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Victoria Institution old boys to mark alumni centenary with night tour, gala dinner

Night tour meant to reminisce VI’s ‘haunted’ reputation

Updated 1 year ago · Published on 27 Oct 2022 9:00AM

Victoria Institution old boys to mark alumni centenary with night tour, gala dinner — (From L) VIOBA members Datuk Seri Andrew Abishegam, Datuk Dr Tan Kee Kwong (president) and Syed Naufal Shahabudin (honorary secretary). – SUBASHINI SIVASANKAR/The Vibes pic, October 27, 2022

by Subashini Sivasankar

KUALA LUMPUR – A night tour of the historic Victoria Institution (VI) will be held as part of centenary celebrations for the school’s Old Boys Association (VIOBA) to highlight the establishment’s history and supposedly “haunted” reputation.

VI, established in 1893, was the site of events such as the surrender of the Japanese at the end of World War II, besides being known for many other firsts in Malaysia, said VIOBA member Datuk Seri Andrew Abishegam.

Andrew, who is also organising chairman of the VIOBA’s Centenary Gala Dinner at the Majestic Hotel on November 26, said the night tour will be held two nights earlier, on November 24, and be preceded by a high-tea in the afternoon.

“VI, which is the oldest English school in Kuala Lumpur, has been said to be haunted, so we wanted to recreate these memories,” he told The Vibes.

Past leadership of VIOBA. – SUBASHINI SIVASANKAR/The Vibes pic

VI was established in 1893 and has educated thousands of students from various walks of life, Andrew added.

“These illustrious figures include His Majesty the Sultan of Brunei, Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz, Tan Sri Dr Tan Chee Koon, Tan Sri Francis Yeoh, Ananda Krishnan, General Prabowo Subianto, the late Datuk Mokhtar Dahari, Datuk Misbun Sidek, and a great number of other individuals who are now successful people in their fields,” said Andrew.

VIOBA is also the oldest alumni group in Malaysia, said its president, Datuk Dr Tan Kee Kwong.

VI, established in 1893, was the site of events such as the surrender of the Japanese at the end of World War II. – SUBASHINI SIVASANKAR/The Vibes pic

He said that in the run-up to the gala dinner, other events for alumni have been held to build up excitement about the centenary celebrations. These activities have included a bicycle ride and golf tournaments.

The gala dinner will be the centenary celebration’s highlight, with guests asked to don western outfits.

Special performances by VI alumni will also be presented, such as by comedian Douglas Lim, and VI’s own cadet corp band, Andrew said.

“The major purpose of the gala dinner is to gather our alumni. It will be a fantastic day to remember and see old friends.” – The Vibes, October 26, 2022