The Old Paulians' Association (OPA) is an alumni association in Malaysia. It was founded by Brother Lewis Edward of Ireland.
History Brother Lewis Edward,St. Paul's Institution, "From the First World War to the outbreak of the Second", Retrieved 18-January-2011,"St. Paul's Institution, Seremban" an Irishman who was headmaster for St. Paul's Institution (28 April 1921 to January 1929), is credited with having started the association 22 years after the school was founded on 18 June 1899.
Old Paulians' Association has historical significance as one of the oldest alumni associations in Malaysia, tracing its root to 1922 and having witnessed firsthand the Japanese occupation in World War II (1940 to 1945) and Indonesia-Malaysia confrontation (1962 to 1966).
Nation building OPA members include individuals noted for their nation-building contribution. Many are currently in various geographical locations and comprise former students and teachers of St. Paul's Institution (Primary)St. Paul's Institution (Primary), "St. Paul's Institution (Primary)", Retrieved 5-February-2011," " and St. Paul's Institution (Secondary).St. Paul's Institution (Secondary), "Heritage", Retrieved 5-February-2011," " These members include Tan Sri Chan Choon TakParliament of Malaysia, "Presidents of the Senate, Parliament of Malaysia", Retrieved 8-October-2010,"" who served as President of Dewan Negara in Parliament Malaysia (Dec 1990 to Mar 1992), Justice Lee Seiu KinSingapore Supreme Court, "Judges and Judicial Commissioners", Retrieved 5-February-2011,"" currently serving Singapore Supreme Court, Datuk Prof. Dr. Prabir Ranjan Sen Gupta who serves National Cancer Society Malaysia as vice-presidentNational Cancer Society of Malaysia, "Patrons and Board Members", Retrieved 5-February-2011," " and fellowAcademy of Medicine of Malaysia, "List of Fellows of the Retrieved 5-February-2011,"" of Academy of Medicine of Malaysia, Dato’ Lai See MingSt. John Ambulance of Malaysia, "Organisational Structure", Retrieved 2-February-2011,"St. John Ambulance of Malaysia#Organisational Structure" who is currently St. John Ambulance Malaysia National Chairman and Commander-in-Chief, John FernandezDemocratic Action Party Malaysia, "Elected Representatives - Negeri Sembilan", Retrieved 5-February-2011,"" who was Member of the Parliament (House of Representatives) of Malaysia for the Seremban constituency in the state of Negeri Sembilan, Anthony Loke Siew FookDemocratic Action Party Malaysia, "Elected Representatives - Negeri Sembilan", Retrieved 5-February-2011,"" who is currently Member of the Parliament (House of Representatives) of Malaysia for the Rasah constituency in the state of Negeri Sembilan and Minister of Transport, Malaysia, Jesu Maria Selvam,Malaysia Book of Records, "Senior Achievers", Retrieved 5-February-2011," " recognised by Malaysia Book of Records as Longest Serving Sports Official in Malaysia, 7th SEA Peninsular Games 1973 Gold Medalist (Hockey) Michael Yan Wai Pin and Stephen Van HuizenMalaysian Hockey Confederation, "Senior Team 2010", Retrieved 5-February-2011," " who is the current coach and also past skipper of Malaysia's national hockey team.
Headquarters OPA currently operates from Paulian House, 324-1 Taman Bukit Kaya, Seremban, Negeri Sembilan Darul Khusus.Wikimapia, "Location of Old Paulians' Association Headquarters", Retrieved 2-February-2011,"" This is the fourth OPA premise.
OPA's first premise was located at 1st Floor, 2 Market Lane, Seremban, Negeri Sembilan post World War II. OPA then later moved to another premise, 1st Floor, 78 Jalan Dato' Bandar Tunggal (formerly called Birch Road), Seremban. In 2000, it moved into its own building at 24 Jalan Yam Tuan, Seremban.
Background OPA's roots date 1922Old Paulians' Association, "Our History", Retrieved 1-February-2011,"" or 23 years after the founding of St. Paul's Institution in Seremban. Bro. Lewis Edward, who was the Brother Director at that time, envisioned a fellowship of former students with the aim of continuing their prowess in athletics and sports. In the few years leading to the formation of the association, he realised the need to maintain ties with other La Sallian organisations in the region.The Straits Times, "Visit from Seremban, 29 July 1920, Page 7", Retrieved 1-February-2011,""
Together with former students, he founded St. Paul's Athletic Association (SPAA) in 1922 and opened its membership to former students of St Paul's Institution. SPAA also recognised associate members, which were former students from other La Salle schools. SPAA achieved outstanding success as its members were active participants in games and athletics.
Four years later, SPAA took steps to become a formal association and took on the name St. Paul's Old Boys’ Association or SPOBA in 1926. The primary aim then was to encourage members participate in games and athletics. This was later expanded to include socialThe Straits Times, "Old Boys' Dinner, 19 April 1934, Page 12", Retrieved 1-February-2011,"" and cultural activities. SPOBA was active and saw its members competing in various tournamentsThe Straits Times, "Police and Paulians draw, 18 October 1933, Page 15", Retrieved 1-February-2011,""The Straits Times, "Two Draws, 19 March 1934, Page 14", Retrieved 28-January-2011,"" and games.The Straits Times, "St. Paul's Old Boys, 17 May 1934, Page 12", Retrieved 1-February-2011,""
The economic turmoil in the Thirties brought about numerous challenges. In that decade, St. Paul's Institution saw the comings and goings of several Brother Directors (all Irishmen) like Bro. Dominic John, Bro. Barnitus Kennedy,The Straits Times, "Untitled, 24 April 1930, Page 11", Retrieved 29-January-2011,"" Brother John Lynam, Brother Joseph Brophy and Brother Anselm Conde.
