Philanthropist, social worker extraordinaire

Down-to-earth and unpretentious, Datuk Seri Ang Lai Soon is probably best summed up in these few words of his: “I must justify my own existence in this rather crowded and complicated world. I have no other profession but voluntary and charity work.”

THE original Order of St John was founded nearly 1,000 years ago when a hospice was established in Jerusalem for the sick and weary pilgrims visiting the Holy Land.

In Britain, the Order’s history dated back to around 1144 when a London headquarters was established at the Priory in Clerkenwell.

The Order founded the St John Ambulance Association (SJAA) in 1877 to train the public to “aid the injured” and 10 years later, the St John Ambulance Brigade (SJAB) was formed to mobilise first aiders.

The history of St John Ambulance in Malaysia started in 1908 with the formation of SJAA by a group of medical officers in the Colonial Medical Service. When the war clouds were gathering in 1938, the British Administration decided to form SJAB in all larger towns.

In September 1941, the Medical Auxiliary Service was introduced and all SJAB members were automatically drafted into this service. When the Japanese Forces raided the Malay peninsula from Dec 8, 1941, SJAB members were hailed in all the first aid posts. St John Ambulance was the only voluntary organisation in the peninsula that rendered medical services before and during the Second World War.

The return of the British after the end of the Second World War had resulted in the re-organisation of many institutions and that contributed to the expansion of SJAA and SJAB in Malaya and Borneo.

St John Ambulance Sarawak was founded about 26 years later on June 3, 1971 and the man responsible for that was then one Mr — now Datuk Seri — Ang Lai Soon, a philanthropist and social worker extraordinaire.

Question: How did it all start?

Answer: My late father used to bring newspapers and magazines home. Sometimes, I got to read materials kept by the British officers who were renting our riverside building, so that was how I got drawn to the bravery and dedication of the first aiders and brigade members during the war years.

Then on May 5, 1971, I wrote to London about my intention to form St John Ambulance Sarawak. Twenty days later I got the reply from Sir Hilton Poynton, the Director Overseas of SJAA and SJAB in the United Kingdom, inviting me to assume the position of Commissioner on an acting basis pending the completion of formalities.

Not a month later St John Ambulance Sarawak was born?

Yes, on June 3, 1971 and designated as a District or Territory with an independent status outside the United Kingdom, meaning we are equal to similar districts of Malaya, Sabah and Singapore. So you see, that was, and still is, the degree of respect the United Kingdom has for the founder and the people of Sarawak. In fact, hardly 10 months later in March 1972, my appointment as Commissioner was confirmed by the Grand Prior of the Order, His Royal Highness the Duke of Gloucester.

Was it your most memorable moment?

That confirmation, of course, and two weeks before that when I was given the honour to meet the Order’s sovereign head, Queen Elizabeth II of England, during her visit to Sarawak.

Many similar or quite similar movements have changed brands and names over the years, but St John Ambulance’s status quo is food for thought.

There were serious proposals made to change St John Ambulance’s name and emblem in 1972 and in 1990. In both years St John Ambulance Sarawak took a very strong stand to preserve the continued usage of the original historical name and emblem, resulting in the proposals being withdrawn on both occasions.

What about your growing years?

We started with 100 founding cadets. By 1975, there were 1,000. In 1977, medical department staff, private doctors, lay lecturers and Army personnel were volunteering their services to train young cadets. In 1980, we had our first motor ambulance shipped in to us by SJAB of England. In 1981, we received our first annual state government grant of $5,000. In 1986, Sabati, the Cabinet Wives’ Club, helped us buy a second ambulance, and in 1989, St John Ambulance headquarters was built.

Any names you would like to make special mention of?

A: I can never forget the founding members — Dr SK Mukherjee, the deputy director of Medical Services Sarawak. He was the assistant principal surgeon. while Sobeng Tamin was the officer in charge of cadets, ambulance and nursing; and Kho It Teck, the training officer. These gentlemen were the pricipal office-bearers.

What was the significance of your 42nd anniversary parade on July 6?

It was a time for reflection, a tribute to everyone in our organisation for their selfless dedication to the fulfilment of the motto of St John Ambulance, “For The Service Of Mankind”.

Going forward, what do you foresee?

The amount of time we have been operating here pales in comparison with that of our parent organisations, SJAA and SJAB, thousands of miles away. Nonetheless, I am still proud that the increasing number of young people in SJA Sarawak augurs well for our ability to grow and meet the needs of a much wider public and over wider areas than at present.

Perhaps some words on volunteerism from you.

One person asked me years ago: “What do I get if I become a volunteer?”

I said: “I promise you nothing, but personal sacrifices and hard work, and sometimes sleepless nights and irregular meal times.”

Not every need in an increasingly sophisticated society can be met by taxpayers’ funding without onerous taxation. There are always those in need through no fault of their own, and voluntary organisations like ours are an intrinsic recognised part of every modern society.

What is your philosophy in life?

I always remind myself that, first and foremost, I must justify my own existence in this rather crowded and complicated world. With me in the world is one too many. I must, therefore, endeavour to contribute my best to the society and country at large. I must not ever work simply for myself, but for the common good. This, I have been trying ever since my school and college days. I have no other profession but voluntary and charity work. I always realise that I am only passing through.