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Celebrating a centenary of scouting

SCOUTS representing various generations gathered in Penang to celebrate 100 years of scouting, 50 years of Merdeka and 75 years of scouting with the St Xavier’s Institution.

The World Scout Centenary Dinner at Bayview Hotel was organised by the Xaverian B.P. Guild.

Among those present was national Chief Scout Commissioner Colonel Prof Datuk Dr Kamaruddin Kachar who had just returned from celebrating World Scout Day in Chelmsford, England.

Scouting started in Malaysia when the Young Men’s Christian Association formed the first Scout troop in Penang in 1909. The movement started in England in 1907.

”In Malaysia, our main aim now is to increase our membership of scouts to one million by 2010,” Kamaruddin said.

The Malaysian Scout Association currently has about 250,000 members.

Eric Khoo, the chairman of the Asia-Pacific Region Scout Council that has members from 23 countries, reminded scouts present that they were part of a revolutionary movement.

“We belong to a organisation which has 28 million members who help billions worldwide,” he said.

Also present was Finance Ministry parliamentary secretary Datuk Seri Dr Hilmi Yahaya who represented Second Finance Minister Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcob.

Source : TheStar.com.my

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