VIOS (Singapore):

I am deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Mr. V. Murugasu, whom I am glad to have known in his later years, and whose name has been familiar to me since the early 1970s when he was Chief Education Officer (CEO for short) in Malacca, my hometown.

We met several years later at the National Archives of Malaysia when I was working on a biography of Tun Ghazali Shafie. Murugasu introduced himself and I expressed surprise. We became good friends. He told me that he had dedicated himself to the task of documenting the history of the education system in the country as his lasting contribution to the younger generation in this country. He had already completed his writings on the Victoria Institution, his alma mater, of which he subsequently assumed headship in the 1960s.

Long before this meeting, I have heard it being said, that during his stint as VI Principal, Murugasu had come into conflict with then Principal of KGV (who incidentally was his Varsity mate at the University of Malaya in Singapore in the 1950s) over irregularities in sporting competition between the two schools. The conflict was carried over to Malacca after some years when Murugasu became CEO and the KGV Principal became Head of Malacca High School. My sister who was then a student at Malacca High School used to regale us with stories of the conflict. The impression was that the High School principal did whatever it took to progress the school without least concern for procedures. Murugasu must have felt slighted for not being consulted on important issues, and decided on wielding the big stick. The highly efficient, but ambitious and "recalcitrant" Headmaster was transferred out of Malacca. Incidentally, I have also come into contact with the former High School Principal, who now leads a rather quiet life.

For all the stories about his strict disciplinarian streak, there was a warm and friendly side to him, which seemed to belie certain references by Raja Petra in his blog. In his conversation with me, Murugasu denied being the strict disciplinarian of Raja's imagination. We spent some time together over lunches and tea sessions, reliving the early anecdotes in his life.

It was during one such occasion that he taught me his favourite song in Hindi Sau Saal Pehele, Mujhe Tumse Pyaar Ka. He explained the meaning:

"A hundred years ago,
I was in love with you
I loved you, and I still do
And will do so in future".

True to this eternal spirit of love, I am sure many of his old students, friends and colleagues will continue to love and cherish the memory of this schoolmaster for many more years to come.

Liew Fah Kong:

My humble condolences to the family of Mr Murugasu. May he rest in peace. I am forever grateful for my education in the VI with him as the headmaster

Yap Chee Wai:

Muru was also HM of Raub Mahmud Secondary for about 2 years. We were too young then and still in primary school but his reputation was well known then already (as a strict disciplinarian and well supported by the small town community that believed in corporal punishment for child misbehaviour) and left his mark .. the already good school became the top school in Pahang (for academic & sports excellence) during those years & thereafter. I would have tasted his awesome canning too if I were in secondary school during his short tenure, but it was another notoriously strict HM Saw Chee Leng who whacked me and two of my best friends (in the privacy of the HM's office) for some blatantly naughty conduct during a Monday morning school assembly .. Me & my 2 friends who kena 'cos of me had no issue with that experience.. We could still laughed at ourselves .. and our parents would have been very pleased if they had known about the episode . Muru did the favour for our parents.

Many Mahmoud school boys went on to VI for form 4 level & some like me and Sivanesan did our form 6 .. He was nice caring to hostelites many of whom were sportsmen & all rounder .. and in exchange .. we paid back .. coincidentally .. during the crisis of May 13 events .. me and some other stranded outstation students .. volunteered to go over to HM's house for overnight stay & guard(?) duties in the ground floor (so Muru could sleep securely upstairs) during the nights . It was at times scary ..We could hear gun shots now and then through the night from the direction of Shaw Road flats ..

We had memorable farewell dinner with Muru and hostel master when we finished our last day in Upper Six . HM special Awards were given to some lucky ones.

The legendary late Mr. Murugasu was transfered from Clifford School, Kuala Lipis to Mahmud School in 1959 as Senior Assistant but moved on to head the school soon after when Mr. Turley retired. As the Headmaster he stamped his mark in the school and the town. Our school had many great Headmasters but Mr. Murugasu stood out for the transformation he brought to the school in his short stint at the school. His focus on education was a given but his emphasis on co-curricular was his forte. Those excelling in sports were his favourites. The Head Boy and the Prefectorial Board were mostly sportsmen. He had much fond memories of our school which he related to those of us gathered for the 100th Year School Anniversary at the Commonwealth Club, KL, in December of 2008. He was a strict disciplinarian which stood well for him as the schools he headed moved on to be best - Mahmud School (1959 - 1961) in Pahang, Tuanku Muhammad School (1962 -1964), Kuala Pilah in NS and the V.I. (1965 - 1970) - in the country. He was the first Asian (non-white) Headmaster of the V.I. He later served as Director of Education in Malacca and then Kedah. If I am not mistaken he was then posted to serve with ADB in the Philippines until his retirement. He passed away peacefully yesterday. His students will always remember and be grateful to him for the good education they received in his schools.

