A life devoted to learning
Mohamed Saat Bongkek
2008/08/06
A FEW months before my retirement from government service 14 years ago, I disclosed my post-retirement plans to friends and colleagues.
OFFICIAL DUTY: Mohamed Saat (left) escorting a ministry official during Maktab Perguruan Temenggong Ibrahim’s convocation ceremony in 1993.
GREEN EFFORTS: Mohamed Saat (left) planting a tree in a garden opposite the Sri Temenggong Hall.
Thinking that I would venture into business or gardening or become an active member of the mosque committee, they were surprised when I told them that I planned to pursue a second degree at a local university and continue my religious studies.
And I did. Although I’ve yet to complete my Master’s course, I did well at Kelas Khas (special class in religious education).
I love education. I will always adhere to the sayings of Prophet Muhammad which encourage mankind to gather as much knowledge as one can.
Born in 1939 at Parit Ismail, Simpang Kiri, Batu Pahat, I was educated at Sekolah Melayu Parit Ju until Year Six. After completing my primary education, I received an offer to teach at SK Sri Pasir Putih, a government-aided primary school in Yong Peng.
I was only 14 then and received a monthly salary of RM60, which was a hefty amount at that time.
In 1959, I secured a place at the Sultan Idris Teachers’ College or SITC (now Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris) in Tanjung Malim, Perak. It was one of two teachers’ training colleges in the country in those days. The other college was in Durian Daun, Malacca, and was known as Malay Women’s Teachers’ College or MWTC. Today, it is known as Maktab Perempuan Melayu Melaka.
Upon graduation in 1959, I was posted to Sekolah Umum Bukit Rahmat, also in Batu Pahat. Its name was later changed to SK Bukit Rahmat. That year, I studied on my own, burning the midnight oil to take up the Lower Certificate of Education or LCE (now Penilaian Menengah Rendah) and Qualifying Test simultaneously.
In 1967, I sat for a pre-university exam, the Higher School Certificate or HSC (now Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia). This time, I did group study with my non-Malay colleagues as the core papers like Economics and General Paper were tough and tricky. My mates guided me in those two papers and in turn, I assisted them in Malay Studies.
In 1971, I taught in a secondary school for two years before becoming principal of SMK Dato Bentara Barat in Pontian. In 1974, I was offered the post of inspector of schools.
When I became the schools’ inspector in Pahang, I was surprised to find that many teachers were terrified and restless during my visits.
I explained my responsibility to them and reminded them to teach sincerely and guide pupils to become responsible citizens. I always mentioned these words during my stint as schools’ inspectorate chief in three other states, Terengganu, Negri Sembilan and Johor.
After nine years as Johor’s inspectorate chief, I was offered the post of principal of Maktab Perguruan Temenggong Ibrahim or MPTI (now Institut Perguruan Temenggong Ibrahim) in 1991.
Helming MPTI for three years was a memorable experience as I was well received by lecturers, staff and students.
In order to instil a family-like and friendly environment at MPTI, I addressed myself as Pak Long (senior uncle) to staff and students. I organised many programmes and courses and invited many personalities and ministers to them.
In June 1994, I retired and became a “surau motivator”. Three years later, I was appointed ketua kampung (village head) for Kempas, which has about 100,000 residents. Although work was hectic, with a moderate monthly allowance as reward, I happily took up the job and had no regrets.
Neighbours asked me to sign as referee, guarantor and surety. I also signed marital documents for future brides and grooms. My work as village head led to my being appointed member to the Johor Baru City Council for the Kempas zone in 2000.
In 2004, when I turned 65, I retired as village head and also as JB city council member. I am grateful to the Almighty as it was due to His blessings that I am still strong and healthy and can interact with neighbours, relatives and friends.
• Mohamed Saat Bongkek 69, is now chairman of the Al-Mizan Mosque, Kempas. He is also a member of the Malaysian Scouts Council.
