TOKOH PENGAKAP - MR. LLYOD TAN POA CHAN
Mr. Lloyd Tan, the founding father of the Malaysian Parkinson's Disease Association (MPDA), passed away on 28th March 2007 at the age of 71. He had suffered from Parkinson's Disease for 19 years.
Mr. Lloyd Tan was the first Malaysian Parkinson's patient to open up himself to the whole world. He led the founding members of the MPDA back in 1994. The MPDA was the first Parkinson's support group in Malaysia.
He was the first President of the MPDA (1994-1995). In 1996, he was forced to step down due to his deteriorating physical condition. Despite this, he continued to show his undying support for the Malaysian Parkinson's community by being present at most of the functions that were held by the MPDA.
Mr. Lloyd Tan was the selfless warrior who believed in fighting for the rights of the neglected Parkinson's community in Malaysia.
Chronology of events in Mr. Lloyd Tan’s scouting career
1956 - the Assistant Scoutmaster for the First ACS Tranquerah (Junior) Scout Troop, Malacca.
1956-1962 The Anglo-Chinese School (ACS), Malacca
Ever since he was a student, Mr. Lloyd Tan had developed a profound interest in scouting. Unfortunately, he could not join the scout team because his parents could not afford to buy him the scout uniform. As a result, the poor kid learnt scouting by observing the school troop in training.His scouting career started only when he joined the ACS as a teacher. In 1956, he finally managed to fulfill his childhood dream by becoming the Assistant Scoutmaster for the First ACS Tranquerah (Junior) Scout Troop, Malacca. In 1958, he became the Scoutmaster for the First ACS Tranquerah Boy Scout Troop, Malacca.
Under his leadership, in 1960, his scout troop emerged as champion in the National Scout craft competition, which was held at the Semangat Camp, Cheras, Selangor, for the very first time in Malaysia. They carried home the Challenge Shield, which was presented to them by the Honourable Mr. Zainal Abidin B. Ali, the Chief Commissioner.
1960 - The victorious scout troop at the Semangat Camp, Cheras, Selangor.
Front row (from left); Yoong Fan Ngian, How Yai Meng, Albert Khoo, Mau Jit Jew, Gan Tong Eng, Lung Jien Kien. Standing (from left); Mr. Tham Na Ah (Assistant Scoutmaster), Mr. Geldard (Assistant Camp Chief), Mr. Lloyd Tan (Scoutmaster), Lim Kee Lock, Goh Tiow Hoe, Khut Kok Foo, Tong Yoon Ngit, Chong Kim Tau, Yoong Khuen Shing, Mr. Ngui Choon Jin (Camp Chief) and Mr. Wellington (Malacca State Scouts Commissioner).
1962-1963 Malayan Teachers’ College, Kirkby, Liverpool, England.
In 1962, when Mr. Lloyd Tan underwent training in teaching at the Malayan Teachers’ College at Kirkby, Liverpool, England, Mr. Lloyd Tan earned the much coveted Wood Badge (left; the three bead necklace) at the Gilwell Park, Chingford, London, which was the world-renown scouting centre.
Wood Badge is an advanced training course for adult Scout leaders, which emphasizes on leadership skills. The first Scoutmasters’ training camp, which was held in 1919 at Gilwell Park, was guided by Sir Robert Baden-Powell, a 61 year-old retired general of the British Army and the founder of the World Scouting Movement.
1963-1965 Continuation School, Tanah Merah, Kelantan
In 1963, when Mr. Lloyd Tan was teaching at the Continuation School at Tanah Merah, Kelantan, he was also the Scoutmaster. He organized many training camps for his student scouters.
1966-1976 The Klang High School, Selangor
When Mr. Lloyd Tan was teaching at the Klang High School, he played a vital role in building up the scouting activities in the school, especially the sea scouts. In 1968, he became the Scoutmaster for the 6th Klang Sea Scouts (which was formed in April 1954), which was the only sea scout troop in Selangor at that time.
One of the highlights of Mr. Lloyd Tan’s scouting activities was the 22nd May 1972, the day when five of his sea scouts were awarded the Yang diPertuan Agong’s Badge (King’s Badge), the highest award in the Malaysian scouting movement. The five sea scouts were Lee Seng Cheok, Ng Chee Cheong, Kong Chee Fire, Lim Ah Seng and Tan Tat San.
Front row (from left); Mr. Lee Kok How (Scoutmaster, 4th Klang Scout Group), Kong Chee Soon and Mr. Lloyd Tan (Scoutmaster, 6th Klang Sea Scout). Back row (from left); Chen Yin Heng, Mohd. Azlan B. Mahmuddin, Chow Poh Jin and Loo Kai Ngor. On the left side is the land scout flag while on the right side is the sea scout flag.
1976-1980 Specialist Teachers’ Training Institute, Cheras, Selangor
Even after Mr. Lloyd Tan left the Klang High School to be an Arts lecturer at the Specialist Teachers’ Training Institute (STTI) at Cheras, the state of Selangor, his passion for scouting persevered.
1981-1990 Curriculum Unit, Teachers’ Training Section, Ministry of Education, Selangor.
Even when Mr. Lloyd Tan was working at the Curriculum Unit, Teachers’ Training Section, the Ministry of Education, he continued to organize scouters training courses for the teachers training colleges in Malaysia. During this period, he worked closely with another scoutmaster, Mr. Abu Bakar B. Hj. Ahmad.
"What was remarkable about Lloyd was his ‘low profile’ nature. When he was recommended to receive the Semangat Rimba medal, initially he was reluctant to accept it, despite his massive contribution to the scouting movement in this country. He believed in giving his best service to scouting without expecting any recognition," said Mr. Abu Bakar.
Mr. Abu Bakar
And Mr. Lloyd Tan remained loyal to the Malaysian scouting movement till he retired in 1990. Scouting was always in his blood, till the end.
Comments
Class of 1953, ACS, Malacca.
Philip Yoong Phoo Pin
Windsor, Ontario, CANADA.