EVERY year during the Merdeka period, navy veteran Oliver Cuthbert Samuel would narrate his proud moments of hoisting the Federation of Malaya flag at the Stadium Merdeka in Kuala Lumpur on Aug 31, 1957, to his family.
Oliver, a former Chief Petty Officer, would tell his family members how the Union Jack at the Merdeka Square, in front of the Sultan Abdul Samad Building, was lowered in the wee hours of the morning on Aug 31, 1957; and the hoisting of Federation of Malaya flag at the Stadium Merdeka in Kuala Lumpur some eight hours later.
The Ipoh-born officer together with two others, Lt Kom Mohd Sharif Kalam, and the late Chief Petty Officer Seaman Awang Mohd Salleh, were tasked to raise the Federation of Malaya flag at the Stadium Merdeka in Kuala Lumpur on Aug 31, 1957, back then.
In April this year, Oliver, now 90, had a fall at his home and injured his left femur.
Upon learning about Oliver’s health condition, Batu Kawan MP Chow Kon Yeow, who is also the caretaker Chief Minister, visited him at his home in Chai Leng Park today. With him was caretaker Deputy Chief Minister II Prof Dr P. Ramasamy.
“We are concerned about his well-being so we came to visit him and his family. We wish him well and a speedy recovery,” Chow said. As the Batu Kawan MP, Chow also presented a small token to assist Oliver’s family.
Oliver and his wife Tan Gim Choo have three sons and five grandchildren (four granddaughters and a grandson).
Oliver’s eldest granddaughter Gwendolyn Ann Jie Ling Samuel, 31, said her grandfather has a very big heart to love.
“My grandfather is a well-disciplined person. And he has a very big heart. He loves his family, state, and country.
“My grandfather ‘trained’ my father and uncles and built their discipline through doing chores at home when they were young,” she chuckled.
The family thanked Chow and Dr Ramasamy for their visit and well wishes.
Story by Christopher Tan
Pix by Siew Chia En