Cerpen: Persatuan Murid Tua - SEHALOBA

SEHALOBA stands for Sekolah Haloba old Boy Association. The school was founded by Pak Rahman, a village headman who cared for the development of 'kampung kids'. Pak Rahman had a vision! After seeing how the rich had got richer in the nearby cities, he was determined to teach the 'kampung kids' on how to become rich!

"Greed, is the key!" said Pak Rahman!

"Ala Pak, tak usah lah cakap orang putih dengan kami, Apa ka benda nya 'Greed' tuh!" tanya Wak Jilan.

"Greed tu Haloba lah wak! Tamak haloba, kasi seposen nak seringgit!" Replied Pak Rahman impatiently.

A site was identified in a valley where the Japanese army used to bring their prisoners for final execution. It was the only piece of land available which has not yet been taken by greedy towkeys from the nearby town.

That was more than fifty years ago, in fact when the country was on the verge of celebrating independence.

Today, it has been declared as one of the most successful schools in the country which have produced some of the most rich or famous or both. It has also earned a reputation as the most depilated school, notwithstanding the accumulated amount of wealth which the alumni of the school had gathered from their successes!

"What has happened to this school?" The Deputy District Education Officer was asked to explain by the Officer from Kuala Lumpur who had visited for an inspection.

"We have not been receiving any budget from the Ministry!" The Deputy Officer jumped in with an answer.

"Don't give excuses. What had happened to the school old boys? I heard so many of them had become Datuks, Tan Sri and many had also become successful CEOs!" Retorted the officer from KL.

"With all due respect sir, this school had bred some of the most greedy people in the country, if not the world!" Said the Deputy Officer, uncertain to be proud or ashamed.

"Why do you say that?" The officer from KL wanted details, which he had hoped to include into a report to impress his boss. If fact his visit was prompted by an up coming opportunity to be promoted due to the retirement of his boss in a few months time.

The Deputy officer hesitated, but only momentarily. He then gathered enough courage to share his observation.

"Those old boys visited often, bringing all sort of gifts like tempoyak, belacan, and some cheap stuff. They took pictures of themselves presenting those gift and published them in their own blogs or FB to get cheap publicities!"

The KL Officer's face turned red! He too was one of the alumni, and in fact was one of the prefects when he was in his form five. Just a few months back, he had done exactly as had been described by the deputy officer.

"Mengata aku lah tu!" Whispered his inner conscience. Just for a split second he forgot that he actually didn't have any conscience. Afterall, for many years he had been known as the " OKB, which stands for Orang Kaya Bakhil!"

The deputy officer pressed on, "Oh by the way sir, I think we should re-elect the committee members of SEHALOBA!"

"Why?" The KL officer was getting paranoid thinking another sarcasm was coming out from the deputy officer's mouth.

"The current one are too old, too lazy, and too greedy!" He said, by then encouraged to speak up from his heart.

"Well...you should expect them to behave like that! Afterall, they are the old boys of SEHALOBA!" Said the the KL officer who was certain by then that the deputy officer didn't know he was an alumni.

"I know, I was one of them too, but I have contributed and donated not like the others!" Said the deputy officer, as a matter of fact.

"You were! Which batch?" Asked the officer from KL, amused!

"Batch 73!" Said the Deputy Officer, a little embarrassed at having to reveal his age.

"What did you say your name again?" Asked the KL officer, barely able to hide his excitement.

"Shamsudin, but at school I was called Sapu-din because I used to stay back in the dining hall after meals to collect left overs!" The deputy officer had a chuckled, reminiscing his past.

"Laa! Hang Sapu-din dulu tu ka! Awat tak habaq! Dah botak sakan hang la nih naa! Aku dulu depa panggil Timun, sebab dulu aku bulat!" Said the YB, with a bellowing laughter.

They bear hugged, slapped each other's shoulder, pulled back and gave a high-5!

"Laa, hang jadi Tuan Besar naa!!! Sumpah aku tak kenai...awat hang dah kughuih!!" Said Sapu-din dropping any trace of formality.

"Aku tak makan....simpan duit! hahaha...Pak Rahman tu dulu kata nak kaya kena simpan duit!! Hahahaha" Timun gave an even louder laughter, then asked, "Hang dok sapu kat mana pulak laa nih?"

Sapu-din moved closer to Timun, and whispered, "Hang nak tau? Aku lah yang dok sapu duit dana persatuan SEHALOBA tu! hahaha"

They rolled on their back on the grass of the school, the same spot they used to do rugby tackles over thirty years ago!

"Caya lah hang Sapu-din!!!" Timun said with envy.

"Apa kata aku lantik hang jadi President SEHALOBA! Kita sama2 sapu!!" Suggested Sapu-din.

They sat up, faced each other and started a serious discussion of strategy for the next SEHALOBA AGM!

***This story is the creation of the writer and has no relation or link to any individual or association in real life***