November 17, 2009 22:42 PM

62 Years Of Friendship Renewed

CYBERJAYA, Nov 17 (Bernama) -- Sixty-two years of friendship was renewed when 21 former students, including former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and his wife Tun Dr Siti Hasmah, from the Class of 1947 of the former King Edward VII Medical College met for a four-day, three-night retreat from Monday.

The retreat began early Monday with the old students of the college, now known as the National University of Singapore, converging at the Cyberview Lodge here.

Most of them came from Malaysia and Singapore and made their journey to Cyberjaya despite their age, just to renew ties with their classmates of 62 years ago.

One who is residing in Toronto, Canada came for the retreat with assistance from his daughter.

On Monday, the class of '47 , including Dr Mahathir, 84, and Dr Siti Hasmah, 83, went on a tour of Cyberjaya, visited the Multimedia University and took a stroll in Putrajaya, the federal administrative centre.

They had a small dinner Tuesday at the Cyberview Lodge. The group will go on a boat tour in Putrajaya, visit the Wetlands and have another dinner at Dr Mahathir's residence in Cyberjaya Wednesday.

The entire retreat is being organised and sponsored by Tan Sri Mustapha Kamil Abu Bakar, the executive chairman of MK Land Holdings Bhd and EMKAY Group.

Mustapha also attended the dinner tonight and is expected to be with the class of '47 until the end of the retreat on Thursday.

In her welcome speech, Dr Siti Hasmah said she was glad to renew ties with her classmates, who studied medicine in the college over 60 years ago.

"It is nice to meet old friends...watch their children all grown up. This is very exciting for all of us," he said.

-- BERNAMA

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