Tan Sri Wong Pow Nee, wearing his Pingat Semangat Padi award, at his residence in Penang on Christmas Day, 1988. Photo: Liew Chiok San
The late Tan Sri Datuk Seri Michael Wong Pow Nee was a Scouter and commissioner and also the first Chief Minister of Penang (Aug 31, 1957 – 1969).
The fourth son of Catholic Hakka building developer John Wong Ee Chin and Cecilia Foo Nyuke Yin, he was born on Oct 7, 1911, in Bukit Mertajam, Penang.
The young Pow Nee had his primary education at the Anglo-Chinese School at the Hokkien Hoay Kuan building in Bukit Mertajam. Later, he joined the Boy Scouts of St Xavier’s Institution, Penang.
Pow Nee was attracted to the scout uniform. He said, “Scouting is very exciting. As a boy, when you put on the scout uniform, you feel very proud.”
He would get up at 4am to catch the train to Penang, arriving in school at 6:30am. On Fridays, he attended his weekly scout meetings at 7am. Scouting provided him with good training on punctuality and self-discipline.
Having completed his Senior Cambridge Education, he applied to teach at St Mary’s Primary School in Permatang Tinggi, Central Province Wellesley in 1937. He wanted to start a scout group there, but the Japanese Occupation disrupted his plan in 1940. Pow Nee could only do odd jobs during the war years.
In 1945, he resumed teaching as an English teacher at Kim Sen Primary School in Bukit Mertajam, while attending the Teachers’ Day Training Classes simultaneously for two years. He succeeded in forming a scout group in the aforesaid school in 1949.
After the Second World War and being granted permission by the state commissioner Oon Hoot Ewe, the young scouter revived scouting in Bukit Mertajam. He invited scouts of all races from the English, Chinese and Malay medium schools to go camping together.
A very dedicated Akela (Cub Scout Leader), Pow Nee also held camps for scouts and later for scoutmasters as well, at Coronation Camp, Penang.
To Pow Nee, the movement had succeeded in instilling good character in him. The Scout Promise, the 10 laws and motto, “Be Prepared” were his guides in life. He was interested in the moral development of the boys and stressed on the importance of religious teachings in youth. Former state commissioner, Dato' Khoo-Yeoh Gan Hong recounted Pow Nee as a religious man.
Pow Nee quoted the scout law No.3 (“To be useful and to help others”) as an example. He said, “Scouts misinterpreted the law and are ready to help others, but neglected their own families. This is when they have to be prepared and plan to help at home first, before going for any scouting activities.
“In order to observe law No.9, which is to be thrifty, a boy has to learn to keep his home tidy and to be careful with his possessions, so as not to waste. It defeats the purpose if the boys only know how to recite the laws, but do not practise them in a practical way. If you live up to your Scout Law, you will be a perfect gentleman.”
In 1953, Pow Nee was appointed the Scout District Commissioner of Bukit Mertajam. A Wood Badge holder, Pow Nee was awarded the two beads in 1954.
As he was an accomplished scouter, the Scouts Association of Malaysia conferred on him the Medal of Merit (Pingat Perkhidmatan Baik), followed by the Pingat Semangat Rimba (in 1964), and the highest award for scouters, the Pingat Semangat Padi (in 1966).
The new scout commissioner subsequently became an Assistant Chief Commissioner for the northern region of Malaysia in 1964 for Perlis, Kedah, Penang and Perak.
Looking back on his good old days in scouting, some unforgettable memories had brought joy and a feeling of fulfillment. When the school teacher went over to Penang to take up the duties of the Chief Minister, one of his earliest endeavours was to build a scout headquarters in his hometown, Bukit Mertajam in 1966 and another state headquarters over in Penang in 1968.
Pow Nee also succeeded in acquiring a piece of prime land for the girl guides to have their home in Air Itam Road.
The headquarters are his enduring legacy to the youth of Penang. The commissioner was very glad to play host to Lord Charles H.F. Maclean, the Chief Scout of the Commonwealth, at the Coronation Camp and Bukit Mertajam High School in 1964.
When the Chief Minister had government matters to attend to in Kuala Lumpur, the state government would provide everything for him. As Pow Nee had a strict upbringing and the experience of hardship during the war, he tried to be prudent. A unique character, Pow Nee preferred to put up at the B-P House, the national scout headquarters on Davidson Road (Jalan Hang Jebat). He asked, “Why do I have to waste staying in a hotel?”
Being a scout commissioner, Pow Nee had free access to the headquarters.
“Let Penang Lead” – the first Malaysian Scout Jamboree was held at Jubilee Camp, Teluk Bahang beach, Penang, and Pow Nee was given the honour to be the Camp Chief and Chairman of the Organising Committee.
The then Yang Di-Pertuan Agong and the Raja Permaisuri Agong graced the opening ceremony with His Excellency the Governor and the Prime Minister as distinguished guests. The jamboree was a great success and the Camp Chief was full of gratitude.
In 1979, The Yang Di-Pertua Negeri of Penang, Tun Hj Sardon Hj Jubir described Pow Nee as “Penang’s No.1 scout”.
In the 1990s, Pow Nee still comes over to his residence in Bukit Mertajam, sometimes to meet old friends. “Whatever else we may forget, whatever fortune sends, three things are worth remembering yet: Old times, old ways, old friends.”
Throughout his 91 years, Wong Pow Nee has led a fruitful and illustrious life.
The Gentleman Akela passed away in 2002 on the auspicious day of Aug 31, the day the scouter-commissioner-cum-Chief Minister read the Declaration of Independence to the people of Penang in 1957.
His final words were, “Be humble and caring. That’s the greatest lesson life has taught me, and remember, caring begins at home.”
