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Malay Mail
16-05-2025
- General
- Malay Mail
The ‘cikgu' who never stood in front of a classroom — Zuraini Md Ali
MAY 16 — Each year on May 16, Teacher's Day is marked by heartfelt celebrations — flowers, cards, and touching tributes to honour educators. But for me, it's not just about those in schools or lecture halls. It's also about someone once called cikgu, though he never stood at a blackboard or wore formal attire. That someone was my father — a former Malay Regiment soldier with a dream of becoming a teacher. I remember it clearly. During a trip back to our hometown, my father and I were at the market when a neatly dressed man, about his age, greeted him warmly. 'Cikgu Ali! Lama tak jumpa... apa khabar?' They hugged and laughed like old friends. I stood by, confused — my father was never a teacher. He had worked as a soldier, then as a driver and transporter of plantation workers. On the way home, I asked, 'Abah, kenapa kawan abah panggil abah 'cikgu'?' He was quiet for a moment. Then, staring out the window, he began to tell a story that changed how I understood what it means to teach. Growing up in a poor village in Teluk Intan during the pre-independence years, my father had few resources but a deep love for learning. His friends often came over after school, and he would patiently guide them through lessons. They began calling him cikgu — not for any title he held, but for the way he taught with sincerity. Each year on May 16, Teacher's Day is marked by heartfelt celebrations — flowers, cards, and touching tributes to honour educators. — Picture by Sayuti Zainudin He once dreamed of studying at Sultan Idris Teachers' Training College (SITC) in Tanjung Malim — a prestigious institution that produced many Malay educators and thinkers. He passed Standard Six and was offered a place. But as the only surviving son among seven siblings, financial hardship forced him to choose duty over dreams. He joined the army to support his family. Yet, the name cikgu stayed with him. His friends never forgot the one who helped them when they were close to giving up. One of them — the man at the market — did go on to SITC and became a headmaster. But he still called my father his first teacher. I was deeply moved by his story. Suddenly, I understood why my father was so insistent about education. Though he never stepped into a teacher training college, he instilled in us the values of a true educator — discipline, sincerity, and a love for knowledge. Five of his eight children went to university. Three decades ago, when I became a lecturer, even though I wasn't a schoolteacher, he was proud. I once found an old school essay of mine that he had kept, in which I wrote: 'Being a lecturer suits a woman. I can also give my services to the public through education.' It's been ten years since he passed. But every time I pass through Tanjung Malim, I think of him — of his unrealised dream and the legacy he left behind. To me, Teacher's Day isn't only for those in classrooms. It's for anyone who brings light to others' lives, with or without a title. I'm reminded of a saying of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him): 'The best of people are those who are most beneficial to others.' (Hadith reported by al-Tabarani in al-Mu'jam al-Awsat) My father may never have held a certificate or faced a class, but he taught through kindness, sacrifice, and wisdom. That, to me, is the essence of being an educator. Happy Teacher's Day to all who teach, guide, and uplift — especially those like my father, Cikgu Ali, remembered not for titles, but for the lives they touched. May Allah grant him a place in paradise among the righteous. * Zuraini Md Ali is an Associate Professor at the Department of Building Surveying, Faculty of Built Environment, University of Malaya. ** This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of Malay Mail.
The Star
08-05-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Ramli sworn in as the ninth governor of Penang
GEORGE TOWN: Tun Ramli Ngah Talib took his oath of office as the ninth Yang di-Pertua Negri Pulau Pinang during the swearing-in ceremony at Dewan Sri Pinang here. Ramli, 84, succeeded Tun Ahmad Fuzi Abdul Razak, who had served as the eighth Penang governor since 2021. The new governor took his oath yesterday, witnessed by Penang High Court judge Datuk Rozana Ali Yusoff and State Secretary Datuk Zulkifli Long. Ramli arrived at Dewan Sri Pinang at 8.30am yesterday, accompanied by his wife, Toh Puan Raja Noora Ashikin Raja Abdullah. He then inspected the guard of honour mounted by the Second Battalion of the Malay Regiment, comprising three officers and 103 soldiers led by Mejar Mohd Salleh Jamal, before entering the ceremonial hall to take his oath of office and to sign the official document, accompanied by a 17-gun salute. Ramli was also conferred the state award Darjah Utama Pangkuan Negeri (DUPN), which carries the title of Datuk Seri Utama, presented by Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow. Also present at the swearing-in ceremony were Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Mohamad Abdul Hamid, Deputy Chief Minister II Jagdeep Singh Deo and other dignitaries. In his congratulations and loyalty speech, Chow described Ramli's appointment as a great honour for Penangites. 'He has an outstanding record of service, including having led the state of Perak Darul Ridzuan as Mentri Besar for nearly 17 years and contributing his dedicated service at the federal level as the Dewan Rakyat Speaker for more than three years,' he said. Royal appointment: Ramli and his wife Raja Noora Ashikin at the swearing-in ceremony in Penang. — Bernama Chow said Ramli's character and leadership reflect the stature of a true statesman and a distinguished and respected figure in the annals of the nation's governance. He said he is confident that under Ramli's leadership, Penang will continue to shine and be guided by new inspiration and spirit towards a more glorious, prosperous and harmonious future. Ramli received his letter of appointment from His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, the King of Malaysia, in a ceremony at Istana Negara on April 24. At the ceremony, he was also conferred the award of Seri Maharaja Mangku Negara (SMN), which carries the title of Tun. Ramli will serve as the Penang Governor for a term of four years, until April 30, 2029. Born on March 16, 1941, in Pasir Salak, Perak, he was also the Deputy Transport Minister from 2000 to 2004.
The Star
01-05-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Ramli Ngah sworn in as Penang governor on Labour Day
GEORGE TOWN: Tun Datuk Seri Utama Ramli Ngah Talib has been sworn in as the ninth Yang di-Pertua Negri on Labour Day. He succeeded Tun Ahmad Fuzi Abdul Razak, who has served as the eighth Penang governor since 2021. State secretary Datuk Zulkifli Long announced the appointment while Penang High Court judge Datuk Rozana Ali Yusoff witnessed the swearing-in ceremony held at Dewan Sri Pinang. Ramli arrived at Dewan Sri Pinang at 8.30am accompanied by his wife Toh Puan Datuk Raja Noora Ashikin Raja Abdullah. The ceremony started with Ramli inspecting the guard of honour mounted by the Second Battalion of the Malay Regiment, comprising three officers and 103 soldiers led by Major Mohd Salleh Jamal, before being paraded into the ceremonial hall. Ramli also took the oath as the ninth Yang di-Pertua Negri and signed the instrument of oath of office at the ceremony, witnessed by Rozana and Zulkifli. After Ramli was sworn in, the pinnacle of the ceremony was followed by 17 cannon shots as a symbolic appointment of the ninth Yang di-Pertua Negri. During the ceremony, Ramli, 84, received Darjah Utama Pangkuan Negeri (D.U.P.N), which carries the title of Datuk Seri Utama. Present during the ceremony were Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Mohamad Abdul Hamid, Deputy Chief Minister II Jagdeep Singh Deo, and many other dignitaries. The former Dewan Rakyat speaker received the instrument of appointment from His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, during the Presentation of the Instrument of Appointment Ceremony at Dewan Singgahsana Kecil, Istana Negara, on April 24. Ramli's appointment as the Yang di-Pertua Negeri of Penang was made in accordance with Article 1 of the Constitution of the State of Penang for a term of four years, beginning from May 1, 2025 until April 30, 2029. He previously held several key positions at both the federal and state levels, including serving as the eighth Mentri Besar of Perak for 17 years, from 1982 to 1999.
