On the last day of 2023, a deeply saddening news broke across all the communication channels of 10th KL – our Assistant Group Scout Leader (AGSL) Lester, fondly known as “Chon Ming” by all the boys, had unfortunately passed away.

It came as shocking news to all of us, as we were right in the midst of the final preparations for the “10th KL Dinner 2024”. The scout leaders and the Group Committee members were all meeting frequently with him for various discussions ahead of the big gathering. As the mastermind who had recruited the new lineup of our Group Committee, it was regrettable that he couldn’t get to see our first project being materialised and executed in the end. Despite that, we know that we would have to continue to work tirelessly and passionately for the betterment of our beloved scout group.

Chon Ming’s dedication and loyalty to 10th KL has been immeasurable, being an active and courageous Patrol Leader since his younger days, and returned as the Scout Leader of the Boy Scout Troop in 2010. Since then, he started implementing a systematic approach in troop management, making sure that the fundamental skills and values are well instilled among the boys. Known to many as a strict and firm leader, his intention was to train the boys on self-discipline and being respectful to one another. Those who stayed on after graduation and worked together with him as Assistant Scout Leaders, would later realise that he was actually a fun brotherly figure to hang around with, having exceptional story-telling ability with unlimited jokes to share during the camping days.

A couple of years later, Chon Ming took a step back and focused on his role as the AGSL of 10th KL, working closely with our Group Scout Leader (GSL) Choo Yew Kuen and other scout leaders to chart out our policies and directions as a group. Under his guidance and persistent leadership, we have successfully established continuity in the organising work of multiple outdoor camps every year, and passing on the tradition of our annual campfire as well. He had always been sharing his vision of “Boys Leading Boys.” With proper coaching methods, he strongly believed that the older boys in the Group would learn up the necessary knowledge and skills, then pass them on to the juniors. From there we have ensured sustainability in 10th KL’s mission of scout training and character building.

Now that the boys who were trained by Chon Ming have all grown up and moved onto their respective careers, we are certain that he would be proud of their achievements and progress in life, as he had always said, “You will find the satisfaction of being a Scout Leader when you see your boys achieve success and do well in life.”

10th KL Air Scout Group honours Chon Ming’s massive contribution to the Group, and his great display of inspiring commitment will live on in our hearts.