Malaysian bank throws lunch for old Sikh soldier

By Khuswant Singh | MALAYSIA | OPINION |

Maybank’s Group Chief Human Capital Officer Puan Nora Manaf hosted my parents to a lunch at Menara Maybank on 3 Sept 2019. This was a memorable event for my parents as they never imagined attending such an event at Menara Maybank in Kuala Lumpur.

Pn Nora engaged my parents in conversations surrounding those tough times when our brave armed personnel were fighting the Communist insurgencies and external threats in Sabah.

My Father Charan Singh, 73, related many stories, some were sad ones where he lost his friends in battles. My dad served in the Police Field Force (PFF) from 1965 to 1987. It began with a posting in Ulu Kinta. He retired as a corporal.

My Mother Pritam Kaur, 68, shared how united everyone was in the PFF, also known as Pasukan Polis Hutan (PPH). At the barracks, everyone cared for each other constantly. She related on her experience raising 3 children almost single-handedly as my Father was always in service for our Nation.

She related that my Father was not around to see the birth of 2 children as he was always on duty in the jungles. On this note, my Father shared that he was informed of the birth of his child after more than 42 days in the jungle.

My Father explained that our country is built on the foundations of sacrifices by our armed personnel and as Malaysians, we should repay these sacrifices by maintaining the harmony and continuously embrace the muhibbah spirit amongst all Malaysians.

He stressed that the Flag defines our identity as a united Malaysia and we should fight to preserve our independence always. My Father reiterated that we should teach our children and neighbours to love our flag and our beloved Malaysia always.

My parents were deeply touched by Pn Nora’s kindness and are grateful to Maybank for this opportunity. There were emotional in the ride back home that my Father said “Maybank is Malaysia and I am very thankful” as he started reminiscing his service and friends lost in battles. This is the kind of purpose and spirit that Maybank continuously drives in all its actions, which is “Humanising Financial Services” always.

Selamat Hari Malaysia to all my fellow Malaysians.

Khushwant Singh is Malayan Banking Bhd (Maybank)’s Head Operational Risk, Group Global Banking. He is also the honorary secretary of Sikh Naujawan Sbaha Malaysia (SNSM). His younger brother Avnash Singh, a VP at RHB Bank, also joined the lunch.

RELATED STORY:

Old Sikh soldier’s love for Malaysian flag (Asia Samachar, 3 Sept 2019)

Sikh role in maintaining law and order in Malaya (Asia Samachar, 18 Nov 2018)