SPOBA was understandably dormant during the Second World War. However, St. Paul's Institution remained open despite the hardship and bloody conflict, helmed by Bro. Henry. He was well known for personally refusing the invading Japanese forces occupying Seremban the removal of the school name.
After World War II The end of World War II saw a sense of returning normality to life in Seremban. It gave SPOBA renewed vigour. In 1948, SPOBA came together thanks chiefly to efforts of Mr J. R. Santa Maria, Mr C. A. Pinto and Mr. Wong Ah Chong. The then District Officer, Encik Bahaman bin Shamsuddin,Ministry of Home Affairs, Malaysia, "A Brief History", Retrieved 27-January-2011,"" became SPOBA President.
SPOBA held its first Annual Reunion Dinner and Dance (ARD) in 1949 to celebrate the end of a brutal period in Seremban, bringing together survivors and friends who had lost touch with each other during the war. The start of the ARD gave life to an annual tradition that has remains the talk of town until today.The Star, "Old Paulians to celebrate 81st anniversary, July 12, 2007", Retrieved 28-January-2011,""The Star, "Old Paulians to celebrate 81st anniversary, July 11, 2007", Retrieved 28-January-2011,""
It was in 1952, SPOBA with St. Francis Association (alumni association of St. Francis Institution, Malacca) took on key rolesStraits Times, "La Sallian XI to tour Bangkok, 17 October 1951, Page 15", Retrieved 28-January-2011,"" to form the La Sallian Association and introduced La Sallian Soccer Competition. SPOBA were champions for six consecutive years in this competition, which also saw Old Boys of Christian Brothers (Singapore) and St John's Alumni Association (alumni association of St. John's Institution, Kuala Lumpur) participating. (The coming together of these alumni associations and beneficial values of fellowship gave inspiration to Mr. P. C. M. G. Mahidas (Malacca), who was responsible for the formation of Christian Brothers Old Boys’ Association or CBOBA.) SPOBA continued to be active in sportsStraits Times, "It all depends on the people, 14 December 1952, Page 11", Retrieved 28-January-2011,"" and social.Straits Times, "Old Boys' party for school 'head', 13 December 1952, Page 5", Retrieved 28-January-2011,""Straits Times, "St Paul's OBA meeting, 25 April 1964, Page 15", Retrieved 28-January-2011,""
A period of change The Seventies spelled changes. For one, Bro. Felix James Donohue succeeded Bro. Thomas Dunne (both are Irish) on 1 January 1970, as Brother Director for St. Paul's Institution. Bro. Felix was responsible for the historic start of accepting female students in Form Four and Form Six. He was also present at SPOBA Annual General Meeting (AGM) in 1970. Together with the elected Executive Committee, the task of acquiring a building as home for SPOBA started.
SPOBA then identified a suitable premise, located at Sim Garden and SPOBA Building Fund Raising project was started. Numerous Old Paulians (as members of OPA became known) who were captains of their respective industries, stepped forward to help realise the effort. A sum of RM15,000 was pledged by Paulians and well-wishers. Unfortunately, the ambitious goal was delayed as the identified building was tagged at RM70,000 and funds pledged were insufficient.
SPOBA then decided to make do and rented the first floor of a shop house at 2 Market Lane, Seremban, at its temporary home. Subsequently, SPOBA relocated to another shop house, occupying the first floor at 96 Birch Road (now known as Jalan Dato’ Bandar Tunggal), Seremban.
The first batch of female students, who enrolled in Form Six at St. Paul's Institution, had graduated in 1972 and asked to join SPOBA. As such, Old Paulians voted unanimously at SPOBA AGM in 1972 to adopt a new brand, Old Paulians’ Association (OPA), and amended provisions to accept female St Paul's Institution Secondary former students as members. Efforts to acquire a permanent home was also galvanised.
Permanent Secretariat Funds continued to be raised in a span of years. In 1978, OPA purchased two adjoining double-storey terrace houses at Taman Labu Utama, Seremban. The intent was to renovate one house, which at that time was still being constructed, as permanent home for OPA. Plans for the renovation were submitted for approval. Both properties cost RM150,000 and a bank loan of RM50,000 was secured. The remaining funds were raised from Old Paulians and supporters.
Despite promising to wait for the approval, the property developer completed constructing both properties in its original form. This was rather unfortunate and OPA was forced to continue its quest of seeking a suitable home. OPA disposed of both properties and used the proceeds to acquire a 4.842-acre land at Rasah. The idea at that time was to site OPA headquarters at that land. However, the timing couldn't be worse as the nation soon entered into a troubling economic recession. The land remained idle until the mid Nineties.
In 1995, Old Paulians voted to dispose of that land and use the proceeds to purchase a dilapidated shop lot located at 24 Jalan Yam Tuan, Seremban for RM300,000. OPA still lacked funds but resolved to realise an ambition kindled in 1970. OPA secured a bank loan of RM150,000 and organised a series of activities to raise the remaining funds from Old Paulians, well-wishers and advertisers in its ARD souvenir programmes. At last, with enough funds in hand, OPA demolished the dilapidated shop lot and constructed in its place, a three-storey building, at a cost of RM345,000.
Wisma OPA was officiated by then OPA president Tan Sri Dato' Chan Choong Tak.
The third floor currently serves to house the permanent secretariat for OPA while the remaining ground and second floor are rented.
Founding member of Malaysian Federation of La Sallian Association In December 1979, Malaysian Federation of La Sallian Associations (MFOLSA) was formed with the objective of bringing ex-students of La Salle Institutions under one umbrella. OPA is a founding memberMalaysian Federation of Lasallian Associations, "La Sallian Alumni in Malaysia", Retrieved 2-February-2011,"" and participated at the inaugural meeting held in Penang.
MFOLSA 2010