By Vincent D’Silva

KULAI: Forty-three years after its charter was first written into Rotary’s history, the Rotary Club of Kulai gathered once again not merely to celebrate the passing of time, but to honour the lives touched, the friendships forged and the quiet acts of service that have become its enduring legacy.

At its 43rd Charter Anniversary and 44th Installation Luncheon at Cathay Restaurant, Taman Putri Kulai, on Oct 4, the club turned a page in its long journey as Lau Chin Hoon was installed as president for Rotary Year 2026-27, succeeding Ho Jee Yuan.

Amid the ceremonial change of leadership was a deeper message — that Rotary’s strength does not lie in titles or occasions, but in the willingness of ordinary people to keep showing up for those who need them.

District Governor Dolly Yeap Siew Keat, who was guest of honour, described the occasion as one of both celebration and renewal, paying tribute to the club’s record of service and its ability to nurture generations of leaders.

“It is always with pride and affection that I see the leadership of a Rotary Club pass from one president to another,” she said.

“Leadership changes each year, but our commitment to Rotary and Service Above Self continues.”

Yeap commended Ho for completing his term and congratulated Lau and his new board, expressing hope that the incoming leadership would draw members closer together while deepening the club’s engagement with the community.

She said the Rotary Club of Kulai had built “a proud record extending far beyond its regular club activities”, pointing in particular to its foundation and haemodialysis centre, which has provided an essential community service for many years.

“Sustaining such a commitment requires not only fundraising, but also perseverance, sound stewardship and the dedication of generations of Rotarians and supporters,” she said.

Yeap also highlighted the club’s friendships with Rotary clubs in Singapore, Taiwan and Thailand, saying international fellowship and cooperation demonstrated Rotary’s ability to connect communities across borders.

For Lau, assuming the presidency carries a deeply personal significance.

He first joined the Rotary Club of Kulai on Sept 29, 1999, stepped away in 2006-07 and returned in 2019, renewing a journey that had begun nearly three decades earlier.

His ties to the club extend through his family. His late father, Past President Lau Guan Cheun, served as club president in Rotary Year 2000-01.

“It is a privilege to serve as president of the Rotary Club of Kulai in Rotary Year 2026-27,” Lau said.

“My connection with the club is also deeply personal.”

After 14 years in legislative and constituency service, Lau said Rotary offered him another avenue to give back, shaped by the discipline, values and sense of service he had absorbed during his earlier years in the movement.

His presidency will place emphasis on greater member participation, constructive exchange of ideas and closer engagement with community organisations.

One of the club’s continuing priorities will be children’s eye care, following the vision screening programme carried out during the previous Rotary year.

“Through vision screening and appropriate follow-up support, we hope to help more children overcome vision problems that may affect their learning and development,” Lau said.

The club will also introduce Visi Kulai, an initiative aimed at recognising, documenting and connecting the people, experiences and ideas that have contributed to the development of Kulai.

“Let us work together to create lasting impact for our members, our community and beyond,” Lau said.

For outgoing president Ho, the handover was marked by gratitude rather than farewell.

Reflecting on his tenure, he said the achievements of the past year belonged not to one person but to members, donors, volunteers, schools, partners and supporters who had worked together.

“This journey has never been about one person. It has always been about teamwork, friendship and a shared commitment to serve our community,” Ho said.

During his term, the club provided RM100 book and stationery vouchers to 120 primary school pupils, distributed 400 school bags to needy students, screened 218 students for eye health and provided 74 pairs of spectacles to children in need.

But Ho said the true value of such projects went beyond figures.

“More importantly, we gave them something beyond financial or medical assistance — we gave them care, dignity and hope for a better future,” he said.

As he handed over the presidency, Ho pledged that his own commitment to Rotary would continue.

“I may be handing over the position, but my commitment to Rotary and to serving our community will continue,” he said.

The melodious strains of the Chinese bamboo flute and guzheng, performed by Khoo Chui Yee and Guo Yan Feng, added a graceful touch of merriment to the Rotary luncheon, leaving the audience enthralled and mesmerised by their captivating performance.

For a club that has weathered more than four decades of changing times, the anniversary was both a homecoming and a new beginning.

Presidents will come and go, pins will change hands and another chapter will eventually be written.

But in Kulai, the promise remains much the same: to see a need, to extend a hand, and to leave behind something kinder than what was found.

A nostalgic reflection on the club’s 43-year journey unfolded through a captivating pictorial presentation by president Lau Chin Hoon and the day’s emcee, Ong Jean, keeping the audience’s eyes firmly glued to the LED screen as treasured memories and milestones came vividly back to life.