It is now entering the third week here in University of Malaya. And such a shock it is. 

Being PASUM student for a year was not enough for me to say that I already know everything (or at least most of the stuff known to any member of UM). I thought I knew it all, but as the time goes, I am proved to be wrong.

I am astounded to hear that UM too has a tradition of which prior to entering UM, I believed only exists in premier schools (especially koleq). A tradition that I had come to be acquainted with for 5 years; a tradition which distinguish a collegian among students of other schools; a tradition which characteristically koleq; a tradition that make me proud to be a collegian. 

“Bung Wak, bung wek wek”

“Bung Kak, bung kek kek”

“Who are we Malay College”

“Cant you see, Yeah !! “

A tradition called CHEER. 

But guess what, through the week long experience, without hesitation, I can still say that the Cheering tradition is still uniquely collegian. 

Why? 

Because in UM instead of to Cheer, the people are jeering at each other (apparently at the other residential colleges). It saddens me to see how the PMs (Pembantu Mahasiswa) were telling the newbies that these certain colleges are our foes and some others are our friends. What kind of attitude is this? We are the supposed would-be graduates and this is how we think? Shame on you.

It is an irony, the motto was “UM is One”. If it is truly one, metaphorically as an Egg, for me the Egg is full of cracks, waiting to shatter to pieces due to its own weight. The atmosphere of the country-famous DTC (Dewan Tunku Canselor) was full of insults and name calling towards each other colleges.

“Kambing busuk tak mandi!”

“Sotong dah masuk!”

“Poyo” 

There were indeed some good Cheers, but sincerely, I think that the whole Orientation Week was full of my hearts discontent. Most of the cheers in one way or the other were tweaked so that it will infuriate the foes. 

During my years in koleq, I learnt valuable lessons. One of them is to respect our opponents. Respect them because in return they will respect us for who we are. What really differentiate us (the collegians) and other is how we behave, and what we do. It is my stand that every game or match is our chance to make new contacts and a whole lot of friends! 

We would never insult our opponents. “So, what is cheer is all about?”, one might asks. Cheer is to give and show YOUR OWN TEAM support to enlighten them, to level up their spirit against the opponents, and we shall never offend our opponents because it is JEER instead of CHEER. Need I to reinstate, respect your opponents. 

Which one you prefer? To make friends or endless enemies? We might be opponents during the 90 minutes of the match, but for the rest of our life, we are acquaintances. Can this be true if for the 90 minutes span, you played ruthlessly and never stop to downplay the rival?

Think.

2 Comments

naz July 26, 2006 Votes: +0	Your school brought you up with good values. Just because others are jeering, you know you don't have to. You're wayyy better than that report abuse vote down vote up
ayol August 02, 2006 Votes: +0	your ole school lagi better.hate to admit this report abuse vote down vote up

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