Mohamed Na'aim Pani and Kimberly Tan Yu Wen

Beauty of a Dream

Mohamed Na'aim Pani:

“Oh! No! That’s not my ambition!” I said to myself when I heard my mother’s conversation with her elder sister, Mak Mes. She wanted me to be a Teacher because there’s only my cousin Murni Sulaiman, who is a Teacher at that time. Whilst my father’s side there were Teachers, Policemen, and Businessmen except my father who worked as a driver. My ambition was to be a Policeman. My father’s cousin, Sgt Dar’e always came to my place. He looked smart in khakis uniform, tough and stern face but with an attractive smile!

As time goes by, I applied for the post of Teacher as my profession. I have to fulfil my mother’s wish. I remembered my father’s advice “Always listen to your mum then Allah will listen to you. A mother's blessing is Allah’s blessed”.

My father enjoyed playing sports. He liked cycling, playing football, badminton and playing kites too. He taught me how to play badminton and football. He bought my first bicycle in 1961 as a mode of transport to school.

I am grateful as a Teacher besides becoming a Malay 2nd Language Teacher. I was also a Sports Secretary after I took up a Sports Specialist course. An opportunity for me was when the ACS’s Principal required me to be in the NPCC unit. Wah! I am so happy. When I put on the Police uniform for the first time. From ordinary Police Officer, I was promoted as Officer-in-Charge of the school unit. Then promoted as Assistant Commandant in-Charge of Area 17 in Jurong Area. I thank my mother and her blessing, my Dream came true.

Besides love for sports, my father also liked to dance. I think my talent of dancing is inherited from my father. But my first love is Silat, Malay Art of Self-Defence, which I learnt from my grandfather when I was 7 years old. 

I don’t have proper Malay Dance course, I just pick-up from what I learn from the instructors. My Teacher, Mdm Marhamah Zain, who forced me to join dance group in 1961 when I was in secondary one. “One day your talent will make you represent the country. It’s your call” She said nothing is impossible but have to work hard to achieve it.

Beginning as a school dance performer, I joined Malay Dance Group then was selected to become a national dancer. Being able to represent Singapore as National Choreographer and dance, I performed in different countries such as ASEAN nations, Asia, Europe, America, Australia, etc. Given me opportunity to travel abroad, exposed to see other cultures and customs. It was a lifetime experience. My philosophy is ‘Whatever we do must do seriously. Don’t give up. Listen to Parent.’

Kimberly Tan Yu Wen:

Another of my ambition include becoming a paramedic as part of Singapore’s Civil Defence Force (SCDF). It all started with a field trip to the neighbourhood fire station, Bukit Batok Fire Station where my interest was piqued…

As a tiny primary 3 student then, I recalled having some difficulty climbing onto the ambulance due to its tall step near the doorway entrance. Nonetheless, that did not stop me. Being an inquisitive child, I was devoured by curiosity! Paramedics who were present helped me along and I was soon swiftly brought onto the ambulance!

Seeing all the emergency medical equipment before me was truly an eye-opening experience. I remember fondly the Lieutenant on-duty explaining to me what purpose they all served and how each of them worked. It was then that I vowed to become part of this noble life-saving force in future!

In secondary school, I was given a chance to pick my Co-Curricular Activity (CCA) at the annual CCA fair. I spotted the Red Cross Youth booth from afar and had them note down my interest. However, my dreams were dashed when I was told that I wasn’t selected…

Nevertheless, not all hope was lost as I found other avenues that I could champion for in my capacity as an aspiring youth volunteer. I encouraged my peers around me to donate their blood at the various blood donation drives, be it school or in the community whenever they could as a unit of blood could save 3 lives!

In essence, as we are all well aware of the COVID-19 situation worldwide, we can all do our part in keeping ourselves and those around us safe by adhering to the different safe management measures implemented, as well as not forgetting to appreciate all our frontline healthcare personnel hard at work during this time of crisis!