Tun Daim was a rebellious youngster that no school in Kedah wanted, shares old Xaverian

THE late Tun Daim Zainuddin was rebellious when he was a young lad studying in Kedah to the extent that no public schools apparently wanted him there.

This was when the Alor Setar-born tycoon and his family decided for him to continue studying in neighbouring Penang.

Daim scouted around and was overjoyed when the St Xavier's Institution (SXI) - the nation's fifth oldest school decided to admit him for his Form Four and Five studies before he studied law in the United Kingdom and returned home as a lawyer.

Daim personally conveyed this to the school's current board of governors chairperson Victor Tan, who spoke to The Vibes today.

"Daim was outright naughty and many schools in Kedah had rejected him. Daim told me this when he visited the school in 2020," said Tan, who is also an old boy of SXI.

Daim, who served as the Finance Minister from 1984 to 1989 and again from 1991 to 2001, was said to be instrumental in reviving the country's economic fortunes in 1989 until 1999 when the Asian Financial Crisis struck.

He was a SXI student from the 1954/1955 academic semester.

"For me what stood out was Daim telling us that he was grateful to the La Salle Brothers, who decided to offer him a chance to continue his studies despite his disciplinary issues," said Tan.

As the school was reviving its historical elements, Daim was invited back to the school in 2020, just before the Covid-19 pandemic struck, said Tan.

"He came immediately. He did not hesitate and that was when he told us about his secondary school exploits."

Daim also donated RM1 million to the school's endowment fund to help talented students further their vocations and skills gleaned at a young age.

Tan said that the school would be eternally grateful to the financial aid by Daim.

He also conveyed on behalf of the school, condolences to the family, relatives, friends and associates of the former politician.

"His legacy as a SXI old boy would hopefully live on among the present set of students."

Tan said that Daim was among the many household names which the school has produced over the 171 - years of its existence, including the late Karpal Singh, a DAP icon and the Bukit Mertajam - born first Penang Chief Minister, the late Tan Sri Wong Pow Nee. - The Vibes, November 14, 2024.