By Aida Aziz
Photos by Balqis Jazimah Zahari
IPOH: Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Raja Perempuan (RPS) Ipoh held its second alumni reunion at Hotel Casuarina, Meru, on Saturday.
The last such event was held in June of the previous year, with this year seeing even greater participation and excitement from former students.
Chairperson of the RPSian Alumni, Dr. Rusnah Idrus, shared that the 74-year-old school has its own rich history and is well-known in the field of sports, including hockey and netball.
She added that more than 200 alumni from across the country attended the event, which carried the theme “Sirih Pulang ke Gagang” (a Malay proverb meaning “returning to one’s roots”), filled with meaningful and engaging activities.
“Reunion programs like this help make former students aware that we have an alumni association and encourage them to join.
“If possible, we’d like to see more participation from various ethnic backgrounds next year. God willing, we will continue hosting such events in the future.
“This year, we were able to gather several former principals, teachers, and students, and of course, it brought back many fond memories of where we once studied,” said Dr. Rusnah, a former student from the class of 1983.
The event brought together students from as early as 1965 to as recent as 2020, and also marked the 5th anniversary of the RPSian alumni association with the launch of its official logo.
Rosaliza Bakir, 59, from the class of 1983, said this was her second time joining the reunion.
“I came from Kuala Kangsar and I’m very excited and happy to reunite with my school friends. I hope this bond will last,” she said.
Mafuzah Mazelan, 47, from Ipoh, a 1995 graduate, attended the event with her mother and aunt, who are also RPS alumni.
“This is my first time attending the reunion and I was able to meet many alumni from various backgrounds. It’s a great opportunity to strengthen our ties,” she shared.
Sarimah Mohammed, 60, from Rawang, Selangor, hopes the event will be held annually with more activities for alumni.
“I’m a former student from the class of 1982 and I truly hope this event will attract even more alumni from different age groups in the coming years,” she said.
Some of the highlights of the event included the 74th RPS anniversary celebration, birthday recognition for RPSians born from January to September — marked with a symbolic cake-cutting ceremony at each alumni table.
Other activities included solo singing, traditional dance performances, lucky draws, a Glam 4ever – Queen of the Day segment, and the event concluded with a group rendition of the school song.
