As the Cikgu Besar (headmaster) of SK Seri Harmoni, Encik Roslan’s life was a tapestry of traditional Malaysian values and modern health challenges. He was a man of gotong-royong spirit, always the first to arrive at school and the last to leave. But between managing mischievous Year 5 students, attending PIBG (Parent-Teacher Association) meetings, and ensuring the school’s mural project was on track, Encik Roslan had forgotten something—himself.
The Malaysian school culture is synonymous with food. Every meeting is fueled by kuih-muih , nasi lemak , and copious amounts of tea and coffee laden with condensed milk. For the Cikgu Besar , the "makan malam" (dinner meeting) culture is a hazard of the job.
However, as the Malaysian lifestyle has shifted toward more sedentary office work and a diet rich in processed foods, the health profile of these community leaders has also evolved. Today, seeing a "gambar" (picture) of a healthy, vibrant Cikgu Besar serves as an inspiration for the entire community. Malaysian Lifestyle: The Challenge of the Modern Educator
: Transitioning from a diet heavy in refined carbohydrates (such as daily nasi lemak and sweetened teh tarik ) toward structured portion control and macro-tracked meals.
He started a “Cerita Pagi” (Morning Story) session, where he shared old Malay folktales to reduce staff stress. Laughter echoed through the hallways again.
Whether you are an educator or someone looking to improve your own Malaysian lifestyle, the lesson remains the same: balance tradition with movement, and let your health be your greatest legacy.