1). Can you tell us a little about your background?
I was born on the 15th of September 1946 in Seremban. My father was a Part II Architect and my mother was a
housewife. I have four brothers and five sisters. I married FoongSeow Ken and had three boys who are also Old
Paulians. I did Surveying and Architectural Draughtsmanship under my father’s firm for 12 years. I was accepted and
admitted to the Board of Architects Malaysia as a Registered Building Draughtsman to practise in 1975 under the firm
name of "Michael Yan Wai Pin".
2.How did you get involved with St. Paul's Institution?
I actually am a Paulian myself. When I was still in school, we were on par with and sometimes much better than most
schools in the state where studies and games were concerned. However our school did not have a proper hall for
assemblies, concerts, examinations or games. When the OPA annual games were held, we had to go look for hall
outside the school to play badminton and ping pong.The classrooms were converted to a makeshift hall for
examinations.
3. Our teachers often speak highly about your contributions towards the school. Can you enlighten us as to
what they are?
Actually, I consider my contributions towards the school very little. I would however like to thank my advisor IR.
Thomas Thamboe, IR. Loo Soo Tong and PaulianChoongWai Kong for their contributions too. Without them, I would
be lost. I would also like to thank all the generous donors and Paulians. They are the ones who truly made it happen.
4. What are your hopes and expectations for the school?
To provide the necessary facilities needed for the students and teachers to make our school the top school in the
state and possibly, the country.
5. Lastly, what would you like to say to our fellow Paulians ?
Enjoy your school days and BE HUMBLE, HONEST AND HELPFUL. Remember, once a Paulian, always a Paulian.
Mr. Michael’s Involvement In Hockey :
At State Level : 1974 : Captained the state team to win the Tun Hussein Cup
1975 : Captained the state team to win the TunRazakCup, toured the Nehru
Memorial Tournament in New Delhi, India and won the BEST Foreign Team
award.
1977 : Captained the state team to win the TunRazak Cup and retired from hockey.
At National Level : 1970 : Asian Games in Bangkok.
1974 : Captained the National Team to SEAP Games in Singapore.
1975 : Tour of India, New Zealand and Australia.
2008 : Vice Captain of the National Senior Team to the World Cup in Leverkusen,
Germany
Award: Top NS Hockey Sportman 1975& 1976
2007 : Awarded the title "Benefactor" (Education of Youth) by the La Salle
Brothers.
QUOTE FOR MICHAEL YAN- A MAN OF CLASS
