SRJK (INGGERIS) GOMBAK 1 AND GOMBAK 2

Tracing the history of SRJK (Inggeris) Gombak 1 & 2 during the 1970s reveals a period of significant transformation, as the school adapted to the national education shifts of that era.

1. The 1971 Split: Gombak 1 & 2

The year 1971 was the most pivotal for your class. Originally a single entity known as National Type Primary School (English) Gombak,   it was divided into two separate administrations—Gombak 1 and Gombak 2—to manage the rapidly growing student population.

• Gombak 1: Managed by Mr. E. F. Alagaratnam, who served as Headmaster until 1974.
• Gombak 2: Led by its first Headmaster, En. Ariffin bin Haji Yassin (1971–1973).
• The Rotation: Because they shared the same area at Kilometer 8, Jalan Gombak, the two schools rotated morning and afternoon sessions every six months to ensure fairness in facility use.

2. The Shift from English to Malay Medium

Since your group is the Class of '73, you were among the final cohorts to experience the "English-medium" transition.

• Policy Change: Following the 1970 national directive, English-medium schools (SRJK) began phased conversion into National Schools (Sekolah Kebangsaan).
• Name Change (1975): Shortly after you graduated, the school names officially changed to Sekolah Rendah Kebangsaan (1) Gombak and Sekolah Rendah Kebangsaan (2) Gombak.

3. School Life in the 70s

• Facilities: In the early 70s, the school was much smaller. Blok A was the original main building. Blok C was added in 1971, right as the school split, likely providing the extra classrooms your class used in your final years.
• The Surroundings: Unlike the dense urban area it is today, the school in the 1970s was surrounded by rubber estates and tin mining pools.
• Notable Figures: For Gombak 1, Pn. Rabiatul Abd. Majid took over as Headmistress in 1974, a name many from that era remember as she led the school for 14 years.

The Class of ’73: A Journey Through Time

SRJK (Inggeris) Gombak 1 & 2

To our fellow classmates and lifelong friends,

They say time flies, but for the Class of ’73, the memories of our days at Kilometer 8, Jalan Gombak, remain as vivid as ever. We were a unique generation—the bridge between the old world and the new.

Our Shared Beginnings

MAY 13,1969

As we look back, we cannot forget our time in Standard 2. The Tragedy of May 13, 1969, was a confusing and frightening for a 8-years old. 

For a eight year-old at SRJK (Inggeris) Gombak , the events of May 13, 1969 were likely a confusing and frightening time where the world outside the school gates suddenly changed.

As someone living in Gombak area at the time, you might recall the sudden imposition of the curfew (Perintah Berkurung). The silence of the streets, the presence of military trucks, and the "shoot-to-kill" orders for those out after dark were terrifying realities that replaced normal school life for weeks. Schools across Kuala Lumpur were closed for an extended period. 

Many of us still carry stories of how our families in Gombak looked out for one another during those difficult weeks, ensuring everyone was safe, regardless of race and background. Those who become political bigots cause chaos, but we still live in harmony regardless of race, we still played and studied together. 

The turmoil of 13 May 1969 didn't break our spirit, it forged a bond that has been lasted over 50 years. Living in Gombak in 1969 meant living through the long curfew hours. 50 years later, we can still sti at hte same table and laugh like no time has passed.. those were the days my friend.

RUKUN NEGARA

We we the first generation to grow up with the Rukun Negara, introduced in 1970 as a direct response to the riots to foster national unity. Surely, we still remember reciting the "RUKUN NEGARA" for the first time in the school assembly during standard 3. This is why, by the time we reached standard 6 in 1973, our school was already in the process of becoming a "SEKOLAH KEBANGSAAN".

We started our journey when the school was still a single entity, SRJK (Inggeris) Gombak, KL. We remember the sound of the old school bell, the dusty playgrounds, and the surrounding greenery of Gombak that has since turned into a bustling city.

In 1971, we witnessed history firsthand when our school split into Gombak 1 and Gombak 2. We were the pioneers of the "morning and afternoon shift" rotation, learning to adapt as the school grew alongside us. Under the guidance of headmasters like Mr. E. F. Alagaratnam and En. Ariffin bin Haji Yassin, we didn't just learn ABCs and 123s; we learned the value of friendship and community.

The Pioneers of Change

As the Class of ’73, we were among the final cohorts of the English-medium era. We navigated the transition of the national curriculum with resilience, proving that no matter the language of instruction, the spirit of a Gombakian never wavers.

Reconnecting at the Grand Seasons

Our August 5, 2017 reunion at the Grand Seasons Hotel, KL, was a testament to our bond. Seeing faces we hadn't seen in decades reminded us that while the school buildings have changed and the hotel has since closed its doors, our shared history is permanent. We walked into that ballroom as retirees, professionals, and grandparents, but we left as the same kids who used to play in the corridors of Blok A.

Looking Ahead

Whether you were from Gombak 1 or Gombak 2, we are, and always will be, one family. Let us continue to cherish these memories and keep the flame of our friendship burning bright.

"Once a Gombakian, always a Gombakian!"

Compiled by: 

Hj Zulheimy Maamor

Lembah Keramat, KL

20 December 2025: 3.50 p.m