Paulian spirit shines in Seremban

By the Editorial Team · Tuesday, September 15, 2026

The Old Paulians’ Association (OPA) held a centenary reunion in Seremban with around 1,700 attendees to celebrate 100 years since its founding as St Paul’s Institution’s alumni body. The event raised approximately RM1.36 million for urgent school infrastructure projects, underscoring the community’s dedication to preserving the institution’s heritage and supporting its development.

The Old Paulians’ Association (OPA) celebrated its centenary with a large-scale reunion event held at Regent Hall in Seremban, Negeri Sembilan, drawing a crowd of around 1,700 attendees, including members, their families, and spouses. The gathering marked 100 years since the founding of the OPA in 1922, the alumni body for former students and teachers of St Paul’s Institution (SPI), a school established in 1899.

Themed “A Century of Legacy,” the event served as a reunion and a celebration of the enduring connections formed through the institution. OPA president Steven Chan Weng Choy highlighted the global presence of attendees who returned to commemorate their shared history and the ongoing spirit of the Paulian community. The Class of 1976 and Class of 2001 were also specially recognized for their golden 50th and silver 25th anniversaries, respectively.

During his speech, Chan emphasized that the essence of the OPA lies not in its physical assets but in the people and the generations that have continued to uphold the association’s values and camaraderie. He noted the presence of 168 tables filled with Paulians spanning multiple generations and geographies, underscoring a strong sense of brotherhood and shared heritage.

The event’s guest of honour was Transport Minister Anthony Loke, an alumnus from the Class of 1994 and current Seremban MP. Loke acknowledged the significance of sustaining an alumni association for a century, attributing its longevity to the dedicated commitment of its members and their strong bonds. He commended St Paul’s Institution for instilling not only academic knowledge but also values of discipline, resilience, and mutual respect. Loke also contributed RM50,000 to the OPA Fund, a fundraising campaign launched in conjunction with the centenary celebrations.

The OPA Fund aims to support urgent infrastructure and maintenance projects at SPI’s primary and secondary schools, which, as a missionary institution, receive limited government funding. To date, the initiative has raised approximately RM1.36 million in donations and pledges. Major contributions came from notable donors including Datuk Lim Kian Onn of ECM Libra Foundation (RM1 million), WWRC Foundation (RM100,000), and Datuk Seri Lee Tian Hock, founder of Matrix Concepts Holdings Bhd (RM70,000). The funds are earmarked for repairs to school halls, renovations, upgrades to science laboratories, and other critical facility improvements.

Chan paid tribute to the efforts of past OPA presidents such as Tan Sri Chan Choong Tak, Ng Yee Tim, Hilary Sta Maria, and Datuk David Wee, acknowledging their foundational work that has helped sustain the association’s success over many decades. Even after their terms, some former leaders continued to provide support and guidance.

The event also included special recognition for five former students who represented the nation in hockey. The recipients of the Paulian Olympian Legacy Recognition Certificate and plaque were Franco De Cruz, Brian Sta Maria, Stephen Van Huizen, Gary Fidelis, and Datuk S. Suriaghandi.

Overall, the centenary celebration highlighted the enduring legacy of St Paul’s Institution through the active engagement and mutual support of its alumni, further strengthened by a commitment to giving back to the school community.

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