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HISTORY OF THE BOYS' BRIGADE MALAYSIA
The Boys' Brigade did not appear on the Asian scene until 1915 when the first Company was founded in Swatow, China by Rev Guthrie Gamble. The Company however had to fold-up when the Communist took over China subsequently. The BB then spread to South-east Asia with the formation of the 1st Singapore Company in 1930 by Mr. James Fraser.

BB was introduced to Malaya in 1946. Since then a sequence of events had taken place:

1946 - British soldier, Mr. Robert Davis, founded the 1st Penang Company with Mr. Geh Hun Kheng, an educationalist, as the Company Captain. The Company was under the sponsorship of Madras Lane Chinese (English speaking section) Methodist Church.

1954 - From Penang, the BB began to spread to other parts of Malaya beginning with 1st Kuala Lumpur Company, was formed under the sponsorship of Wesley Methodist Church, Kuala Lumpur. After which the movement began spreading rapidly to other towns and even small rural areas of Peninsular Malaya to meet the needs of boys.

1957 - The Federation of Malayan Council of The Boys' Brigade was established under the chairmanship of Mr. Khoo Oon Soo. On 31 August 1957 when Malaya gained her independence, the BB was honored when it was invited to participate in the Merdeka Parade.

1959 - First publication of Anchor Magazine and Mr. Ong Tit Hoe became its first editor.

1961 - The movement spread its wings to East Malaysia with the formation of 1st Kuching Company in Sarawak by Mr. Charles H Ingka under the sponsorship of st Thomas Cathedral.

1962 - BB Malaya & Singapore Battalion introduced the Founder's Badge in place of the Queen's Badge. Malaysia became a member of the Pacific Regional Fellowship which comprise of Australia, New Zealand, Cook Islands, Samoa, Niue, Nauru, Gilbert Islands, Solomon Island, Singapore, Hong Kong and Malaysia.

1963 - First Pacific Camp was organized in Port Dickson with the co-operation of the Singapore Battalion.

1964 - On 5 December was the formation of The Boys' Brigade in Malaysia consisting the former Federation of Malaya Council of the Boys' Brigade, Singapore Battalion and 1st Kuching Company.

1965 - Due to the political separation of Singapore from Malaysia, the BB in Singapore ceased to be a component district of the BB in Malaysia as of 19 August.

1966 - 600 Officers and Boys participated in the first National Review and Display held in Kula Lumpur. This event was held bi-annually and later known as 'BB Pasta'.

1967 - Under the sponsorship of YMCA, the 1st Kota Kinabalu in Sabah was initiated by Mr. Anthony Fong and Mr. Seah Yun Khong became its first Captain.

1976 - East Asia Regional Fellowship (EARF) of the World Conference was formed comprising of Brunei, Hong Kong, Malaysia and Singapore.

1981 - The first Pan-Borneo Camp was held in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.

1982 - Due to increasing expansion in East Malaysia, the Eastern District Council was dissolved to form the Sabah District and Sarawak District Councils.

1983 - BBM participated in BB Centenary Celebrations - International Camp in British. Malaysia organized the 3rd EARF Camp in Penang in conjunction with the BB Centenary.

1986 - BBM celebrated its 40th Anniversary by organizing its third Pan-Malaysian Camp in Port Dickson.

1989 - BBM employed its first full-time staff and rented  an office space in Wisma Methodist to house its National Secretariat.

Also for the first time, BBM 26th Annual General Meeting was held in Kinabalu Park, Sabah (first time outside the Peninsular) on 10 April.

62 Boys & Officers from BBM participated in the BB Hong Kong 30th Anniversary International Camp in Wu Kwai Sha Village on 30 December 1982-2 January 1990.

1990 - On 3-7 December 18 Boys & Officers represented BBM at the BB Singapore Diamond Jubilee International Camp Temasek.

1991 - For the first time, a National Junior Section Officers Training and Conference was held on 13-16 April 1991 in Frasers's Hill.

The 27th Annual General Meeting was held in Kuching Sarawak on 24 May 1991 (first time to be held in Sarawak).

1992 - The Sabah District with the Kota Kinabalu Battalion hosted for the first time the 11th National Pesta and Convention held in Kota Kinabalu on 3-8 June 1992.

Throughout this time, the BB in Malaysia maintained friendly ties with its counterpart, BB Singapore through its annual BBM-BBS Officers Fellowship.

The Boys' Brigade in Malaysia is also an affiliated member of Majlis Belia Malaysia and the Council of Churches of Malaysia.

The Boys' Brigade in Malaysia has grown and is still growing. As at mid-1993, there are more than 65 companies with over 3000 members.

(Form BB Hand Book Malaysia, Third Edition)



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Last up-to-date: 25/03/2002
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