By Vincent D’Silva

JOHOR BAHRU: There were no fireworks, no grand procession and no flourish of ceremony. Only the soft evening air, the gentle presence of the sea nearby, and a gathering of Rotarians who understood that true service often passes from one pair of hands to another in quiet dignity.

At a restaurant by the sea, members of the Rotary Club of Pasir Gudang came together for a simple but meaningful dinner to witness the handing over of the presidential baton from outgoing president Francis Chan Chong How to president-elect Alex Liaw Chee Song.

The occasion marked more than a change of leadership. It was a moment of gratitude, reflection and renewed hope for a club that has, since its founding in 1981, grown into a respected service organisation with a steady commitment to humanitarian work, community care and fellowship.

Chan, who had helmed the club for the past year, formally handed over the baton to Liaw in a modest ceremony witnessed by members and well-wishers. Liew will officially assume office on July 1 as the 42nd president of the Rotary Club of Pasir Gudang.

For Chan, the evening carried the emotion of completion. His term had been filled with responsibilities, challenges and the quiet satisfaction of seeing projects reach those who needed them most.

“I have done my job to the best of my ability,” Chan said, his words simple but weighted with sincerity. “It has been an honour to serve the club and the community. Rotary is not about one person. It is about all of us coming together to make life better for others.”

During his tenure, the club carried out several community-based programmes, among them an eye-screening project involving a number of schools in Johor. The initiative was one of the more prominent efforts undertaken during the year, reflecting Rotary’s continued concern for children’s health and education.

For many students, such screenings can make a lasting difference. A child who cannot see clearly may struggle silently in class, unable to follow lessons or read from the board. Through early detection and intervention, the project helped bring attention to a need that is often overlooked until it begins to affect learning and confidence.

Chan said such projects reminded members why Rotary’s work remained deeply relevant.

“When we serve, we do not always know how far the impact will go,” he said. “Sometimes, a small act can change the way a child learns, the way a family copes, or the way a community feels cared for.”

The Rotary Club of Pasir Gudang has long carried the spirit of service beyond formal meetings. As part of Rotary’s wider mission, the club brings together business and professional leaders to provide humanitarian service, uphold high ethical standards and promote goodwill and peace.

Over the years, the club has conducted various welfare and community programmes, including medical campaigns in cooperation with Hospital Penawar. These included blood donation drives and health screenings that reached members of the public who came seeking not only medical checks but also reassurance that their well-being mattered.

Another significant milestone during Chan’s term was the signing of a sister club agreement, further strengthening bonds of friendship and cooperation beyond local borders. Such partnerships, members said, open the way for shared projects, cultural exchange and broader service opportunities.

The club has also continued to observe major festive occasions by reaching out to the community through Chinese New Year, Hari Raya and Deepavali programmes. These initiatives, though often simple in form, carry the deeper meaning of unity, respect and compassion across cultural lines.

Chan said these programmes reflected the character of the club and the people it served.

“In Malaysia, our strength is in our togetherness,” he said. “When Rotary celebrates with the people, we are also saying that no one should feel forgotten. Whether it is during Chinese New Year, Hari Raya or Deepavali, the message is the same — we care, and we stand with the community.”

For incoming president Alex Liaw, the handover was both a privilege and a solemn responsibility. Standing at the threshold of a new Rotary year, he expressed gratitude for the trust placed in him by the club.

“I am grateful to have been elected as president of the Rotary Club of Pasir Gudang,” Liaw said. “I know the responsibility is not light, but I accept it with humility and commitment. My hope is to continue the good work that has already been done and to bring the club forward with the support of every member.”

Liaw said he intends to build on the club’s existing service projects while exploring new ways to respond to the needs of the community, especially in areas involving health, education and welfare.

“Rotary teaches us that service must come from the heart,” he said. “We may not be able to solve every problem, but we can always do something. When we act together, even small efforts can bring hope.”

As the evening drew on, conversations flowed warmly around the dinner tables. There was laughter, fellowship and quiet remembrance of the work completed, the friendships formed and the lives touched.

By the sea, as the baton changed hands, the moment stood as a reminder that leadership in Rotary is never about title alone. It is about stewardship — carrying a flame for a season, keeping it alive, and then passing it on with grace.

For the Rotary Club of Pasir Gudang, the tide now turns towards a new chapter, with Alex Liaw preparing to take the helm and Francis Chan stepping aside with the knowledge that service, once planted, continues to grow in other hands.