PETALING JAYA: Growing up amid the hardships of the tough streets of Buntong, Ipoh, it seemed improbable that anyone could emerge as a high achiever.
Between the 1960s and 1980s, Buntong had a notorious reputation as a place where gangsterism thrived, with trouble often finding young boys before opportunity did.
“Life was tough then. Gangsterism was rife. Thugs were everywhere, including school and my neighbourhood,” recalled former top cop, Datuk Seri A. Thaiveegan.
“However, these gangsters steered clear of me as I was quite studious and also the school’s head prefect,” he said in an interview.
After school, he would help his mother sell curry puffs and vadai.
The small acts of responsibility he undertook taught him resilience.
“I remained unwavering, staying focused on a goal of making something of myself. Success in life relies on hard work and the guidance of teachers and parents.
“My father was my role model. He was kind and a true gentleman,” he said of his father, who slogged at a printing company.
After his primary school years at the SRJK Sungai Pari, he proceeded to SMK Sungai Pari, where he did something remarkable in 1977.
He emerged as the only student in his batch to achieve a Grade One in the Malaysian Cambridge Certificate (MCC).
It was his turning point.
Soon after, he secured a temporary position as an office boy, subsequently completing his Form Six before pursuing higher studies at Universiti Malaya.
On graduating, he joined the police force as a cadet assistant superintendent and rose steadily through the ranks.
Thaiveegan eventually attained the rank of commissioner and continued to serve until his retirement in 2019 as the Penang chief police officer.
He paid tribute to two teachers – Cikgu Rajamani and Cikgu Mardiah Aziz.
“Both these teachers treated me like their son and guided me. They inspired me and always took the time to hear me out.
“Cikgu Mardiah, whom I remain in touch with, was so motherly, despite us coming to school dishevelled sometimes as we were from poor families. She always treated us with kindness,” said Thaiveegan, 67.
On April 24, at SMK Sungai Pari, the former student and former police commissioner returned to his alma mater.
His mission was to give back to the school and honour a pledge to award RM5,000 to students who achieved more than five As in their SPM examinations.
What greeted him was even better than he had expected – 10 students had scored between five and 12 As.
“Words cannot describe how proud I felt seeing the students succeed in the very school I once studied in. It was a proud moment for me,” said the father of four.
For Thaiveegan, it was not just about the exam results but what they represented.
From Buntong to Bukit Aman and back again, Thaiveegan’s journey was not only about rising through the ranks, but also about remembering where he started and making sure others believe they can rise too.
