Vaithi makes us pine for values from a vanishing era

IN AN age where hashtags pass for heroism and virtue is often measured in viral likes, “Vaithi – A Life of Service” arrives like a warm breeze from a forgotten time – when dignity was quiet, service was sincere, and leadership meant rolling up your sleeves, not polishing the image for better optics.

The biography of veteran sports administrator Datuk A. Vaithilingam (pic) does not just tell a story; it restores faith in the kind of values we now call “old-fashioned”.

His legacy, chronicled by veteran scribe, A. Kathirasen, reminds us that true leadership is not about managing impressions – it is about making an impact.

This biography is, in essence, a time capsule. It captures the soul of a man who did not just live through Malaysia’s formative decades but helped shape them, brick by brick, value by value.

Vaithilingam’s story is a masterclass in old-school integrity. From his work in sports and interfaith dialogue to his tireless community service, he embodied the kind of moral compass that today’s leadership often misplaces somewhere between ambition, vested interest and PR strategy.

The book’s charm lies in its unapologetic nostalgia. It reminds us of a Malaysia where respect was earned, not demanded, where meetings began with handshakes, not PowerPoint slides, and where unity was a lived experience, not a slogan sung again and again.

The book launch, attended by a number of dignitaries, commenced with “Negaraku”, – a moment that perfectly encapsulated the spirit of the occasion, echoing the values of dignity, unity, and quiet patriotism that Vaithilingam embodied throughout his life.

From the classroom to the stadium, from temple corridors to United Nations forums, his story is one of quiet conviction and unrelenting purpose.

As a teacher, Vaithilingam shaped young minds with discipline and compassion. Serving as a senior education administrator in Selangor for two decades, he introduced rhythmic gymnastics and softball to the national school system, laying the groundwork for future SEA and Commonwealth Games triumphs.

Little surprise then that Vaithilingam dedicated eight out of 32 chapters in the book to sports.

Chapter 10 reveals how he never planned to become a sports official, while Chapter 17 offers a brutally frank questions and answers session that is thought-provoking on what ails Malaysian sports.

His relationship with hurdler Ishtiaq Mobarak, his admiration for his mentor Wan Arifin Pawan Teh, father of the singer Datuk Aishah, and the role of the late Datuk Paul Murugasu, the former FA of Malaysia (FAM) honorary secretary, played in getting him involved in football – all these anecdotes add texture to a life well lived.

Interestingly Vaithilingam too collaborated with Wan Arifin’s nephew Aziz Bokhari Bab, former Badminton Association of Malaysia secretary who brought the Sidek brothers to Kuala Lumpur.

But this book isn’t just about Vaithilingam. It’s also a tribute to the individuals who touched his life and many others who appear not as footnotes, but as co-authors of his journey.

Hence honourable mentions given to visionary athletics supremo Tun Mohd Ghazali Shafie, Tan Sri Khir Johari who revamped the Malaysian Schools Sports Council (MSSC), Tan Sri Hamzah Abu Samah, a FIFA vice-president and International Olympic Committee (IOC) member, as well as Datuk S. Vegayathunam, commonly spelt as Vegiyathuman and K. Thirumal, two individuals who helped promote race walking in the country.

Not forgetting his student at Victoria Institution (VI), Datuk Dina Rizal Abdullah.

Ultimately, “Vaithi – A Life of Service” is more than a biography. It’s a mirror to Malaysia’s evolving conscience.

For educators, sports historians, interfaith advocates, and anyone disillusioned by the state of public discourse, this book is a timely reminder: that one life, lived with integrity, can shape a nation’s soul.

Today our athletes may have conquered the world, our officials are globally recognised – but the way we work has become transactional, driven more by metrics, optics, and performance dashboards than by the quiet conviction and community spirit that once defined our public service.

And for many among the baby boomers and Gen X, “Vaithi – A Life of Service” stirs a quiet longing – for the days when service was its own reward, not a stepping stone to influence, position and power.

Vaithilingam, who turned 91 in May, remains a credible source of reference to the past to many of us, including yours truly in trying to understand the sporting landscape which shaped Malaysia for the last 60 years.

In revisiting Vaithilingam’s journey, we are remembering a Malaysia that once was, and perhaps, sadly for his grandchildren and my children and their generation, may never be again. Happy Malaysia Day everyone!