Julian had an inkling of this when he first met Jamal Hassim, actually a Singapore resident but on business in KL at the right moment, who was full of support, enthusiasm and good ideas. But when he was honoured by a visit to his hotel by Tan Sri Arshad Ayub, the full extent became clear. Tan Sri Ayub is a difficult man to describe: this is because he has excelled in so many and various aspects of Malaysian life. At 82, he is as spry as a man half his age, has a keen intelligence and dynamic quality which makes you feel that here is someone who gets things done. He is regarded as the father of the Malaysian technological university (now known as UiTM) where he was the director for ten years, the lead inspiration in the development of the ACCA accounting qualification in Malaysia, was a deputy Finance Minister, deputy Governor of a national bank, Chairs the Board of the University of Malaysia, sits in unnumerable boards of private and public companies, and is generally, and rightly, revered throughout the country. Oh yes, and he thought highly enough of Aber to come across town to spend two hours with Julian and blew his socks off!
This was but a hint of what was to come, however. The current president of the Alumni Club in Malaysia, Nasharuddin Hussin, was on hand at the meeting with Tan Sri Ayub, and could not do enough for us (even to the extent of giving us a lift to the airport the morning after the alumni dinner which is no mean feat when the airport is over an hour's drive away). He and his energetic committee had organised a dinner at a lakeside restaurant in KL and Julian's office had suggested that up to 78 alumni might attend. Julian suitably wrote his speech (or the closest he ever comes to writing a speech) to announce that this was the largest, by a factor of four, of any of the events held on this trip.
As it turned out, over 100 guests turned up through the notorious KL traffic jams to welcome us and to enjoy a sumptuous feast of delicious seafood (sheep are not averse to the odd squid, I can tell you). Julian had the numeracy to work out this was therefore in fact a five-fold increase in any other event on this trip. Even Tri San Ayub made a welcome late appearance having left a wedding reception on the other side of the city. Other distinguished attendees included past Presidents of the club and senior figures in commerce and industry, but equally a welcome and large contingent of young recent Aber graduates including a particularly loud and enthusiastic group of 2008 graduates and Jasmine Ong from the 2009/10 Aber Annual Fund telephone calling team. Her calling was much better than her car maintenance as her flat battery after the dinner showed!
Speeches flowed, as did the sweat on Julian who was, as usual, dreadfully overdressed, and even Nasharuddin managed to keep his comments to under an hour (apparently a record). Gifts were exchanged and I, who, as usual, was more popular than Julian, was handled by great personages and attractive young ladies with due respect and dignity throughout.
Tan Sri Arshad Ayub and I flanked by past Presidents Fariz Abu Bakar and Datuk Zawiyah Baba
(former DG of the Malaysian National Library) [apologies to current President Nasharuddin Hussin who's face Julian managed to cut in two when taking this photo hence the cropping]
(former DG of the Malaysian National Library) [apologies to current President Nasharuddin Hussin who's face Julian managed to cut in two when taking this photo hence the cropping]
It was a pleasure meeting up with Julian and Baabaa! And yes, my car died but Aber spirit was shown in helping me revive it! <3 thanks guys!
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