Malaysian Students’ Association (MSA), formerly known as Malaysian STPM & A-Level Group, was formed in July 2001. MSA is a self-help group which aims to unite, as well as to create bonding among, all the Malaysian STPM and A-Level graduates pursuing undergraduate courses in NTU. MSA was the brainchild of Mr. Yong Chin Kuo, who was also the founder of MSA. The idea of forming a self-help group by and for Malaysian students came into reality with the help of Mr. Sim Hock Chuan, Mr. Tan Teik Chuan, Mr. Chin Choong Foo, Ms. Susan Lim Seow Chean and Mr. Tai Chin Chieh, who later formed the first 5-member management committee of MSA.

At the early stage, the management of MSA was merely run by five committee members. The first management committee was chaired by Mr. Sim Hock Chuan. Due to the limited resources, i.e. fund and manpower, only a few activities were successfully organized in the early days. The first activity organized by MSA was Malaysian BBQ held at carpark in front of Block 72 of Hall 15. This very first gathering was attended by approximately 60 Malaysian students. Discussions among the committee and the Malaysian students were carried out from time to time and the major objectives of MSA were finally identified, i.e. to foster the bonding and to create a happy family, among Malaysian students in NTU. In order to achieve all these goals, more and more activities are to be organized. Malaysian Night, the second activity was held on the Roof Top of Nanyang House. With the assistance by and enthusiasm of the seniors, an increase of about 30 persons in the attendance was recorded! This is where the bonding begins to strengthen…

The second management committee, led by Mr. Chin Choong Foo, took over the office in August 2002. A number of activities, such as two Malaysian Nights (one for each semester in the academic year 2002/03) and the 1st MSA Freshmen Orientation Camp were organized. Malaysian students have become more and more active in NTU. The first International Undergraduate Committee (IUC) was formed under the name of Students’ Union in the academic year 2002/03 with the main aim to create friendships among all international students in NTU regardless of nationalities and races. Two representatives from MSA were allocated in the IUC to speak up for Malaysian students. Malaysian students have been actively involved in the IUC. During the International Cultural Week, MSA also set up an exhibition booth at the foyer of Canteen B, as well as presented a multilingual song and dance. In the year of 2003, the first ever MSA Freshmen Orientation Camp (FOC) was launched. This was undeniably a milestone in the MSA history, indeed. A total of 50 Malaysian freshmen participated in this FOC. The flame of MSA fever was ignited…

During the Malaysians’ Night in August 2003, the attendance hit a record of 115. The third MSA management committee comprising 20 members was formed. The response for the third management committee recruitment was overwhelming - a total of 49 students, mostly freshmen attended! Under the third MSA president Mr. Tan Chun Giap’s firm leadership, the number of activities carried out has increased significantly. These activities include two Malaysian Nights, MSA FOC 2004, Sentosa outing, BBQ, steamboat, games, sport activities etc. Besides, the committee was very active in taking part in external activities, such as the International Games, International Culture and Food Festival (ICFF), Mid-Autumn Celebration by PRC Students’ Union, Vietnamese National Day’s celebration, etc. In the International Games, Malaysian and Vietnamese emerged as the co-Champions with a total of 6 medals i.e. 3-gold, 1-silver and 2-bronze. During the ICFF, a group of 20 Malaysian students performed a choral speaking, to the NTU community in Nanyang Auditorium. The most significant achievements during the term were the FOC 2004 and the Merdeka Night 2004, both of which hit a new record of attendance. A total of 77 freshmen joined the FOC 2004, whereas the Merdeka Night 2004 enjoyed the patronage of over 200 members.

In the year of 2004, MSA ventured into a new era with the takeover of the first Lady President – Kheong Ai Mei. The line-up of the forth MSA management committee was tailored to ensure MSA keep on soaring…