THE Old Paulians’ Association Seremban (OPA) views with utmost gravity the baseless allegations circulating across social media platforms falsely implicating school prefects in the handling and serving of alcoholic beverages during the OPA Centenary Reunion Dinner.
The OPA categorically refutes and unequivocally condemns these allegations.
They are wholly unfounded, constitute a deliberate and malicious distortion of the facts and are calculated to damage the standing, reputation and dignity of both the Association and the institution of St Paul.
The Centenary Reunion Dinner was a private alumni function organised hy OPA and held at Regent Hall, Seremban – strictly off school premises and outside school hours.
Attended by approximately 1,600 alumni and distinguished guests, the event was organised to commemorate the Association’s historic centenary milestone and to raise charitable contributions for upgrading school infrastructure, enhancing educational facilities and supporting welfare at St Paul’s Institution (SPI).
The participation of pupil prefects was entirely voluntary, backed by express, written parental consent.
Their responsibilities were strictly confined to ceremonial protocols, registration management, promoting centenary commemorative merchandise and welcoming arriving guests.
Editor’s Note: Negeri Sembilan WAWASAN pro-tem chairman Badrul Hisham Shaharin a.k.a. Chegu Bard had recently bemoaned “pupils ordered to serve ALCOHOL in an old pupils’ event attended by many DAP leaders” at the recent Old Paulians’ Association (OPA) 100th anniversary reunion dinner.
More specifically, he claimed that “a total of 25 school prefects were instructed by the school’s principal to attend and serve alcohol” to guests.
“The ceremony was attended by the headmaster and senior assistant for pupils’ affairs who sat on the VIP table,” the WAWASAN election director penned on his Facebook page.
He further alleged that protests were made during rehearsals and briefings not only by Muslim teachers but the majority of teachers (including non-Muslims) by means of directing their complaints to SISPA (public feedback, complaint, inquiry, suggestion and appreciation platform) but to no avail.
‘Bad-faith labelling ordinary Chinese tea as wine’
At no point whatsoever were the pupils directed, permitted or pressured to touch, pour, dispense or serve alcoholic beverages.
This zero-tolerance directive was documented clearly in written briefing notes and repeatedly reinforced verbally by the organisers.
The OPA further rejects any assertion that objections were raised, suppressed or disregarded during these briefing sessions. Such claims are complete fabrications.
For the avoidance of doubt, neither teachers nor prefects were involved in any rehearsal sessions prior to Sept 5.
During the solemn toasts to His Royal Highness the Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan and the Alma Mater, prefects assisted solely in distributing ordinary Chinese tea.
Any surface foam observed immediately upon pouring was merely natural aeration from tea which dissipated within moments and cannot under any circumstances be construed as evidence of wine or alcoholic beverages.
The OPA wholly rejects the bad-faith labelling of ordinary Chinese tea as wine or alcohol without credible substantiation. The circulation of photographs and selective footage devoid of factual context is a cynical manipulation intended to mislead the public.
Neither the school administration nor teachers ever instructed any pupil to handle alcoholic beverages.
The OPA expresses deep regret and outright condemnation over the reckless dragging of the school administration, our Guest of Honour YB Anthony Loke Siew Fook and other distinguished guests into this fabricated, malicious controversy.
The Association maintains a zero-tolerance policy against the publication, amplification or dissemination of false, defamatory statements that harm the reputation of the Association, the school, its pupils and its global alumni fraternity.
The OPA has sought legal counsel and is currently lodging a police report. The Association reserves all legal rights to initiate legal action, including civil defamation suits for substantial damages against any individual or entity responsible for originating, publishing or circulating these defamatory falsehoods.
The OPA urges members of the public, the media and social media users to exercise discernment, refrain from jumping to premature conclusions and cease sharing unverified, misleading content.
All matters concerning this event must be evaluated based on verified facts, documentary evidence and complete context.
The Association will vigorously defend the integrity, good name and honour of St. Paul’s Institution, its pupils and its alumni through all available legal avenues.
The OPA expects this matter to be dealt with responsibly, objectively and respectfully and will not hesitate to pursue the full extent of the law to safeguard the dignity of the Paulian community.– Oct 24, 2026
Steven Chan is president of the Old Paulians’ Association
The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia.
