningful and significant roles in the Penang of the future.
Hence, I look forward to the emergence of future Penang Free School alumni who will help our state in scaling greater heights similar to the contributions of Old Frees like Malaysia’s founding father Tunku Abdul Rahman, Dr Wu Lien-teh in the field of medicine and Wee Chong Jin in the law although (unfortunately) he became Singapore’s First Chief Justice in 1963.
One other field that we have spared no efforts in making improvements is in ‘Sports & Recreation’. This, I believe, strikes a chord in the hearts of many Old Frees, because the OFA organizes the annual games, a tradition where the Old Frees and the present ones pit your athletic skills against each other, all in the name of good sportsmanship. This has proven to be another good platform for the present school-going Frees to bond with the ex-Frees.
On the state government’s part, our concerns lie not only in the improvement of sports infrastructure but also in ensuring career as well as academic development for our state athletes. This comes in the form of a RM300,000 allocation for our Penang Athlete Career & Education, in short, PACE Programme for the provision of Sports Scholarship, Athletes’ Education Programme, education incentives and our athletes’ career assistance. The PACE Programme serves to provide our state athletes with better welfare and benefits throughout their sports career as well as to enable them to have a good start in other areas once they have stopped playing or representing the State in their respective sports.
Honoured guests,
I am also glad that the OFA has the interest of our community at heart through your various CSR programmes. During last year’s Covid-19 pandemic, through the OFA and independent efforts initiated by the old boys, you have pooled together your resources and donated medical equipment to the Penang General Hospital. Other ex-Frees also came to the aid of Penang residents who were affected by the Movement Control Order, via the White Flag Movement. This is most commendable and I applaud your efforts in helping your fellow Penangites who were in need.
I was informed that the OFA will be celebrating your Centenary in 2023. Various programmes and activities including sports events will be organized from now until then, to build up the momentum towards a grand celebration in 2023. Taking this opportunity, I would like to call upon all the Old Frees to continue upholding your rich traditions, culture and values. Armed with the fine education the school has imparted upon you all, you must all unite in one voice to uphold the core values of PFS and to transform the Penang Free School and the Old Frees Association into iconic institutions.
In closing, please join me in congratulating the OFA for putting together yet another successful dinner.
Thank you.