MAY HIS SOUL REST IN ETERNAL PEACE.

Mohan Gopala Iyer:

I was under him throughout my six years in the V.I. He enforced the VI image in and out of school.Fridays he would wait outside Rex or Cathay cinemas to check if any VI boys were seeing movies after school. On one occasion Muru caught one Gurmit Singh and friends paraded them on stage the next day and gave them a few strokes. V.I. boys were supposed stay back attend co-curricular activities or go home and not loiter in theatres!

On another occasion he called me out at the Central Market. I was there buying vegetables in shorts and slippers. "Where is your manners?" he asked. I said, "Sorry sir. I didn't notice you, Sir." Muru remarked, "V.I. boys don't dress like rickshaw pullers. You should be in long pants and shoes with your shirt tucked in." I was thinking even in the market? Like it or not whenever and wherever I go out, even to the market or a stall to have teh tarik, I am dressed in longs with shoes and T-shirts tucked in. I never go out of the house in shorts except for my evening walks.

But personally I don't subscribe to induced fear as school life should be free of fear and be pleasurable and I implemented that as a teacher for over 35 years.

I recall the entire 5B2 class was once sent to DC. Our job to clean the notorious 206 including the toilets. The worker was to supervise us only. While I was cleaning he held my hand and said he felt very guilty. He said had just cleaned the floor. But who could overrule Muru?

But one lesson I learnt for the past 70 year: I clean my house bathroom and toilets as well as mop the floors! So I forgive but not forget. For in life every event is a lesson learnt. May his soul rest in peace.

Jeffrey Chin:

Heng Yee Choon:

The Victoria Institution
And Mr Murugasu
Are inseparable!
A twin, a soul mate that go hand in hand.
1964 was the year when we and Mr Murugasu stepped onto the grounds of the V.I.
A Malaysian headmaster, unheard of in an elite British school, a name in honour of its Queen Victoria.
A new era had arrived and this coincided with Muragasu appointment.
Traits of excellence were instilled - academics, sports, leadership, discipline and hard working.
Nothing escaped his keen eyes - grass was sacrosanct,
No symbols of class and privilege with everyone wearing the plain white Fung Keong shoes,
No long hair, an indication of decadence.
We strived and we tried as every red D invited a spank
With no one spared!
Many regarded this
Punishment as part of growing up and a necessary
Discipline,but a few were traumatised.
We were told either
We become the best or not at all.
Deep inside us, we knew that outside the fierce front, we
Understood his strong desire for all His "children" to be a Victorian
Every parent would be proud of himself a parent too.
We, class of 1964 to 1970, was fortunate you came to grace our 2008 reunion dinner at RSGC.
A souvenir booklet with a welcoming message by Vice-Captain, 'Sarge'.
You were present and signed it too,
And now a priceless souvenir.
Coincidentally, the Malaysian Post Office in 2008
Commemorated a 1st day cover of 4 of the best schools
In Malaysia, and the V.I. was among the four.
Again this 1st day cover was signed by you and our school captain, Hung Tat.
We bid you farewell
But your words and Deeds are never forgotten as both the spirit of the V.I. and
You live within us
Till the day we too
Meet you again and
Our Maker.

Albert Cheok:

Awesome. It only took him 5 years to leave a permanent indelible mark on the history of the VI. Great Man. What should we do to remember him?

1. Build a bronze bust of him. A very common European and American thing.
2. Maybe annually name a top academic student or top sportsman or both. At a price of RM 1000 each to be announced at the annual school dinner.
3. Name the house he stayed Murugasu House
4 Auction his canes if they are still around
5. Name the school sports pavilion after him.

I was not that close to him but he did discipline me and warned me that I am too smart to get mixed up with gangsters and placed me in the scouts, the cadets and the rugby team to stay out of the Chow Kit Environment. I had a desk with him that I will fix his old Mercedes Benz when kaput in return for not hounding me which worked well.

