ON Tuesday, April 29, the Sarawak Tribune featured an article about scouting that truly captivated me. Titled ‘Commissioners Reaffirm Commitment to Movement’, it highlighted the reaffirmation of commitment by 49 scouting commissioners in the presence of Chief Scout Commissioner, John Lim Boon Beng.
The “reaffirmation of commitment” in this context was a formal or public declaration by the commissioners to uphold and continue their dedication to the scouting movement.
It had several purposes – renewing dedication, inspiring others, accountability, unity and leadership.
The commissioners refreshed their dedication to the principles and values of scouting while inspiring others within the scouting community to do the same.
The accountability pledge demonstrated their ongoing support for the movement and its goals, while the act of collectively reaffirming commitment fostered a sense of unity and solidarity among the commissioners and the scouting community.
Overall, the “reaffirmation of commitment” was a symbolic gesture that reinforced the importance of dedication, loyalty and adherence to the principles of scouting within the organisation.
The ceremony was held at the Sarawak Scout Headquarters in Batu Lintang, Kuching earlier that Saturday. To me, this act was a profound gesture of respect, honour and faith in Lim’s leadership within the scouting movement.
The article mentioned several distinguished guests, including former Chief Commissioner, Capt. Zainuddin Tan Sri Hamdan, recently appointed Honorary Commissioner, Sarawak Scout Council Honorary Secretary, Zasran Abdullah, and other Sarawak Scout Council members. Both Capt. Zai and Zasran are cherished friends of mine.
I recall vividly how, in early 1984, Zasran – then known as Rayner Lam and serving as Organising Commissioner – went out of his way to support me. He travelled to Kanowit and stayed overnight at my principal’s quarters at SMK SEDAYA to ensure I completed my Part 4A thesis.
The thesis, titled ‘Jungle Survival’, was completed in time, thanks to his encouragement. He even promised that his nephew would illustrate it back in Kuching.
I later received my pass for the thesis and was awarded the two-bead Wood Badge in August 1984, presented by then-Scout Council President, Tan Sri Datuk William Tan, in Kuching.
Reflecting on my scouting journey, I remember the challenges during an eight-day course at the Government Rest House in Santubong in 1982. The course, led by Peter Lim and assisted by Simon Lee, was a rigorous experience.
Among the 30 attendees, I was one of the few who brought a tent from Rajang Teachers College, with which I camped solo. On the second morning, after a night at Teluk Belian (now adjacent to Damai Beach), I tripped and broke the frame of my glasses.
This mishap left me virtually immobilised due to poor eyesight. Fortunately, the youngest member of our eight-person team, a 19-year-old Chinese boy, rushed back to Santubong to seek help.
In the meantime, I waited under a casuarina tree, using a piece of coloured cloth tied to a branch to signal for assistance. Help arrived two and a half hours later with then-Chief Scout Commissioner, Datuk Safri Awang Zaidell (later Tan Sri), and Simon Lee aboard a speedboat.
Safri lightheartedly quipped, “You fail lah, sik abis journey.” I smiled and said, “Thank you, Datuk.”
My glasses were repaired at a goldsmith shop in Santubong, owned by the father of one of our college students. He repaired it free of charge.
Returning to 1984, when Rayner visited me at SMK SEDAYA, he remarked that my hand-written thesis would be historically significant and immensely useful for jungle excursions and explorations.
It was no surprise when I received confirmation of my pass from Scout Headquarters later that year. To celebrate, during a Scout Council meeting in December, I treated Rayner and our mutual friend, Said Bolhassan, to a meal in the city.
Looking back, my humble scouting leadership journey has been filled with milestones worth cherishing. Starting as Deputy Commissioner of KLM 27 (Rajang Teachers College, Bintangor) in 1979, I went on to serve as the inaugural District Commissioner of Kanowit in 1983, followed by Saratok in 1985, Serian from 1986 to 1987, Julau (another inaugural appointment) from 1988 to 1993, and Bau from 1993 to 1995.
Along the way, I remained a member of the Sarawak Scout Council and an active participant in the State Training Camp. One of my fondest memories is delivering a lecture on jungle survival and signs in 1987 to Wood Badge Part 4A attendees at the Scout Headquarters in Batu Lintang. Among the attendees was Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar, who later became our Chief Scout Commissioner and is now our Head of State.
In 2012, I was appointed the State Publicity Commissioner under then-Chief Scout Commissioner, Dunstan Melling Undau. Sadly, Dunstan passed away in May of that year, taking with him my certificate for the National Training Course in Cheras, Kuala Lumpur.
As a result, I never received my third Wood Badge bead, despite having passed the course with flying colours. Still, my dedication to scouting was recognised in 2016 when I was awarded the Pingat Ahli Bintang Kenyalang (ABK) by the then-Sarawak Governor, Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud.
This honour was the culmination of my contributions to scouting. Earlier, in 1992, I also received the Scout Meritorious Award, the Pingat Perkhidmatan Baik (Scout Silver Medal), signed by National Chief Scout, Tan Sri Datuk Amar Sulaiman Daud.
Returning to the reaffirmation ceremony, John Lim said he was grateful to the Sarawak Scout Council for entrusting him to lead the organisation. He pledged to elevate the scouting movement to greater heights.
With his wealth of experience and his four-bead accolade, I believe Lim is well-positioned to strengthen the movement, building on the great work of former SCC Capt. Zai.
I wish him every success and look forward to reconnecting with my scouting comrades as I continue this journey beyond 70 years of age, still standing tall and without a limp.
Kudos to Lim, Capt. Zai, Zasran and all Sarawak scouting commissioners and members for their unwavering dedication to the movement.
The views expressed here are those of the writer and do not necessarily represent the views of Sarawak Tribune. The writer can be reached at tawisalok@yahoo.com.
