An Ex-Blockmate Finally Found After 45 Years

Our recent trip back to KL to accompany my MIL coincided with a mini-reunion dinner for some of the ex-members of the 5th Residential College Christian Fellowship of the University Malaya and their spouses on 29 June 2019.

This reunion had added meaning because I managed to meet a "block-mate" whom I have not seen for over 45 years. This chap Quah Sim Aik was "discovered" by another ex-fifian by accident or by divine appointment as some may like to call it.

As the story goes: Just over two weeks or so before the reunion, another ex-fifian, Sun Nan Ping, his wife and grandson attended a Sunday Worship Service in a Church in Alor Setar. After the service, Sun and Quah started chatting with each other without realizing that they were once friends and stayed in the same Fifth Residential College of University Malaya. Only after ten minutes of conversation and exchange of names that the names rang a bell to them.

In 1973-74, I stayed at a corner unit of the 1st Floor of Block D and Quah stayed at the other end corner unit of the same floor. We saw each other very frequently. I remember in the weekdays, the college was normally quiet after dinner because all residents were deep into "study and assignment". Then at around 9.30pm, the quietness was suddenly broken and punctuated by bouts of yelling and shouting around the male blocks and occasionally from the female blocks.  That was a way of release and getting ready for a simple supper.

Quah was one of those who loved to yell and occasionally being shouted down by some ladies across at Block B.

Quah has been a teacher since his graduation from MU until his retirement. In the end, it is his dedication and service in his Church that proved to be most inspirational to us. Currently, he still serves as the Chairman of his Church and an active leader of the young working adults. His son too is active in Christian ministry. His son is a contributor to "The Asian Beacon", a free Christian publication in Malaysia.

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Block D of the 5th Residential College of Malaya University where we once stayed.  Left photo is the current view with courtesy from Google Map and the right is an old photo taken in 1973.

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A group photo of 5th College Christian Fellowship, 1973.

Quah was seated left of me during the Christmas
Celebration in 1973 in 5th College.

An outing to Fraser Hill, Pahang in 1973.
Quah is standing second from left.
i was squatting at left.