I respected him a lot. Can someone pass to the school that I am willing to sponsor the annual academic and sports prizes.

Julian Fong:

I am writing on behalf of the VI Prefects board of 1969-71 whose names were too many to put on the wreath to Mr Clement V Murugasu, our dear Headmaster of the Victoria Institution to mourn his passing. We are: Yap Kian Fui, Lee Kok Pheng, Tong Wai Sin, Balachandran, Yee Fook Phin, Onn Yusoff, Ngun Kok Weng, Christie Tan, Julian Fong, Ong Boon Chong, Dya Singh, Raja Ahmad, Peter Lee, Lim Sew Hok, Ho Wing Chee, Ong Keng Ho, Peter U Chin Wei, Wong Chow Lan, Koe Hung Tatt, Yap Lip Kee, Jothieswaran, Looi Lai Meng, Wong Chee Kong, Soon Kean Tiong, Yap Chee Keong (with apologies to those I may have left out).

We would like to send our condolences and deepest sympathies to his family on their loss.

Mr Murugasu has touched all our lives in one way or another. We are now spread over many countries and yet the news of his passing is felt by all.

We remember our times with him fondly. He instilled into us the pride of being in the VI, how to excel both in sports and academics and to be most of all gentlemen and all rounders. He inculcated into us the traditions and spirit of the school and his achievements are reflected in all of us and the many students who passed through the VI during his time.

And in the poem of Walt Whitman:

"O Captain! my Captain! our fearful trip is done,
The ship has weather'd every rack, the prize we sought is won,
The port is near, the bells I hear, the people all exulting,
While follow eyes the steady keel, the vessel grim and daring;
     But O heart! heart! heart!
       O the bleeding drops of red,
        Where on the deck my Captain lies,
          Fallen cold and dead.

O Captain! my Captain! rise up and hear the bells....."

Our thoughts and prayers are with his family. We give thanks for his life and May he Rest In Peace

To Sir with Love !
VI Prefects Board of 1969, 1970 and 1971

. . . . . .

Dya Singh:

I echo Julian's sentiments. He changed my life by believing in me. He too made it a point to attend my daughter's wedding in Mantin ... except that he told Chuan it was in Tampin! Anyway he did turn up. I felt greatly honoured.

It is a sad passing. RIP Sir.

Mr. Murugasu meant everything to us and in my case perhaps I appreciated his input into my life more as time went on. VI was great, but Mr. Murugasu made it greater in the days he was HM. I think I was in Form 2 when he came and stayed right through to my Form 6.

I am honoured to be a part of this group. My salutations to Chuan for being by his side for many decades till the end. And you Kian Fui to have played an active part in his life post-VI as well.

Peter Lee:

Sad to hear the news. He was close to Kim Chuan. Met them about 5 yrs ago in PJ at a banana leaf restaurant. It was special.

It was a milestone in our lives, especially our 'blue shirt' years. Mr Murugasu lived up the road from my father's house (now sold). It was no. 4 Jln 14/55. Mr Murugasu was at no. 21. Nice coincidence. Did see him around on a few occasions.

Tong Wai Sun (Head Girl 1970):

May I dedicate this in our card:

So pick me up LORD
Let me find my peace
So take me JESUS
In your arms LORD
Take me home dear LORD
Take me home...

Wong Chow Lan (Head Girl 71):

Cheh Sing and I had the honour and privilege to be part of Mr Murugasu's 90th birthday celebration in KL. That was the second and last time we met in person. The first was at a reunion in Selangor Club eons ago.

He had left the VI when I came in at Lower Six in 1970. Heard about his intense disciplinary skills and how the VI excelled both in academics and sports under his tenure.

I developed much respect and admiration for him as an educator, mentor and friend to his students. Beneath the seemingly harsh punishments, he was moulding his students with love to face the world at large.

I was especially touched by him, a VIP on his birthday, surrounded by his past students, his friends. He actually came to talk to me. Such a gracious gentleman.

Mr Murugasu, the Lord has granted you rest from your labours. I pray you will be greeted with "Well done, my good and faithful servant" by the Lord.

Onn Yusoff:

For one who had been to three secondary schools with three different headmasters, Murugasu stood out for his dedication to the highest standards of discipline & devotion in building the students character, in addition to sports and academics.

