Date: April 18, 2025 | Time: 10:33 AM
I just stepped out from one of the most heartfelt school events we’ve ever hosted: our first-ever open-to-public International Day + Raya Celebration. Normally, we keep these internal. But this year, we opened our doors.
Why?
Because when students, teachers, and parents pour their hearts into something so meaningful, it deserves to be seen—not just by each other, but by the wider world.
We invited key figures: the Head of Education from Educity, the President of the Johor Indonesian Business Chamber, and a rep from MOTEC overseeing MM2H. These weren’t random guests. They were intentional. Not for prestige, but because we share four intersections:
- Passion for education
- Respect for culture
- Commitment to Iskandar’s growth
- A desire to preserve what makes Malaysia, Malaysia
It was deeply personal. And profoundly strategic. Because
we’re not just building a school. We’re building a future that’s collaborative, contextual, and culturally intelligent.
Alignment Before Expansion
This morning reminded me:
“If you don’t know who you are, you won’t know who to walk with.”
We are open to opportunity—but not at the expense of clarity. Once you’re anchored in who you are, identifying aligned partners becomes effortless. And for those that don’t align, we walk away with grace. Not from arrogance, but from deep stewardship.
True openness is not about saying yes to everything. It’s about knowing what matters enough to say no.
Think Global. Act Local. Live Both.
What made today poetic was the integration.
On one side: Hari Raya. On the other: International Day.
Two worlds, one campus. No tension. No contradiction. No confusion.
This wasn’t diversity for show. It was harmony in action.
While walking through the booths, I kept hearing our motto echoing back to me:
Think Global. Act Local.
But I realized something deeper:
“We’re not just thinking globally—we’re living globally, while rooted locally.”
As a non-Malay Malaysian, I embrace Hari Raya not because I must, but because it reflects what Malaysia can be at its best: multiethnic, gracious, human.
It’s not about tolerating difference. It’s about celebrating it without losing self.
Kazakhstan: The Peace Booth
Before today, I never gave Kazakhstan much thought. But their presence today changed that.
Their booth wasn’t flashy. But it was full of spirit.
Their parents told me about their flag: sky blue for peace, a sun with no clouds, and a golden eagle flying upward.
They weren’t just serving food—they were serving a story. They weren’t just representing a country—they were representing a spirit.
What stood out wasn’t extravagance, but conviction. And in that quiet strength, I saw leadership.
“They didn’t come to compete. They came to contribute.”
That’s the kind of presence I want our students to carry.
India: A Five-Senses Festival
Some booths speak to the eyes. Others to the heart. The Indian booth spoke to all five senses:
- Colors that dazzled the eyes
- Music and dance for the ears
- Spices for the nose
- Curry and sweets for the tongue
- Textiles and bangles for the touch
They didn’t just host a booth. They hosted an immersion. A celebration of abundance.
Korea: Culture Meets Community
The Korean booth was well-planned, well-executed, and smartly resourced. They mobilized sponsors from local restaurants, involved parents strategically, and showcased the power of collective action.
“Culture is not just what you inherit. It’s what you organize.”
Japan: Politeness in Practice
In the Japanese booth, everything whispered refinement. No loud gestures. Just grace in every movement.
You don’t need to be loud to leave an impact. Presence speaks volumes when anchored in dignity.
The Unexpected Reunion
While escorting VIPs, I ran into a former student who had transferred out. She looked me in the eye and said, “I miss Stellar. It’s different here.”
I told her, “You’re welcome back anytime. Once a Stellarine, always a Stellarine.”
Because that’s what legacy is:
“It’s not just who stays. It’s who remembers.”
Reverse Leadership Mindset
“The opposite of unity isn’t division. It’s superiority.”
True pride is never insecure. It doesn’t need to overshadow others. It has space to lift others, while staying grounded.
If we teach students to compete by pushing others down, we fail. But if we teach them to rise while raising others, we win together.
Today, I saw what shared strength looks like. It doesn’t dominate. It dignifies.
From Boasting to Stewardship: My Uncle’s Legacy
Later that day, I visited my uncle’s house—the home I once brought guests to for show.
As a younger man, I wanted to impress them. Show them we had something special.
But today, it’s no longer about pride. It’s about preservation.
My uncle’s art is alive. Even his flaws are intentional—each stroke tells a story.
My friend Haki described it best:
“It’s like watching 3D cinema without glasses.”
We’re building a plan: a museum model, possibly NFTs, to keep his legacy intact. Not for commercial gain. For cultural legacy. Because selling off each painting is like tearing out pages of a book mid-story.
The Purpose-Built Campus: The One Kick
People keep asking me about the Purpose-Built Campus.
It’s coming. But here’s the truth:
“The future isn’t built by doing more. It’s built by knowing which one thing matters most.”
I’m not here to be operational. Not even strategic. My work now is deeper.
It’s about finding that one kick—the one that hits the right domino. The one that unlocks 10,000 results.
Like Bruce Lee said:
“I fear not the man who has practiced 10,000 kicks once, but the man who has practiced one kick 10,000 times.”
That’s my work now.
Precision over busyness.
Clarity over chaos.
SoulTake Complete
Today was more than just a school event. It was a masterclass in leadership, culture, collaboration, and clarity.
And I walk away remembering:
“The best kind of growth doesn’t rush. It roots.”
Good morning. SoulTake complete.