I will always be grateful to him for having a big influence on me as a person and for shaping the prestige of the school like no other. THANK YOU MURUGASU. My prayers are with you. May you rest in peace.

Dina Rizal Bin Abdullah:

Rest in peace sir. You moulded us to what we are today. A father figure, especially to sportsmen. Blessed to be our HM during my VI days 1963 to 1969. Will treasure the victories of the VI in the Under-19 football Piala Khir Johari three years a row, 1967 - 1969, under the guidance of coach Cikgu Othman and the amazing inspiration and motivation of you, sir. Rest in peace sir. God bless.

Andrew Abishegam:

A true legend by any means. Unfortunately, I was not in the school during his time as HM. I first heard about VI and its reputation when told about him as HM. I was truly awed even before stepping a foot in school. Truly without parallel.

Surendran Menon:

A truly great soul who believed that both sports and studies were equally important for development. Was privileged to study in VI when he was the principal....R.I.P.

Lim Mook San:

One of the icons of the V.I. He did so much to lay the blueprint for the running of the Prefects Board and a foundation for discipline of the school.

Ridzwan Bakar:

The first Asian headmaster for VI, after Alan Baker's exit in 1963. I was in Form 3 then. A strict disciplinarian, some students disliked this. But as for me, I would not be where I am now without his guidance. Rest in peace, Sir.

Anon:

Mr. V. Murugasu, who had been a postwar pupil at the VI until 1950, took over the reins as the VI Principal from Mr. Baker on 1st June, 1964. He had been a House football captain and secretary of the Geographical Society during his VI schooldays.

After graduating with an arts degree in English, he had been Headmaster at two other schools and at the Day Training College, and a deputy Chief Education Officer before being posted to his alma mater.

Mr. Murugasu was a rigid disciplinarian, in the mould of his old Headmaster, Mr. F. Daniel. He did not spare the rod and he emphasised the equal importance of studies and extra-mural activities. He implemented a system that awarded certain points for each extra-mural activity that a pupil participated in.

The School's superlative academic and sporting achievements continued to elicit regular headlines and flattering coverage in the local papers. Seeking to avoid stereotyping of lower secondary pupils by the 'A', 'B', 'C' or 'D' categorisation of their classes, Mr. Murugasu replaced these with 'North', 'South', 'East' and 'West', not necessarily in the same order.

His VI dress code required pupils to wear canvas shoes instead, and only Sixth Formers were allowed to wear long pants and leather shoes. Hair styles and hair lengths were strictly enforced.

An old boy, Dr. Chew Yoong Foong, shared a hilarious incident involving 1972's Lewis Scholar, Lim Theam Siew. Mr. Murugasu, would appear in class and personally hand out the Report Cards to each student at the end of each term. When it came to Theam Siew's turn, Murugasu asked, "First in class, first in Form, first in Maths. What games or societies are you involved in, young genius?"

Theam Siew, by now reduced to a quivering mass of jelly, croaked, "N-n-none, s-s-s-ssir!" To which Murugasu predictably responded with, "Well, bend down, that'll be three strokes then!"

We are glad to record that Theam Siew, ended his tenure in VI as Co-Editor of the school magazine, as Secretary of Sultan Abdul Samad House and the Automotive Society. He also participated in inter-house debates and science & maths quizzes and exhibitions as well. So, the VI system was very clear. Exam results were of course the main priority. But, you had to be a member of at least one 'uniformed' group and of one society, and if you were not good enough to make it into the School 1st XI and reserve teams, you had to turn out for the inter-house games.

It is not surprising that Murugasu produced many gentlemen, scholars and sportsmen with his unique disciplinary style. Tan Sri Azlan Zainol, the Chairman of a number of public-listed companies such as MRCB and RHB, also remembered Mr. Murugasu as a strict disciplinary and he was not spared of two strokes either from him. Tan Sri Azlan believed that the culture brought by Mr. Murugasu had, in some way, although it may seemed draconian, unearthed the hidden talents of those Victorians who had had him as their headmaster.

Some were indebted to him for what he had done, and some may hate him. But deep in their hearts, we are sure they are thankful to Mr. Murugasu for moulding them to become such fine gentlemen today.

Mr. Murugasu, the Victorians salute you and, trust us, it will not be easy to find someone as committed as you ... Be Yet Wiser!



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Created on 28 May 2022.
Last update on 28 May 2022.